Evening star., 1902-02-12
LITTLE HOPE OF PEACE
British Do Not Count on
DIcl Mediat' on.
WAR PARTY DOMINANT
QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT AS
TO SALE OF CHINESE SEALS.
Great Crowds Expected to Attend the
Coronation-Wedding Present
Tax Becomes Onerous.

Great Crowds Expected to Attend the
Coronation-Wedding Present
Tax Becomes onerous.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
LONDON, February 1. 1902.
Rumor Is busy with the contents Of the
communication Of the Dutch government
to the British cabinet, which is now dig
nihed with the name Of mote" It Is be-
lieved. however. that 1t contains nothing
but a friendly inquiry as to whether the
Dutch government can open communica-
tions with the leaders in South Africa to
ascertain their views as to the conclusion
of the war. This note of the Dutch govern
ment implies that the refugees in Holland
have split into two sections. Mr.. Kruger
and DIR. Leyds remain obstinately hostile
to the conclusion Of the war. The Dutch
movement must have the approval of the
more moderate members of the encourage:
and IL DIR. Leyds' statement Is correct. that
he knows nothing OF DR.. Kuyper's recent
mission to London. 1t is evident that both
Mr.. Kruger and he are being practically
set aside by their co-refugees.
Mr.. Kruger and DR.. Leyds have both seen
the Transvaal for the last time, and who
ever may be allowed to return to it, they
will not be among the number. Nor will
the British government, In concluding the
war, whether by consent Or by force, recog-
nize them in any form. The annexation Of
the Transvaal put an end to Mr.. Krugers
career. and he passed into compulsory re-
tirement to join the historic throng OF
rulers retired from business. Those Of the
Beers who are the real arbfters Of peace
or war are the men in the field, and If the
Intervention of the Dutch government Is to
be of any avail it is to them it must ap-
peal
Tho government n ia hoIieyod ia npife
willing to entertain proposals from prop
erly- accredited quarter, and, while declin-
Ing to negotiate through the medium OF
third party. they may, without violating
any previous undertaking. let it be known
that they are open to approach by the Boer
leaders themselves.
Effect Of Blunt Rejection.
One aspect of the situation which cannot
be overlooked is the effect that blunt re-
lection Of all attempts at negotiation would
be likely to have on the temper Of tie
fighting Beers. It is hinted. indeed, that
this consideration may have been the in
spring motive of the Dutch message.
Should the gates of peace be closed with
clang the Beers will naturally draw the
most sinister inferences from the episode.
This Is admitted by both the friends and
the opponents OF a settlement by negotia-
ton; but while the latter predict that the
effect would be to steel the hearts OF the
DuTBHeFS duu IeHO u lnelE resist
ance for at least two more years. the other
section Is convinced that the enemy would
promptly recognize the hopelessness OF a
continued reliance on temporizing tactics
and acknowledge their defeat.
A leading anti-war member Of parliament
Informed me last night that he entertained
no hope that the government would be able
to prevail against the war section OF the
tory party. "All thi stalk" was his de-
spairing comment. will come to nothing,
and two years hence we shall still be pot
tering on and hoping for the end
Anent the Chinese Seals.
Twice In the house Of commons this week
the home secretary has been questioned as
to the advertised sale by auction In Lon
don Of the Chinese imperial seals. I visited
the auction room of the firm which has
been intrusted with the matter, and was
assured by the managing director that they
would be disposed Of to the highest bidder
under small reserve. in spite Of what
happened in parliament.
The auctioneer has been able to satisfy
the home secretary, so he told me, that the
seals could not In any way be regarded al
British loot. as they had been intrusted to
his firm by an American citizen, who
bought them from German officer re-
turned recently from Pekin.
l was shown the seals-eight in alien
graved on rare and beautiful stone. Six of
them are small, private seals Of the en-
peror and empress, and have q yellow
silken cord attached, having, 1t is said, been
tied by the Llama Btgaubet Cor bishop of
Buddhism in Pekin.
1t is said the seals are now considered by
the chinese court to be deprived Of their
sacred character by having fallen into the
nanas OF Europeans. and that the court
ofncials are using wooden substitutes,
They were sold yesterday. The two SOAP
stone seals. although catalogued In separate
lots, were. by general consent put up for
auction in one and fetched ESQ. the starting
lYn ~ t111
seals used by the empress dowager Tsu Tsi
on important papers, was sold for est. the
other for f55. The square jade seal used by
the emperor fetched the biggest price. be-
ing knocked down to collector for 100
guineas, who also paid the next biggest
price OF fS5 for a dark jade seal. Another
buyer secured pair OF small jade stone
seals for f37. the first bid being for f5
Crowds Going to the Coronation.
Inquiry at the leading steamship offices
established the fact that not only from
America, but also from nearly all the Brit
tsh colonies, record bookings are taking
place in view Of the coronation Indeed in
May several Of the lines will be at least
doubling their service to meet the demand
which Is indicated. 1t transpires that the
guests from the colonies who will be nres
ent at the coronation ceremony itself would
with their wives and daughters, mako a
very fair load of Passengers for a vessel of
the ordinary type; while, of course, there
will be thousands coming over whose ut
most hope Is that they may be able to see
the procession. at a greater or less distance
to and from the abbey, and, of course par
tictpate In the general stir which the great
events OF the period will give to London
society.
Among coming debutantes WILL I hear. be
the lovely American. Miss Gladys Deacon.
Miss Deacon has been much taken up by
the Duchess of MARLBOROUGH, and is the
daughter Of the late Parker Deacon, who
shot the Frenchman. Abeille. at Cannes
some years ago and was imprisoned at
Nice. Her sister, who is only sweet sew
enteen." is said to be equally beautiful. and
the two sisters will rival the famous Gun
ming sisters. whose praises were sung and
toasted all over the kingdom in past davs
and who are still cited as perfect types Of
beauty. People used to stand on chairs IN
the park hundred years ago to see them
pass by. ~
Interest in Polo Players.
Considerable interest Is being taken In
the approaching visit of the American