The Oskaloosa herald., 1902-01-30
A DESIRE FOR PEACE.
Holland Offers Her Services to
Great Britain.

London, Jan. 29.-The government
leader, A. j. Balfour, announced in the
house of commons Tuesday that no
overtures for peace had been received
from anyone authorized to speak in
behalf of the Beers. A communication
was, however, received late Saturday
last from the Dutch government which
was now under consideration. Mr..
Balfour hoped shortly to lay the COM
munication and the reply to it before
the house.
Would Act as Diplomatic Agent.
The government of Holland has of
ferred in the most friendly terms
to help in bringing about peace
in South Africa. In a commu-
~nication to the British govern
ment the Dutch government sug-
gests that it might be permitted to
act as a sort of diplomatic agent for
the Boer delegates. The government,
however, expressly disaVows any at
tempt to intervene, and does not
mention any terms.
1t was learned by a representative
of the press that the British govern
ment infers that ii would not have
been approached unless the Dutch au-
thorities were convinced that the
Boer delegates now in Enrnne were
wiling to accept the cardinal points
of the British peace terms, Sc fire.
quently announced in parliament.
Little Faith in Plan.
Lord Lansdowne, the former secre-
tary, replied in friendly terms to the
Netherlands proposal, but instituted
inquiries in order to ascertain the ex-
tent of the powers delegated to Mr.
Kruger and the other Boer represent
atives in Europe to act in behalf of
the burghers in the field. Great
doubt is expressed at the foreign Of
fee here as to whether any negotia-
tions carried on by the Boer dele
gates through the Dutch government
or other channels will prove effect
ual.
Want Satisfactory Guarantees.
If satisfactory guarantees in this
respect can be secured, negotiations
will be begun Immediately. This doubt
in regard to the authority of Mr.. Kru-
ger and others to speak for the fight
ing burghers is perceptible in the
statement of Mr.. Balfour made in the
house of m Tuesday, as de-
tailed above.
Caused n Sensation.
The announcement of Mr.. Balfour
caused a sensation in the Hobbies of
parliament. Lord Rosebery is gen.
orally credited with having brought
about this movement on the part of
the Dtuch government. 1t is recalled
that DR.. Kuyper, the Dutch premier,
in an interview published about Christ
mast time, was represented to have
urged the impossibility of Hollands
Intervention in South Africa unless
she had reason to think that both par
ties wished it. Consequently, it is re-
garded as certain that the present
move was inspired by the Boer dele
gates.
The Petit Bleu, Of Brussels, the or
gan Of the Krugerites, fatty denied
that the Boer delegates had charged
anyone to make peace proposals, and
professed to be in entire ignorance of
the Dutch communication.
Claims the Credit.
The Daily News claims credit for
The initiation of the peace movement.
This paper says that after Lord Rose
bery's speech at Chesterfield they sent
DR.. Bissehop, who was recently coun-
sci for the Dutch government before
the compensation commission, and
who is neither Briton nor Boer, on a
mission to the continent to invite the
Boer delegates to a consideration of
the basis of negotiations which Lord
Rosebery suggested, namely, to grant
the Beers self-government on the Ca
madam model; no unnecessary prolon-
cation OF the military occupation;
complete amnesty to Beers and colo
NAL rebels, and grants of money to en-
able the Beers to restart their farms.
DIR. Bisschop had long conferences
with the Boer delegates on the con
tinent, with the exception Of Mr..
Kruger. But he was assured that the
ex-president had delegated his au-
thority and that it was not necessary
to see him. According to the paper,
DIR. Bisschop persuaded the delegates
to hold a conference and discuss his
proposals. Then followed the visit
of DR.. Kuyper to London.
Insist ON Independence.
The Daily News declines to reveal