Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-02-07
NO INTERVENTION.
REPLIES TO THE
DUTCH OVERTURES.
Only in South Africa Can Neaotia-
tons For Peace be Entered

Into.
London, Feb. 5-The British gov.
eminent replied to DR.. Kuyper, the
Dutch premier. that if the Beers in
the field desire to negotiate for peace,
negotiations can be entered into; but,
only in South Africa. The British
not to accept the intervention of any
foreign power.
The text OF the reply of Lord Lans-
downe, the British foreign secretary
to the communication of the Neither
lands, is as follows:
THE FOREIGN OFFICE, Jan. 20
Sir: You We're good enough to lay
before me, January 25th, a commune
cation from the Netherlands govern
ment in which it was proposed that,
with the object of bringing the war
to an end. his majesty's government
might grant safe conduct OF the Boer
delegates now in Holland, for the pur-
pose of enabling them to confer with
the Boer leaders in South Africa. 1t
is suggested that after a conference.
the delegates might return to Europe
with power to conclude a treaty OF
peace with this country: and the Meth
erlands government intimate that, in
this event. they might, at later stage
be instrumental in placing the Boer
plenipotentiaries in relation with
plentipotentiaries who might be ap-
| pointed by his ,najesty's government.
"The Netherlands government init
mate that if this project commends
itself to his majesty's government they
will inquire Of the delegates whether
they are prepared to make the sug-
gested visit to South Africa.
1T may therefore be inferred that
the communication l received was
made on the responsibility Of the
Netherlands alone. and without
authority from the Boer delegates or
leaders. His majcsty's government
mas given it their best consideration
and whilst fully appreciative Of the
motives of humanity which led the
Netherlands government to rake this
proposal, they felt they must adhere
to the, position adopted and publicly
announced by them some months ago
at the, commencement of hCStilties.
by the Beers, that it is not their in
tention to accept intervention of any
power in South Africa.
IF the Boer delegates themselves
desire request for a safe conduct
before his majesty's government there
is no reason why they should not do
so. But his majesty's government. obliv-
iously, are not in position to express
an opinion on any such application
until they have received it and are
aware of the precise nature and
grounds wherein the request is made.
Il may, therefore, point out that it
is not at present clear to his majesty's
government tnat the delegates retain
any influence over the representatives
of the Beers in South Africa, or have
any voice in their councils. They are
stated by the Netherlands govern
ment to have no such letters of cred
ence or instruction OF later date than
March, 1900. His majesty's govern
ment on the other hand, understood
that all the powers of the government,
including these of negotiation, were
now completely vested in Mr.. Styen,
for the Beers of the Orange River
colony, and Mr.. Schalkburger, for
those in the Transvaal. If this is so.
it is evident that the quickest and
most satisfactory means Of settlement
is by direct communication with the
Boer forces in South Africa and the
commander-in-chief of his majesty's
forces, who has already been instructed
to forward Immediately any offers he
may receive for consideration of his
majesty's government.
"In these circumstances his majes-
tvs government has decided that
If the Boer leaders should desire to
enter negotiations for the purpose of
bringing the war to an end. these
negotiations must take place, not in
Europe, but in South Africa.
"It should, moreover, be borne in
mind that if the Boer leaders are to
occupy time in visiting South Africa,
in consulting with Boer leaders in the
! field and in returning to Europe for
| the purpose of making known the re-
suits of their errand, period of at
! least three months would elapse, dur
| ing which hostilities would be pro-
! longed and much human suffering, per-
haps, needlesly occasioned.
II have" etc.
(SigneO "Landsdowae."