River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-03-27
CONFER WITH KITCHENER.
Boer Leaders Enter British Lines I'm
der n Flag of Truce-Mission
May he One of Peace.

dent Schalk-Burger, f. w. Reitz, ex-
secretary of state of the Transvaal,
and Commandments Lucas Meyer and
krogh arrived here Sunday on spe-
claI train from Balmoral, about so
miles east of here. They reached Bal
moral under flag of truce. After a
short stay here they proceeded for the
Orange River Colony.
Upon arriving here Mr.. Schalk-Burg-
er, with his party, drove Immediately
to Lord Kitchener's headquarters,
where he had an interview with the
British general. The Beers after
ward proceeded to the railroad sta
ton and entrained at five o'clock for
Kroonstad, whence they will go out
under n safe conduct.
For week past Mr.. Schalk-Burger
and his colleagues have been sta
toned at Rhenoster kop, north of
Balmoral, where they have been
closely pressed by British columns.
Dispatch riders entered Balmora1
Friday night and notified the British
of the approach of Mr.. Schalk-Burger
and his party.
1t is reported that the Boer posi-
ton at Rhenoster kop had become al
most hopeless and that Mr.. Schalk-
Burger once narrowly escaped cap
ture.
London, March 24.-The news that
the wandering government" had en-
tered the British lines is regarded as
having but one meaning, namely, that
another attempt is being made to ne
gotiate peace. The fact that the CEN
sor passed the news of this movement
is accepted as confirmation of this
opinion. Nothing is actually known
here of the intentions of Messrs.
Schalk- Burger, Reitz, Meyer and
Krogh. 1t is possible they have only
sought permission to traverse the
British lines in order to consult with
Mr.. Steyn and the Boer generals De
Wet and Delarey. But whatever their
object the news has been welcomed in
London as pointing to the possibility
of peace.
Some correspondence, which was
seized short time ago when Mr..
Steyn narrowly escaped capture,
proved that he and Mr.. Schalk-Burger
were anxious to conclude peace. No
eXtravagant hopes, however, are be-
ing built on the outcome of the move
ments of Mr.. Schalk-Burger and his
companions, chiefly because it is
feared that Delarey, in the flush of his
recent success, will refuse to be a
party to any negotiations. The war
office has received no official informa-
ton either confirming or contradict
ing the news. Commandant Krogh' is
one of the secretaries of the Boer gov
eminent. He was formerly the adj
ministrator of Swaziland and has n t
been prominent during the war.
Few of the papers here comment
on the news from Pretoria. These
take it for granted that Mr.. Schalk-
Burger and his companions are on a
mission of peace, and again engage
in discussion of possible peace
terms, expressing the hope that the
overtures will have a successful out
come. The presence of Lucas Meyer
is regarded as significant, as he is an
intimate friend of Louis Botha.
The Daily Chronicle, commenting
on the absence of Botha from the
delegation, suggests he is standing
aside owing to the failure of his
overtures of year ago, and consid-
ers that, although the conditions
Lord Kitchener then offered to Botha
had been annulled, it is highly prob
able that peace may still be arranged
on similar lines, but that the Beers
cannot expect more lenient terms.
The Daily News remarks that set
Element would be possible if the
Beers were treated like civilized COM
batants, 'but men do not surrender
Internationally just after taking one
of the enemys generals and four of
his guns"
Brussels, March 24.-The Petit Bleu,
referring to the arrival at Pretoria of
Messrs. Schalk-Burger, Reitz and Com
mandants Meyer and Krogh, says it be-
lives that Mr.. SchalE- Burgers move is
in response to fresh British overtures
for peace, made out of gratitude for
the release of Gen. Methuen, and pre-
diets that these overtures will lead to
no result unless Boer independence is
conceded.