The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-24
No Statement Made by the Ministers,
but an Optimistic Feeling
Pervades All London.
SPEECH BY MR.. BR0DRICK
WHO INCIDENTALLY REFERRED TO
NEGOTIATIONS WITH BOERS.
Said He Hoped the Communications
Now Passing PreIuded the Sur
reader of Burghers.

LONDON, May 23.-The Associated Press
has every reason to believe that peace in
South Africa is practically secured. How
soon it will be announced depends, appar-
emily, more on the convenience of the Boer
leaders than on the inclination of the Brit
vices received tonight in London from
South Africa all point to the same conclu-
sion. The delay is technical, and to end
the long war seems to be the desire of
both British and Boer leaders. The latter
however, are unable to convince all their
followers of the wisdom of acquiescing in
the terms of peace.
Information as to what transpired at
to-day's meeting of the Cabinet which
lasted all afternoon, is closely guarded,
but it is not likely the Cabinet transactions
were of vital import. The surmise of
one well-informed person places the sum
total of the deliberations of the Cabinet
ministers al decision regarding points of
the peace agreement of entirely minor i'm
portance. Another surmise is that the
Cabinet has merely sent rather mock ul-
timatum to South Africa, which can be
used by the Boer leaders in explanation to
their forces. Both these surmises probably
contain an element of truth, but neither
can in any way affect the widespread be-
lief in the best-informed quarters that the
end of the war has come In fact, those
persons who are best acquainted with the
actual details of the present negotiations
only qualify this optimistic expression of
opinion by guarded reservations concerning
the extent of the personal control Of the
Boer leaders over their commands. Were
the Beers a thoroughly disciplined force,
dependent upon the action of their general
officers, peace would probably be pro-
claimed tonight, but both De Wet and
other generals seem themselves unable to
positively guarantee the degree to which
their example will be followed.
The delegates at Vereeningen, according
to information in possession Of the War
Office, are fairly evenly divided. Conse-
quently extreme precautions are exercised
both in London and Pretoria to prevent
any premature action or report which
might adversely influence the burghers
The most pessimistic forecast heard to-
night only admits that a few isolated
bands of irreconcilables may be left in the
field.
A member of the House of Commons.
who is in close touch with the govern
ment, said to a representative of the Asso-
ciated Press tonight that he believed ev-
erything was settled and that the British
terms would be found Unexpectedly lib
eral.
The British public is still quite ignorant
n Of IL,
and there are no demonstrations tonight
on the London streets. although on all
sides the question asked is, us it peace?"
On the other hand, the Stock Exchange
throughout the day was a seething mass
of brokers, who eagerly bought South
African shares, while long after the clos
ing of the exchange nearly a thousand
brokers crowded Throckmorton street and
did frantic curb business on the strength
of the peace outlook.
The appearance of Mr.. Brodrick the /
secretary of state for war at the volun- |
teer-service dinner tonight was watched |
eagerly in the hope of gaining an inkling /
of the governments private frame of mind. |
But Mr.. Brodrick's listeners had to be |
contented with one brief and adroitly |
turned reference to the present situation. /
Responding to the toast, THE Imperial |
Forces" the war secretary said: 81 would |
go beyond my duty should 1 enter into de-
tails of the communications which are now
passing and which prelude, as we all hope,
the surrender of the Beers" Mr. Brod-
rick then proceeded to reiterate the Oft
declared intention of the government not
to be drawn into any compromise which
would jeopardze future peace in South
Africa.
Interesting references to peace are con-
tanned in a letter dated Klerksdorp south
western Transvaal, April %. 1t says:
Seventy to eighty thousand British troops
are here waiting for General Delarey's
answer from the peace conference, and
every hour we are expecting them 1.-THE
Boersl to march in and surrender. We
have actually sent out wagon loads of
clothes 10 enable them 10 come in tidv. so
Kitchener comes here from Pretoria every
other day and seems TO be in particularly
good spirits. He actually smiles. and that |
is a thing he not often does. We attach
great Importance 10 those smiles in regard
to peace
After the Cabinet council to-day a meet
ing OF the inner committee of the Cabinet
was held. After this meeting Mr. Cham
berlain, the COLONIAL secretary. proceeded
to Buckingham Palace, where he had an
audience with King Edward. Mr.. Chamber
lain returned to buckingham Palace a sec
Ond time in the evening. Lord Salisbury
has gone 10 Hatfield House, and the other
ministers have dispersed.
The Daily News claims TO give the Boer
demands as follows: First. either an i'm
mediate grant OF self-government or. fail
ing that, TO fix date for the establish
ment of selfgovernment. second in case
self government be deferred that the Beers
should be entitled 10 advise with their tenn
porary rulers; third amnesty for the
rebels: fourth. permission 10 retain their
-ifes for defense against the natives; NTH.
permission TO retain their saddle horses:
sixth. guarantee that the natives should