Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1901. PEACE PROSPECTS IN AFRICA.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 June 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 1901. PEACE PROSPECTS IN AFRICA.

Evidently there are signs the leaders of the Boor party in South Africa are beginning to feel that they have had enough of the war, and without terms are come to the result will be absolute ruin to the Dutch settlers in Africa and their adherents. From first to last it has been a bitter struggle, showing that the Boers had for years been quietly preparing, aided by little short of treachery on the part of the Cape Government, under the influence of the Afrikander Bond, for this struggle. At first there seemed a probability that the Boers would attain their end as Britain as usual under-rated the strength and resources of its opponents, but now it looks probable that the end is within measurable distance. To be sure the real arch-conspirators--Kruger, Leyds and Co. —are out, of danger, and who after having tried Europe and America, begin to see that the cause is hopeless, and are inclined to sue, not to dictate, as what was fondly hoped not only in Africa, but in Europe and by a certain class in Great Britain, terms of peace. The proposed negotiations to be entered into by the cidevunt Boer rulers, who in reality have very little say in the matter, is now being discussed at the Hague by Kruger and Co and Mrs Botha, and it seems that the majority are in favor of a cessation of the struggle, although Kruger and his immediate surroundings clamor for an impossible independence. It is too late to discuss peace on those terms, and even if so it is doubtful whether Pe Wet and the other guerilla leaders

in the field would recognise this proceeding, but resolve to carry on the ' war to tbo bitter end. Tho terms that have boon offered hy His Majesty's Government aro of an extremely lenient character, and if they are not accepted in their entiroty tbere is only one way to treat the parties now in field and that is to outlaw them. Patriotism is well meaning enough, , but when patriotism becomes rapine and ruth, it requires a matter of stern repression. The welfare of a nation is not to bo endangered and tho peaceful settlement of a country hindered by the action of a few malcontents. One way to end the strife would be to hand tho matter over to a force enrolled under police regulations who would ■ soon make short work with tho irreconcilables.