THE BOER WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 375, 26 March 1902, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

TIIE POLITE BRITISH. PERMIT THE ENEMf TO HOLD CONSULTATIONS. BOER DELEGATE ALLOWED TO PASS BRITISH LINES. By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright.^ LONDON, Mar. 24. Mr Brodrick informed the House of Commons that a fortnight ago Burger asked permission to pass tne British lines to see Stern. The British Government immediately consented to the permission being given. BURGER’S INTERVIEW WITH STEYN, BOERS GAINING TIME OR SEEKING PEACE? MR BRODRICK’S STATEMENT.By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. LONDON, Mar. 25. Reuter states that a former member of the Transvaal Government claims that after the Kuyper-Lansdowne correspondence was made public the leaders sent six emissaries by different routes with despatches informing Burger and Stern of Dr. Kuyper’s view that the moment was favorable for opening peace negotiations. Burger’s latest communication to Europe mentioned their willingness eo negotiate on the basis of the Boers retaining predomination in the rural districts and the appointment of a British Board of Administration in an industrial centre, with proportional Boer representation. Other Boer statements are that any Boer overtures will be those discussed at the meeting of Lord Kitchener mid Botha at Middleburg in 1901, especially the point in regard to a complete amnesty for the Cape rebels forming the majority of the commandos in

the field. The presence of Burger implies that he has Botha’s assent for what he is doing. The initiation of overtures rests with Burger. The bourses are favorably affected by the turn of events. . The newspapers are not optimistic in the matter. They remember that Sleyn in the past was resolutely opposed to any suggestion in the nature of a compromise. • It is unofficially but credibly stated that Burger enquired as to the status of the leaders of the Boers in the event of a surrender. Mr Brodrick, in the House of Commons, stated that the application for safe conduct was based on the possibility of peace proposals being made. PERMANENT POLICE FORCE. BOTHA’S NARROW ESCAPE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright London, March 25. Sir A. Milner, by proclamation, has established a permanent police force in Orange towns. A criminal investigation department is being organised. The members of the force receive eight shillings per day, and sergeants twelve shillings. Botha, on the occasion of Emmett s capture, escaped by hiding in an adjacent kloof. , TO ,, General Bruce Hamilton, on tho loth, captured 18 Boors. Lord Kitchener’s weekly report shows : Killed 5 Prisoners taken ... ... 95 Surrendered ... ... 63 Three Krupp guns were discovered at Liebenbergsvali. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright London, March 24. Mr Chamberlain has expressed thanks to Mr J. S. Horsfall, of New South Waleß, for his patriotic action in raising corps. At Rivcrind a Bushman sentry shot German, a Boer prisoner, doad, whilst the latter was attempting to esoapo from camp. Bellary, a Bombay guard, tried to suppress an affray among Boers at Broad Bottom camp, St. Helena. The Boers then rushed the guard, who fired, wounding several, and suppressing the rising. The Stock Exchango is hopeful that peace will be arranged. Kaffir stocks aro at a firmer price weekly. A shipload of light cavalry horses is leaving England for South Africa. All cavalry and infantry reservists now on working furlough have been ordered to be examined, with a view to testing theta for their fitness to serve abroad. The Morning Post’s Brussels correspondent asserts that Great Britain has consented to a Dutch ambulance for the use of the Boers. The War Office require five hundred tons of best Australian Hour, to bo delivered at South African ports. •