PEACE PROPOSALS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 390, 15 April 1902, Page 2

PEACE PROPOSALS.

SENSATIONAL REPORTS CURRENT. THE PRETORIA CONFERENCE. By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. LONDON, April 11, Lord Salisbury and Mr Balfour have both proceeded to Hatfield Hall, in Devonshire. Mr Brodriek and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach met at midnight on Saturday in Mr Chamberlain's house, and consulted for one hour. It is supposed that (he matter was in respect to the cablegram received from Lord Kitchener. Mr Chamberlain spent Sunday morning at his office, and had two hours’ audience witli tie King 'in the afternoon. The Times says that the Roer delegates will probably attempt to renew

negotiations from the starting point of Lord Kitchener’s offer to Botha, but the prolongation of the struggle

has immensely altered the situation. It is impossible to ignore this, or exasperate the loyalists by undue kniency towards the rebels.

The Standard says the first proposal was merely intended to open prelim.n-

aries. Doubtless the Boers ask too much. If they demand independence and frankly abandon .the rest, the matter would he worth discussion'

Exaggerated sensational reports are current relative to the peace negot ations, but they are entirely premature., It is considered in the most responsible circles that it is highly, improbable that the Boer delegates will at first submit acceptable terms. It is believed that they journeyed to Pietoria personally, to obtain irom Lora Kitchener information on certain points^ The Transvaal delegates are lodged

in General lan Hamilton’s house,, and the Tree State delegates in the residence adjoining Lord Kitchener’s. Lord Milner is also at Pretoria.

The brevity, of the Klerksdorp conference is- considered to imply that the delegates agreed to the general basis of the negotiations^ Though there has been no formal overtures it is believed that Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner have a fair idea of the character of the terms expected, and have cabled them to the British Government, The Times says that the King’s yachting cruise had reached its natural ending. The Coronation business accounted i'or the King’s return. It further adds that the meeting of the

Cabinet was not connected with peace since no. overtures were received^