PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 425, 26 May 1902, Page 2

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

CHIEF POINTS SETTLED. QUESTIONS OF DETAIL TO BE DECIDED IN FEW DAYS. By telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. LONDON, May 21. The chief points in regard to the terms of peace have been satisfactorily settled at Pretoria. The British Cabinet had a sitting of two hours, considering questions of detail. A final vote oil the entire scheme will be taken at Vereeniging in a few days. (Received May 25, 4.17 p.m.) LONDON, May 21. The Pretoria correspondent of the

London Standard states that up to Saturday the proceedings were rather a Free State recrimination than a discussion on the lines tentatively agreed on by the Boer leaders, and laid down by Lord Kitchener in April.

Calmer counsels prevailed on Sunday. The Free ‘Staters suggested points, offering an agreement on their part if these were formulated’ The leader came to Pretoria..where the final agreements were drafted. If, as hoped, the signed decision is a step to a general submission. Officially inspired paragraphs have appeared in the Berlin newspapers, stating that it was beyond doubt that

the Coronation will be celebrated amidst the chimes of bells of peace. The Morniog Post declares that Mr Seddon would lie the last man io wish peace except on the basis of absolute paramountcy- Therefore his cablegram in regard to the Tentli Contingent is significant and hopeful. The Cabinet’s decision has been cabled to Lord Milner, and communicated to the delegates.

Mr Chamberlain had an audience with the King after the Cabinet meeting. Ministers have returned to the country. The Standard states that the Boers abandoned independence, and restricted themselves to raising the question for amnesty, expenses of re-buildiug and re-stocking, adjustment of debts, the ktatus of the burghers prior to the initiation of representative government. An agreement was drafted fiff military conventions to surrender or disperse, becoming Britishers, but the question of amnesty rests with the King. I None of the details oiler an insuperable barrier to the early declaration of peace.

BOERS TAUNT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright; LONDON, May 21.The Transvaalers, in sending representatives to Vereeniging, left matters to them, but the Free State representatives did not obtain equally full powers. Those- representatives at Vereeniging favoring peace without independence were subjected to bitter taunts. SPEECHES BY STATESMEN, MR BRODRICK AND LORD ROSEBERY.

By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. LONDON, May 24. Mr Brodrick, speaking to Volunteer Service Companies] said everybody hoped that the communications passing would tie a prelude to the Boers' surrender. All he could say was that the Governmene were as determined as ever not to purchase temporary immunity from trouble by sacrificing anything tending to the permanent security of peace. The war, he said, had shown the Empire the association of mutual supjort and confidence, and that had jiade the dream of colonial- federation a realityThe Colonial Ministers’ Conference, lie staled, would consider iiow we could put tiie enthusiasm wlyclt had brought tho colonies into the field with us on a permanent basis. The war would give freedom to establish a great empire m South Africa. Lord Rosebery, addressing the National Liberal Club, said that he never had doubt, since the present movement, which was practically on the basis of the Boers surrendering their independence, had been initiated, that peace was certain, hut the declaration of peace was only the beginning of a pacification period which would require patience and statesmanship.