CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 8 February 1902, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal.

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

Dr Kuyper's and Lord Lansdowne’a notes have been published. They show that the Dutch Government, on its own responsibility, without authority from the three Boer delegates’ in Holland, or from the leaders of the Boers, proposed that

Great Britain should grant the delegates safe conduct to confer with the leaders in the field. The mission might hope to return in a fortnight, and be empowered to conclude a peace. Dr Kuyper admitted that the delegates’ present credentials, dated March, 1900, compelled them to insist on independence, not permitting the re-establishment of the status quo ante unless the mode of settling disputes was at the same time settled. Lord Lansdowne, while appreciating the humanity of the Netherlands Goernment, said that Great Britain adhered to its intention not to accept any foreign intervention. It was open to the delegates to request safe conduct,. though Great Britain reserved an opinion until the precise nature of the request was disclosed. It was not at present clear that the delegates retained ally influence with the Boers in South Africa, or any voice in their councils. Great Britain understood that all the powers of government and negotiation were completely vested in Mr Steyn and General Schalk-Burger. The quickest and most satisfactory means of settlement would be direct communication with Lord Kitchener by the Boer leaders in the field. Great Britain had decided that if the leaders desired to negotiate they must do so in South Africa. For European delegates to visit South Africa would cause three months’ needless suffering.

“ The Times ” says that Lord Lansdowne’s reply Is dignified and weighty, and worthy of the responsible rulers of th* Empire. It will afford the heartiest satisfaction to Englishmen at Home and in the colonies and to all impartial foreigners. Other Unionist newspapers endorse this opinion. The “ Daily News" says the reply is irreproachable in style and temper, will arouse hopes of a more tavourable sequel. The Boer delegates, in an interview at The Hague, stated that the reply is very friendly, and shows that the British Government is not animated by unjust motives. It has left a way open for arriving at an understanding, provided that Great Britain refrains from imposing unsurmountable conditions. Germans attach importance to the British recognition of Mr Steyn and General Schalk-Burger as legal representatives of the Boers. CONCENTRATION CAMPS. Lord Stanley, Financial Secretary to the War Office, stated in the House of Commons that Mrs Christian D# Wet was an inmated at a concentrati on camp. A Reuter’s message asserts that the English Grand Lodge, at the King’s instance, rebutted the Swiss Freemasons’ allegations of cruelty at the concentrationc camps, and declared it was to England’s honour that she undertook the care of her enemies’ families. DE WET’S LAST POM-POM. It is officially announced that Colonel Byng’s column, after a night march, defeated a large force under Commandant Wessels near the Liebenbergsvlei,' recapturing the fifteenpounder and the pom-poms taken by the Boers from Colonel Firman’s column, and capturing De Wet’s last pom-pom. Five Boers were killed, six wounded, and twenty-seven captured. Colonel Byng specially mentions the gallantry of the New Zealanders and South African Light Horse. The killed • include Field-cornet Wessels, and the prisoners Captain Muller, of the Staats Artillery. Many cattle were captured. The British casualties were slight. j CAPTURES OF BOERS.

The National Scouts captured thirteen Boers at Middelburg. General Plumer caught seven at Amerspoort. Brigadier-General Gilbert Hamilton after a long pursuit, drove the Boers up to a blockhouse line,, capturing thirty-two. BOERS IN EUROPE.

The Boer delegates angrily contest the Marquis of Lansdowno’s assertion that have no voice in the Boer councils, and allege that Great Britain is aware the Boer leaders in the field consulted them by cable in June Jast. Britain is .still trying, they say, to exterminate the Boers, and wrecking every effort to bring about peace. The terms of Great Britain’s reply render it impossible for the delegates to apply for safe conduct or anything else. MISCELLANEOUS. France and Russia confidentially approved the Note of Dr Kuyper, but Ml the Powers have resolved to observe strict neutrality. King Edward has accepted an offer of six battalions of militia to serve abroad.

The British Government has granted £12,000 compensation on account of Italian “ undesirables " deported from South Africa. The amount covers a hundred and twenty claims.

The “ Independence Beige " is publishing Dr Conan Doyle's pamphlet on the cause and conduct of the war, and refuting the calumnies on the British Army, but it is impossible to find publishers for it in Germany or Holland.

Mr Premier, lata pastor of the Irene concentration camp, protests against the wild and indecent charges-which have been made, destroying the character of modest Afrikander girls in order to secure lying tongues and unscrupulour pens. ■■■ An intercepted letter’ shows that General Botha directed south a number of Boer women into the British lines. Latest. A BRILLIANT MILITARY MANOEUVRE. Mr Bennet Burleigh, correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, states that recently Lord Methuen's force, while marching on a dark night, indifferently led, moved in a circle and succeeded in capturing its own convoys. ‘

SUBSTANTIAL GAIN BY COLONEL KEKEWIOH. Colonel Kekewich reports that the Scottish Horse, commanded by Major Leader, killed seven and captured a hundred and thirty'one of General De la Rey’s commando, including Commandant Sarel, Mr Alberts, Landdrost of Potgieter, and Cornet Jan Der Pleisses. The British casualties were slight. A COMMANDANT DEGRADED General Louis Botha has degraded Tobias Smuts foe burning Bremersdorp. Smuts retorted that Commandant Christian Botha has similarly offended, but had not been punished for it. Moreover, he assorted that Louis Botha had ordered the Boer women to be driven into concentration camp against their will. AN ABODE FOR BOER PRISONERS. At a meeting held a Christchurch a committee was appointed to wait on the Premier during his visit to Christchurch to urge favourable consideration of a request from the Chatham Islands that Boer prisoners should be sent there.