CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 17 April 1902, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal. NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE. The Duke of Devonshire (President ot the Council), Mr Brodrick (Secretary for War) and Sir Michael HicksBeach (Chancellor of the Exchequer) met at midnight on Saturday at Mr Chamberlain’s house, and conferred for an hour, it is supposed respecting a cablegram from Lord Kitchener. Mr Chamberlain spent Sunday morning in his office. He had two hours’ audience of the King in the afternoon. “ The Times ” says the Boer delegates will probably attempt to renew negotiations from the starting point of Lord Kitchener’s offer to General Botha, but the prolongation of the struggle, has immensely altered the situation. It is impossible to ignore this or to exasperate the loyalists by undue leniency towards the rebels. The “ Standard ” says the first proposals were merely intended as a means of opening preliminaries. Doubtless the Boers would ask too much, but if the demand for independence was frankly abandoned, the rest would be worth discussion. Exaggerated and sensational reports current relative to the peace negotiations are entirely premature. It is considered in the most reponsible circles highly improbable that the Boer delegates will at first submit to acceptable terms. It is believed the delegates journeyed to Pretoria to personally obtain information from Lord Kitchener on certain points. The brevity of the conference at Klerksdorp is considered to imply that the delegates are agreed pn a general basis of negotiations. \ been

the character ot the terms expected by the Boers, and have cabled them to the British Government. The Transvaal delegates are lodged in General lan Hamilton’s house, and the Free States delegates in a residence adjoining Lord Kitchener’s. Lord Milner, High Commissioner of South Africa, is also at Pretoria. "The Times,” referring to the King’s return from Cowes, says his Majesty’s yachting cruise has reached its natural ending, and that business connected with the Coronation accounted for the King’s return. The newspaper adds that the meeting of Cabinet was not connected with the discussion of peace proposals, since no overtures had been made by the Boers. Lord Salisbury and Mr Balfour have proceeded to Hatfield Hall, Lord Salibury’s seat. The mishap at Mochavie near Klerksdorp has been a very serious one, the Eighth Contingent suffering by the loss of 13 men killed, and 13 wounded. Mr A. J. Balfour, First Lord of the Treasury, stated in the House of Commons that Lord Kitchener had on Saturday communicated to the Government a message he had received from the Boer delegates was only a feeler. It would be wiser for the Boers to surrender unconditionally without haggling, trusting to British generosity. The Transvaal Legation at Brussels intimates that the conditions of peace proposed by the Boers include autonomy, with a shadowy recognition of British sovereignty, amnesty for rebels, a huge grant for restocking farms, equality of languages and the cession of the Rand to Britain. RECENT ENGAGEMENTS.

Lieutenant-General lan Hamilton’s column defeated the, Boers, killing forty-four of them, including Commandant Potgieter, and capturing fiftyfour man, two guns and a pompom. General Hamilton’s force __ included Colonel Kekewich’s and Major-Gene-ral Rawlinson’s columns. The Yeomanry, Scottish Horse and Mounted Constabulary fought admirably. Captain baiter, Lieutenant Bull and five men were killed, and fifty-two wounded. ---Colonel Kekewich captured the guns. Colonel Colenbrander’s .column defeated Commandant Beyers, inflicting a hundred and six casualties. Colenbrander blocked Beyers outlets. Colonel Murray, with a half-battalion of the Inniskiliing Fusiliers, made a brilliant advance, and seized a hill at the entrance to Molispoort. The force of Colonel Colenbrander is pursuing the enemy, and it la hoped that further captures be will made. Captain Coode and two men of the West Riding Regiment were killed, fourteen wounded, and some captured at Saltfoatein. They formed part of a strong patrol, which the enemy attacked in overwhelming numbers. Details of Colonel Colenbrander’s fight at Malispoort show that the country is extremely difficult. Lieutenant • Colonel Murray was seriously wounded. There were seven other British casualties. A strong column attacked Colonel Kekewich at Roomal on the nth inst. The fighting was very hot. Most of the British casualties were only slight wounds. LORD KITCHENER’S REPORT. Lord Kitchener’s weekly report to the War Office of the enemy’s losses is as follows—ss killed, 43 wounded, 167 taken prisoners, 5 surrendered, 130 rifles and 5200 rounds of ammunition captured. The report adds: —The Boers in Cape Colony are very scattered. Bruce Hamilton, Park and Colonel Williams are sweeping the Eastern Transvaal from Heidelberg to Standerton, between Ermelo and Carolina blockhouses and the South African Constabulary line. MISCELLANEOUS. Commandant De Villiers and seven hundred rebels at Douglas, Cape Colony, have asked Lord Kitchener’s terms of surrender. Latest. TIGHTENING THE CORDON. Colonel Colenbrander has tightened the cordon round Commandant Beyer’s forces. SHOOTING OF AUSTRALIANS. The official account of the execution of the Australian officers tabled in the Federal House discloses no new facta beyond that the sentences of Morant and Handcock, who were court-martialled on four counts of murder and found guilty of three, were accompanied in two instances by recommendation to mercy.