South Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 7 June 1902, Page 2

South Africa.

THE ULTIMATUM. As late as 19th May the Boers proposed that while they should surrender their independence as regards foreign relations, they should retain the power of self-government under the supervision of Britain, and should surrender a potion of their territory. £Lord Milner, in firmly checkmating this proposal, prepared a draft of terms of peace, which the Government subsequently modified and made clearer. This modified draft the Boers finally adopted after gentle pressure, Lord Kitchener refraining from issuing a full ultimatum. The correspondence shows that the Transvaal notes will be merely accepted as evidence towards compensation.

The banishment proclamation was taoitly dropped as regards persons, but will still be applicable as to the sale of farms for the support ef inmates of refugee camps. It is estimated that fourteen thousand rebels will be disfranchised. “ C. 8.” TURNING ROUND. After Mr Balfour had made his statement in the House of Commons, Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, leader of the Opposition, said the universal feeling in the country was one of most profound satisfaction, that it had been relieved of the strain which it had proved well able to bear, but which bad been previously unexampled. They were all at one, he continued, in recognition of the courage, endurance, patience and discipline of the soldiers who had maintained the traditions of the army so well, and one also in recognising the self-devotion of those who had been our enemies, but who were now our friends, fellow-citizens in liberty and in country. It was the duty of the House to congratulate the King. The nation was thrice blessed in the establishment of peace. IN THE HOUSE OP LORDS. The House of Lords was crowded, and there was much jubilation when the Marquis of Salisbury read the agreement. He said he hoped the agreement would terminate the lamentable state of things which existed in South Africa.

Lord Tweedmouth, for the Liberal party, congratulated Ministers on the end of the war, and said the country was at one in feeling with the peers intense gratitude that hostilities had closed. Lord Rosebery gave hearty, unstinted and unreserved congratulations to the Ministry. He hoped that a new and bright epoch was opening for South Africa and the Empire. The feeling in the lobbies is that liberality was pushed to its utmost limits. The Opposition members consider the terms as much as the Boers could reasonably expect. They assign the chief credit for the settlement to Lord Kitchener. THE CONTINENTAL PRESS. Russian and German newspapers allege that the Boers achieved a moral victory. The American and Austrian press contain generous and sympathetic references. They consider the terms granted most conciliatory. French papers minimise the British successes, otherwise they are not hostile.

The German newspapers alone of the newspapers of the Continent are acrimonious and ungenerous in discussing the term's of peace. They are disappointed that Britain is not distressed, but emerges from the conflict stronger than she entered it. The “ Kolnische Zeitung ” admits that the terms are magnanimous, and says that if Britain follows peace with the same energy as she did war, racial hatred will soon be forgotten and new life will spring from the ruins. The “ Germaina ” declares that Mr Chamberlain’s “ robber policy ” is triumphant. '1 he “ Yossische ” says the war has been wholly inglorious for Britain, and that the Boers’ surrender was due to their wives and children dying wholesale. The “ Reenisch Weatphalisch ” says:—The loss of Boer independence is a severe blow to Germany. One ’is bound to ask where we come in ? England will build railways, and it must be apparent to everybody that another piece of the world has been snapped from the German market. MESSAGES PROM THE KINGHis Majesty King Edward has sent the following message to Lord Milner, High Commissioner of South Africa :—“ Overjoyed at the news of the surrender of the Boer forces, and warmly congratulate you on the able manner in which you conducted peace negotiations.” Ii rd Milner, on the receipt of the foregoing message, replied :—” I offer you most respectful thanks for your gracious message. I am profoundly thankful that your Majesty’s Coronation will be celebrated with peace throughout your South African dominions ”

King Edward also sent the following message to Lord Kitchener:— “ Accept my heartiest congratulations upon the termination of hostilities; also heartily congratulate my bravo troops under your command upOh having brought this long and difficult campaign to so glorious and successful a conclusion.” Lord Kitchener’s reply to his Majesty’s message read : —“ Your army in South Africa r—“ Your army in South Africa will highly appreciate your gracious message, which I am communicating to them. I humbly beg to thank you.” SIGNING THE SURRENDER. Lords Kitchener and Milner, at Pretoria, awaited the signatures of the delegates. Amid profound silence the Boer chiefs, each in order of precedence, signed the surrender of the independence for which they had so gallantly struggled. The document was then entrusted to General lan Hamilton and Captain R. J. Marker, Aide-de-Camp to Lord Kitchener, for presentation to the King.

Lord Kitchener, addressing the delegates who negotiated the peace at Vereeniging, congratulated them on the attainment of peace, and expressed a hope that the reconciliation would be complete. He declared that he would be proud to have done as well in the field as they. The Commander-in-Ohief’s remarks touched the Boers, who cheered tremendously. Commandant Beyers declared that the Boers fully appreciated Lord Kitchener’s worth. News from South Africa states that the fiual ballot of Boer delegates at the Vereeniging Peace Conference resulted in fifty-four votes being in favour of surrender, and only six against the acceptance of the terms offered. COUNSEL FROM GENERAL BOTHA. The burghers in Pretoria greeted the announcement 0! peace with the greatest joy, cheering Lords Kitchener and Milner. The refugees in the Irene camp were overjoyed. Many prayed and sang Psalms, and numbers of women were in tears. Rejoicing is general throughout South Africa. General Botha, in an open letter to the Boers, thanked them for their obedience in the past, and exhorted them loyally to obey the new Government. There are many indications that racial animosity will be shortlived. The majority of the nine thousand three hundred Boer prisoners in India are satisfied, and few are sulky, at the result., The surrendering commandoes are being lodged and rationed on the Pretoria racecourse. HOPELESS POSITION OF THE ENEMY. The “ Standard’s ’’ Pretoria correspondent says that competent Judges have been aware for two months that the military position of the Boers was hopeless. Only firmness was needed to enforce their submission. General Botha, in letters to a friend in Holland, stated that the resumption of hostilities was impossible. The terms of peace were drafted by Sir Richard Solomon, legal adviser to the Transvaal Administration. Commandant Fouohe. in response to a message under the flag of truce, has arrived at Oradock.

Latest. VISCOUNT KITCHENER. The King has conferred on Lord Kitchener a Viscountcy with the rank of General. A parliamentary grant of £50,000 was moved on Thursday, which was the anniversary of the grant made him in 1899 for services in the Soudan. The smallness of the grant compared with that of Earl Roberts is explained by the fact that Earl Roberts is unlikely to undertake a fresh campaign, whereas Lord Kitchener is young and unmarried, and possibly he will have future opportunities of distinguished service. NO EXCUSE LEFT. The Times says the irreconcilables have been deprived of all justification for prolonging the struggle, as the Boer leaders recorded in the clearest terms their recognition that their defeat at the hands of the British was complete. BOTHA AND DE WET. 1 BOTH ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONDUCT OP THE BRITISH WAS GENEROUS. THEY WILL SERVE THE KING LOYALLY. Commandant Pouche has surrendered. Botha and Da Wet, replying to Viscount Kitchener's speech at Vereeniging, acknowledged that the conduct of the. British was honourable and generous, and promised to serve King Edward as loyally as they would Kruger or Steyn. CONAN DOYLE’S PAMPHLET. Conan Doyle’s pamphlet in defence of Britain, resulted in a profit sufficient to found a scholarship at the Edinburgh University, and to assist the movement to encourage civilian riflemen. A DELICATE MISSION. Commandant Smit goes alone to Western Cape where the persuasion to surrender will be a delicate-task. A TREAT POE THE GENERALS. A British General accompanies each commandlnt bringing in commandos. KITCHENER CONGRATULATED. Earls Salisbury and Minto, Lord Cromer, the Sirdar of the Egyptian Army, and others in all parts of the globe, have congratulated Viscount Kitchener. THE VEREENIGING CONFERENCE. The Times’ Pretoria correspondent eaya the resolution of the Vereeniging Conference, authorising the signatures for surrender, declared Britain’s insistence not to negotiate further, but to dictate terras, also the reduced number of Boers in the field with the impossibility of getting back prisoners add the necessity of saving the existence of the race, compelled the relinquishment of independence. GREAT BRITAIN’S THANKS. Parliament’s resolution of thanks

applied to the officers and men of the Imperial forces in order toxmJjrip the colonies.