SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 129, 4 June 1902, Page 3

SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

THE KING'S MEBSAGK TO HIS TKOPLE. TH* TIMES OK THE SITUATION. PBS PRESS ASSOCIATION. London, Juue 2. Kiog Edward's message to the people announces that the King his iv ctived the welcome news of a cessation of hostilities with satisfaction. M« trusts per-.ce may speedily be followed by the restoration of prosperity in his maw dominions, and that tint >he feel ing n«cessirjly tngend*red i y th« wh give place to the earnest co-c,.' :atio: ef his South African subjects in pro moting 'he we ! f*re of thtir common country. Toe Times afser's that is complete; there is no ccmpromisi and no treaty, but a mere documon* of surrender, the terms of whicn are esseu tia'ly the same as kl-o s e of March, 1901. The Stock Exchange cabled Lord Kitcheti«r as follows :—" Heartiest congratulations to yourself and youi brave boys. Peace with honour i? a fitting prelude to the Coronation." The Times says There is much cause for thankfulness and pride in the attitude of the nation at Home and in all the great seif governing colonies. To the hte Qu«en, perhaps, above all others, we owe the calm dignity of temper wherewith the people of the Empire h*ve passed the greaastr ordeal tbey have undergone since the downfall of Napoleon. Her son has inherited her spirit and maintained the sam<> ideas.

PROVISIONS OF THK PEACE AGKEKMKNT. MODERATION TOWARD BOERS, ReceiTe<i 3,10.16 p m. London, June 2. Mr Balfour has announced that the terms include that the Dutch language shall be used in the Courts if necessary end taught in the schools where parents desire it. Rifles am to be retained for protection purpose?, and the military occupatien will b? withdrawn when self government is sab-titii•<■•*. No special tax will be imposed da 'iYm-s----vaal or Owßge Colony landed for the war, hut three millions is to be raised for restocking farms. Rebels will be tried according to 'he laws of thsir colony, but there will be no d*ath penalty. The rack and file will be disfranchised for life.

APPRECIATION OF COLONIAL TROOPS. Received 3,10.19 p.m. Sydney, June 3. The troops by the Aurania were welcomed by the Governor, Pivmiej, and Msjir-General Hut'on. The latter sympathised witb tho indignatioo •felt by the troops at the publication < f the Albany incident, which was entirely unsubstantiated. Lregul-rrie-by a f«w xam who were irregulaly aboard, the transport may have been committed, but o e would have hoped that such lad bten corroborated btfoie being given publicity. A'ter ;e:.' yiars' experienceuf thtm, iu peace smi war, he emphatically asserted r.hem were no braver and no but tar disciplined troops iu the King's army tbao the Australians.

HOW THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF PEACE WAS MADE. THE REJOIOIXGS IN "a t-'GLAND. Received 3, 10.4" a.m. Losdon, June 2. A Bnlstanthl minority of tii » l'>oe. delegate* urged the reaction of the pe*ce proposals. Ultimat lj., however, the influence of the Pretoria del-gates prevailed, and the commmdos weie immediately informed of the d« ei-ior>. The Government decided to wii kbou! the news till Monday, but afwrwaul considered anaDßOUßcementon Sunday evening advisable, so that sober expressions of r.j icirgs might bo indulged in. The blowing of fog-lie-; b, eyrers, and steam whistles coutioued out the night in <h* provinces. Ic some p aces the populac- gave vent t'< their joy amidst the bo?ming of heavy guns and the rit'.le of firearms. Enor KOUB crowds congregated ev rywhert-, siDgicg the Anthfm. lhe newspapers is-ned spfc al editions.