The Transvaal.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 208, 27 May 1902, Page 1

The Transvaal.

London, May 23

Lord Milner and Lord Kitchener are actively conferring with the Boer delegates at Pretoria. There are no reliable indications of the result. Nine thousand troops participated in General lan Hamilton’s drive from May 7th till May 11th. Van Zyl’s commando and the rebels with him, and Zarp’s command were practically wiped out. Active telegraphing between Lord Kitchener a-' (Mice, Lord Chamberlain, is pin -. ■. din .. . Cabinet were summoned to-day. The Daily Mail says that in response to liner haggling at Pretoria, a ptactical ultimatum on vital ) joints has Don pi\ sen ted Great IL stain. with tin’ i’Pitmr.i... that in the event of re ft;.sal Lord Kitchener is ready to strike. The delegates have . transmitted the spin: arum to Vereeniging. By to;, majority acceptance is ex peeled. 'The delcga'd’s ineludt S-'cm n, John Brand, and Hertzog. Lord Onslow, ■■aH!::;P.! Lc-ndrd, Westmoreland, hoped .^racc would have preceded the < ’orona tion. The Peers still in tim Hold were, he said, a mere remnant, and those wiio were unable lo si hi that the time to surrender had now come were a remnant of remnants. The only conditions whereon Britain could accept surrender were incapable of extension. The conference at Vereeniging is merely suspended. There is a widespread belief that peace is practically assured. The Boers, recognising that the decision with regard to annexation is irrevocable, are seeking certain assurances on minor points.

The Standard says that Lord Milner would scarcely have consented to submit proposals to the Cabinet which in his judgment would be wholly inadvisable.

Lord Balfour of Burleigh, Secretary of Scotland, in a speech at a meeting at Edinburgh prior to the summoned meeting of the Cabinetj declared that he expected to be summoned to London very spedally for an important purpose.

A Blue Book just issued shows that extraordinary consideration and leniency were displayed in the application of martial law. A full report of Scheepers’ trial is also included in the Blue Book. The St. James’ Gazette states that the Cabinet’s decision will probably be delayed v owmg to the controversial character of the Pretoria cablegrams. . The 'l'imes says that the second volume of the history of the war is strongly condemnatory of Sir Red vers Buller and the general confusion of the military administration.

Four hundred MiddleLurg Boers have determined to surrender in any event.

Colonel Lovat surprised Foucbe’s laager at Stepleford, killing ana wounding several Boers and capturing 81 horses and GO fall bandoliers. Mr Soddou bad an enthusiastic reception at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. New Zealand was prepared, he said, to treble her efforts in the interests of the Empire. He was confident that Imperial representation would be granted when it was demanded. The chief points have been satisfactorily settled at the Pretoria Conference. The Cabinet sat for two hours considering questions of detail. The final vote on the entire scheme will bo taken at Yerceniging in a few days. May 21, The Standard’s Pretoria correspondent states that up to Saturday the proceenings were rather Eree State recriminations than a discussion on the lines tentatively agree* 1 on by the Boei leaders and as laid down by Lord Kitchener in April. Calmer counsels prevailed on Sunday. The Eree Staters suggested points offering agreement on their part, and if these are foamulated their leaders will come to Pretoria, where the final agreement will be drafted, and if, as is hoped, it is signed, the decision will be a step to a general submission.

Officially inspired paragraphs have appeared in the Berlin newspapers, stating that beyond doubt the Coronation will be celebrated amidst the chimes of the bells of peace. The Morning Post declares that Mr Seddon is the last man to look for peace except on the basis of absolute paramountcy; therefore his cablegram as regards the Tenth Contingent is significant and hopeful.

The British Cabinet’s decision has been cabled to Lord Milner and communicated totbe delegates. Mr Chamberlain had audience with the King after the Cabinet meeting. Ministers have returned to the country. The Standard states that the Boers baveabandoned independence and restricted themselves to raising questions of an amnesty, expenses of rebuilding and restocking farms,

adjustment of debts, and the statu of burghers prior to the initiation of , epresentative government. None of the details older an insuperable barrier to an early declaration of peace. . The Transvaalers in sending jrepresensatives to Yereeniging left j matters to them, but the Free i State representatives did not obtain equally full powers. Those representatives at Yereeniging who ;favoured peace without independence were subjected to bitter taunts. Mr B rod rick, speaking at the Volunteer Service Companies’ din- , uer, said that everybody hoped that ! ine communications passing would ; be the prelude to the Boer surrcn;|der. All be could say was that the were as determined as jever not to purchase a temporary immunity from the trouble by sacrificing anything tending to the ■ permanent security of peace. The ; war had clearly shown the Empire . that the associ-*lion of mutual support and conliuenco bad made the dream of colonial federation a reality. The Conference of Colonial Ministers would considerhow we could put the enthusiasm which brought the colonies into the field with us, on a permanent basis. The war would give tln-m freedom to establish a great empire in South ' Africa.

Lord Rosebery, in addressing the Liberal Club, said that be had never bad any doubt since the present movement, which was practically on the basis of the Boeis surrendering their mdependence, had been initiated ; that peace was certain, but that the declaration of peace was only the beginning of the pacification period which would require patience and statesmanship. Wellington, May 28.

About forty members of the Sixth Regiment of New Zealand Mounted Infantry, who returned by the Talune on Wednesday, were entertained to-day by Ministers at luncheon. Sir Joseph Ward presided. The Hon. Hall-Jones, in the course of a speech, said that he trusted that all the men who were returning from South Africa would enrol themselves in Volunteer Corps.

Sir J. G, Ward, the ActingPremier, has received the following message from Mr Seddon, dated Johannesburg :—“ Yesterday, accompanied by Generals lan Hamilton, Wilson and Baden Powell, I inspected the Eighth Contingent at Klerksdorp, who bad just* returned from a successful drive. Colonel Davies, who commands the column, and the officers and men are first rate, and were glad to see me at the front. I will see the Ninth Contingent to-morrow. I will be at Vereeniging to-morrow. The South Island battalion of the Tenth had better hurry up or they will be too late. The North Island battalion of the Tenth is at Newcastle.”

Sir J. G. Ward to-night received the following cable message, dated Pretoria, May 22 “ Visited the hospitals at Johannesburg, Potchefsti oom, and Klerksdorp, The New Zealand patients are all doing well. Went along the front sixty° miles and visited the Eighth Contingent, just in from Hamilton’s drive. Generals Hamilton, Baden Powell, Wilson, and Colonel Thoneycroft accompanied me. Colonel Davies, officers, and men are first rate, and convey best wishes to New Zealand. General Hamilton addressed the column, and praised highly the services of the New Zealanders. Did not want better men under him. He also praised their capacity for digging trenches. By these marks the New Zealanders will be known. Visited the scene of the railway disaster to the Eighth. It is marvellous so few were killed. Seddon.”

May 21. Mr Seddon cabled last night that he does not think any more contingents will be needed for South Africa.

Mr Seddon cables to Sir J. G, Ward as follows ; — <i Passed a , pleasant time at Pretoria as the guest of the Administrator, Had tea with Lord Milner and dinner | with Lord Kitchener. Had a long interview with both yesterday, which was very satisfactory ; right men in the right place. To-day I visited EJandsfontein hospital, where there are forty-nine New Zealand patients. No serious cases, chiefly dysentery, rheumatism, and enteric fever. Lord Kitchener has sent Colonel Bird vVood with us, and General Baden Powell also accompanies ns. The feeling for New Zealand is cordial. The Administrator practically admits that our land settlement conditions are best suited to South Africa, I am now proceeding to Vereeniging to inspect the Ninth Contingent. Time permitting, I will see the Boer delegates. I had a most cordial send off at Pretoria and Johannesburg.”