The Transvaal.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 210, 31 May 1902, Page 3

The Transvaal.

CH - • Lon'don, May 27. Reuter’s Pretoria correspondent says that the optimism in regard to peace is hardly justified by solid facts. The protraction in the negotiations is not necessarily a hopeful sign. Though the delegates have abandoned the claim to independance, there are still many points of difference which may at any moment become accentuated, causing a rupture. The Times states that a high authority in the South African Constabulary estimates the cost of rebuilding the burnt farms at £15,000,000. It is understood that the King in a message to Parliament will announce peace when the negotiations have been settled.

De Wet and Dj la Key are still at Pre toria. Schalk Burner and the other delegates have returned to Vereenigiog. The Cabinet met to day to consider some of the financial claims advanced by the Boers.

The Boors at Brussels allege that the British Cabinet again refused to permit the peace delegates to consult with the European delegates. Mr Benneb Burleigh says that De Wet realises that a great nation would not stoop to pettifogging prosecutions for offences committed against the Crown during the turbulence of warfare. He has exerted himself to the utmost to pub the peace conditions honourably before his countryman, and severed himself from the malign influence of Steyn and Hertzog. May 28. In Parliamentary circles it is believed that the vital terms of peace have been seibled, but that the Government are unwilling to announce them until there is a definite conclusion to the negotiations.

The Times says it is permissible to be more sanguine than a few days ago, though whilst a fairly strong minority continues desirous of war it is unlikely that those who favour peace will throw up the sponge. The Norfolk, with the New Zealand troops, has arrived at Durban. Eighiy ona of Jack Hindoo's commando have surrendered at Balmoral

While p eoevlmg to the B-hiffi line , Slegkaiu/s comman o stopped Hindoa’s, seizing and breaking their rifles. Hindon’a men, without ammunition, were helpless. Mr Sodd-jo speaking at the complimentary luncheon ai Cap down, said that the colonies must help the Mother* land and bear the burden of maintaining her supremacy on the sea. Bteinacker’s Horse captured four riders who were conveying deip itches from Europe to the Boor generals. Two were shot, and the despatches secured. Commandmt Lannerin, when captured recently, told airoliicer that Sir H. Camp bell Bauuerman’s speeches had much en‘eouraged the Boers. He wondered that the British allowed them. The “Daily Express” states that Lord Kitchener will shortly be appointed Adju-tant-General to the War Office. Tiie Boer pi Loners at St. Helena insist tint peace has bee i proclaimed, and are packing up in readiness to return to South Africa. Air Beinvet B-a.-lcigli cables that it is repo, id that a field-c met and 200 m n have sunuiulei\il ut i'Vaiikfnfc.

’rive “ Staiidar i ” nays ihat evtil if a temporary hitch has (.ccnrred there is no ground for anticipation of an nufiv.mrable issue. Though the delegate-) have acquie eed in annexation, much remains to be adjmted—the i elation and iet- ntion of arms for self-deleucc, the language question, and rebuilding of farms. Tnc “ D rily Mail ” says that several well It no vu leaders at the Vereeniging Conference are irreconcilable, and extremely noisy, an i that it is necessary | for the leading delegates to exert pressure I to ensure a complete surrender.

There hive bun severe outbreaus of enteric fever at tit* Helena, chiefly amongst the .soldiers stationed on the island.

Mr S-hMou had an immensely enthusiastic sendolf from Capetown. Whilst admiring Mr Scdlon extremely, the Loyalists consider sumo of his strictures in reference to the precautionary measures which hive been tiken by the authorities as undeserved.

Major Collett, with the Jansonville Horse, attacked the Bj: rs at Somerset last Tuesday, and after a prolonged light the Boers withdrew, leaving Commandant’Malan a prisoner, fatally wounded in the stomach.

The Daily Mail stales that the Government have received m>re hopeful cable news from Pretoria,

The Duke of Cambridge, iu addressing tiie National Kith; Association, said ; “ Wo sec a little daylight in connection with the peace negotiations, though we are not confident, and must be prepared for anything.” WiiijM.viTON, May dci. The Acting-Premier has received the following cable message from MrSeddon, dated Capetown, May 271 h; —“ I received a splendid reception bore. Four addresses were presented, and a Mayoral garden party was ; given yesterday. I attend a public luniticbn to-day. All are will. We arc leawflg by the Saxon, for England at 4 o’clock.but.Wednesday, May 2Sth.”

His Worship',the Mayor received the following telegram from the Hon. W, Hall-Jones, Acting-Minister of Defence, yesterday ; —“ I have just received a cable message from Durban stating that the troopship Norfolk arrived there on the 2(jlh inst., officers and men all well.”

The Acting Minister of Defence has received the following cablegram from Durban, dated 27th May:--” The second battalion of the Tenth Contingent arrived to day, all well ; 21 otiicers, -ISlinen, and ■550 horses ; also 73 details for the Eighth and Ninth Contingents.” May 29. Sir J. G. Ward has made arrangements which enable the news of i lie proclamation of peace to be telegraphed from one end of the colony to the other immediately upon the receipt of the cable from South Africa.