South Africa.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 256, 16 September 1902, Page 1

South Africa.

London, September 11

General Botha complained of the constitution of the Commission entrusted with the distribution of the three million grant, and asked for further assistance.

Mr Chamberlain replied that he could not recognise the justice of the complaint, lie was willing to investigate specific charges, and reminded the General that Britain’s magnanimity and generosity towards the conquered had never been equalled. He advised them not to press for mure, and declined to recognise the burgher rights granted daring the war. He appealed to them to forget and forgive and co-operate in 'working for the prosper ity and liberty of South Africa. How soon complete autonomy would be granted would depend entirely on the rapidity with which animosities died out.

The newspapers characterise the Generals’ proposals as audacious and astonishing, and inspired by the Transvaal Legation. They applaud Mr Chamberlain’s courtesy, tactfulness, and firmness. The Dady News says the Vereeniging terms were a mere rough draft, and a free Constitution is required. Mr Chamberlain has agreed to the re-transfer of three farms which the Government acquired. September 12.

It is officially stated at Johannesburg that the £3,000,000 allotted a? compensation to the Boers has been charged to the Imperial Exchequer. It is also stated that £2,000,000 has been granted for compensation to Brilish subjects,, natives, aud foreigners who maintained neutrality. These amounts are independent of the Military Compensation Board’s payment. American opinion is amazed at the Generals’ disregard of the

peace settlement, nrj■ i applauds Mr Uii;iiuL)'„-i.',a!ii'.s adminudy calm

reply. The French anJ G.-nimn papers reluctantly admit that, Mr Charnheriaiu was compelled to refuse many of the proposals, but consider that greater generosity would have been the better policy. The Generals were quietly welcomed at Amsterdam.

General De Ja Key stated that they required help to reconstruct their farms, not homage or fetes. General De Wet said that the Boers intended to remain faithful 'now and in the future,and intended to defend their rights by word and pen. If England were generous the Boers would prove the most faithful subjects of the whole ; Empire. They wanted money for 'schools to safeguard their nationality. Genera! Botha feared that the ißritish Government would not icompen.-ate them for their farms, Though thousands otherwise were 'ruined. ' September 13. The burghers are contentedly resettling. Their chief anxiety is ;thu rebuilding of homesteads, material and transport being i-earce. Thera is a great need of breeditig stock. The burghers ate : uot interested in politics. September Tl. General Botha’s relations with 1 Messrs Kruger, i.eyds, ana Reitz ! have become ruptured. He attributes the failure of the Boer IGenerals’ recent conference with .Mr Chamberlain to Mr Reitz’ idefiant language. General Botha declares that the Generals’ further 'presence in Europe will be devoted ho the raising of financial aid for ithe Boers. Capetown, September 11. | Cane residents are amazed at the jGenerals’ wildly extravagant dejmands. j September 12. 'I The Chief Justice of tne .Cape 'declares that the Imperial Commission on Martial Law is amply ■sufficient to conduct the enquiry. I Mr Merriman’s speech was !unusually-violent. He condemned : the damnable doctrine that the .■lmperial Parliament were able to 'jsuspend the Constitution, and said ithat only force of arms would jjsecure suspension. He charged Earl , j Milner with conspiring to destroy > the liberties of the Cape, h Mr Smarct replied that the Progressives would loyally abide by i.'Mr Chamberlain’s decision, and he > censured Mr Merriman for his j inalignant attack on Earl Milner.