Show ENGLAND TURNS DOWN BOER PLACE PEACE PROPOSALS l London Feb The British government government govern govern- government I ment replied to Dr Kuyper the Dutch field Boers In is the premier r that If the desire to negotiate for peace only in Into but can be entered South Africa The The British government adheres to its intention to not accept the Intervention of f any foreign power The text of the reply follows HERE IS THE REPLY The The Foreign Office Jan JO tr- tr Jr You were good enough to lay be before o the roe January 2 th a a. communication n from Prom The Netherlands Government in ih which it was proposed with the b bringing the war to an end his l Majesty f rn- rn n- n ment might grant a a. safe sate condI conduct Ct to the Boer delegates now in Holland for the purpose of enabling them to confer with the Boer leaders in South Africa I WHAT IS SUGGESTED It Is suggested that after a a. conference conference confer confer- ence the delegates might return to Europe Europe Europe Eu Eu- rope with power to conclude a treaty of peace with this country and The Netherlands Netherlands Netherlands Neth Neth- erlands Government intimates that In Inthis Inthis inthis this event they might at a a. later stage be instrumental in placing the Boer plenipotentiaries Jn in relation with plenipotentiaries plenipotentiaries plenipotentiaries pleni pleni- who might be appointed by his Majesty's Government WITHOUT AUTHORITY The Netherlands Government intimates intimates intimates inti inti- mates that If this this- project commends itself Itself it itself it- it self to his Majesty's Government they I will Inquire of the delegates whether they are prepared to make the suggested suggest suggest- ed visit to South Africa It may therefore therefore therefore there there- fore be inferred that the communication tion I received was was made mad on on the responsibility responsibility ot of The Netherlands Government alone and without authority in m the Boer delegates or le leaders ders I NO INTERVENTION His Majesty's Government have given given en enit it their best consideration and while entirely appreciative of pf the motives of ot humanity which led The Netherlands Government to make this proposal they feel they must adhere to the position adopted and publicly announced by them some months after after he the the commence ment of hostilities by the Boers that It was not their Intention to accept the inter intervention of any foreign power in the South African war LD JID COM COME FROM BOERS Should Sho la the Boer delegates themselves themselves them them- selves desire to Jay ay a request for tor a a. safe conduct b before fore his hla Majesty's Government Govern Govern- Government ment there is no reason w why by they should not do 40 so But his Majesty's Government Government Govern Govern- ment obviously are not in a a. position to e express an opinion on such an application application cation until they h have ve received it and are ale aware of the precise nature and grounds whereon the request Is made HAVE NO STANDING I may therefore point out that it is not a at t present clear to his Majesty's M Government that the delegates retain any influence over the representatives of the Boers In South Africa or have any voice in their coun councils ls They are stated by The Netherlands Government J to lo have no such stich letters of credence or instruction of a later date than March 1900 1100 His Majesty's Government on the other hand that all the powers of Government including those of negotiation were now completely vested ested In Mr for the Boers of the Orange River colony and Mr for those of the TransVaal Trans Trans- baal Vaal If this Is so gO so It Is evident that the quickest and most satisfactory means of arranging a a. settlement would be D bl direct communication between the leaders of the Boers in South Africa his hig and the commander in commander chief chief of ot Majesty's forces who has hall already been Instructed to forward immediately any offers he may r re receive ef e for the consideration consideration consideration consider consider- of his Majesty Majesty's s Government In this connection his Majesty's Government has decided that If It the Boer leaders should desire to enter negotiations negotiations negotiation ne ne- ne- ne for Cor the purpose negotiations of or bringing the the- war mr to an end those those hose negotiations must t taice talfe C pla place e not In Europe butIn but butin butin in South Africa J WOULD REQUIRE TIME TUIE i It mote moreover vet be borne InI in I mind ind that if it the Boer leaders are to occupy time in visiting South Africa with Boer leaders readers In the thet in m t field and andIn In returning to Europe for forthe forthe known the results results re re- of making the he purpose o of their errand a. a period of at leas least three mon months hs would would elan elapse a dur- dur during during dur dur- ing Jag which hostilities would be prolonged prolonged prolonged pro pro- longed and much human suffering perhaps n needlessly occasioned occasioned- I have etc LANSDOWNE |