PEACE PROCLAMATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 459, 1 July 1902, Page 2

PEACE PROCLAMATION.

HOW THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED IN ENGLAND. GREAT REJOICING.

[By Telegraph—Press Association.] (Per It.M.S. Sierra, at Auckland.) San Francisco, June 11. A cable to the Now York Tribune from London, dated June 2. gives the following

description of the manner in which the news of peace was received in London : Neither the metropolis nor the nation is in the mood for critical examination of the terms of peace.

Every British flag is flying, and every British face beaming with joy and relief over the close of the war, which has cost two hundred and twenty-three million pounds and twenty-ono thousand lives. Lord Kitchener’s name is cheered. In the streets, battalions of “ Hooligans ” are blowing penny-trumpets and waving flags, and improvised choruses of men, women, and children are parading tho streots and singing “ liule Britannia.”

The vagaries and excesses of Mafeking night wore repeated, and there was public rejoicing of ad sorts. Tho stockbrokers and mining operators started the day with uproarious cheers and buoyant prices, and the students of King’s College inarched to Downing street and the Palaces to serenade Mr Chamberlain, Mr Balfour, and the King himself. Grotesque and noisy as was the demonstration of satisfaction over the return of pence, their was uo sign of exultation over the fallen foe.

Tho House of Commons was densely crowded whoa Mr Balfour read tho official statement of tho result of tho negotiations. The interest wns so intense that members could hardly wait for tho halting sentences delivered without a sign of emotion or excitement, and they found themselves cheering whenever there was a convenient break. Tho applause was hearty on the Government benches, and many of tho Opposition joined in tho final round of cheers. The Boer lenders bad made strenuous etlorts to secure equality of treatment for their Capo allies, but had only succeeded in exempting them from tho death penalty, since the rank and tile wero disfranchised for life and left liablo to penalties for treason imposed by Natal and Capo Colony, whereas the Transvaal and Orange warriors were only accountable for broaches of the laws of war. This discrimination disclosed firmness on tho part of Mr Chamberlain in rendering treason odious. The language question had been compromised, probably through the pressure of peacemakers in tho Cabinet, and tho use of Dutch was sanctioned in tho courts and schools. Tho susceptibilities of the Boers had boen spared in every possible way, since tho surrender was deprived of every aspect of humiliation. The burghers were licensed to piotect themselves with arms. A generous appropriation was made for the restoring of farms, and the general releaso of prisoners and the establishment of local selfgovernment were guaranteed at tho earliest possible date. The terms were so magnanimous that even tho pro-Boer Itadicals found little fault. Such criticism ns was heard among tho members was based upon the extraordinary leniency shown by tho Government, and apparent lack of safe guards against tho Jo-opening of military operations after the releaso of the prisoners. Tho compromise of the language question was also regarded by aggressive Unionists as a source of future disturbance. There was much comment upon tho official recognition of the representatives of the South African Ilepubliean and Orange Free State in the first article of agreement, and the explanation which was offered as to this revival of the dignity of two proscribed Governments was that it enabled Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner to remind tho rebels of their own Government. Kruger was not mentioned. Ho will not bo liable to any proceedings. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge went to tho House of Lords to hoar the peace statement of the Premier, Lord Salisbury. There was a large attendance of Peers and Princes. Lord Salisbury, before mentioning South Africa, referred to the loss which the country had sustained in the death of Lord Pauncefote, who had dono more than any ono man to amend tho union between the two great Anglo-Saxon races, which is one o 1 ;he healthiest and most promising indications of tho times. Lord Salisbury then remarked that he hoped an agreement upon the terms of surrender would bring the lamentable state of things in South Africa to an end, and he proceeded to read tho terms of the agreement arrived at with tho Boers.

Lord Rosebery expressed his hearty, unstinted, and unresorved congratulations. In the House Mr Chamberlain and Mr Balfour both received a great ovation as they walked to their seats.

The lobbies and waiting-rooms were crowded with disappointed seekers for seats.

Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Liberal member, said on behalf of the Opposition that unbounded satisfaction would he felt throughout the Empire at tho conclusion of peace. The pooplo were unanimous in admiration of their late enemies, now their friends aDd follow citizons, whoso military qualities, tenacity of purpose, and self-sacrificing devotion to liberty and country had won them tho respect of the whole world, and foremost to King and country on the thrieo blessed restoration of peace.

Mr Balfour having announced that Government would take au early opportunity of moving a vote of thanks to Lord Kitchener and the forces in South Africa, tho members of the House returned to their ordinary avocations. Then the House, in which even members could not find seats, was emptied, and diplomats, Indian rajahs in gorgeous robes, peers and peeresses, commonersand their guests, trooped into the lobbies, where general congratulations followed. Various objections to the peace terms were expressed, but they did not seem to be very serious.

The Irish point of view was that tho Government had given up practically everything, and that the regulations affecting the Cape rebels could be done away with in consequence of the King’s amnesty proclamation.

A Parliamentary paper issued to-night gives tho correspondence preceding the peace agreement. From this it appears that General Schalk Burger, acting-Presi-dent of the Transvaal, informed Lord Kitchener on March 12 that he was ready to make peace proposals. On April 13 Mr Brodrick refused to entertain any proposition based upon independence of the Republics. Later the Boer 6 declared that surrender or independence must be submitted to the burghers in the field, Lord Milner, Lord Kitchener, and the Boer Commission met, on May 19. Later they offered to surrender the independence of the Republics as regards foreign relations, and to surrender part of their territory and retain self-government under British supervision. These proposals were forthwith rejected. The same day Lord Milner, General Smuts, and Judge Hertzog drew up a form of agreement to be submitted to the conference at Vereeneging for an aye or no vote. This was similar to the final agreement, and with a few alterations was approved by Mr Chamberlain, who in giving notice of his approval, told Lord Milner that he must inform the Boers that unless it was accepted within a fixed time the conference would be considered ended, and the Government would not be bound in any way by present declarations.