epeatedly
requested.]

FROM LORD KITCHENER TO SECRETARY OF STATE.
PRETORIA,
_April 14, 1902_.

"A difficulty has arisen in getting on with proceedings. The
Representatives state that constitutionally they have no power to
discuss terms based on the surrender of Independence, inasmuch as only
the burghers can agree to such a basis, therefore if they were to
propose terms it would put them in a false position with regard to
their people. If, however, His Majesty's Government could state the
terms that, subsequent to a relinquishment of Independence, they would
be prepared to grant, the Representatives, after asking for the
necessary explanations, without any expression of approval or
disapproval, would submit such conditions to their people."

On the following (Thursday) morning, April 17th, Lord Kitchener
requested the members of the Republican Governments to meet him again,
and laid before them the following cablegram which he had received the
previous day:--

FROM SECRETARY OF STATE TO LORD KITCHENER.
LONDON,
_April 16, 1902_.

"We have received with considerable surprise the message from the Boer
leaders contained in your telegram. The meeting has been arranged at
their request, and they must have been aware of our repeated
declarations that we could not entertain any proposals based on the
renewed Independence of the two South African States. We were
therefore entitled to assume that the Boer Representatives had
relinquished the idea of Independence and would propose terms of
surrender for the forces still in the field. They now state they are
constitutionally incompetent to discuss terms which do not include a
restoration of Independence, but ask us to inform them what conditions
would be granted if, after submitting the matter to their followers,
they were to relinquish the demand for Independence.

"This does not seem to us a satisfactory method of proceeding, or one
best adapted to secure at the earliest moment a cessation of the
hostilities which have involved the loss of so much life and treasure.
We are, however, as we have been from the first, anxious to spare the
effusion of further blood and to hasten the restoration of peace and
prosperity t