"After quoting at length the correspondence between his Majesty's Government and the Netherlands, they are of opinion that it is a suitable moment to do everything possible to put a stop to the war, and therefore decide to make certain propositions to Lord Kitchener which can serve as a base for further negotiations in order to bring about the desired end. They further decide that, in their opinion, in order to accelerate the desired aim and prevent misunderstanding, Lord Kitchener be requested to meet them personally, time and place to be appointed by him, in order to lay before him direct peace proposals, which they are prepared to submit, and in order to settle at once, by direct communication with him, all questions that may present themselves, and thereby to make sure that this meeting will have the desired result." PRELIMINARY OVERTURES. Then followed the succeeding telegraphic correspondence. FROM LORD KITCHENER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR. PRETORIA, _April 12, 1902_, 9.22 P.M. All Boer representatives met to-day and wished the following telegram sent:-- "The Boer representatives wish to lay before his Majesty's Government that they have an earnest desire for peace, and that they consequently decided to ask the British Government to end hostilities, and to enter into an agreement by which, in their opinion, all future war between them and the British Government in South Africa will be prevented. They consider this object may be attained by providing for following points:-- "1. Franchise. "2. Equal rights for Dutch and English languages in education matters. "3. Customs Union. "4. Dismantling of all forts in Transvaal and Orange River Colony. "5. Post, Telegraph, and Railways Union. "6. Arbitration in case of future differences, and only subjects of the parties to be the arbitrators. "7. Mutual amnesty. "But if these terms are not satisfactory they desire to know what terms the British Government would give them in order to secure the end they all desire." I have assured them that his Majesty's Government will not accept any proposals which would maintain independence of Republic, as this would do, and that they must expect refusal. FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR TO LORD KITCHENER. WAR OFFICE, _13th April 1902_, 2.30 P.M. His Majesty's Government sincerely share the earnest desire of the Boer representatives for peace, and hope that the present negotiations may lead to that result; but they have already stated in the clearest terms, and must now repeat, that they cannot entertain any proposals which are based upon the continued independence of the former Republics, which have been formally annexed to the British Crown.