If this is really the present state of affairs, the
outlook, as we have said, is distinctly hopeful. Surely those excitable members of the peace party who, without knowing the facts, have been declaring during the past week that Mr. Chamberlain has been perpetually raising his terms and refusing to accept the Boers' proposals even though they have conceded the Milner minimum, will now admit that the Colonial Secretary has conducted the negotiations with moderation as well as firmness. Till the next move of the Transvaal Government is fully declared, further comment could hardly be useful, and might be mischievous. We will only add our regret that so much has been made of Mr. Schreiner's last speech in the Cape Parliament. He is in a very difficult position, and his efforts to keep the Cape Dutch in hand must not be mis- represented and misunderstood. The situation, in truth, is like that which was to be found at the outbreak of the American Civil War in the doubtful and divided States. What Mr. Schreiner means by keeping the Cape "neutral" is keeping the Cape Dutch from supporting the Boers,--a very loyal and sensible part.
