30 MARCH 1901, Page 15

COMPROMISE WITH THE BOERS.

[TO TIM EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR.")

SIE,—We shall probably never know for certain why the Boer leaders refused our peace proposals ; probably each of them had different reasons. But no sell-respecting Boer could accept a suggestion that the legal position of Kaffirs should be similar to that which they hold in Cape Colony, where on certain conditions they have a vote, and can even sit in the Legislature. General Botha seems to have been prepared to accept the Orange Free State laws for Kaffirs, a very wide departure from the Transvaal product. It is clear that the negotiations must have broken down on this question alone without reference to Sir A. Milner and assistance by loan or gift. It is lamentable to think what the question of slavery has cost us and our cousins across the Atlantic in blood and money, but I am sure Messrs. Bright, Gladstone, Cobden, and Forster would if they were living approve, as I do, of the position taken up by their pupil, Mr. Chamberlain. Have Messrs. Morley, Courtney, &c., nothing to say on the