NEWS OF THE NVEEK.
WHERE is nothing definite to record in regard to the 1 - peace negotiations. All that it is safe to say is that Mr. Schalk Burger and his colleagues have got into touch with Mr. Steyn, but what his attitude is, and whether they will convert him to giving in or he convert them to standing out, remains to be seen. Personally we think it unlikely that Mr. Steyn will yield at present and agree to bona-fide negotiations with a view to peace. He has been, next to Mr. Kruger, the chief author of the war and of all the calamities that have fallen on the two Republics. Hence it would be peculiarly bitter to him to yield on any terms. His amour yropre—and what is stronger than amour propre in such cases—is involved in keeping the field till the very last moment. But even if he will hear no reason, and if the other Boer leaders feel compelled to stand by him, we need not feel hopeless that no results will follow the negotiations. They will have had a certain educative effect on the Boers, and even if abortive we may expect them to be followed by a considerable number of voluntary surrenders. Meantime there is every need for pressing the war with the greatest possible vigour. It must be made quite clear to the Boers that we allow them to discuss and negotiate not be- cause we are weary or in difficulties, but simply and solely because we are anxious to put an end as soon as possible to the miseries that are being endured by South Africa.
