For something like a fortnight the Government kept secret the fact that Schalk Burger and Reitz had asked Lord Kitchener for a safe conduct, to enable them to confer with Botha and Steyn with a view to the consideration of peace pro-penal and it was only when the Transvaal leaders had reached Pretoria that the disclosure became inevitable. Naturally the fact.has created a very favourable impression here; and it is no doubt owing to the hopes of an early peace which it has encouraged that the share market has stood so firm under the shock of Cecil Rhodes' death. We are rightly warned, however, not to be too sanguine. The Boer leaders ought to know by this time the uselessness of suing for peace on sny other terms than the surrender of their independence but there is nevertheless tov much reason to fear that Schalk Burger and Reitz will bring back with them an offer of terms which it would be impossible for us to accept. 'The incident is, however, all the more hopeful, coming as it does s0 soon after the defeat, capture and release of Lord Methuen.' At first we were disposed to regard as too sanguine Earl Roberts's assurance that in spite of the "unfortunate incident" of Klip Drift all was going well; but the little defeat just inflicted upon Delarey's force, when three guns and two pompous were recaptured and nearly two hundred prisoners were taken, has gone far to prove the soundness of his view. The British victory was not nearly so showy as that of Delarey, but its substantial results are far greater. Confidence in Lord Kitchener is thoroughly restored, and we may believe with Lord Roberts that the capture of Lord Methuen has not delayed by a week the inevitable end, even though the present peace negotiations should result in nothing.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.