County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

THE ARMY'S RETURN. HOW THE GREAT FORCE WILL BREAK UP. THE GUARDS BRIGADE. The break-up of the South African Army might be expected to follow close upon the signature of peace. That it will cease to exist as a self-con- tained fully organised militant body is probable. There will not, however, be any large or imme- diate return of troops-not as regimental units, that is to say. A statement was printed on Monday that the Guards Brigade would be sent home in time to participate in the Coronation festivities. This was said to be the King's desire, but it has been found that such a course is impracticable, and the Guards, as a whole, will not yet return. An official statement as to the disposition of certain bodies of troops will be made without delay, and its effect will doubtless prove gener- ally satisfactory to the people at home who desire to see some of the troops in London at an early date. The earliest embarkations of complete bodies of troops will be of the Reservists who are ripe for discharge or men who have earned the right to pass into the Reserve from the colours. Few people realise what this means. The exodus, all told, from the active Army will be enormous. It has been calculated that the number will total up to more than 100,000 men when all are gone, and go they must by the terms of their engagement. The effect of this upon the effec- tive strength of the Army will be very serious. The depletion when completed will leave regi- ments and battalions like skeletons, and so far from bringing home the headquarters of corps drafts must continue to go out in reinforcement. THE REGULAR GARRISON. Mr. Brodrick has put the eventual regular gar- rison of the new Colonies at some 15,000, but this low limit cannot possibly suffice for a year, prob- ably several years. The constabulary and Colo- nial corps to be depended upon eventually will take some time to organise in sufficient strength and -fitness. It would be manifestly unwise to part with any considerable number of Regular troops at present. When the country settles down, and it has been found that the war prisoners can be safely allowed to return—conditions that cannot be ar- rived at for many months-the return of the troops will commence, and generally in the fol- lowing order:— 1. The service companies raised from the ter- ritorial Volunteer battalions. 2. The Militia battalions in the order of their volunteering for service abroad. 3. The battalions of Guards that formed part of the first army-namely, the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers, the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Coldstreams, and the 1st Battalion Scots Guards. 4. Lord Kitchener has asked to retain as much of the cavalry as possible to the last, though in the ordinary course the first of these regiments to return would be those that made up the two brigades of the cavalry division that went out with Sir Redvers Buller-viz., the 1st and 2nd and 6th Dragoons and the 6th Dragoon Guards, the 10th Hussars, the 12th Lancers, and the 5th Lancers and 18th Hussars (Natal). 5. Infantry of the line also in the order of their arrival out, governed by their original position on the roster for foreign service. This cannot be fixed exactly; nor is the list likely to be easily settled by the Quartermaster-General. No doubt the regiments that were already in Natal at the outset and those that were hurried across from India will be among the earliest to leave South Africa. Among those will be the 1st Battalion Man- 1 Chester, the 2nd Battalion King's Royal Rifles, the 1st Battalion Devonshire, the 1st Battalion Liverpools, the 1st Battalion Leicestershires, 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, the Gordon Highlanders, the 1st Gloucesters, the 1st Bat- talion 5th Fusiliers, and the Munster Fusiliers. The several brigades that made up the divi- I sions of the 1st Army Corps contain regiments that have borne the chief part of the business, and regiments entitled to early return are Bar- ton's Fusilier Brigade, the Highland Brigade, Hart's Irish regiments, Hildyard's English regi- ments, and Lyttleton's riflemen, taking them as they were originally organised. I THE ARTILLERY. The withdrawal of the Horse and Field Ar- tillery began a long time back, and will no doubt be carried out almost completely, for it is not likely that any large force of field guns will be retained n South Afric, G, 0, P, R, T, and U, and many batteries from IV., V., VI., VII., VIII., IX., X., XI., XII., XIII., XIV., and XV. Brigade Divisions.. < There are a number of Engineer companies to come, those from 5th to 12th, the 17th, 20th, 23rd, 26th, 29th, 31st, S7th, 38th, 42nd, 45th, 46th, and 47th-bodies variously designed for performances of the many duties of the corps, whether mounted or on foot, for telegraph, pon- toons, trains, steam road transport, and the rest. The subsidiary services-Army Service, Army Medical, Army Ordnance, field hospitals, and so forth-may be reduced, but must depend largely upon the diminution of the general strength for their chance of speedy return. A considerable reduction in the staff and com- mands can be made almost immediately. Of the superior generals Sir John French, who is ac- tually the commander of the First Army Corps, with headquarters at Aldershot, will be one of the first to leave South Africa. Sir Ian Hamil- ton, who has been chief of the staff to Lord Kitchener, will, it is generally believed, be ap- pointed to the Fifth Army Corps at York, when formed, as it must be shortly. General Lyttle- ton, who is the chief in Natal, has been intended from the first to succeed Lord Kitchener in su- preme command) and will certainly remain at the Cape. Of other major-generals, those likely to be re- lieved of their commands are Barton, Hart, Sir Charles Knox, Sir Wm. Knox, Clements, Sir John Maxwell, Inigo Jones, Bruce Hamilton, and many more who have borne their share in the hardest fighting almost from the first, and who will be entitled to other and more peaceful employment. I THE HUGE STAFF. The General Staff of the Army, whether en- gaged with troops or in the thousand and one important duties connected with miscellaneous work, can be at once cut down. There is an army of D.A.G.'s, A.A.G.'s, and D.A.A.G.'s, brigade-majors, with commandants and staff officers innumerable, on railways with remounts, prisoners of war, supply and transport and traffic, and in command of mobile columns. A very sen- sible saying in outlay can be effected by dispens- ing with their services, and it must be insisted upon without delay. With regard to Lord Kitchener, it may be stated that he is at liberty to return home at once, but that he will wait a month or so before turning his command over to General Lyttleton. He is anxious for a rest from his lorg and ar- duous service, and his appearance in the Corona- tion procession would doubtless be the occasion for an immense popular ovation; but he is too good a soldier to take his hand from the plough when his guidance is still needed, and it will be probably found that he has yielded to the urgent request of Lord Milner to remain until the great task of pacification has been well begun. The withdrawal of the strong arm would be most un- wise until the machinery of civil administration, supported by constabulary, is firmly established.

CURRENT SPORT. I The first of the fire test cricket matches between England and Australia terminated in a draw, at Edgbaston, on Saturday. This was due to the weather, for in the final stage only 70 minutes play was possible. In this time the Australians, who had followed-on the previous day, took theii second innings total to 46 for two wickets. During the day one of the entrances to the ground was forced, there being several accidents of a minos nature. On the first and second days of the match England made 376 for nine wickets (Tvldesley 138. Lockwood, not out, 52, F. S. Jackson 53, Hirst 48. Rhodes, not out, 3S), and then, heavy rain having fallen, declared. On Australia batting Rhodes and Hirst got the whole side out on the first hands for 33, the lowest total ever recorded in a "test match, the bowling averages of the famous York- shire pair being-Rhodes, seven wickets for 17 runs, Hirst three for 15. At Kennington Oval, Surrey had little difficulty in defeating Hampshire on Saturday by an innings and 10 runs. Declaring their first innings closed with 245, the locals set Hants 124 runs to make to avoid a single innings' defeat, and this the visitors were unable to do, against the bowling of Brockwell and Lees, albeit. Webb and C. Heseltine tried hard to save their side. At Bath, the Somerset and Lancashire match was left drawn, rain again playing an im- portant part. The visitors declared their second innings closed at 82 for eight wickets, and when stumps were drawn Somerset were 77 behind with four men out. For the second day in succession there was no play at Dewsbury on Saturday, the Yorkshire and Derbyshire match having to be abandoned. The champions had made 393 in their opening innings (T. L. Taylor 106, Haigh 82, Whitehead 61 not out, Tunnicliffe 54); while Derbyshire had lost two wickets for 23. Sussex gained an easy victory over Worcestershire at Brighton by 10 wickets. The visitors finished their first innings 202 behind, but. going in a second time, after Relf had per- formed the hat trick at 13, Arnold, Corden, Pear- son, and Wilson did so well that the venture realised 240. This, however, only left Sussex 39 to get to win, and these were obtained with- out loss. The M.C.C. and Ground v. Kent match at Lord's, on Saturday, furnished a most exciting finish, as, although the home eleven Were only set with 84 to get to win, they lost nine wickets in the attempt, a result due to a bright Sun baking the surface of the pitch. M.C.C. won by one wicket. Splendid bowling performances were accomplished in this match by J. T. Hearne, King, and Blythe. Cambridge University received their first defeat this season on Saturday, All Ire- land scoring a win by 58 runs. The visitors secured a lead of 98 on the first innings, but only scored 121 in their second venture, leaving the Light Blues 202 to get to win. The wicket was all all against the batsmen, however, and although E. F. Penn, and C. H. Ebden did well, the side was all disposed of for 161. Two members of the London County cricket team were in capital form with the bat at Exeter on Saturday. Playing for Dr. W. G. Grace's team against Devonshire, W. L. Murdoch and C. J. B. Wood-the latter being not out-both compiled 101. Playing for the Stroud Green School against Crouch End, Arthur Young bowled unchanged through the two innings of the latter side, in the first securing three wickets for no runs, and in the second six wickets for no runs. He thus ob- tained nine wickets without having a run scored off his bowling. H. L. Doherty easily won the all-comers singles in the Irish Lawn tennis Championships on Satur- day Miss Martin again won the ladies' champion- ship. and in the semi-finals of the doubles H. and E. Sweetman and H.L. and R. F. Doherty were successful. A fencing match between teams representing Oxford and Cambridge Veterans took place on Saturday at Cambridge. Mr. Henry Balfour cap- tained the Oxford team, the Cambridge team being in charge of Mr. Egerton Castle. Each team con- sisted of six competitors. As each competitor fought every competitor of the opposite team in turn there were thirty-six bouts. The result was a draw, both teams having twenty points scored against them. At the United States inter-collegiate games, held at the Berkeley Oval, New York, on Satur- day, Duffy, of Georgetown, won the final heat of the 100 yards dash, and created a new world's record of 9 3-5sec. G. W. Smith, who is credited with having beaten world's record, in New Zealand, by covering 120 yards, over 3ft. 6in. hurdles, in 15 l-5sec., took part in the Hersham open level race at that dis- tance on Saturday. He won very easily by 10 yards in 16 4-Dsce. on a rather rough track. What's in a name ?" A good deal when that name happens to be Brown; for at Stamford-hill on Saturday the men to get placed in the final heat of the 220 Yards were G. Brown, scratch, first Jem Brown, 9t yards start, second; and J. F. 2 Brown, 15, third. "J. F. from the 15 yards' mark, and Jem" from scratch, also ran respectively second and third in the Quarter Mile, '6 the winner turning up in A. Cline, 10 yards start. M. J. Sheridan, of New York, at Celtic Park, Long Island, on Saturday, increased his own world's record for throwing the discus to 125ft. Sin. In the postponed lacrosse match between England and Ireland, which was played at Manchester on Saturday, at half-time the score was level at five goals each. England were much better afterwards, and won by 10 goals to 6. The victory of the Polytechnic team over All England" on Saturday afternoon at the Crystal Palace was a very decisive one, the latter, though they made a game effort for success, being defeated by a matter of eight points on the four heats. A. E. Wills, the speedy Putney rider, in company with Edmonds, put in some good work for the Englanders; while A. L. Reed and H. W. Payne were in the best form, and made sure of the success of the Polytechnic team. A very interest- ing feature of Saturday's big cycling programme at the Crystal Palace was the one-lap scratch race. So numerous were the heats that it was necessary to have a second round. A young rider, G. H. Bailey, of the Polytechnic, won the final cleverly from H. E. Hillier, of the Tooting B.C. The London and Southern Counties Bowling Association's Shield was competed for on Saturday by Valentine's Park B.C., Ilford, and Upper Clapton B.C., in these clubs' draw of the first round of the competition. Upper Clapton won by 11 points, but lost entering the second round owing to Valentine's Park having brought with them to Upper Clapton a 37 points advantage, gained the previous Saturday at Ilford. The great fifty-mile cycling race at Pari on Sunday was won by Linton Chase was second 100 yards behind. Simar was third, and Brun fourth. Linton was paced by motors with big Wind shields.. «r5w?\ivari<ms causes, MOD&Y'S cricket was opposing avH £ a<3inSley> "here the Colonials were matches u shira ™ first of their two eientlv from tt *1 not recovered suffi- arranged to °De o'elock. and it was his; ^nsideraMe^^ay d^r^g^b^jQ^jg8 ^^Aus- with the exceptionofTrumper, who was' t scorer with 38, Hopkins, Kelly, and Jones, no one could do much with the deliveries of F. S. Jackson, Hirst, and Rhodes, the side being all disposed of, in less than two and a half hours, for 131. The County had forty minutes' batting, and, thanks to the forcing tactics of Denton, who contributed 32, they put on 48 runs for the loss of three wickets before night- fall. Play at Kennington Oval was rather slow on Monday, the wicket, until late in the day, favour- ing the bowlers. Surrey scored 238, in their first innings, thanks to an admirable 67 byLoekwood, while Kent replied with 42 for the loss of two wickets. Rather sensational cricket was seen on Monday at Nottingham, v.ihere Sussex dismissed the home side for 46 runs, and then completed an innings for 90. Batting a second time, Notts cleared off their arrears for the loss of three wickets, Shrews- bury, showing grand form for 43, not out. Middle- sex had much the better of an interesting day's play with Gloucestershire, at Lord's, on Monday, as at the close they were 61 runs on in the first innings. For the visitors, Jessop bowled in rare form, and secured eight wickets for 58 runs, but his eleven affor the fall of the first wicket collapsed completely before the bowling of Hearne, who obtained seven wickets for 43. In the match between Lancashire and Worcester- shire, at Manchester, on Monday, great pro- gress was made, and, after an innings each had been gone through, the visitors exceeded their rivals total by six runs. Going in a second:time the home brigade scored a single run without loss. All dayjtlie ball triumphed overthe.bat. Hampshire,fared badly at Bath against Somerset on Monday, the latter at the close of the first day's play, thanks to good batting by Braund, S. M. J. Woods, and Johnson, being 106 runs on, with four wickets ia hand. The Australian cricketers, at Leeds, on Tues- day, suffered their first reverse of the tour, York- shire defeating them by five wickets, after a most sensational day's cricket. Hirst and F. S. Jack- son bowled with such effect, that the Colonials, on batting a second time, were all dismissed for only 23 runs, the former capturing five for nine, and the amateur five for 12, the last four in five balls. At Bath, Somerset maintained the ad- vantage they secured on the opening day over Hampshire, and when an innings each hs,(l been concluded the home side claimed a lead of 160 runs. Going in a second time, Hampshire only shaped moderately, A. J. L. Hill (67) being the only contributor of note in a total of 186. Want- ing" only 29 to win, Somerset secured these with- out loss, and thus won easily by ten wickets. The play between Kent and Surrey at Kenning- ton Oval was again very keen on Tuesday, the former county replying to Surrey's first innings total of 238 with 194. At the close of the second day's play Surrey were 58 runs on with all their wickets intact. Only a couple of hours' play was possible at Lord's in the match between Middle- sex and Gloucestershire on Tuesday, owing to the saturated condition of the wicket. Going in a second time, late in the afternoon, the home eleven, with an advantage of 61 runs, made 145 for the loss of nine wickets, and were on Wednes- day morning 206 to the good with a wicket in hand. At Nottingham the home county collapsed before the Sussex bowlers in their second in- nings, on Tuesday, and, as a result, suffered a reverse by eight wickets. After having an equal share of the game at Old Trafford on the opening dav. Worcester failed on Tuesday completely in their attempt to obtain 233 runs to win. They collapsed before the fine bowling of E. E. Steel, and were got rid of in their second venture for 73, leaving Lancashire easy winners by 159 runs.

MAKERS OF THE PEACE. I HOW THE SETTLEMENT WAS WON. The correspondence that passed between the Boer leaders and the British representatives during the prolonged negotiations has now been pub- lished. It was on March 12 that Schalk Burger said he was prepared to make peace proposals, but wished first co see President Steyn, and asked for a safe conduct through the British lines. The Government had no objection to this, and in a telegram dated April 1, Lord Kitchener men- tioned that messages had returned from Steyn, who said he would meet the Transvaal Government at Klerksdorp. This was arranged, and on April 10 the Commander-in-Chief telegraphed that the Boer leaders at their meeting decided to send him a letter requesting to lay certain proposals before him, and to ask him to name place and date. Lord Kitchener duly received the letter from the Boer leaders, in which they expressed the opinion that the present time was a suitable moment to put a stop to the war, and, further, that they had decided to make certain propositions to Lord Kitchener. On April 12 Lord Kitchener informed the Government of the Boer conditions for ending the war. They were 1. Franchise. 2. Equal rights for Dutch and English lan- guages 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 ar- bitrators. 7. Mutual amnesty. The Boer leaders appeared to have been doubt- ful of the wisdom of offering these points, for they added that if these terms were not satis- factory they desired to know what terms the British Government would give them. The Government's reply was that they could not entertain any proposals which were based upon the continued independence of the former Re- publics, which had been formajly annexed to the British Crown. The Boer leaders arrived at Pretoria on April 14, and were met by Lord Milner and Lord Kitchener, who communicated the substance of the British Government's answer to their sugges- tions. The Boer representatives were invited to make fresh proposals, but Steyn, who acted as the spokesman throughout, stated that while they were competent to make peace they were not com- petent to surrender the independence of their country. Only the burghers in the field could do this. Schalk Burger and Botha agreed. On the same day the delegates suggested an armistice in order to consult the people, but Lord Kitchener pointed out that the negotiations had not gone far enough to justify such a course. Eventually the leaders proposed that if the British Government would state the terms which, after a relinquishment of independence, it would be pre- pared to grant, the same would be submitted to the burghers in the field. To this the War Secretary expressed surprise that the Boer leaders declared themselves con- stitutionally incompetent to discuss terms which did not include a restoration of independence. By April 19 all the Boer representatives had left; Pretoria to arrange with the commandoes for the Vereeniging conference, and on May 17, after the conference had been held, ex-Presidents Burger and Steyn telegraphed to Lord Kitchener informing him of the appointment of a Commission of Negotiation, consisting of Louis Botha, Chris- tian Do Wet, Hertzog, Delarey, and Smuts, and requesting a. meeting. This was eventually permitted to ne nela, ana after further parleying, the final Peace agreement was arrived at at Vereeniging and subsequently signed at Pretoria, the signatories being His Ex- cellency General Lord Kitchener and his Excellency Lord Milner on behalf of the British Government, and Messrs. M. T. Steyn, J. Brebner, General C. R. De Wet, General C. Olivier, and Judge J. B. M. Hertzog, acting as the Government of the Orange Free State, and Messrs. S. W. Burger, F. W. Reitz, (ex-State Secretary, who has played a leading part in the drafting of the negotiations on the Boer side) Generals Louis Botha, J. H. Delarey, Lucas Meyer, Krogh, acting as the Government of the South African Republic.

The marriage of Sir F. Lugard to Miss Flora Shaw has been fixed to take place in Grand Canary. The Viceroy of India's weekly telegram on the distress in India states that the total in receipt of relief is 446,000. The Lords' Committee on tubes" on Mon- day passed the preamble of a Bill of the Central London Railway for a loop line between the Bank and Liverpool-street, and slight extensions at Shepherd's Bush. Other lines passed were the Hammersmith-Palmer's Green line, Clapham Junction-Marble Arch line, and Piccadilly-Hoi- bona branch.

BEWILDERED BURMESE. Among the Coronation visitors who have taken time by the forelock are U. Ohn Ghine, A.T.M., C.I.E., the representative of Burmah, and U. Hpo Khyin, Municipal Commissioner of Rangoon, ac- companied by their suites. In the short time these Burmese have spent in London their brilliant cos- sume and striking bearing have caused con- siderable sensation. When in native costume their appearance is most picturesque, and savours distinctly of the fierce sunshine of the East. Their headgear of brilliant silks, their white silk coats and silk wraps, their delicate, many-hued, bespangled slippers, make vivid flecks of colour in London's drab streets. Asked what is the most marvellous sight they have beheld, one of the suite, who spoke English excellently, re- plied, The Army and Navy Stores. That is a place of terrible bustle and movement. We were bewildered." After the stores they placed the Underground Railway as most remarkable. The Burmese representative is likely to spend six months in England and on the Continent, and hopes to visit the provinces before returning.

The waiter obsequiously handed him a ser- viette. And the bucolic patron of the restaurant, gazing at him with a look of ferocious indigna- tion, exclaimed I'd let you know that I don't require no hints as to when it's necessary to use a handkerchief."

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT. PEACE ANNOUNCEMENTS IN BOTH HOUSES. In the House of Lords, which reassembled on Monday after the Whitsuntide recess, there was an unusually large attendance of peers, and the galleries set apart for peeresses, members of the Diplomatic Body, and members of the House of Commons were crowded. A graceful tribute was paid to the memory of the late Lord Pauncefote bv Lord Salisbury, Lord Tweedmouth, and Lord Rosebery. SPEECHES BY LORDS SALISBURY, TWEEDMOUTH, AND ROSEBERY. Lord Salisbury said he might be guilty of dis- respect to their lordships if he did not touch upon the question of the peace which occupied the attention of them all. He had, however, a diffi- culty. The only information he could give to their lordships was by reading the terms of surrender which had been agreed upon and signed, and which he hoped would bring the lamentable state of things in South Afriea to an end. The noble lord then went on to read the terms of surrender which had already been communicated to the House of Commons by Mr. Balfour. The passage in which it was stated that the Boers undertook to lay down their arms and to recognise King Edward VII. as their lawful Sovereign was loudly cheered. After reading the most important portions of the docu- ment the noble lord said that was the close of the terms of surrender. There were, however, some additional terms, not of such interest, which dealt with the question of the treatment of rebels in the Cape and in Natal during the last two years, but the general tendency might be expressed in the last words: The Natal Government are of opinion that rebels should be dealt with according to the law of the colony." Lord Tweedmouth expressed his congratulations to his Majesty's Ministers and the country at large for having brought this long war to an end. This was no time to criticise the terms of peace it was the time only to express a fervent and confident hope that these terms would be so interpreted and so carried out by both parties that a lasting pacification of South Afpica might ensue. Lord Rosebery expressed to his Majesty's Government his hearty, unstinted, unreserved congratulations upon the announcement of peace which they had been privileged to make that day, and to express a hope that the day might mark the beginning of a new epoch of peace, prosperity, and commercial development throughout South Africa j and the Empire. ) MR. BALFOUR'S INFORMATION. In the House of Commons, the knowledge that the terms of peace were to be announced by the First Lord of the Treasury attracted an excep- tionally large number of members and strangers, and Mr. Brodrick, the Chancellor of the Exche- quer, Mr. Balfour, and Mr. Chamberlain were cheered in turn as they entered the Chamber while the questions on the notice paper were being dis- posed of. Mr. Balfour who was again loudly cheered on rising to make the expected statement, in- formed the House that the papers containing the terms of surrender happily agreed upon last Saturday and the correspondence leading up to that auspicious event had been laid upon the table. He then read out the terms agreed upon between Lord Milner and Lord Kitchener and the Boer representatives. The announce- ment that the Burger forces would forthwith lay down their arms and desist from any further resistance to the authority of his Majesty the King, whom they now recognised as their lawful Sovereign, was greeted with cheers, as was the declaration that all burghers in the field outside the limits of the Transvaal or the Orange River Colony and all prisoners would, on duly declaring their acceptance of the position of subjects to his Majesty, be brought back to their homes as soon as transport could be provided and their means of subsistence assured. The Opposition received with approving cheers the announce- ment that burghers who surrendered would not be deprived of their liberty or property, and in the same way they signified approbation of the articles as to the use in the Courts of law, when necessary, of the Dutch language, and as to the assistance to be given to the Boers for lestocking their farms. The right hon. gentle- man also read out Lord Milner's memorandum, in which the High Commissioner informed the Boer leaders that Cape and Natal rebels who surrender will be dealt with according to the laws ef the colonies to which they belong. I SOME OTHEU SPEAKERS. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman said that the news of peace, long hoped for, would be received with the most profound satisfaction, not only in this country, but throughout the Empire. This peace would bring comfort to many an anxious heart and rest to many who had served the King in different capacities, and whose energies had for long months been greatly overwrought, while it would relieve the country of a financial strain which it had proved itself well able to bear, but which, nevertheless, was exceptionally great. The harmony of feeling with which the House received the announcement of the right hon. gentleman was, he believed, complete, and they were at one in recognising the courage, endurance, patience, and discipline which had been displayed by those who had fought for us. The House was also unanimous in its admiration of the qualities displayed by those who until now had been our enemies, and who would now become our fellow-subjects and friends. Their military qualities, their tenacity of purpose, their self-sacrificing devotion of liberty and country had won for them the respect of this country and of the whole world. There would also be a universal hope that from the date of this peace there would dawn an era of concord and prosperity for South Africa. Upon the actual terms of peace nothing could be said until the papers presented to Parliament had been mastered. All that the House could do at that moment was to offer its humble congratulations to the King and the country on the thrice blessed declaration of peace. Colonel Lockwood suggested that in order to mark its.sense of the importance of the news the House should adjourn, but Mr. Balfour replied that, in his opinion, to defer transacting the business of the country would not be a very judicious way of celebrating the happy event which it had been his pleasure to announce. He added that on an early day lie should move a vote of thanks to our Generals and army for the conspicuous services which they had rendered to the country. Sir M. Stewart having &3ked, without eliciting a response, whether now that the war had terminated a thanksgiving day would be proclaimed, the House proceeded to the orders of the day. I THE EDUCATION BILL. The business of the afternoon and evening sit- tings on Monday, after the Peace speechifying, consisted of the Education Bill at the stage of committee. An amendment by Mr. Lambert to confine the biH to education other than elemen- tary, was negatived at the close of the afternoon sitting; and an amendment by Mr. J. A. Pease, raising the question of the School Boards as the education authority instead of the municipality, was negatived towards the close of the evening sitting. A ROYAL MESSAGE. I By way of reply to an inquiry put by Lord Lamington in the House of Peers on Tuesday, the Earl of Selborne made a statement on the Admiralty's boiler policy. Business concluded, the Lord Chancellor moved that their lordships should adjourn till a quarter-past four on Wednesday afternoon, as it was anticipated that his Majesty would send a Royal message to Par- liament, and it was desirable that they should meet to receive it. PARLIAMENT'S THANKS TO THE ARMY. Mr. Balfour announced on Tuesday in the House of Commons that on Thursday he would move a vote of thanks to the Army for its ser- vices in South Africa, adding: "I may possibly be able to present some other subsidiary resolu- tion on a closely-allied subject." The Loan Bill was put down for Wednesday night, when Sir M. Hicks-Beach arranged to make a statement on the financial situation. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, during question-time, had given an indication of what he did not intend to do by de- claring that ;he was not prepared to substitute any other article for corn as a source of revenue. Consideration of the Education Bill in Com- mittee was resumed on Wednesday, and some progress was made.

Sir Henry Tichborne, who has just entered upon his thirty-seventh year, is one of the twenty- two baronets who are invited to the Coronation on the ground that their baronetcies were created before 1620. Sir Henry is the head of an ancient Roman Catholic house. He is a very good shot, and has accounted for many head of ¡ I big game in India, where he has frequently been I the guest of the sporting rajahs.

PUBLIC MEN ON PUBLIC MATTERS. LORD ROSEBERY AT LEEDS. I Lord Rosebery addressed a great meeting at Leeds on the 30th ult. After repudiating the idea that lie had any intention of laying down a pro- gramme, he said he had no doubt that peace would be very soon announced, and hoped the policy of pacification would be one which would convert brave foes into brave friends. Passing On to the Education Bill, he expressed himself in favour of the abstract principle of the transfer- ence of education from the School Boards to municipal bodies, but he had no confidence in the application of that principal proposed by the bill, for the popular control of the municipal body was whittled away till it became merely nominal. Efficiency in education was all-important, but the Government had preferred the relatively inefficient voluntary schools to the relatively efficient Board schools they proposed to starve secondary educa- tion, and ignored the question of the training of teachers. The bargain seemed to be that the managers of schools should find the build- ings and control education, while the rate payers paid the whole cost. He did not believe the country would submit to such an arrangement. After criticising the corn tax as the prelude of a sort of Zollverein throughout the Empire, which would mean giving up the control of our fiscal system to the colonies, Lord Rose- bery said there had been a profound dislocation of the party system, and it was not yet ended. Unity in regard to domestic affairs was not pos- sible, and was scarcely desirable, but if Liberals accepted the proposals of the Government without determined opposition they might roll up the Parliamentary map for a generation. SIR E. GREY AT ALNWICK. Sir E. Grey, M.P., speaking at Alnwick, said the object of the Liberal League was not to split the Liberal party, but to give proof that those who, on the merits of the case, felt that they must side with their own country in the war still remained mem- bers of the party. He hoped that the peace terms in South Africa would not be vindictive, and was opposed to the corn duty as a step towards pre- ferential trading with our colonies, which he believed would be a bad thing. MANY MEN'S MINDS. Terse extracts which we are able to give below indicate the opinion of some prominent M.P.'s and others on the terms of settlement. There was an animated scene in the Lobby of the House of Commons on Monday after the peace announcement. A chorus of approval was broken only by a few dissentients, some of whom thought that the terms were too generous, while others blamed the Government for not having offered them to the Boers with equal precision a year ago. The disfranchisement of the rebels for life was especially welcomed by the Unionists. It is generally believed, however, that the King's clemency will be exerted in the case of the leaders of the rebels, who are to be tried by court mar- tial. A Liberal ex-Cabinet Minister thought that the Boers had done well. He believed that the full terms as to the treatment of the rebels had not been published and that at the Coronation the King's clemency would be invoked. SIR HENRY FOWLER (AT WILLENHALL). The duty of the Government is to forget the past and hold out the right hand of friendship and fellow citizenship to the Boers, and so treat them that they may learn that there is no disgrace, no dishonour, and no injury in becoming subjects of the British Empire. EARL GREY (AT THE CHARTERED TRUST AND AGENCY MEETING). I ask you to pass a resolution of congratulation to his Majesty and of thanks to his Ministers, especially Lord Milner and Mr. Chamberlain, at the happy restoration of peace; and to express the hope that the era of peace on which we have now entered may witness the fusion of the Briton and the Boer into one solid and active nationality. SIR HOWARD VINCENT. I think the terms could not have been better. They are extremely generous and concede to the Boers even more than they had a right to expect. MR. W. S. CAINE. Just the terms that we Liberals have always counselled. The war eould have been settled a year ago on the same basis. MR. PERKS. The concessions as to language may involve us in difficulties. We should have been content with conceding the use of Dutch in the courts, where necessary, but all official documents, and procedure should be in English. The Cape rebels have been treated with two great severity. SIR JAMES FERGUSSON. The terms are exceedingly liberal towards the Boers, and so judicious as to give good hopes of future harmony and progress. MR. LLOYD-GEORGH. We win the action, but we have to pay the costs of the other side. Owing to Mr. Chamberlain's refusal a year ago to make grants to the Boers for farm building we have had to pay eighty millions more, with a prolonged war, and now the grants a.re recommended. MR. JOHN BURNS. I think the terms may prove to be better than they look. We are really a great people and we know how to behave. MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL. The agreement is in some material points the Magna Charta of the Boers, and it is the British title deed to these South African Colonies. LORD CHARLES BERESFORD. The terms, conditional on the surrender, are splendid, just, and chivalrous. It is impossible that such a gallant and determined enemy should not recognise on the part of their conquerors an earnest hope and desire that all in South Africa should participate in the liberty, justice, and freedom which is at once the glory and the safety of the British Empire. THE HON. THOS. COCHRANE. When serving both in civil and military capaci- ties at Johannesburg and elsewhere in South Africa I saw enough of the Boers to satisfy me that they might become valuable citizens of the Empire. I have a confident belief that this will be the result of the terms of peace now settled. COLONEL WYNDHAM-QUIN. I anticipated that one of the chief difficulties would arise in connection with the amnesty ques- tion, but that seems to have been skilfully manipu- lated; and I think the peace arrangements are entirely satisfactory.

SURRENDER TERMS. I LIBERAL TREATMENT OF THE CONQUERED PEOPLE. The terms of the Boer surrender were stated on Monday in both Houses of Parliament by Lord Salisbury and Mr. Balfour respectively — I Lord Salisbury and Mr. Balfour respectively:- 1. His Excellency General Lord Kitchener and his Excellency Lord Milner, on behalf of the British Government, and Messrs. N. F. Steyn, General De Wet, General C. Olivier, Judge Hertzog, acting for the Government of the Orange Free State, and Messrs. Schalk Burger, Reitz, Louis Botha, and General Deraley, acting as the Government of the South African Republic, on behalf of their respective burghers, desiring to terminate the present hostilities, agree on the following articles — 2. The burgher forces in the field will forth- with lay down their arms, and hand over all guns, arms, and unitions of war in their posses- sion or under their control, and desist from an further resistance to the authority of His Majesty King Edward VII., whom they recognise as their lawful Sovereign. The manner and details of this surrender will be arranged between Lord Kitchener and Commandant- General Botha, assisted by General Delarey and Chief Commandant De Wet. 3. All burghers in the field, outside the limits of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, and all prisoners of war at present outside South Africa who are burghers, will, on duly declaring their acceptance of the position as subjects of His Majesty King Edward VII., be brought back to their homes as soon as transport can be pro- vided and their means of subsistence assured. Burghers so surrendering or so returning will not be deprived of their personal liberty or their property. 4. No proceedings, civil or criminal, will be taken against any of the burghers surrendering or so returning for any acts in connection with the prosecution of the war. The benefit of this clause will not extend to certain acts contrary to the usages of war, to be notified by the Com- mander-in-Chief to the Boer generals, and which will be tried by courts-martial immediately after the close of hostilities. 5. The Dutch language will be taught in the public schools of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, where the parents of the children desire it, and will be allowed in the Courts of Law when necessary for the better and more effctual administration of justice. 6. The possession of rifles will be allowed in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony to persons requiring them for their protection, on obtaining licences according to law. 7. The military administration in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony will, at the earliest possible date, be succeeded by civil, and as soon as circumstances determine, representa- tive institutions leading up to self-government will be introduced. 8. The question of granting the franchise to natives will not be decided until after the intro- duction of self-government. 9. No special tax will be imposed on landed property in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony to pay the expenses of the war. 10. As soon as conditions permit, a Commis- sion, on which the local inhabitants will be represented, will be appointed in each district of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, under the presidency of a magistrate or other official, for the purpose of assisting the restora- ) tion of the people to their homes and supplying those who, owing to war losses, are unable to provide themselves with food, shelter, and the necessary amount of seed, stock, implements, etc., indispensable to the resumption of their normal occupation. His Majesty's Government will place at the disposal of these Commissioners a sum of E3,000,000, and will allow all notes issued under Law I. of 1900 of the South African Republic, and all receipts given by officers in the field, or under their orders, to be presented to a judicial commission, which shall be appointed by the Government, and if such notes and receipts are found by the commission to have been only issued in return for valuable consideration, they will be received as evidence of war losses suffered by the persons to whom they were originally given. In addition to the above-named free grant of £ 3,000,000, the Government will be prepared to make advances on loan for the same purpose; free of interest for two years, and afterwards repayable over a period of years at 3 per cent. interest. No foreigner or rebel will be entitled to the benefits of this clause.

DOCTOR'S SAD LOVE STORY. About six weeks ago Dr. Edwin fetott, aged thirty-one, resident obstetric physician at Guy's Hospital College, proposed marriage to a young lady, and was accepted. On May 14 he received a letter from his fiancee saying she thought it would be better if they did not see each other again. She added that she liked deceased, and respected him, but thought there should be something more than that to justify marriage. After receipt of that letter Dr. Stott became a changed man, and on Friday of last week was found lying dead on the floor of his room at Guy's with his throat cut, having killed himself with a pen-knife. Dr. Stott's father, a master cotton-spinner, of Wood L'awn, Wilmslow, Cheshire, told the Southwark coroner's jury, at the inquest on Monday, that his son was of a highly-strung temperament, and a verdict of Suicide while temporarily insane" was returned.

A SEQUEL TO MAHDISM. Reuter's Agency learns, with regard to the reports which for the past few months have been filtering through the Egyptian Soudan, the Lake Tchad region, and other quarters, concerning the renewed activity of the Head of the Senussi, that the latter is pursuing an active propaganda in Northern Nigeria. His secret missionaries are known to be in many places in the Protec- torate. All decline to give any information on the subject of their mission, but they are quietly moving about, staying for various periods in the towns and villages, and acquiring influence over the leading men. Their progress is stated to be quiet and steady. What is the exact nature and scope of the movement it is difficult to ascertain, but it is significant that the Senussi emissaries have also been recently reported in Sierra Leone, and have been met with in the Tripoli hinterland. So far as Northern Nigeria is concerned, the French at present act as a buffer between the Senussists and the British, and no immediate trouble is apprehended, but in certain well-in- formed quarters it is realised that this great Mohammedan movement is likely in the near future to prove a formidable sequel to the Mah- dism of the Egyptian Soudan, and should be care- fully watched.

THE DUKE OF CONN AUGHT. The Duke of Connaught was on Tuesday installed as Grand Master of English Mark Masonry, in succession to the King. The cere- mony took place in the King's Hall of the Holborn Restaurant, in the presence of 1500 members of the craft.