§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information in regard to the proposed conference between President Kruger and Sir A. Milner.
§ Mr. J. CHAMBERLAINThe President of the Orange Free State has invited Sir Alfred Milner to Bloemfontein to meet President Kruger. Sir A. Milner, with my approval, has accepted the invitation with the earnest hope of arriving at a satisfactory settlement, and as a proof of the desire of Her Majesty's Government to maintain cordial relations with the South African Republic, and the meeting will take place for the purpose of discussing the situation and with a view of arriving at such an arrangement as Her Majesty's Government could accept and recommend to the Uitlander population as a reasonable concession to their just demands, and a settlement of the difficulties which have threatened the good relations which Her Majesty's Government desire should constantly exist between themselves and the Government of the South African Republic. I understand that President Kruger has stated that the terms of Sir A. Milner's reply go further than his intention, but that he remains disposed to go to Bloemfontein and will gladly discuss every proposal in a friendly way that can conduce to a good understanding between the South African Republic and England, and to the maintenance of peace in South Africa, provided that the independence of the Republic is not impugned. I understand that the meeting will probably take place on Tuesday the 30th May.