The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-13

NAUTICAL calculation. He will find that Boer
bullets are better weapons than cube roots,
and that 1t is not as easy TO tght battle
on the veldt it is on the blackboard
A curious point, illustrating the remarka-
BILE prominence which President Kruger
has attained During the past year, was re-
lated by Dr. Van AIphen The well-known
English authority on contemporaneous BIZ
ography. Men of the Times" was former
ly content with twenty-five notice of the
Boer President. This year they are giving
him page, and the editor has repeatedly
written to Dom Paul. begging for particu-
lars of his hfe-requests which the Presi-
dent utterly ignored. Indeed DIR. Van AL
phen has seen the Boer chief executive
calmly lighting his pipe with one OF these
appealing letters.
DR.. Van Alphen is now in Washington,
where his sole ostensible business was at
tendance at the international Postal Con
gress; but it is generally understood IN
diplomatic circles that he is authorized by
President Kruger's government to pave
the way toward better consular and even
ministerial amenities between the United
States and the Transvaal When ques-
toned on this subject while staying at the
fPs his House IN Mg~ for
DIR. Van Alphen said: Il shall not
either deny or affirm the statement
that 1 am investigating the !. posi-
bility of establishing diplomatic re-
lations between America and the Trans
vaal. You can. however, quote me as say
ing that the present state of AFFAIRS is re-
gretabIe. During the recent troubles Amer
Tea had to appeal to England In the case or
Mr.. ]. Hays Hammond and the Other Amer
leans involved. The Beers would far rather
have conferred directly with an American
representative, and I am sure that Amer
leans have no desire to be under obligations
to England. Moreover, both our countries
are republican, fact which alone calls for
an interchange of diplomatic representation.
AS yet, of course, the South African repub-
lie would not care to undertake the respon-
sibilities of a ministry at Washington, but
the world has as yet only seen the begin
nings of BOer power in the Dark Continent.
The postmaster general of the Transvaal
is a typical Boer of the better class. In
him the rugged stolidity of the South At
rican burgher has been sharpened by ed
ucation and by contact with the keen in
tellects of other nations He lis of sturdy
build, iron jawsd and bright eyed, with af-
fable manners which utterly contradict the
British statement that the Boer is boorish
and uncouth. In addition to his native pa
tois, and the mother tongue of Holland.
DIR. Van Alphen speaks English eXcellently.
His broad shoulders are still straight, and
his hair is but slightly grizzled, despite the
ffty-fve years to which he owns. To his
efforts the Transvaal owes it's present pos
tai service; but it must be admitted that
DR. Van Alphen is prouder of his military
record against the English and the Zulus
than of his political services to his native
British entertainments in South Africa,
and he declares in an ominously quiet
manner, that England can never possess
the Transvaal until every adult Boer is
dead or in chains.