Evening star., 1898-10-29
Seeking an Interview.

WMse, had been working unsuccessfully
for two months to this end when the writer
reached Pretoria, though they We're handi-
capped by Mr.. krugers intense dislike for
everything English, intense that he will
not allow the language TO be taught in the
Boer schools
1t was, therefore, with no little misgiving
that -7e set out to accomplish this deside-
ratum, which had been on our minds ever
since leaving New York, three months be-
fore, and which was brought about by a
man who occupies such a unique position
in the TlansVaal government that he in
terested us equally with Kruger himself.
Living in "A modest frame house. the front
Part of which is occupied by a bakeshop
and confectionery counter, holding no posi-
not even having the merit Of being native
Boer or Hollander, this man wiolds an in
fluence eaualed by no other resident in the
TranSVaaI He is, in fact. the political
boss of the South African republic He is
consulted by nearly all the members of the
raad, in both the progressive and conserva-
tive parties, advises the executive council.
and Is persona grata with President Kru-
ger, who treats him as his most tntima q
friend and looks to him for clever advice in
ticklish political crises. And yet Mr.. Peter
Gilingham claims allegiance only to Ire
land, though he speaks the Dutch language
fluently, and is heart and hand with the
Beers in their differences with the English.
He has been in the Transvaai thirteen
years, going there from Cape Colony in the
capacity OF a general SpcculatOr. How well
he has succeeded In this no one knows but
Pretorians say that behind the counters
where he dispenSes ginger cakes and bread
Mr.. P Dillingham; Irishman and Boer, car
esses goodly fortune, which he has ac-
quired by brisk Celtic hustle, coupled with
the advantages provided by the patronage
of the president.
To Exc Out an Income
On leaving New York for a tramp
through South Africa with a fellow-news-
paper man a very limited capital one
of the most important points, as it seemed
to us, was to secure just such an inter
view, with Dom Paul. Several foreign con-
suls offered to give rs letters to their rep
resentatives in the Transvaal. but could not
premise that they were in such close touch
with the Grand Old Man of South Africa as
10 insure US welcome reception. In this
predcame mt we We're directed to c. OCon-
nor Mclaughlin, a well-known New York
journalist, at that time secretary of the
Irish National AlliaI ce, who. looking over
a time-worn volume en- his desk found the
name of Mcbride
Here is a man. said he who will put
you on the right track. Our directory gives
him us a weighmaster in the mines of the
Landlaagte estate, two miles from Johan-
resburg, near the Simmer and Jack l
have no idea where that is, and 1 never
heard of the man, but If you give him this
letter ana tell him you are a good IriShman
he'll get you the Introduction, for we are
very strong in that country
1t was not such an easy matter to find
Mcbride after getting to Johannesburg
Even after the Landlaagte had been located
II seemed to be operated entirely by Nc
Brides, and it was only after considerable
search that Mcbride the weigh was To-
Gated in the second level. 200 feet below
the surface whittier the American mana
ger gave us permission to descend on a
passenger car
This was not an inviting expedition and