The evening times., 1899-10-20

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That the various companies and regi-
ments of Americans, which 1t is rumored,
have been organized to take part in the
South African war will never get to the
front, was assured by the Information CIV
en- out this morning by the officials of the
ter Lieut.. Col. A. Fl. Lee said that in no
case could the services of such bodies be
accepted He had not heard of the at
tempts OF a Major Ames to organize an
expedition, except through the newspapers,
and had not met the gentleman. The ru-
York was being organized as an English
battery was news to him. He said that,
as In the other cases. the battery could not
and would not be accepted, even If its
services should be rendered to England.
When shown various clippings con-
cerning the organization OF companies and
regiments, Colonel Lee said:
1 know nothing about 1t, but think 1t
extremely improbable that such a body of
men could leave this country without at
tracing the attention of the United States
Government; and 1t is also extremely inn
probable that it could land In Africa, near
the seat of the trouble, without attracting
the attention OF the British navy. 1 do
not attach the slightest Importance to the
rumors and regard them merely as news
paper stories"
You have had some tenders of service,
have you not?" he was asked
Yes, but they have all been Individual
tenders. / am now sending out notfh-
n "a 10 hat
TVS Government has not 4signified any de-
sire for assistance from outside parties,
and 1t rs extremely improbable that II viii, +,
and that therefore / cannot help them in
any way TO 60 to the war The gentleman
who left just as you entered has come a
great distance to offer his services, but /
was compelled, OF course, to refuse him.
I'VE have a regular army continued
Lieutenant Colonel Lee, which has been
created for just such purposes. 1t is al
ways ready for service and is perfectly
able to cope with any situation that Is
likely to arise in South Africa or any
where else. While We accepted the assist
ance OF some OF the colonial contingents,
We did SO as matter of sentiment-to
keep up the bond between the mother
country and her colonies. We are not act
ually in need of their numerical assistance
IF regiment should be organized here
and offered for service against the Beers,
he offer could not be entertained for
moment. / appreciate very much the very
friendly spirit which is shown by
the offers of SO many Americans assist
ance hut our invariabie custom is to con-
duct our wars with our own regular army,
and not call assistance from outside.
Il have not the slightest doubt that the
American people will stand by US in our
trouble just as strongly as We stood by
them during the Spanish American war;
but just as much as they did not require
our assistance then, we do not require their
assistance now.
II have been deluged almost with offers
OF assistance and the letters are still com
ing in in large numbers. but II is impos-
sible to send favorable reply to any of
them. l want to discourage this demon
stration as much as possible for any hopes
that anyone may entertain OF enlisting in
Her Majesty's service can only result IN
disappointment"
Lieutenant Colonel Lee however said
that his words did not apply to English
men residing in the United States who be-
long TO the army and navy reserves. These
men are leaving the United States daily
for England and South Africa to join their
ships or commands.