New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-05-20
PLANS OF BOER ENJOYS.
THEIR CREDENTIALS TO Re PRESENTED
TO SECRETARY HAY on MONDAY
POSSIBILITY SAID TO EXIST THAT THE
DELEGATES MAY BE RECEIVED
OFFICIALLY

DELEGATES MAY BE RECEIVED
OFFICIALLY
Washington. May 19.-The credentials of the
Boer delegates now in Washington will be sub
mitted to the Secretary Of State Monday.
Colonel O'Beirne called at the State Department
this afternoon and arranged with Secretary
Hay that the credentials should be submitted in
advance of the presentation Of the delegates.
This Is In accordance with the usual rule govern
ing the presentation of foreign Ministers. Mr..
Bruyn. the private secretary Of the Boer dele
cation is expected to bring the credentials to the
State Department Monday. and they will be
carefully examined by the Department. which
does not at present know anything of their
character.
1t was made evident to Colonel O'Beirne that
the State Department is disposed to treat the
Boer delegates with absolute fairness and that
their credentials, consequently, to be con-
sidered on their merits. 1t is by a
foregone conclusion that the delegates are not
to he officially received. That was the first de-
cision, and it may, after all. be the outcome.
But 1t is said that much depends on the charac-
ter Of the credentials and also the attitude
Of the delegates themselves. II Is said among
certain officials Of the State Department that if
the Government should consider It necessary to
cast about to find warrant for receiving the
Beers officially 1t might turn to the convention
or 1884 between Great Britain and the Trans
vaal. and declare that in that document Is to be
found by implication remuneration of Great
Britains suzerainty. and consequently there no
longer exists any prohibition other nations
in their dealings with the Boer republics at
least to the extent of giving official recognition
to their diplomatic representatives. That con-
sideration has been given to this phase of the
matter may be regarded significant of the
fact that at present the Administration holds
itself In receptive state, so far as the creden-
tails are concerned, and is disposed to consider
them on their merits.
The ENJOYS stood up all the morning In their
rooms at the Arlington, shaking hands with
constant stream Of visitors acquiescing in the
| numerous requests and sugges ons Of the Wash
fngton Reception Committee, and cautiously
parrying the rapid fire of inquiries from a small
army Of newspaper correspondents Mr. Fischer,
as usual. was the spokesman of the party. He
talked freely with the correspondents. and en-
phasized his wish to be frank as possible
without giving offence to the American Govern
ment.
| ANXIOUS TO AVOID OFFENCE.
I'VE are playing wholly unaccustomed role
as diplomats" said he, "and 1t is of the utmost
| moment that should not give offence to the
American Government by violating any of the
technical rules Of this game which we know
| nothing about. 1t has been suggested to since
we reached America that have hurt our
chances with the State Department by accepting
| the hospitality Of the several committees that
| have welcomed But would like very much
| to have the case fairly stated the public. Our
Government has turned to the United States as
| to great and powerful nation whose people we
! believe friends. We have a mission to
perform to the State Department. and there
are things connected with that mission which
| the State Department has right to know before
we discuss them in public We have consistent
~ refrained from saying to the press what
should first be laid before the officials of this
Government, but when we are met by
mlttees made up, as We assured, of repre-
sentative men who sympathize with us, it would
be churlish to turn backs these friends
and refuse the courteses they offer us.
We have been criticised for accepting in
V1tation to the meeting at the theatre to-mor-
row night before we have been received at the
State Department but have promised to
appear and make bow upon the guarantee
of the committee that ii is simply a friendly
welcome extended by sympathizers and
will be free from all partisan politics
IF we believed there would be word ut
tered there for fractional political purposes
we should not attend. but we have been assured
1t is merely friendly welcome"
Asked what the nature Of their creden-
tails, Mr.. Fischer replied They are from our
Government and, believe. are ample to en-
able US. through the good offices of a friendly
Government to stop the bloodshed that is going
on IN our home country Further than that
would not like to discuss them"
Regarding the terms on which he thought
peace possible. Mr. Fischer said I'VE have not
come with any hard and fast proposition. But
we believe an honorable peace is possible and
we believe the United States Is the one country
so situated as to be able to bring 1t about"
Would the recent victories of the British In
South Africa have any effect on the terms YOU
would be willing to accept he was asked.
Possibly he replied; yet that is a matter I
cannot discuss now"
The Commissioners would say nothing about
their plans for tour of the country Our
business is first with Washington" said Mr.
Fischer. I'VE have purposely avoided acceptins
any invitations till have found what our
to tell. however, and we hope to correct some
false reports that have been circulated in Amer
lea before we leave here. We believe the peopIe
here are with US. but they would be more 80 did
they know all the facts"
When asked If he expected to see anv Of ths
representatives Of Great Britain in Washington
he said: 1--WE may. possibly. We shall not 90
any fair minded Englishnan. for if the English
people had known the truth in the South Az
rican situation this would have been
begun"
VIII the Transvaal entertain any peace mo-
posals that recognize the sureranty of Eng
land?' asked.
IF England wants suzerainty over the repub-
,ics," he replied. she will have to come and
take it"
His two COMPANIONS nodded assent
In the Senate to-day Mr.. Allen offered a reso-
luton that the Boer delegates be admitted to
the floor Of the Senate during their sojourn in
Washington.
II object" said Mr. Hawley. and the resolution
went
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