The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-02-19

would, we knew, almost surely spell
war. We were therefore 'fnquisitive,
not to say anxious.
Hungering for something tangible, a
friend-a prominent financier-and
strolled to the presidents mansion ear
ly next morning, hoping to draw his
honor into conversation on the subject.
Contrary to our expectation he was in
his usual good spirits, full of animation
and smoking his eternal meerschaum.
The weather being warm we sat out on
the terrace and talked.
The old man fenced all attempts at
bringing the conversation around to
the conference, and began retailing
some of his hunting experiences.
Shortly after our arrival, Wolmarans, a
member of the executive, came along
and our waning hopes arose. Perhaps
he would mention the subject we longed
to have preached. But no, his arrival
only suggested new train of reminis-
cences to the president. At length,
weary and baff1ed, my friend and l
took our leave, coming to the conclu-
sion, shared by others to whom we re-
lated our experience, that surely things
could not be very bad. Yet when /
read the Blue-book on the conference
few weeks later I found that at the
very time President Kruger had been
jocularly reviving to us pleasant mem
cries of his young days he was in one OF
the highest political corners he had
known, and that is saying much.
Mr.. Chamberlain is the old mans
"bete noir." He cordially and uncom-
promisingly detests him. During the
great Transvaal debate in the house
just before the recess, he was kept post
ed with the cabled versions of the
speeches hour by hour. Chamberlain's
remarks more than those of any other
member frequently made him sputter
with rage. But he liked Jan Morley"
and "Bannerman," and Courtney,
reckoning them with Mr.. Asquth and
the Hon. Philip Stanhope and few
Others among his most valued friends.
Kruger's rage is startling. 1t is like
the believing of an Infatuated bull. 1t
bursts out suddenly, flares for while
and then disappears, only to be revived
on slight provocation. During the ju-
dicial crisis two and a half years ago
the ex-chief justice, j. G. Kotze-who,
by the way, is now in Cape Town-de-
livered speech to section of the In
corporated Law society, in which he
virtually accused the president Of en-
deavoring to suborn him in connection
with a certain case. l had occasion to
allude to the matter the following day,
and was treated to one OF the outbursts
referred to-. 1t was rather alarming.
The president blinked furiously, barked
out something that no one could posi-
bly, understand, and wound up with the
observation that Kotze's allegation was
"a diabolical lie" While his rage last
ed he repeatedly smote the massive ma
hogany table alongside Of which he was
sitting with such force as to jeopardize
the decanter and glasses to say nothing
Of the table itself
To return to the colonial secretary.
Some weeks before the Bloemfontein
conference President Kruger made
speech at Rustenburg, the stronghold of
wherein he outlined new
Outlander policy and incidentally ac
cused Mr. Chamberlain of a disregard
for the truth. 1t was an historical
speech, marking, as 1t did, notewor-
thy change in the presidents methods.
Several pressmen had Travelled across
country to hear it, and general rush
FOR the wires took place when it was
But the president was eau
tious. He gave orders that no reports
should be telegraphed until he had
them. This was intensely
aggravating to the Journalists, 50 dep
utation waited on his private secretary,
and eventually reached the great man
himself. The pressing demands of lat
ter day journalism were enlarged upon,
and argument brought to bear to in
luce him to relent He objected, he
he resitated, he wavered,
then, eureka! he agreed to trust to
journalistic accuracy. There was a
pause The deputation had expressed
is gratitude and was on the point of
when-he changed his
mind. 1t suddenly struck him that if a
5arbled version or a misplaced sentence
reached London, chamberlain" would
oe at him and credit him with utter
lnces he never dreamed of. The re-
suits was that no reports got away that
tight. Next morning they We're evan
ned and counter-signed without the al
GRAFTON of a word.
Presidene Kruger is much adverse to
some forms, at all events.
)ne day a woman called on him for a
hurch bazaar subscription. He turned
o her in his abrupt way and denounced
'azaars as swindles. "A bazaar and
aff1ing," said he ''are nothing else than
The woman, accustomed |
o his ways, nevertheless pleaded hard.
1t last he handed her donation "on
ondition that my name does not appear
n the swindle. London Chronicle.