The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-05-22
WILL NOT INTERFERE
The Government Officially
Announces Its Re ply to
the Boer ENJOYS.
TO BE STRICTLY NEUTRAL


Kmown TO Them During a Conference
With Secretary Hay-Thc United
States TO Remain Faithful to the Pre-
cept of Avoiding Entangling AL
liances.
Washington, May 21.-The state de-
partment has met the issue raised by
the coming to Washington of the Boer
delegation by declining to interfere in
behalf of the South African republics
in the present struggle. In view OF this
announcement all questions as to the
character of the recognition to be eX-
tended to the delegates, and the suff1-
cheney of their credentials dropped at
once into the background. 1t was af-
ter all of little moment whether or not
the Beers We're received as diplomatic
agents or ministers so long as they were
powerless to promote the prime object
of their mission, namely; cause the
United States government to intervene
to bring about peace.
How Conference WINS Brought About.
The meeting between the delegates
and Secretary Hay was brought about
in the simplest manner General
OBierne had secured from the depart
nent last Saturday promise to enter
tain any credentials that might be pre-
sented to-day This morning a note
came to the state department from the
delegates asking that they be permitted
to present themselves at the depart
ment. A prompt acquiescence was re-
turned by Secretary Hay and at 2:30
the three delegates appeared. They We're
unaccompanied and William Gwynn,
the secretarys messenger, having been
so instructed showed the callers at once
into the diplomatic room. Secretary
Hay accompanied by Mr.. Babcock, his
private secretary and stenographer en-
tered the diplomatic room and cordially
greeted his visitors Just what passed
between them will probably never be
exactly known for when the meeting
was over, after lasting an hour, the
Beers in departing stated to a number
of anxious newspaper men that they
had, and would have nothing to say as
to what happened For his part, the
secretary of state was more communi-
cative, but before making any state
ment, made his way to the white house
and consulted with the president. Then
he gave out through his secretary the
following statement:
The official Statement.
"Messrs. A. Fischer C. M. Vessels and
A. D. w. Wolmarans, the delegates in
this country of the South African repub-
lies, called to-day by appointment at the
state department. They We're cordially
received and remained with the secre-
tary of state for more than an hour.
They laid{before the secretary at length
and with great energy and eloquence
the merits Of the controversy in South
Africa and the desire of the Boer repub-
lies that the United States should in
tervene in the interest of peace and use
Its influence to that end with the Brit |
ish government.
Presidents Message Quoted.
"The secretary of state made the fol- |
lowing reply: The president in his mes |
sage to the congress last December |
said.
This government has maintained an |
attitude of neutrality in the unfortu-
nate contests between Great Britain and |
the Boer states of Africa. We have re-
mained faithful to the precept of avoid
ing entangling alliances as to affairs not
of our direct concern. Had circum-
stances suggested that the parties to
the quarrel would have welcomed any
kindly expression of the hope of the
A o,io |
averted, good offices would have been
gladly rendered.
strict Neutrality.
GAS the war went on the president.
while regretting the suffering and the
sacrifices endured by both of the COM
batants, could do nothing but preserve
a strict neutrality between them This
he has steadily and consistently done,
but there never has been a moment
when he would have neglected any fav-
orable occasion to use his good offices
In the interests of peace
"On the tenth of last March we re-
ceived from Mr.. Hay, the United States
consul at Pretoria, this telegram: L am
requested by the governments
of the republics to urge your inteven-
Il
tiles. Same request made to represen-
tatives of European powers
Good Offices Once Tcndertd.
"The president directed me to convey
the substance of this telegram to the
British government and in communicate
ng this request l was directed by him
20 express his earnest hope that a way | !,
20 bring about peace might be found, :
and to say that he would be glad to aid !.
n any friendly manner to promote so
happy result. The Boer government !.
vas at the same time informed of the :
presidents action in the matter Our :
representative in London promptly COM :
the presidents instructions
o Lord Salisbury In answer he was
to thank the president for the
riendly interest shown by him. and
Lord Salisbury added that her majesty's
government could not accept the inter- I
'ention of any power. This communica- a
ion was also Immediately transmitted t
Continued on Sixth Page.) r