Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-23
tBy Telegraph to virginlanpllot.)


er. Vessels and Wolmorans, the Boer
ENJOYS who are now in this country,
visited the White House at 10 o'clock
this morning, according to previous ar
arrangement, TO pay their respects to the
President. No official status was given
the visitors, and they presented no Gre
dentials The ENJOYS We're received in
the Blue parlor. on one being present
but themselves. the President and Sec
rotary Cortelyou. At first the CONVEX
sation touched upon variety OF sub
3ects. The Beers talked about Wash
ington, told how they admired the city,
and the president escorted them to the
porch at the rear of the executive man-
Sion, where a splendid view is obtain
able OF the Washington monument and
the Potomac river President Kruger's
name was finally mentioned, and the
visitors then stated their purpose in
coming to this country. They said they
understood that what Secretary Hay
told them yesterday was final, and that
the position of the United States was
that the United States could not inter
fere in the present struggle in South
Africa The President confirmed this
view. He said that the action he took
some time ago, when at the request Of
this Government should interfere, he
offered his good offices to England to
bring about peace, he did so with Erea {
pleasure, with the hope that it might
possibly bring the conflict to an end.
This offer had been declined Dy Great
Britain, and he said there was nothing
further that the United States could
DO in the premises.
The cnvoys intimated that they were
glad to feel that they had friends in
Th[s country, and then fbade the Presi-
Gent goodbye.
The State Department does not ex-
pect to have any further conmunica-
Sion with the Boer delegation. Such in
terchanges as occurred was purely I'M
official. it is stated. II tho Boer dele
gates had any credentials giving them
an official status they failed to present
them or even to mention them.
DIPLOMATIC MISSION A FAILURE.
Having had reason to anticipate the
declination of the United States Gov
eminent TO intervene in behalf of their
Republics. and having thus failed in
the primary object of their mission to
the United tSatcs, II is surmiscd that
the delegates refrain from endeavoring
10 establish Il diplomatic character in
order to reduce the liability OF inter
ruption in the propaganda they are
about to conduct in the country at
large. Although the United States Gov
crrment has. beyond doubt, the power
to stop this propaganda at any point.
and dismiss the dclegates from the
United states. yet 1t can be stated that
there Is no likelihood of any such ac-
tion being taken so long as the aeita-
ton is conducted by private individuals.
But IT Is said at tho state Department
the precedent established in the case of
Genet. the agent sent to this country by
q
the Government to pcremptorily stop
the prosecution by fully accredited dip
lomatic agents Of n beIliEerent nation
OF efforts 10 aid their cause within the
United States through public Demon
stratlon.
MADE a DEEP IMPRESSION.
1t was evident that the delegates
made deep Impression upon our off,
Gals, and 1t is said that 1t was only the
pam demands of neutrality. as laid
down in Secretary lays response TO
the Boer representations that prevented
the return of an answer that would
nave been much more satisfactory TO
them. The delegates were disappoint-
ed at the response made by Secretary
Hay indicating that up to the last mo-
ment they had cherished a hope that
me United States Government would
DC favoraoly moved. Now, however,
that the answer is returned. IL is eX
pected that the delegates will 30 at
once about the second branch OF their
business. and begin n series of mass
meetings and public demonstrations in
the principal cities of the United States.
with view to alfectt',~ public SEMI
ment. and perhaps indirectly innu-
encing the terms of the peace which
VIII conclude the present war
1t is gathered that the Beers are
ready at the last extremity to sacrifice
everything for which they have here
toforc contended; to let in the Uitland-
ers to equal privileges with native
Beers in the Transvaal and Free state.
to abandon the much talked of dvna-
mite monopoly, and, in fact. to make
any concession If the victorious british
Wdll but allow them independence. and
they hope that the American people Will
bring such moral pressure To bear nnon
the English that this subject can be at
tained.
WAR MAY SOON END.
Meanwhile it is the opinion in Official
circles here that the prompt action OF
the State Department in diminishing the
Beers application for intervention has
indirectly gone far towards bringing
about speedy termination OF the South
African war. II Is assumed that the
delegates will find some means to com
municate the unfavorable reception of
their appeal to Pretoria. In fact II Is
intimated that the controlling British
censors would not stop any such mes
sage from passing over the cables TO
Lorenzo Marques. whence il might casl-
ly be forwarded ia Pretoria.
The State Department has not vet
been addressed by any of the powers
signatory to The Hague convention ask
ing our Government to join with the 25
powers party to tho peace conference