The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1900-05-25
G. II. VESSELS.
J.M.A. woLMARANs. A.FIsCHER

laid before the secretary at much length
and with great energy and eloquence the
merits of the controversy in South Africa
and the desire of the Boer republics that
the United States should intervene in the
interests of peace and use its influence to
that end with the British government.
1.-THE secretary of state made the fol
lowing reply:
"The president, in his message to the
congress last December said:
This government has maintained an
attitude of neutrality in the unfortunate
contest between Great Britain and the
Boer states of Africa. We have remain
ed faithful to the precept of avoiding en-
tangling alliances as to affairs not of our
direct concern. Had circumstances sug-
gested that the parties to the quarrel
would have welcomed any kindly express
sion of the hope of the American people
that war might be averted good offices
would have been gladly rendered.
"As the war went on the president
while regretting the suffering and the
sacrifices endured by both of the combat
ants, could do nothing but preserve
strict neutrality between them. This he
has steadily and consistently done, but
there never has been a moment when he
would have neglected any favorable occa-
sion to use his good Offices in the interests
of peace.
ION the 10th of last March we received
from Mr.. Hay, the United States consul
at Pretoria, this telegram:
81 am officially requested by the gov
ernments of the republics to urge your
intervention with a view to cessation of
hostilities. Same request made to repre-
sentatives of European powers
THE president at once directed me to
convey the substance of this telegram to
the British government, and in commu-
nicating this request l was directed by
him to express his earnest hope that a
way to bring about peace might be found
and to say that he would be glad to aid
in any friendly manner to promote so
happy result. The Transvaal govern
ment was at the same time informed of
the presidents action in the matter. Our
representative in London promptly COM
municated the presidents instruction to
Lord Salisbury. In answer he was re-
quested to thank the president for the
friendly interest shown by him, and Lord
Salisbury added that her majesty's gov
eminent could not accept the intervention
of any power. This communication also
was Immediately transmitted to our con-
sui at Pretoria to be communicated to
the president of the South African Re
public. So far as we are informed the
United States was the only government
in the world of all those approached by
the South African republics which ten
dered its good offices to either of the com
batants in the interests of cessation of
hostilities.
'The president sympathizes heartily in
the sincere desire of all the people of the
United States that the war now affecting
South Africa may for the sake of both |
parties engaged come to a speedy close |
but having done his full duty in preserv-
ing a strictly neutral position between |
them and in seizing the first opportunity |
that presented itself for rendering his |
good offices in the interests of peace he |
feels that in the present circumstances |
no course is open to him except to persist |
in the policy of impartial neutrality To |
deviate from this would be contrary to all /
our traditions and all our national inter-
ests and would lead to consequences
which neither the president nor the peo-
pie of the United States could regard
with favor"
The Boer representatives were received
by the president at the White House at
10 o'clock this morning Their visit to
the executive mansion was arranged for
them by Secretary Hay during their call
at the state department. The call waA
entirely unofficial.