St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-05-23
THE BoER ENVOY DISAPPOINTED.

IHe 6UEh ENfUI UioAFFUINl EU.
Washington, May 22.-Secretary o
State Hay on Monday afternoon in
formed the Boer delegates that tht
president feels, in the present circum-
stances, no course is open to him except
to persist in the policy of impartial
neutrality between England and the
South African republics,
The meeting between the delegates
and Secretary Hay was brought about
In the simplest manner General
OBierne had secured from the depart
ment promise to entertain any Gre
dentials that might be presented. Mon
day morning a note came to the state
department from the delegates asking
that they be permitted to present them
selves at the department. A prompt
acquiescence was returned by Secretary
Hay and al 2:30 the three delegates ap-
peared. They were unaccompanied and
| William Gwinn, the secretary's mes
senger, showed the callers at once into
! the diplomatic room. Secretary Hay,
| accompanied by Mr.. Babcock, his private
secretary and stenographer, 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 anx-
ious newspaper men that they had, and
would have, nothing to say as to what
happened For his part, the secretary
of state was more communicative, but
before making any statement made his
way to the White House and consulted
with the president Then he gave out
through his secretary the following |
statement:
"Messrs. A. Fischer, C, M. Vessels and |
A. d. w. Wolmarans, the delegates in |
this country Of the South African re-
publics, called today by appointment at
the state department. They were cor
daily received and remained with the
secretary for more than an hour. They
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 re-
publics that the United States should
intervene in the interest Of peace and
use its influence to that end with the
British government"
The secretary of state here quoted the
language of the president in his mes
sage to the congress last December,
wherein he stated that this government
has maintained an attitude of neu-
Irality in the unfortunate contest be-
tween Great Britain and the Boer states
Of Africa, and that we should remain
faithful to the rrecept of avoiding en-
tangling alliances as to affairs not of our
direct concern Had circumstances
that the parties to the quarrel
would have welcomed any kindly ex-
preston of the hope of the American
people that war might be averted, good
offices would have been gladly ten
lered.
After quoting In full the language of
The message and the correspondence re-
the matter, the secretary con-
-inued: 1.-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
speedy close, but having done his full
luty in preserving a strictly neutra.
position between them and in Selling the
irst opportunity that presented itself
or rendering his good offices in the in
erests of peace, he feels that in the ,
present circumstances no course is open
o him except to persist in the policy of
neutrality. To deviate from
his would be contrary to all our ira (
itions and all our national interests
nd would lead to consequences which
either the president nor the people of
he United States could regard with
avor.'
Lord Pauncefote called at the state
department. while the Beers were con-
ulting with Secretary Hay. He was
hown into the diplomatic reception
DOM and there displaced General
)'Bierne, who also had been waiting to
tee Secretary Hay. The ambassador
vas not kept long, for in the course of
i've minutes the Beers left and he was
admitted. :