Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-22
THE B0ER ENJOYS
PIeadIfor Intervention lby the
United:States. &
Courte 3usIy but Firmly Told by Sec.
Hay that the President
Sees No cource Orel but Maintenance OF en-
Impartial Neutrality.

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
extended to the delegates and the
sufiiciency Of their credentials dropped
at once into the background. 1T was,
after all Of little moment whether or
not the Beers were received as diplo-
matte agents or ministers. 50 long as
they were powerless to promote the
prime object Of their mission. namely.
cause the United States government to
intervene 10 bring about peace.
The meeting between the deIgates
and Secretary Hay was brought about
in the simplest manner. Gen. O'Bierne
had secured from the department., last
Saturday. a promise to entertain any
credentials that might be presented,
today This morning, note came to
the state department from the dele
gates asking that they be permitted to
present themselves at the department.
4 prompt acquiescencc was returned
by Secretary Hay and. at go, the
three delegates appeared. They were
unaccomplnied and VIM. Gwynn. the
secretary's messenger having been 50
instructed. showed the callers at once
into the diplomatic room. Secretary
Hay. accompanied by Mr. Babcock. his
private secretary and stenographer.
entered the diplomatic room and cor
daily greeted his visitors.
Just what passed between them will
probably never w exactly known. for
when the meeting was over. after last
ing an hour, thc Beers in departing
stated to a number Of newspaper men
that they had. and would have. moth
ing to say as ID what had happened.
For his part. the secretary or state
was more communicative. but before
making any statement made his way
to the Whit House and cOnsult7d with
the President. Then he gave out
through his secretary. the following
statement:
''Mtssrs a. Fischer. &. M Vessels
ana Mrs. "A. y. w. Wolmarans. the
delegates Ill this country Of the South
African republics. called. today. by ap-
pointmcnt al the state department.
They We're cordially received and re-
manned with til secretary for more
than all hour. They laid before the
secretary dit much length ana with
great energy ana cloGuence the merits
Of the controversy in South Africa and
the desire of the Boer republics that
the United States should intervene in
the interest Of peace and use its in
flucnce to that end with the British
government.
NJ CT hn
following reply: The President in his
message to the Congress. last Decem-
Der. said: This government has main
tanned an attitude Of neutrality in tn
unfortunate contest between Great
Britain and the Boer states Of Africa
We have remained faithful t. the pre-
cept of avoiding entangling alliances as
to affairs not of our direct concern.
Had circumstance suggested that the
parties to the quarrel would have wei
coined any kindly expression 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 recretting
the suffering and sacrifice endured by
both Combatants could DO nothing but
preserve strict neutrality between
them. This he has steadily ana con
sistently done. but there never has
been moment when he would have
neglected any favorable occasion TO
use his good offices in the interests Of
peace.
on the 10th Of last March we re-
ceived from Mr.. Hay the United States
consul at Pretoria, this telegram: Il
am officially requested by the govern
ments Of the republics to urge your in
tervention with view to cessation Of
hostilitics. Same request made to rep
scnatives Of European powers"
THE President at once directed me to
convey the substance of this telegram to
the British government. and in communi-
eating this request | was directed by him
70 express his earnest hope that way
70 bring about peace might be found ana
to say that he would be glad to aid in
any friendly manner to promote 50 happy
a result. The government was at the
same time informed of the Presidents
action in the matter. Our representative
IN London promptly communicated the
Presidents instruction to Lord Salisbury
IN answer ne was requested to thank the
president for the friendly interest shown
DE nm. and Lord Salisbury added that
Her MaiestY's government could not ac-
'ept the Intervention of any power. This
communication also was communicated
Q our consul at Pretoria to be commun-
'Itcd to the President Of the South Afri-
an republic. SO far as we are Informed
he United States was the only govern
nent in the world Of all those approached
)y the South African republics which
endered its good offices to either of the
in the interest Of cessation
IF hostilties.
AN allusion has been made to the
1ague convention ana MS action has been
suggested based upon that instrument. it
nay be IS well to quote phrase from
Article III. which states. Powers stran-
GER to the dispute may have the right to
,ffer good offices or mediation even dur
ng the course of hOstiltieS' and Article
:. which says: The functions Of the me- |
liator are at an end when once it is de-
Jared. either by one Of the parties to the
dispute or BY the mediator himself. that
he means 81 reconciliation proposed by
lin are not accepted. This would seem
o render any further action of the
nitcd States unadvisable under existing
circumstances.
'.'The steps taken by the President in
lis earnest desire 70 seen an end to the
trifc which has caused so much suffer-
nc may already be said To have gone 10
III extreme limit permitted To him In