Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1900-05-25

washington, May 19.-Three very
tired Boer ENJOYS stood up all the
morning I'm their apartments at the Ar
hngton, shaking hands with a constant
stream OF visitors, acquiescing in the
numerous requests and suggestions OF
the washington reception committee
and cautiously parrying the rapid fire
or inquiries from a small army of news
paper correspondents. Mr.. Fischer. as
usual. was the spokesman OF the party.
talking In excellent English. Commits
sioner Fischer talked quite freely with
the correspondents and emphasized his
wish to be as frank as possible without
giving offense to the American Gov
eminent.
I'VE are playing a wholly unaccus-
toned role as diplomats" said he, and
We must be careful. 1t has been sug-
gested to US since we reached America
that we have hurt our chances with
the State Department by accepting the
hospitality of the several committees
that have welcomed U.S. But 1 would
like very much to have the case fairly
stated to the public. Our government
has turned to the United States as to a
great and powerful nation whose people
We believe are our friends. We have a
mission to perform to the State Depart
ment and there are things connected
with that mission which the State De-
partment has a right to know before
we discuss them In public. We have
consistently refrained from saying to
the press what should first be laid be-
fore the officials of this government,
but when we are met by committees
made up as We are assured of repre-
sentative men who sympathize with us
~. -
on these friends and refuse the cour-
tesies they offer us.
we have been criticised for accept
Ing an invitation to the meeting at the
theatre tomorrow night before we
have been received at the State De-
partment. but we have promised to APP
pear and make our bow upon the guar
antee OF the committee that IL is simp-
iy friendly welcome extended by our
sympathizers and will be free from all
partisan politics. II we believed there
would be a word uttered there for fac
ttonal or political purposes we should
not attend. but We have been assured
II Is merely friendly welcome"
Asked what were the nature OF tho
commissions credentials. Mr.. Fischer
replied: They are from our govern
ment and We believe are ample to ena-
bic US. through the good Offices OF a
friendly government. to stop the blood
shed that II going on in our home
country. Further than that would not
like TO discuss them"
Regarding the terms on which he
thought peace possible. Mr.. Fischer
said: I'VE have not come with any
hard and fast proposition. but we be-
neve an honorable peace is possible
and We believe the United States is the
one country so situated as to be able
10 bring IL about"
would hQ recent yiCtortaa ~ fha
British in South Africa have any effect
en- the terms you would be Wiling to
accepted" he wss asked.
Possibly" he replied, yet that is a
n~tter that can't discuss now
When asked II he expected to see any
or the representatives OF Great Brit
ain In Washington, he said: We may
possibly. We shall not go after them,
but we should be glad 20 talk TO any
fair-minded Englishman, for IL the
English people had known the truth In
the South African situation this war
never would have been begun"
VIII the Transvaal entertain any
peace proposals that recognize the
suzerainty OF Ensiand?" he was asked,
III England wants suzerainty over
shs Republics" he replied, "she win
have to come and take it." His two tall
swaTthy companions nodded assent.
Colonel O'Beirne. who. some months
"a
diplomatic representative or the RoeF
Republics. yesterday appeared AZ the
State Department in the ipteFest Of the
three delegates.
Colonel O'Beirne has previously had a
short talk with the President, who d.
rected him TO the State Department
Secretary Hay listened to the reasons
why the United States Government
should act to bring the war to close
Colonel Q'heirne. like the Roer dele
gates, felt that the mere direction OF
the United States would suffice to in
duce England to cease hostilities. He
argued with a good deal OF eloquence.
but without convincing the officials
that the United States Government
could intervene in the manner proposed
without becoming at once involved as a
party to the war. It can be set down
as certain that the present determine.
ton or our government Ia not to re.
quest England to stop the war,
The credentials OF the Boer delegates
pow In Washington. win be submitted
to the Secretary OF State Monday next.
Colonel O'Beirne called at the State
Department this afternoon and ar
ranged with Secretary Hay that the
Beer credentials should be submitted
In advance OF the presentation of the
gentlemen themselves. This Ia in ao-
cortance with the usual rule governing
tes presentation OF foreign Ministers
Do Mr.. Bruyn. the private secretary OF
the Boer delegation, Is expected To
bring the credentials 10 the State De-
pertment Monday. where they VIII be
Submitted for the careful examination
% the department which does not at
present know anything OF their charac-
tee.