Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1900-05-25
B:0ER ENJOYS: FAIL
STATE DEPARTMENT. DECLINES TO
INTERVENE lN;SOUTH AFRICA.

Boer Delegation Has an Interview With
Secretary Haydn Departing the Es-
voys Would Say Nothing-The Secretary
Gives Out Statement Showing That the
United States Had Done All in Its Power.
WASHINGTON, May 22.-The state de-
partment has met the issue raised by
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
announced decision all questions as to
the character of the recognition to be
extended to the delegates and the SUI
t1ciency Of their credentials dropped at
once into the background. 1t was after
all of little moment whether or not the
Beers were received as diplomatic
agents or ministers so long as they were
powerless to promote the prime object
of their mission, namely, cause the
United States government to intervene
to bring about peace.
The meeting between the delegates
and Secretary Hay was brought about
in the simplest manner. General
O'Beirne had secured from the depart
ment promise to entertain any cre-
dentials that might be presented. Dur
ing the morning note came to the
state department. from the delegates
asking that they be
Permitted to Present Themselves
at the department. A prompt acqui-
essence was returned by Secretary Hay
and the hour Of $50 was fixed for the
meeting. At that time the three dele
gates appeared: They were unaccom-
panied and were showL at once into the
diplomatic ROOM Secretary Hay, &C.
companied by Mr.. Babcock, his private
secretary and stenographer, entered the
diplomatic room and cordially greeted
his visitors. Just what passed between
them probably will never be exactly
known, for when the meeting was over
after lasting ali hour, the Beers in de-
parting stated to "a number OF anxious
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
the president. Then he gave out through
his secretary a statement.
President Can Do Nc More.
From Mr.. Hays statement it appears
that the delegates laid before the secre-
tary the merits Of their controversy in
South Africa and the desire of the Boer
republics that the United States should
intervene in the interest of peace and
use it's influence to that end with the
British government.
In his reply the secretary quoted
from the presidents last message to
congress on the subject, showing that
this government, while, deploring the
war, had maintained an attitude Of
strict neutrality; that as the war pro-
crossed the president, on receipt Of re-
quest from the republics for interven-
ton, had communicated this request to
the British government with an offer OF
his friendly offices to bring about a
cessation of hostilities. In answer Lord
Salisbury had thanked the president,
but stated that Great Britain could not
accept the Intervention Of any power.
Under the articles Of The Hague con-
vention the president had reached the
limit of his powers and could do moth