New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-27
BOER OFFICERS ARRIVE.
JECTS WHO FOUGHT FOR THE
TRANSNAAL.

Five ex-officers of the Transvaal and Orange
Free State armies who have been engaged under
Generals De Wet and Botha in fighting the Brit
ish in South Africa arrived here the steamer
Statendam. from Rotterdam yesterday. They
Samuel Pierson, a commissary officer in
Botha's army; w. D. Snyman, a commandant
or colonel and commissary officer under De
Wet; C. c. Snyman, his fifteen year-old son,
who was General De Vets adjutant; A. Lieben-
berg. who was an acting commandant under
De Wet and Hercules D. Viljoen, a field cornet
With the exception OF Person who was a
Transvaaer, all are British subjects
They lived in Cape Colony, near the borders
Of the Orange Free State and when hostilities
began they were commandeered by Chief Com
mandant Olivier AS they in sympathy
with the Boer cause, however, they did not OBJ
ject to leaving their farms and fighting
under the standard of the Free State. They re-
manned under Olivier until his forces were added
to the command of General De Wet and then
followed that leader. They remained with him
until September 20, when, at the suggestion Of
President Steyn they decided to come to the
United States
Mr. Snyman, the ex-commandant who is at
the Union Square Hotel, said last night that
president Steyn. whom he left in the neighbor-
Aood OF homatpoort, had made the suggestion
that they leave the Transvaal, because the war
hao reached the stage of guerilla warfare and
there was nothing to be gained by remaining.
In bidding me farewell added Mr. Snyman,
he SAID You may tell any friends who SYM
pathize with the cause of the South African re-
publics that am ready to fight for that cause
until 1 die
My reasons for coming to the United States. -
the commandant added, ARE that this country Is
republic and il IL country l left a wife
and five children on my farm at Dortrecht. They
are now in the hands of the British My first
cattle and sheep. were taken long ago. and all
l had in the world is gone"
Although a subject of the British Empire who
has fought against his country Snyman does
not feel in any particular danger in this coun-
Try I reckon myself safe here as If l were
IN South Africa, and 1t does not disturb me that
am liable to arrest as political offender"
Mr.. SnyTnan was present at the NEE ting of Of
hcers which decided to give President KRUGER a
six months leave of absence to go to Europe
This leave of absence" he said .'wss Thought
advisable because KRUGER was old and feeble
and that II he remained in the country ii would
require large number Of men to protect him
Kruger cid not want TO go. Although l do not
agree win MIN in every respect yet
| will say that II there ever was a man who is .
| patriot and who would die for his country
Kruger is that man. l think his reception in
Europe VIII result in something critical This
| thing VIII never be settled until every Dutch
man mas peen imprisoned or killed, and nobody
knows IL better than Roberts himself"
| The ex- ofhcers have credentials from President
| Steyn, directed TO Charles D. Pierce No lO3
| Liberty-st.. the Consul-General of ths Dram
| Free State in New-York - "''e