The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-30

One of Paul Kruger's most striking char
acteristics, writes a TransyaaI correspond
ent, is his imperturbability and hardhead-
edness. He preserves this quality under
the most trying circumstances. Il is an
unfailing source OF wonderment to those
who study him.
l was visiting Bloemfontein in MAY last
when the historic conference between him
and the high commissioner Sir Alfred Mil
ner, was in progress. The deliberations
were private, but on Friday preceding their
termination club gossip said that there
had been serious difference between the
two presidents. Such a difference would.
we know. almost surely spell war. We
were, therefore, inquisitive, not to say
anxious.
Hungering for something tangible a
friend-a prominent fnancier-and stroll
ed TO the Presidents mansion early next
morning, hoping TO draw his honor into
conversation on the subject. Contrary to
our expectation he was in his usual good
spirits, full Of animation, and smoking his
eternal meerschaum. The weather being
warm we sat out on the terrace and talked.
The old man fenced all attempts at
bringing the conversation round 20 the
conference, and began retailing some Of
MS hunting experiences. Shortly after our
arrival Wolmsrans, member Of the ex-
ecutive. came along and our waning hopes
rose. Perhaps he would mention the sub
1ect We lOnged 70 have preached. But no
his arrival only suggested a new train OF
"reminiscences 10 the President. At length
weary and bafied. my friend and / took
our leave coming to the conclusion. shar-
ed by others to whom we related our ex-
perienee, that surely things could not be
very bad. Yet when / read the bluebook
on the conference d few weeks later I
found that at the very time President Kru-
ger had been jocularly reviying to US pleas
ant memories OF his young days he was IN
one Of the highest political corners he
had known, and that is saying much.
Mr.. Chamberlain is the old mans bette
noir." He cordially and uncompromising-
~ detests him. During the great Trans
vaal debate In the house Just before the
recess. he was kept posted with the cabled
version of the speeches hour BY hour
Chamberlain remarks. more than those
Of any other member. frequently made him
splutter with rage. But he liked Jan
Morley, and "Bannerman." and Court
ney,' reckoning them. with Mr.. Asquith
and the Hon Philip Stanhope and a few
others. among his most valued friends
Kruger's rage is startling il is like the
believing Of an Infatuated bull II bursts
out suddenly, fares for while and then
disapI ears, only 10 be revived on slight
provocaton. During the judicial crisis two
and half years ago the eX-Chief Justice.
Mr. J. c. KOtze-whO. by the WAY. is now
Faf n -,
ton Of the Incorporated Law Society. in
which he virtually accused the president
OF endeayoring 10 suborn him in connection
With a certain case. had occasion TO al
lude TO the matter the following day. and
was treated 10 one OF the outbursts referred
TO. Il was rather alarming. The presi-
dent blinked friously, barked out some
thing that no one could possibly under
stand and wound Up with the observation
that Kotze's allegation was "a diabolical
lie While his rage lasted he repeatedly
smOte the massive mahogany table along
side Of which he was sitting with such force
as 10 jeopardize the decanter and glasses.
20 say nothing OF tfe table itself.
To return to the .cnial secretary. Some
weeks before the Bloemfonteln conference
President Kruger made a speech at Rus
tenburg. the stronghold OF DOpperdom,
wherein he outlined a new Outlander poll
cy. and incidentally accused Mr.. Chamber
lain Of a disregard for the truth II was
historical speech marking as il did. a
change In presidents
methods.
Several pressmen had Travelled across
country to hear it, al a general rush for
the wires took place when it was finished.
But the President vas cautious. He gave
orders that no reports should be telegraph
81 until Ia Nad = .r7r4in zed them This
vas intenZ-Iy aggrayating 20 the journal
lists, so a deputation waited on has private
secretary. and eventually reached the great
man himself The pressing q smands OF
latter-day journalism were enlarged unon.
and argument brought to bear 10 iucuce
him 10 relent. He objected. he questioned.
he hesitated he wavered, then, eureka,
he agreed to trust to journalistic accuracy.
There was pause. The depUtation ex-
pressed their gratitude. and were on the
pOint Of Withdrawing, when-he changed
his mind. II suddenly struck him that II
a garbled version or a misplaced sentence
reached London "Kamberlain" would be
at him. End credit him with utterances he
never dreamed Of
The result was no reports got away that
night Next morning they were examined
and countersis4ed without the alteration
Of a word
President Kruger IA much averse to gam
bling-ln some forms. at oil events. One
day lady called on him for church ba-
zasr subscription He turned to her in his
abrupt way and denounced bazaars as
swindles. a bazaar and rafting" he said
"are nothing else than gambling. The
lady, accustomed to his ways, nevertheless
pleaded hard. At last he handed her do
nation "on a condition that my name does
not appear in the SWiudle - OodCp