New-York tribune., 1900-11-21
KRUEGER'S MISSION TOLD.
TO SEEK HONORABLE TERMS OF PEACE
WITH ENGLAND.
WILL RESIST ANNEXATION TO THE LAST
PRO-BOER ENTHUSIASM AT HIGH
PITCH IN MARSEILLES

WILL RESIST ANNEXATION TO THE LAST
PRo-BoER ENTHUSIASM AT A HIGH
PITCH IN MARsEILLEs
ICopyright: 1900: By The New-York TribuneI
IBY CABLE THE TRIBUNE.l
MarseiIles. Nov. 20.-The arrival of Elofr.
President Krugers son-in-law, who left the Gel
derland at Port Said and reached this port this
morning by the China mail steamer Laos, and
who has brought important communications
from KRUGER to DR.. Leyds. Vessels. Fischer
and other representatives here Of the Transvaal
and the Free State has thrown much light upon
the true nature of Krugers mission Mr. Wes-
sells. president Of the Volksraad Of the Free
State in reply to questions put by your corre-
spondent. stated that the object of Krtger's
visit to Europe was to obtain terms of honorable
peace, after which he would return to the Trans
yaal. AS TO the nature Of the terms Mr.. Wes-
sells said:
Up 10 the present England has offered us no
choice but determination. Roberts's proclama-
tion guaranteeing that all Beers laying down
their arms and returning to their homes would
be unmolested had not been honestly complied
with. KRUGER will accept terms of peace which
will insure an independent local government
for the Boer nation. But annexation would be
tantamount to determination. and would be re-
sisted as long as the last cartridge remains.
Mr. Vessels is a powerfully built man, over
determined jaw. He speaks slowly and with
great delberation. and impresses one favorably.
He deeply resented the surreptitious attempt Of
q photographer to secure a portrait of him
Mr.. Vessels said most emphatically that 1t
was not President Krugers intention to make
political statement or proclamation on his arrival
in France, because to do so would. under the
circumstances. amount to breach Of hospitality
toward France. Mr.. Vessels said that If any
proclamation statement was TO be made, 1t
would be done in Holland and not elsewhere
A violent southeast gale which has been rag
ing for thirty-sx hours. may cause delay in
the arrival OF the Gelderland and make her en-
trance into the Gulf of Lyons very unpleasant
for all but the most seasoned sailors, and has
given rise to fresh reports about the possibility
Of landing KRUGER elsewhere than at Marseilles
PRO-BOER ENTHUSIASM UNABATED.
The population here shows signs of any in
tention to create demonstrations hostile to Eng
land. But the enthusiasm for the Boer cause
has never been so outspoken at present Both
the Prefect of the department and the Mayor
OF Marseilles have taken every possible police
precaution to thwart any anti-English demon
stration. and the town is full Of detectives and
secret agents. The garrisons Of the forts COM
manding the city. consisting of over five thou
sand troops, are held in their barracks in readi-
ness to act upon telephone instructions in case
OF emergency.
DR. Flaissieres. the Mayor Of Marseilles. con-
tinues TO express the utmost confidence that his
police viii thus be able to nip in the bud the
slightest attempt to provoke disorder. 1t is i'm
possible, however. to conceal the fact that not
only the Nationalist element but influential So
cialist groups. which form the backbone OF the
Marsetles populace. express bitter indignation
at the determination Of the Mayor and Prefect
TO abstain from being present at the forthcoming
reception of kruger. Preparations are being
made TO dress the ships in the harbor with flags
and portraits Of the Boer President placed
in the shop windows and the newsstands while
each train brings delegates from all the patri-
otic committees throughout France. Never be-
fore has there been such outburst Of odes
and poems those exposed for sale in the
streets and book stores in Krdger's honor. There
are odes composed for the occasion by FRANCOIS
Coppee, Saint-Saens, Edouard Harancourt
jacques NorInand, Ernest Daudet Charles
Grandmougin. Nine. Daniel Lesueur. Parodi
Paul and Victor Marguerite, Ardouin Dumaget
and Afistral the national Provencal poet, whose
in this section of France have become
household words. Not only poems, but oceans
OF cartoons and colored prints displayed on
all the street corners. among the most effective
Of which may be mentioned those signed Beraud
Robida Luc, Oliver Merson. Poilpot, Forain.
Caran DAsche, Couturier and Job. In the
streets to-day portraits Of KRUGER are cir
culated with q salutation of welcome over
the signature of Mistral, which reads as follows:
Tout don't le coeur bat vieux mot de
Justice incline devant KRUGER, conducteur ct
prophetic du saint peuple Boer." Other portraits
OF KRUGER bear this inscription: "Peuple Fran
Gals chapeau bas devant phomme par Qui IAN
glais hau de univers connut. Enfin Ia defaite
ct Qu'on nomme brave Kruger. Salut krdger!
c. B.