The age-herald., 1900-05-22
UNITED STATES WOW I |NTERCEDE Mission of the BOer COmmis-
 sioners Failed. SECRETARY HAYS STATEMENT It Is Policy of the Government to Refrain from Any Entangling AL
 Iiances in Affairs Not
 Directly Our Own.
SECRETARY HAYS STATEMENT

Washington, May 21.-The state depart ment has met the issue raised by the com- ing to Washington of the Boer delegation by declining to interfere in behalf of South African republics in the present struggle. In view of this announced decision all questions as to the character of the recog milton to be extended to the delegates and the sufficiency of their credentials dropped at once into the background.
 It was, after all, of little moment wheth- CT or not the Boers were received as di- plomatic agents ministers, so long as they were powerless to promote the prime object of their mission, namely, to cause the United States government to intervene to bring about peace.
 The meeting between the delegates and secretary was brought about in the sim plest menner. General OBeirne had se- cured from the department last Saturday a promise to entertain any credentials that might be presented today. This morning a note came to the state department from the delegates asking that they be per- mitted to present themselves to the de- partment A prompt acquiescence was re- turned by Secretary Hay, and the hour of 2:3O was fixed for the meeting. At that time the three delegates appeared. They were unaccompanied, and were shown at once into the diplomatic room. Secretary Hay, accompanied by MT. Babcock, his private secretary and stenographer, enter ed the diplomatic room and cordially greet ed his visitors Just what passed between them probably will never be exactly known, for when the meeting was over af- l. ing stated to number of anxious news paper men they had and would have noth- ing to say as to what happened.
 Secretary Bay's Statement
 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 the fol- lowing statement:
 'Messrs A. Fischer, c. H. Vessels and A. D. W. Wolmarans, the delegates in this country of the South African republics, called today by appointment at the state department They were cordially received and remained with the secretary of state for more than an hour. They laid before the secretary at much length and with great energy ana elOqueHce tHe HeIltS Ol the controversy in South Africa, and the desire of the Boer republics that the United States should intervene in the interest of peace and use its influence to that end with the British government"
 The secretary of state made the follow ing reply:
 ''The president, in his message to the congress last December, said:
 '''This government has maintained an attitude of neutrality in the unfortunate contest between Great Britain and the Boer states of Africa. We have remained faith alliances as to affairs not of our direct con cern. Had circumstances suggested that the parties to the quarrel would have well comed any kind expression of the hope of the American people that war might be averted good offices would have been glad ly tendered,'
 'As the war went on the president, while regretting the suffering and the sacrifices endured by both of the combatants, could do nothing but preserve strict neutrality between them. This he has steadily and consistently done, but there never has been a moment when he could have neglected any favorable occasion to use his good of- flee in the interests of peace.
 Consul Hays Telegram
 'On the tenth of last month we received from MT. Hay, the United States consul at Pretoria, this telegram:
 ' Tam officially requested by the gov