The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-03

The resignation of Webster Davis, AS
sistant Secretary of the Interior, is now
| in the hands of the President 1t was de-
livered last night by Mr.. Davis private
| secretary. 1t was learned at the White
House last night that Mr.. Mckinley had
not taken any action in the matter, but
| had it under consideration. No hint could
be obtained regarding the Presidents in
tention, and whether he will seek to in
duce Mr.. Davis to continue in the dis
charge of his duties at the Interior De-
partment is an open question. II is said
that a statement from Mr.. Davis at this
time upon the situation in South Africa,
coupled with an expression of his we'll
known pro- Boer sentiments. would place
the Administration in an unpleasant stu
alton.
Mr.. Davis claims that he was impelled
to tender his resignation as lie is at vari-
ance with the Administration regarding
its attitude toward England in the South
African war Mr. Davis will deliver a
public address in this city on the subject
of the war between Great Britain and the
South African Republics in the near
future.
1t is Mr. Dayis' wish to be relieved of
the duties of his position at once. He
will then discuss the South African ques-
ton, and disclose his opinion Regarding
it. This he does not feel at liberty to
do at present.
Mr. Davis said YESTERDAY The step is
the result of my recent -j- II South
Africa. where l had ample Or IN nifty to
study the British Boer question. AS Amer
nd ha of bar
who fought British tyranny. and estab
lished liberty, We are morally bound to
support the cause of the Beers. who are
fighting and dying for a principle, fof
which every American is willing to sacri-
fee his life-liberty."
Mr.. Davis further said.
Il will avail myself of a early oppor-
tunity to deliver a public address in this
city on the subject of the war between
Great Britain and the South African Re
publics. I will make the American people
acquainted with the truth. They are en-
titled to know it. and l regard it my duty
to tell them. When l let Pretoria 1000
people accompanied me to the railway sta
tion to say farewell. With tears in their
eyes, they appealed to me to state their
cause TO the American people and l prom
Used that l would. My conscience would
haunt me should l not keep ina, sacred
promise.
The Beers have been oUtrageOuslr nus
represented by English correspondents.
They keep the cables. which are under
their control, busy abusing ne sc honest
and thrifty people. 1t is impossible to
transmit news which is true biit may be
unfavorabIe to the British. over the cables.
The British censor will mo- accept it"
las the apostles and .fomulgators of
2 Il
fend ii before friend and enemy alike.
There can be no discrim! I'D ton. l feel
can best serve the purpose of arousing
American sympathy for the Beers BY re-
lieving myself of the restraint which my
position as Assistant Secretary of the In
terror imposes upon me. This is the main
cause of my resignation"
When asked what course he would pur
sue in order to assist the Beers, Mr.. Da
Wis said: Il would advise that every Amer
lean do what he is bound to do-assist
those who are struggling for liberty. Pro
claim it to the world that the sympathy
of America is on the side of the Boer and
not with Great Britain. a gross injustice
is being perpetrated Oh the American peo-
pie. They are being misrepresented before
the whole world. Humanitarian princi-
pies make il just as incumbent on the
United States to demonstrate in this I'M
holy war as when Spain was waging war
with the liberty loving. struggling Gu
bans. The principles underlying are the |
same. We can i'll afford to be inconsis-
tent"
Mr.. Davis said ii is a matter OF sym
pathy and principle on his part, purely apd |
solely. Mr. Davis scorns the idea OF his |
services having been retained by Pre5i |
dent Kruger. He said, when questioned |
with regard to the charges preferred by |
Mr.. Macrum. former Consul at PIefy-ia, |
against the British authorities in south |
Africa: |
Il have something TO tell 70 the Ameri- |
can people which will be little short Of 2 |
revelation" Mr.. Davis IS very empha ic |
in his uterans.ss. and says he is deter |
mined to bring all his influence 10 bear |
On the Administration to take active |
measures to step the South African con-
1ict.
1t is said that President Mckinley sent |
for Mr. Davis recently and urged him to |