New-York tribune., 1900-04-09
NR. DAVIS PRAISES THE BOERS.
FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR SPEAKS AT WASHINGTON.

Washington. April S.--A large audience gathered
at the Grand Opera House tonight TO listen TO an
address on the in South Africa by Webster
Davis formerly Assistant Secretary Of the Interior
fvery available bit OF standing room IN the opera
house. the largest auditorium In Washington was
filed. Mr.. Webster's speech was freore-tlv an
plauded. Simple decorations of the United States
nag and the red white black bars with the field
Of green, the emblem OF the Beers were suspended
over the stage. A or more Of public men
mainly Senators and Representa- tiyes in Congress-
occupied seats on the stage and in the audience
among whom were the following: Senators Clay
Danlei Teller. Bacon, Allen and Mason and Repre-
sehtatlVes Talhert, Jett. Littlefed Ridgeley R0h-
inson of Indiana Burke of Texas: Bail Gilbert
Latimer. Cox, OF Tennessee: Cowherd Clark OF
Missouri; Bartholdt and shafroth Mr. Davis was
introduced by P. T Moran
MT Davis characterized the war as an unholv
che begun by reason Of the British greed for gold
ma ne asserted that the motive of the demand for
i I'VE year franchise was TO obtain control of the
t''IsFaat eN men who At the same time were TO
remain British subjects. Both Beers and British
PRISONERS. he said. denied that Dutch had been
guilty or abuse Of the white flag adding that these
oAarges were made with the intent TO deceive the
people Of the civilized countries He made counter
charges regarding breaches of the rules Of warfare
by British soldiers
Mr.. Davis described the storming Of Spon Kop
by the Beers, after the British had occupied IT,
and his own visit the battlefield seven days later
and closed with appeal TO the American people
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Dasis's address P
Louter Vessels. special commissioner from the
South African republics, made a brief address
Then Mr. Moran, the chairman. offered a series Of
resolutions expressing our deep and heartfelt sym
pathy for the heroic patriots the South African
republics in their immortal fight their homes
and liberty. and admiration their indomit-
able courage and unexampled herCism in their
wonderful struggle against the British enemies Of
republican government; commencing The Wash
ington Post" for its work in behalf OF the repub-
lies thanking Mr. Davis his eloquent and mas
terful presentation Of the struggle between the
Beers and the British, and rendering him applause
for his manly course in taking the lecture plat
form free American citizen plead the cause
Of freedom and republican government in South
Africa and assuring him that the great mass Of
the American people in sympathy with the
Beers and that we denounce the present British
Government and its allies in this country
wholly unworthy of the respect of any true Ameri-
citizen"
The resolutions met with cordial reception by the
audience until the final declaration denouncing the
British Government and its secret allies in this
country read This received with a storm
of Kisses and cries of No! No" Nj Moran then
asked for the resolutions a whole
the chairman declared the resolutions carried.
IN hts opening address Mr.. Moran attacked the
Administration. and was greeted with Kisses and
cries of Traitor"