Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-20
tBy Telegraph to virginian-Pilot.>

morning in their apartments at the Arl-
ington. shaking hands with a constant
stream of visitors. acquiescing in the
numerous REQUESTS and suggestions of
the Washington Reception Committee
and cautiously parrying the rapid fire
of inquiries from a small army OF news
paper correspondents. Mr.. Fischer, as
usual, was the spokesman of the party.
talking in excellent English.
Commissioner Fischer talked quite
freely with the correspondents and en-
phasiZed his wish to be as frank as pos
sible without giving offence to the
American Government.
I'VE are playing a wholly unaccus-
toned role as diplomats" said he. land
we must be careful. 1t has been sug-
gested to Us since we reached America
that we have hurt our chances with
the State Department by accepting the
hospitality of the several committees
that have welcomed us. But l would
like very much To have the case fairly
stated to the public. Our Government
has turned to the United States as to
a great and powerful nation, whose
people, we believe, are our friends. We
have mission to perform to the State
Department. and there are things con-
nected with that mission which the
State Department has right to know
before we discuss them in public. We
have consistently refrained from say
ing TO the press what should first be
laid before the officials of this Govern
ment but when we are met by commit
tees made up as we are assured of rep
resentative men who sympathize with
us 1t would be churlish to turn our
| backs on these friends and refuse the
courtesies they offer us.
| WILL ATTEND 'rJE, ATTIRE
I'VE have been criticised for accept
| ing an invitation to the meeting at the
theatre tomorrow night before we have
| been received at the State Department.
but we have promised to appear and
make our bow, upon the guarantee of
the committee that 1t is simply a
friendly welcome extended by our SYM
pathizers, and will be free from all par
tisan politics If we believed there
would be word uttered there for fac
tional or political purposes we should
not attend. but we have been assured
it is merely friendly welcome
Asked what was the nature OF the
commissions credentials, Mr.. Fischer
replied:
They are from our Government, and
we believe are ample to enable us.
through the good offices of a friendly
government to stop the bloodshed that
is going on In our home country. Fur
Their than that would not like to dis
cuSs them"
Regarding the terms on which he
thought peace possible. Mr. Fischer
| said:
1--WE have not come with any hard
! and fast propositions, but we believe
an honorable peace is possible. and we
believe the United States is the coun-
try so situated as to be able to bring
| 1t about"
Would the recent victories OF the
| British in South Africa have any ef
| feet on the terms you would be willing
| to accept?" he was asked.
Possibly" he replied. yet that is a
| matter that cannot discuss now"
When asked if he expected to see any
| of the representatives of Great Britain
| in Washington. he said:
I'VE may possibly. We shall not go
| after them. but we should be glad to
| talk to any fair-minded Englshman,
| fov if the English people had known the
| truth in the South African situation
| this war never would have been be-
| gun"
LIBERTY OR DEATH.
"Wil the Transvaal entertain any
| peace proposals that recognize the SUI
zerainty of England?" he was asked.
IF England wants suZerainty over
| the republics" he replied. she will
have to come and take it." His two
tall swarthy companions nodded assent.
Colonel O'Beirne, VINO some months
| ago vainly sought recognition as a dip
lomatic representative of the Boer Re-
public yesterday appeared at the State
| Department in the interest of the three
| delegates.
Colonel O'Beirne has previously had
n short talk with the President. who
| directed him to the State Department.
| Secretary Hay listened TO the reasons
| why the United States Government
| should act to bring the war to a close.
Colonel O'Beirne, like the Boer dele
| gates. felt that the mere direction of
the United States would suffice to in
| duce England to cease hostilities He
| argued with a good deal of eloquence,
but without convincing the officials
that the United States Government
could intervene i'm the manner proposed
without becoming at once involved as a
party to the war. 1t can be set down
as certain that the present determina-
ton of our government is not to request
England to stop the war
The credentials of the Boer delegates
now in Washington will be submitted
| to the Secretary of State Monday next.
| Colonel O'Beirne called at the State
| Department this afternoon and ar
| ranged with Secretary Hay that tho
| Roer credentials should be submitted in
| advance of the presentation of the gem
| tlemen themselves.
| This Is in accordance with the usual
! rule governing the presentation of for
| eign ministers. So Mr.. Bruyn the pri-
| vate secretary of the Boer delegation
| is expected to bring the credentials 10
the State Department Monday, where
| they Will be submitted for the careful
examination of the department. which
does not at present know anything
] Of their character