The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-22
To Deviate from Traditional Policy
Would Lead to Consequences
Which Might Be DepIored.
SECRETARY HAYS STATEMENT
AFTER A CONFERENCE WITH THE
BOER PEACE DELEGATES.
Attitude of This Country Plainly
Stated-The President Anxious for
Peace, but Cannot Stop the War.

WASHINGTON. May 21.-The State De-
partment has met the issue raised by the
coming to Washington of the Boer delega-
ton by declining to interfere in behalf of
the South African republics in the present
struggle. In view of this announced deci-
sion all questions as to the character of
the recognition to be extended to the dele
gates and the sufficiency OF their creden-
tials dropped at once into the background.
1t was, after all, of little moment whether
or not the Beers were received as diplo-
matte agents or ministers, SO long as they
were powerless to promote the prime OBJ
ject of their mission, namely, cause the
United States government to intervene to
bring about peace.
The meeting between the delegates and
Secretary Hay was brought about in the
simplest manner. General O'Beirne had Sc
cured from the department last Saturday
promise to entertain any credentials that
might be presented to-day. This morning
a note came to the State Department from
the delegates asking that they be permit
ted to present themselves at the depart
ment. A prompt acquiescence was returned
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 Mr.. Babcock his private
secretary and stenographer, entered the
diplomatic room and cordially greeted his
visitors. Just what passed between them
probably will never be exactly known, for
when the meeting was over. after lasting
an hour, the Beers, in departing, stated to
a number of anxious newspaper men that
they had, and would have, nothing to say
as to what happened. For his part the Sec
rotary 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 following statement:
''Messrs. A. Fischer, c. H. Vessels and
A. ID. w. Womarans, the delegates in this
country of the South African republics,
called to-day, 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 and eloquence the merits of
the controversy in South Africa and the
desire of the Boer republics that the United
States should intervene In the interest OF
with the British government.
1.-The secretary of state made the follow
ing reply: The President, in his message
TO Congress last December, said: This
government has maintained an attitude of
neutrality in the unfortunate contest be-
tween Great Britain and the Boer states
of Africa. We have remained faithful to
the precept of avoiding entangiing alliances
as to affairs not OF our direct concern.
Had circumstances suggested that the par
ties to the quarrel would have welcomed
any kindly expression Of the hope of the
American people that war might be averted
good offices could have, been gladly ten
dered." AS the war went on the Presi-
dent. while regretting tho suffering and
the sacrifices endured by both of the COM
batants, 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
would have neglected any favorable occa-
sion to use his good offices in the interests
Of peace.
from Mr.. Hay, the United States consul at
Pretoria, this telegram: i am officially re-
quested by the governments of the repub-
lies to urge your Intervention with view
to cessation Of hostilities. Same request
made to E Erepresentatives of European
me to convey the substance Of this tele-
gram to the British government and in
communicating this request was directed
by him TO express his earnest hope that a
way TO bring about peace might be found.
and TO say that he would be glad to aid in
any friendly manner to promote so happy
a result The Transvaal government was
at the time informed of the PreSi-
dents action in the matter.
"'Our representative in London promptly
communicated the Presidents instruction
to Lord Salisbury. In answer he was re-
quested to thank the President for the
friendly interest shown by him. and Lord
Salisbury added that her Majestys gov
ernment could not accept the Intervention
of any power. This communication also
was Immediately transmitted to our con-
sui at Pretoria, to be communicated to the
President of the South African republic
So far as we are informed, the United
States was the only government in the
world of all those approached by the South
African republics which rendered its good
offices to either of the comba tants in the
| interest of a cessation of hostilities.
"As allusion had been made to The
| Hague conference and as action has been
| suggested based upon that instrument. 1t
| Article III. which states: Powers stranger
| to tho dispute may have the right to offer
good Offices or meditation even during the
course of hostilties' and article five. which
says: The functions of the mediator are
| at an end when once II Is declared. either
| by one OF the parties to the dispute or by
reconciliation proposed by him are not ac-
| cepted." This would seem to render any
| further action of the United States un-
/ advisable under existing circumstances
'sThe steps taken by the President in his
| earnest desire to see end to the strife
| which has caused so much suffering may
already be said to have gone to the ex-
| treme limit permitted TO him. Indeed. If I'm
| his discretion. he had chosen not 10 present
| TO England the South African request for
good offices, he might have justified his
action by referring to the following de-
| claration, which was made In the very act
/ of signing the Hague convention by the
| plenipotentiaries OF the United States
| Nothing contained In this convention shall
be construed to require the United
| States OF America to depart from its tradi-
| tional policy not intruding upon. interfer-
/ ing with or entangling itself with questions
ct policy or internal administration OF any
forolgn state: nor ahall any contained n