The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-12-22

LONDON, Dec. ALVIN, T. Stead
has Just returned from The Hague,
whero he has had a long conference
with Mr.. Kruger, and has !ascertained
at first hand the views OF Mr.. Kruger
and his counsellors as to the present
situation and future prospects. Mr..
Stead has written the following for the
Associated Press:
First OF all nothing is decided about
his visit to America at present. Presi-
dent Kruger has not abandoned all
hopo OF securing the support of the
governments of tho civilized world in
his demand for arbitration. Until the
last government refuses absolutely to
say a word In support of the prlnci-
pies which they solemnly laid down at
The Hague conference, Mr.. Kruger will
not partake in popular demonstrations.
1t is recognized that II he cared to do
50 he could shake the continent. The
popular enthusiasm for him is un-
paraleled since Garibaldls visit 10
London. but until his diplomatic mis-
sion Is exhausted, an appeal to the
peoples cannot even be taken into con-
sIderation. Mr.. Kruger is emphatic in
disclaiming any desire to involve other
nations In war In behalf of the Beers.
What he asks Is that the governments
which at The Hague declared their de-
termination to use their efforts to Sc.
cure amicable settlement of disputes by
means Of mediation and arbitration
should make a united effort to bring
the verdict Of the civilized world to
bear on Great Britain.
Warning Like Savages.
The English Mr.. Kruger said, are
waging this war In South Africa Ike
sayages. They are burning homes. de.
stroying dams, cutting trees, devastat.
ing fields and creating famine. They
are unable to capture De Wet, but they
arc making prisoners OF women and
children. who are not treated with ordi-
nary decency. Hundreds OF women
have been condned In the prison kraaI,
near Port Elizabeth, with only. one
chair, and several OF them are expect
Ing to become mothers
"Mr. Kruger AYERS that the provls-
Ions Of The Hague convention and the
laws and usages Of war are trampled
under feet. and he wants to know
whether the signatores OF this conven-
tion have anything to say on the sub
ject.
Tho man on h'orse-bacs at this mo-
ment is not Mr.. Kruger. but President
steyn. He, Delarey and De Wet are
masters Of the situation having n bet
ter disciplined and more effective force
than that which followed the vlerqleur
(fas) at the outbreak of the war. They
have plenty Of ammunition, and replen-
ish their stores continually from the
British conveys. They have taken
enough Lee Metford rifes to arm all
the Burghers now In I'll, field. cannot
put their position better than In the
words OF one Of Mr.. Kruger's coun-
sellors:
W. - AS4As
England is our accuser. England
Is the cole witness against us. Ens.
land is the Judge. England is the ex-
ecutioner, and England hopes to profit
by our death. We appealed for arbItra.
tion before the war, We are fighting
for arbitration to-day. We have the
right to expect the sympathies OF the
civilized world
Il found Mr.. Kruger pale. His bear
Ing is not SO good as 1t was. His mind
moves, somewhat more slowly. but
every now and then the old fire flashes
from his eyes, and you hear the deep.
resonant voice which has so aftcn ral-
lied the Burghers in battle.
Queen Wilholmina is kindness it.
self. She has. displayed pluck in re-
markablc contrast to the timldity of
many OF her official advisers.
Il found the old mans spirits un-
Shaken by his, reverses. He dlsclaimcd
any desire TO humllate England. and
fa!d they only wanted their rights.
Kings Dread Republics.
1T may interest Americans to know
'hnt Mr. kruger's appea! to the civil
'zed world would be received anywhere
with unanimous enthusiasm were 1t not
!or the deep-rootetl dlstrust anu jeal-
ouSy OF the dynastics OF Hapsburg and
hohtnznllern against the President OF
afepublic. II he we're n king the courts
would have been open everywhere. But
'he centra! European monarchs dread
Inc popular enthusiasm excited by the
heroic figure OF the republican Prcsl.
CPhi pleading for justice.
This feleing, 1t is well to note, Is
no' shared by Russia.
The Beers will not listen TO any pro-
po"ais for compromise. They, are
Unanimous' Failing Independence or
arbitration. they viii prefer to die
lighting.
England Hustling for Troops.
LONDON. Dec. 22,-The war office
male the following announcement last
evenIng: '-a- .T
In view OF the general position In