The evening times., 1900-04-02
Webster DAVIS RESIGNS
He Refuses 10 Longer Remain 81
lent on the BOeP Question.
The Assistant Secretary of the In
terror To Address the American
People in Behalf OF the Fighting
BurEherS-Hc Contends That This
Government should Aid Them.

Webster Davis, the Assistant Secretary
Of the Interior. this afternoon rendered his
resignation to President Mckinley. 20 take
effect Immediately. II is said that the
President has not as yet decided whether
he will comply with the request Of Mr..
Davis 10 Immediately relieve him Of the
office, and thereby give him an opportunity
20 freely discuss the South African ques-
ton and disclose his opinion regarding The
matter.
When seen by reporter OF The Times.
Mr., Davis said: Il am impelled 70 take
this step. II is the result OF my recent
visit 10 South Africa, where / had ample
opportunity 10 study both sides Of the Boer
question As Americans and as sons Of
our forefathers who fought British iy-
ranny and established liberty. we are
morally bound 20 support the Beers. who
are lighting for freedom, aud who are dy-
ing for the same principle for which every
American should be willing TO sacrifice his
life-libcrty"
When questioned as to what course he
would pursue in the matter. Mr.. Davis
said
Il will avail myself Of an early opportu-
nifty TO deliver a public address in this
,ity 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 as they should
know H.. ! regard il as my duty 10 do so,
us a gross injustice is being perpetrated
on our own people. and our own citizens
are being misrePresented before the whole
world. AS the defenders Of liberty We
must defend II before friend and enemy
alike. There can be do discrimination.
I ear 30 Of
ing American sympathy FOR the Beers by
relieving myself Of the rcstr5 int which
my position as Assistant Secretary OF the
Interior imposes upon me. l therefore de-
cided 10 resign
When asked what course he would advo-
cate Mr.. Davis said. Il would do what ey-
cry American is bound TO dO--assist those
who are struggling for liberty. Humaui-
tartan principles make it just as incum-
bent on the United States 10 demonstrate
In this case as We did in the case with
Spain when at war with the struggling
Cubaus.
The principles underlying are the slme.
We can IN afford 10 be inconsistent" "
When questioned with regard t0 the
charges preferred by Mr. Macrum former
Consul 90 Pretoria against the state De-
partment and the British authorities in
South Africa. Mr. Davis said. Il have
a
which viii be little short OF a revelation
90 them" ~. Davis is very emphatic in
his utterancl<, and says he Is determined
TO bring an his influence 20 bear ON the
Government 10 60 something TO end the
war.
Il is s.dd ,har President Mckinley sent
for Mr Davis recently I'D urged him 10
DO nothing rash az this time But he
steadfasJly refused TO 10 pIacated and 90
Is lrr ne toll ID q 3d.
something were not done Immediately to-
ward rendering assistance 20 the Beers
he would tender his resignation and lay
the whole matter before the public
The resignation did not come uueEpeCt
Cdly. but some OF Nr. Davis friends were
not aware Of his intention 10 tender
&c today. Ir was an open secret that
when Mr. Davis left for South Africa he
was in possession Of information from
the Trausyaal calling his attention TO the
injustice of the war. He decided to iuves-
rived iu Pretoria he was received with open
arms 10y President Kruger who had knOwl-
edge OF his friendly intentions. Mr.. Davis
studied both sides OF the question In order.
he says, 10 form an absolutely just con
clusiou
lt is said that President Mckinley knew
what was going on and imposed strict si-
ience on Mr.. Davis as he had on Mr. Ma
crum, the former representative at Pre-
tOria, so that the American people had
no means OF becoming acquainted through
official sources with the true status Of af-
fairs in South Africa. When Mr. Davis
left the scene Of conflict for his return to
the United States President Kruger. il is
stated. entrusted him with an Important
message 10 President Mckinley. the i'm
port Of which cannot be ascerJained how
ever, as IL is said 10 be consigned to the
secret archives at the State Department.
Should the President decline to accept
the resignation, Mr.. Davis SAYS. he win
again tender il and insist on leaving the
public service. President Mckinley. IL is
said, is not disposed 10 release Mr.. Davis
from the silence which his office imposes
upOn him