The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-02-03
MONTAGU WHITES MISSION.
The Envoy From the TrnnsNaaI in
America i'm the Interest of Peace.

The Envoy From the TrnnsNaaI in
America i'm the Interest of Peace.
NEW YORK Feb. 3.-Montagu White,
unoficially representing the South Afri-
can Republic in this country. has made
the following statement regarding himself
and his plans;
AS | have beer frequently asked 20 eX-
plain the object of my visit to the United
States ] may at the outset clearly state
that / have come here in the interest Of
peace. was strongly urged to do 50 by
American and English friends instead OF
going TO Pretoria, as was my original in
tentiou. Il was eontended that sympa-
thy for the two republics was rapidly
growing in America and that ii could be
deepeuad and strengthened 10y true nfor-
nation as 10 the character of the Beers and
the causes Of the war ] was given 10
under~'and that the citizens Of the United
states Aad at first been msled by the dis
tortiors put forward 10y the Rhodesiau or
capita istic lingo press i'm England as well
as bs Misrepresentation of few inter-
ested and irresponsible individuals in
America. I was urged to second the efforts
Of local sympathizers in the direction OF
Cancellation and mediation. for which ] had
Utilities.
DIR. Leyds whom 1 consulted. approved
OF my visit and further comm Lssioned me
20 enquire into and report upon the trend
Of public feeling in the states on the south
African question.
Gable communication being entirely IN
the hands Of the British Government it
was not possible 20 obtain credentials from
the Government at Pretoria. / have there
fore no diplomatic status. st the same
time ] am convinced that I am. for the
present. better ale to further my cause in
an unofficial position than II I were ham
pered by the restriction Of diplomatic ETH
quette.
II am citizen of the South African Re
{ public. as we'll as a head official of that
State and every American will recognize
( that 1 owe no apology or explanation for
warmly identifying myself with the country
i TO which ! owe allegiance. ] repeat, have
/ come here in the interests of peace. not 20
I stir 70 strife or TO stimulate bitter re-
elimination. d ilgh at times IL is impos-
sible. in statis,S the case OF the republic
/ 10 avoid expressing ones self warmly and
strongly when criticising the stupid and
/ blundeTing policy Of bluff which ended i'm
! what MIR. Chamberlain justly described by
an ,icipau as an immoral war
The facJ Chat } have not been able 10
meetings Will ] trust not b. misso1struei.
il is nor because lack the courage Of my
. convictions for I conscientiUusly believe
. the two republics 10 be absolutely io the
right. This war was forced upon them.
. and the burghers are fighting 20 retain
. their freedom and independence. Above
an my lbstCntiOn Is not due t1 any depre-
/ citation or disapproval OF The efforts of sym
pathiZcrs 20 promote the cause ~ the
. South African States but everyone Will
recognize that it would be uuwise as we'll
as improper for me 10 identify myself
with any meeting where the Admnisua-
f ton is liable TO be attacked. % Is also OF
4 importance fer me CO. avoid party politics
leans Democrats. and other political par
ties in The United States viii sink their
. differences boz regard 90 the South African
. question and viii simply voice the -enti-
. menr of the true American !u promoting
the cause Of peace
81 cannot sufficiently thank ne many
friends who have sacrificed time. business.
and financial interests in promoting the
welfare of The two South African sites by
disseminating literature as TO the true iae.s
Of the case. by promoting meetings 70 the
. expression OF sympathy and by subs .rihng
to funds for the relief OF suffering.
''I cannot close without gratefully ac-
knovIedglug the courtesy and c1usidera-
lion with which I have been treated bv the
. representatives OF the press in New 80 k
. and elsewhere.
My presence tn America has groasei "a
certain amount Of curiosity ! was u-alie
TO grant interviews for publication. bit Z
have spoken fully and freely to many jour
ualist5 and correspondents. and my conf
dence has always been fully re-pe.ted.'