The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-13
THE KRUGER. .STEYN NOTE.
BOer PresidentS' Proposal Discussed
by the Cabinet.

Tho Cabinet. at the meeting today, was
made acquainted with the nature and ex-
teat OF the proposals submitted by the
Boer Presidents to Great Britain through
the United States but there IS little iros-
pect that an official statement on the sub
ject will be issued, unless word comes TO
the President today that Ambassa or
Chozte has presented the kuger-Steyn
note TO the Foreign once in Londo1.
As he was leaving the Cabinet meet'nG
Secretary HAY said that he believed tGIt
nothing in the way OF an official state
ment would be given out until word had
come from London that the message (. ON
the Boer Governments had been presen-ed.
That information, he said, had not b-en
received.
The Secretary declined 20 say whether
the United States had rendered its good
Offices to Great Britain in acting as the
official channel for the transmission Of the
/ Pretoria message, or to define the position
OF the United states in any way.
Government officials believe. it is said.
that peace Is now assured and that the
United States will act IN a mediatory ca
pacity 10 bring Il about They say that the
condition imposed by the Boer Republics
that they be granted absolute irdepend-
encc. which viii not be acceptable 70 Greet
Z
gotiations toward an end of hostIlities from
proceeding as the Boer terms are tentative.
The despatch from Presidents Kruger
and Steyn was forwarded 10 London yester-
day with instructions for the guidance OF
Mr. Choate. IL is supposed hat Mr.. ChOata
Will call on Lord Salisbury some time to-
day.
II is evident from what officials say in
their guarded answers TO questions about
Ia
has information about the attempt Of the
I Boer Presidents to secure the services OF
the European powers as mediatOrs. That
these oyertuTes were not encouraged IS
apparent. The story OF the Continental
Exchange appears TO be that an appeal
was made By Presidents Kruger and steyn
TO the several great powers. aud probably
other European nations through Their con-
suls az Pretoria, TO have these govern
I meuts offer mediation 10 Great Britain
All a them declined 70 take The in-tia-
/ tive 10 Is said. but there s. reason 10 be-
I licve that Germany was willing II she
could do so in concert with the United
/ states The visit Of the German Ambas-
| sado- 70 Secretary Hay yesterday IS at
{ tributcd to this cause.
After discussing the subject 10 was
/ agreed By the President and his advisers
J tnGt the United States not being officially
! concerned in the exchanges between Pre-
toria and London. except az an iutermed-
/ iary. could not properly furnish any in
formation 10 The public about the Boer
3 proposals. IL was explained after The
meeting that any such information must
come from the officials az London and
4 Pretoria. and that the courtcsies Of dip
l0matic procedure prohibited the United
. States Government from saving anything
on the subject.
+ The State Department, while unwilling
. to furnish any details OF the message from
. Pretoria. desires &c 10 be msle plain that
This Government Is acting O. an iIlcrme-
diary and not as q mediate
/ The despatch from President Kruger and
. President Steyn did not ASK sac Uuited
STATES TO serve iD a moso important capaCi-
ty than as the bearer OF the message which
+ the Bocr governments. on sr-9uut Of the
. severance OF an dlplomau- Ions vita
Great Britain. were pr5vtT o. flOm sub
hitting directly 20 Lore Sa.lshury-
. Up 90 / o'clock no message had been re-
. Csived at the state Department from tho
4 United States Embassy .u Lo-fon telling OF
/ the presentation 20 the FC.siEl Office O.
/ the proposals OF Presidents Kruger and
/ Steyn.