The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-06-13
Bold Correspondent
Interviews Kruger.
Old President Talks Freely,
Denying Several Points.
THE TRANSVAAL CAPITAL IS
NOW ON WHEELS,

i
NOW ON WHEELS.
London. June 8, 3 q m.-The ex.
ecutive officers of the Transvaal gov
ernment are in railway car, which
is situuted on switch at Machadorp
station. President Kruger caused
the interior of the coach TO be recon.
structed some time ago with q view
to contingencies that have now ar
rived. A correspondent of the Daily
Express who went from Lorenzo
Marques to see President Kruger.
was received yesterday. The presi-
dent sat smoking q long pipe. Re
looked worried, but his bearing was
quiet and determined He did not
make the least objection to being in.
terviewed.
The correspondent was equipped
for the interview by cables from
London.
eyes," said President Kruger, "it
is quite true that the British have
occupied Pretoria. This, however,
does not end the war. The burghers
are fully determined to fight to the
last. They will never surrender so
long % FIVE hundred armed men
remain in the country. feel deeply
encouraged by the fine work Steyn
and Dewet are doing in the Free
State 1"
The correspondent suggested that
the war was over. inasmuch as the
capital had been taken.
"The capital |" exclaimed Mr.
Kruger. with energy. "What is q
capital ? 1t does not consist of any
particular collection of bricks and
mortar The capital of the republic.
tho seat of government, is here in
this Car There is no magic about
any special site. Our country is
invaded, it is true, but it is not
conquered. The government is still
effective '<e~
Referring to the reasons Why he
left Pretoria, Mr. Kruger sa,d
II was not foolish enough to be
taken 9 prisoner. I provide this
means of locomotion precisely for the
same reason 40 our burghers supply
themselves w::n horses when they
take the field
at is necessary that should be
able to move quickly from place to
place. That is all. By and by this
car will take me back to Pretoria.
For the present it enables me to
keep away from Pretoria, whore I
could be of no service. and where l
should only play into the hands of
the enemy"
"Tbey say. Mr. Kruger" remarked
tho correspondent. "that you have
brought with you gold to the value of
GO 600, 900"
"lt 10 not true." replied the presi.
dent. whatever monetary resources
! may have with me are simply those
which We require for state purposes.
At the same time, l am not going to
tell you where our treasure is Let
Lord Roberts find it If he can."
"They also cay in England, Mr.
Kruger. that you contemplate taking
refuge on Dutch man of war at Lo.
renzo MARQUES
THAT again is lie," retorted the
president. with vehemence. IL know
of no Dutch vessel am not con.
templating taking refuge anywhere
shall not leave my country There
will be no need for me to do anything
Of the kind"
The Correspondent-Then, sir,
there is much surprise at your hav
ing left mrs Kruger behind
President Kruger-But why a.? Mrs
Kruger is quite safe in Pretoria. She
would only be put to personal incon.
venience here, All communication
between us 10 stopped of course, but
che will await my return with calm.
ness and courage. She is q brave
woman l am awaiting further infor.
nation We are surrounded by faith.
ful burghers and are quite safe.
State Secretary Reitz remarked:
"You may depend on it that the war is
not yet over. Guerrilla warfare will
continue over an enormous area. We
intend to fight to the bitter end and
shall probably retire upon Lydeu burg,
where We can hold out for many
months "
Yes" observed Mr. Kruger. "i. is
only DOW that the real struggle hes
begun. fear that there will still be
much bloodshed but the fault is that of
the British government"
Than ra;o;n, L.. 49,: