New-York tribune., 1900-03-16
PRO-BOER MASS MEETING.
MONTAGU WHITE, MR.. VESSELS AND
OTHERS SPEAK IN COOPER UNION.

spite the bad weather was large and enthusiastic.
More than four-hfths of the seats occupied.
On the pla atform number of ministers. En-
thusiastc applause greeted every tribute to the
bravery and worth of the Beers. while groans and
jeers were reserved for things British and for
those suspected of having friendship for Great
Britain. President McKnleys hissed
because he has not assisted the republics, and
Rudyard Kiplng's Kissed because Montague
White intimated that he was hater of the Beers.
1t was a typical East Side audience, made up
largely of workingmen always ready to comment
strong sentiment from the speakers and
prone interject irony and fun at the expense of
England
Ex-Judge Van Hoesen presided. and said, among
other things, that the would not be over till
the last able bodied Boer had given up his life for
the defence of his country. He said this Govern
ment in duty bound to do something to stop
the war, and he inclined be bitter against
the President for his moderate language In the Of
hcial correspondence following the request by Pres
idents Kriiger and Steyn intervention by all the
Powers. He declared that England would not be
able to maintain her position in Europe to-day but
for the fear the part of the Powers that she had
secret understanding with this Government and that
the American Army and Navy will be used to back
her This greatly angered the crowd. The
speaker said that England would dare quarrel
with the United States, and redheaded lrishman
In the third row said
Right We air-she tried it twict'
The speaker advanced the proposition that If the
continued President Krtiger would be
mines of the Rand This would mean a loss of
100000 600 year to commerce. and affect Amer
ica's material interests, and therefore this country
justified in interfering ex-Judge Van Hoesen
contended
Montague White was greeted with cheers. hand
capping, whstling and good natured din that
lasted for nearly three minutes. He said he re-
allied the greeting not for Mr.. White. but for
the governments he had the honor represent.
He referred to Rudyard Kiplings observations in
the papers yesterday criticised them looked
pleased when the audience hissed Kiplng's name
and then went into the early history of the Beers
in Cape Colony Natal and finally in the Transvaal.
Referring to the time when he alleged Great
Britain began to encroach upon the South African
republics Mr. White said it dated from the moment
when diamonds discovered in the Transvaal.
1t then that England fshed obsolete
treaty-a treaty which in any of law would
have been declared worthless, he said.
Tracing his way through the history of the
troubles in South Africa. Mr. White got around to
the jameson raid which he described the most
scandaous act of brigandage that had been
committed by civilized country. Not from the
time of the Middle Ages had that raid had paral
lei. Great Britain had been unrelenting. Mr. White
declared in badgering the South African republics
and, while it had given various excuses for that
badgering process no in South Africa had been
blind England's real object.
There things perhaps in the Transvaal
which need betterment." Mr. White said but the
Transvaal is not alone in that There is country
In the world but has some agitation going within
its boundaries, either for the amelioration of the
people the improvement of the administration |
We acknowledge that there things which |
required betterfng, and if time had been given to
would have put our house in order But |
time not given to u.s. no sooner was one matter |
settled than another presented"
Mr.. White continued:
We come now to the last, act of the drama |
Lord Salisbury in his dispatch to the presi
dents of the South African republics has stated |
upon England when she not prepared for it, |
Well, that may do for home consumption. but not |
for those who have followed the whole history of |
the conflict, and will certainly not take in the |
before the ultimatum was sent was to Vote sup
plies and to authorize the mobizaon Of an an army
"Of course Dom Paul Kruger was fool to send |
fool if he had not done So There We're only two
6c %a Of die sne gen pa
F 9a and ST S 6a Tne o
them T6ey Would have taken S our 0 hdependehce ace
and besSoWed it upon Rhodes and the fnanciers
blushingly shown what the aim of England Is |
6s the IT viii bd 6 ag THE s % IF
Sc SOUTH ba A5TGa At do not sRfak as so
Afrean-when l say that there is no settlement
the Dutch citizens in South Africa
have heard a great many people attempt to
was one Of those who held to the idea of having
people Of the world, / hope the day viii be far
distant before 1t is case with this country Of |
the South African republics.
/
garding the destruction of Johannesburg which has
given rise TO certain amount not of agitation |
far any vindIcve feeling is Concerned Johannes
burg is as free Brooklyn. But there is this |
war you cannot be expected to provide drawing
% room for your enemys soldiers; Now in the case
nothing by maintaining it for defensive purposes
Bloemfontein would have been an act of wanton /
destruction. But Johannesburg is altogether a |
south Afcan point of m view it has If9a
he
English. That would be act of Quixotic gen |
fy % r for whh Fy here would n6d hfSe m to
the laws of humanity or the rules Of warfare in |
/ am now, going to touch upon delicate ground. |
upon the Administration CAT this point Mr.. White |
was interrupted for nearly minute while the |
groaned at the name of Mckinley You must un-
derstand my position | am not here tonight |
true American citizen, whether he be Democratic |
any attacks upon the Administration but / only |
hope you Will give to the President of the United
want him to do-that is. to put a stop TO this
war. 1t is for you to speak in uncertain voice as
within measurable distance of seeing an honorabIe
solution of this trouble in South Africa.
feel sure that there can be peace unless the |
rights of the Dutch are respected. If the South |
dependence l feel perfectly certain that the Dutch
and English will live together in amty But there
must be no interference from the outside.
Mr. White frequently cheered in the course |
of his speech, and when he resumed his seat the |
applause long sustained P. Louter Vessels |
of the Orange Free State, in the course of brief
address. said that the average outside idea of a |
Boer man behind a rock with gun. But |
he went on, I'VE do rot always fight behind stones.
When needful We can show brave front, |
have done in the past and shall do in the future.
We hope prove to you that have right to
that ho1ya rio bla