The Portland daily press., 1900-06-08
Only Now That Real Struggle
Has Begun, He Says.

London, June $500 a. m.-The exec
utive offices Of the Transvaal government
are In railway car which Is shunted at
a switch at Machadorp station. President
Kruger caused the interior Of the coach
to be reconstructed some time ago with
view to contingencies that have now ar
rived. A correspondent of the Daily Ex-
press who went from Lourenco Marques
to see President Kruger was received yes
terday. The President sat smoking a long
pipe. He looked worried, but his bearing
was quiet and dignified. He did not make
the least objection to being inter viewed.
The correspondent was equipped for the
interview with cables from London.
YES" said President Kruger, ''is is
quite true that the British have occupied
Pretorla. This, however, does not mean
fully determined to fight to the last.
They will never surrender so long as five
hundred armed men remain in the coun-
try. i feel deeply encouraged by the fine
work Stein and De Wet are doing in the
Free State.'' The correspondent sug-
gested that the war was over. inasmuch as
the capital had been taken.
"The capital" exclaimed Mr.. Kruger
with energy, ''what is capital"
"It does not consist Of any particular
collection OF bricks and mortar. The
capital of the republic. the seat Of govern
lnent is here in this car. There is no
magic about any special site. Our
country is invaded 1t is true, but it is not
conquered. The government is still effec-
tive.'
Referring to the reasons why he left
Pretoria, Mr.. Kruger said:
"I was not 50 foolish as to be taken
prisoner. provided this means of loco
motion precisely for the same reason as
our Burghers supply themselves with
horses when they take the field.
at is necessary that / should be able to
move quickly from place to place. That is
all. Bye and bye this car will take me
back to Pretoria. For the present 1t en-
ables me to keep away from Pretoria,
W here 1 could be of no service and where
1 should only play into the hands of the
enemy"
"They say Mr.. Kruger, +" remarked the
correspondent, that you have brought
with you gold to the value of 1000 600
pounds.
"It is not true' replied the Pre- sident.
"Whatever monetary resources i may
have with me are simply those which we
require for state purposes. At the same
time / am not going to tell you where our
treasure is. Let Lord Roberts find it If
he can."
"rhey also say in England, Mr.. Kruger
that you contemplate taking refuge on
Dutch man-of-war at Lourenco Marquee"
"Tbat again is lie," retorted the
President with emphasis. II know of no
Dutch war vessel. / am not contemplat-
ing taking refuge anywhere. I shall not
leave my country. There will be no need
for me TO do anything Of the kind"
The correspondent-'Th sir, there is
much surprise at your having left Mrs.
Kruger behind
President Kruger-"But why? Mrs.
Kruger is quite safe in Pretoria. She
would only be put to personal incon-
venience here. All communication be-
tween us is stopped of course; but she
will await my return with calmness and
courage. She is q brave woman. / am
here awaiting further information. We
are surrounded by faithful Burghers and
are quite safe
State Secretary Reitz remarked:
"You may depend upon 1t that the war
is not yet over. Guerilla warfare will
continue over an enormous area We in
tend to fight to the bitter end and shall
probably retire upon Lydenburg where
we can hold out for many mopths."