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.

"
London. June 8, 3 a 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 a 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 long pipe. He
looked worried, but mis- 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, cit
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 as FIVE hundred armed men
remain in the country. I feel deeply
encouraged by the fine work Steyn
and Dewet are doing in the Free
State +"
The correspondent suggested that
the war was over, inasmuch as the
capital had been taken.
"The capital !" exclaimed Mr
Kruger. with energy. "What is a
capital ? 1t does not coneist of any
particular collection Of bricks and
mortar The capital of the republic.
the 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 -
Referring to the reasons why he
left Pretoria, Mr. Kruger SAID !:
II was not foolish enough to be
taken a prisoner. I provided this
means of locomotion precisely for the
same reason as our burghers supply
themselves With horses when they
take the field
"It 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, where
could be of no service. and where
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
e. 900, 900 s"
"It is not true," replied tine presi.
dent. "Whatever monetary resources
] 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 Lei
Lord Roberts find it If be can :"
"They also say in England, MI
Kruger, that you contemplate taking
refuge on Dutch man of war at 10.
reno Marques "
THAT again is lie,' retorted the
president, with vehemence. 81 know
of no Dutch vessel | am not con-
templating taking refuge anywhere
i 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 ? Mrs
Kruger is quite safe in Pretoria. She
would only be put to personal incon-
| veDlenCe mere. All communication
between US is stopped of course, but
she will await my return with calm
ness and courage. She is brave
woman l am awaiting further infor.
nation We are surrounded by faith
full burghers and are quite safe.
State Secretary Re;tz remarked !:
"You may depend on it that the war is
rot yet over. Guerrilla warfare will
continue over an enormous area We
intend to fight to the bitter end and
shall probably retire upon Lydepburg,
where we can hold out for many
months -
yes" observed Mr. Kruger, sit is
only now tn. the real struggle hss
begun fear that there will still be
;auch boodshed but tie fault is that Of
the British eoveromeo, y
Then raising bis voice {, 40 almost
passionate height, Mr. kyager exc'aim
ea The time has passed Cor Us &c
tsi:.. We aavc aane plenty Of ;.laf,