The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-16
gave AID TO THE Beers
Examination of the Netherlands
Railway officials.
Sensational Facts Brought Out by
kretsch mar-DctcrEaincd to stake
All ON Victory of the Burghcrs-
Ordered the Bridges Destroyed.

PRETORIA, Oct. 15.-In the taking of
evidence by the concessions commission
regarding the match monopoly the con-
cessionaire testified that he relied for
profits solely on the duty imposed TN i'm
ported matches and on all match ma
terials.
The examination into the Netherlands
Railway matter brought out some sensa-
tional evidence. Director Won Kretsch-
mar gave the details of the directorate
here and in Holland. He was asked to
explain the amount of G. 900 appearing
in the accounts as directors expenses. but
replied that he could give no details.
When questioned regarding his cor
respondence with the company's director
in Holland, he tried to imply that the
letters that had passed between them
were private. He stated that he had con-
sidered the position of the company in
the event of war. He had relied en- Ar
ticle MIL defining the duties of the rail-
way to the State in the event of war. He
did not think that the question of war
necessitated a meeting Of the directors.
The Holland board was fully informed,
and he had received no objection from
them regarding the conduct of the COM
pany.
Director Won Kretschmar was next ex-
amined regarding entries in his diary.
which was found by the British. The diary
showed that Kretschmar, prior. to the out
break of war, even as early as July, had
urged General Joubert TO make prepara-
tions for hostilities. He eventually form
ed plan for destroying culverts near the
Natal border. General Joubert commenced
operations with extreme reluctance. Won
Kretschmar's representations were upheld
by President Kruger, Mr.. Wolmarens, a
non official member of the executive
council, and others.
In September the Beers were confident
of winning in the event of hostilities. In
Won Kretschmar's opinion it was best to
show a bold trent. He asked the execu-
tive council to pass a resolution COM
Wandering the railway. and this was
done. He issued service order which in
structed the staff regarding their duties
and provided Pay for the men remaining
in the service Of the company. Half pay
was provided for those employees who
Joined commands. Those employees who
refused to joint commands were dis
i charged without pay.
When asked if he knew of the company
or the Government having any right to
| command foreign subjects to fight against
| friendly State the witness replied that
he did not. Continuing his testimony
| Wolmarens said that some of the staff had
| been Communicated for special service,
such as destroying bridges. He appoint
ed a stan to exploit the Natal railways
4 and later the Colonial railways.
In a letter to Dubuy. Won Kretschmar
described the retreat to Modderspruit. and
| told of the destruction of all the bridges
from there to Glencoe. In another letter
! to the directors in Holland. Kretschmar
| admitted the hopelessness of the position
in the event of England winning. He said:
I'VE have compromised ourselves In
word and deed, have made cannon and
ammunition, destroyed bridges in English
territory, paid our staff on commando, and
assisted the Free State with persons and
material. There are letters. kilograms.
and witnesses to prove all this. / have
endeavored to get orders as far as pos
sible. but not always successfully. We
could never attempt to show that We could
| not do the acts: in fact, we were only too
| willing
Won Kretschmar further said he believed
England would not be severe owing to
+, her fear of annoying Continental share
holders The letter ended with a retort to
| the Afrikander Bond that it was evidently
| sorely touched by the Boer reverses as
previously it had requested data of deeds
OF heroism performed by Netherlands Rail-
way employees during the war, but was
then anxious for neutrality. which was
impossible.
I'VE are in the same boat. and must gain
the bank as best we can" the writer said.
The witness was also examined regard
ing the payment of G1.00O to Hargrove.
| G100 to Railway Commissioner Smyn. an
annuity to Statham, and the making OF
loans to Mendelssohn and Bruce, most OF
| which, he said. was done at the request
of State Secretary Reitz. The company
appeared to act as almoner for the Gov
eminent. The payment to Hargrove was
entered in the books as working ex-
penses.
Advocate Lohmac objected to vor
Kretschmar's testimony on the ground
that it would prejudice the proceedings in
Europe, but Commissioner Littleton over
ruled the objection. Further letters from
Won Kretschmar suggested the organiza-
ton of a combination of Germany. Hol-
land. and the Transvaal against Great
Britain. He informed the directors in
Holland of the danger of the prejudice
against Hollanders increasing If the police
were changed and said that already the
Hollanders were intensely hated.
He stated that it was his opinion that
the company could not expect much h IL
from Germany in the event of Great
Britain winning. In December he wrote
that he considered that the Beers ought
to be content with annexing Kimberley
Northern Natal, and Amatongaland Will
nelasoa Bay guaranteed as an interna
tional free port.
In response to questions asked by Com
missioner Won Hulstein Won Kre,schma
admitted that he had destroyed this let
ter.
] MORE RIIRGHERS YIEInIMG