Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-14
RECEPTION OF THE Beers
ELABORATE PREPARATIONS CAUSE
SOME CONCERN.
Events May Take such a Course That
the Government Cannot Extend Its
Good Omces When Needed.

The elaborate preparations making for the
reception of the Boer delegation. which is
expected to arrive at New York tomorrow,
have given anxious concern to the officials
here. Not only in New York. where the
delegation lands. but in other cities, even
including the national capital, arrange
ments are being made for demonstrations
In honor of the Beers, which. it is said by
officials Including some who are supposedly
in actual sympathy with the Boer cause,
threaten to destroy altogether the legiti-
mate object of their mission.
The government has already signified in
semi-officlal manner its disposition to
listen to these Boer representatives in an
unofficial capacity, which is. of course, the
only way in which they can be heard at ALL
But 1t is said that it may be found i'm
possible to do even that much if the Beers
are given such status through these pop
ular demonstrations. involving the partici-
patton OF many public men; that for the
national government to have any inter-
course with them would amount to a
breach of that neutrality which the United
States Is bound to observe during the ex-
fstence of hosti,ities between Great Britain
and the Beers
May Take q Political Turn.
1t is felt that there is also strong prob
ability that the receptions will take a po
litical turn; that the Boer delegates may
become involuntarily associated with at
tacks upon the administrations policy. and
so upon the administration itself, which
are apprehended from some OF the more i'm
pulsive speakers. who can always be count
ed upon to appear In evidence in these
mass meetings. In such case. of course.
any attempt to establish relations between
the Boer delegations and the government
will be attended with great difficulty, and
thus the delegates will probably be unable
to accomplish any legitimate purpose they
may have had when they embarked for the
United States.
Attitude of the State Department..
There Is reason to believe, notwithstand-
Ing the rather general impression to the
contrary, that the State Department stands
ready to come forward in the interests of
the Beers when the time is ripe, and that 1t
is closely watching the developments in
South Africa for the signal. But 1t is de-
termined that any action 1t may take in
such case shall be along the lines of exact
propriety. and that its good offices, if ex-
ered at all, shall be equally welcome to
both Of the combatants.
1t sometimes happens that in spirit OF
pride defeated nation courts absolute eX-
termination a nation at the hands OF
victor reluctant to deal the blow, and Sc
crety DESTROYS of the good offices of some
third party which will prevent the sacrifice.
1t may be thus with the Boer republics.
but If so. and if the United States govern
ment is to play the part of friendly media
ton at the last, it can do SO. according to
the officials VINO have this matter In hand.
only on condition that our absolute neu
trality shall have been maintained up to
the moment of the tender of our good Of
fees.