The evening times., 1900-01-22
WITH KRUGER AND STEYN.
A Correspondent VisItp the PresI-
dents of the African RePubIics.
Especial Correspondence.l

Especial Correspondence
PRETORIA, Dec. AFTER despatching
my letter OF November 10, your CORE
spondent spent several days in observa-
ton OF affairs at the government building
The few officials who remain, work quietly
and steadily. BY far the greatest pressure
Of state affairs falls upon Mr. F. ". Re.tz,
the State Secretary.
In company with Mr.. Reitz. called one
afternoon on President Kruger. The old
President who is now seventy-five years
Old, rose quickly from his seat on my ar
rival. and asked me where / had been
wandering tor the past six years" l told
him all over the world and lately in New
York. 1 had met him nineteen years pre-
riOusly under very similar circumstances.
IL was upon his return from England n
1850. at Kimberley. few weeks before he
was to declare war for the first time
against England
The man before me now was evidently
the same strong, obstinate person. There
/ was the same quick look from the COZ iuer
OF his eye. the same husky harsh. and
aggravating voice. His coat might have
been worn for the six years Of nv alb
sence, the Kruger hat was the same. The
old mans eyes were plainly very sore. and
must cause him great irritation but / an
told that since the declaration OF war he
has been abnormally amiable.
OGr conversation opened with America
told the President that when / left the
United States considerable amount Of
public sentiment was veering around in IA
Vor Ct the republic. To this he replied. in
laughing way, that he thought the
Americans would do all that the English
men asked them 20 do: in fact. they will
join the English against Africa"
That very day. he said news had
been cabled that the American warshins
had been ordered 70 South Africa as
token of good viii TO England
l took train on the 24th for BloemfOn-
tein and after many delays went on with
a trainlOad of Traansvalers who we're
bound for the front. On arriving 1 found
the town in it's customary Sabbath calm
few children and women were on the
Platform ~ We ran into the handsome sta
lion. but there was no expression OF well
come shown to the train load Of fighting
men from the north.
! started out that afternoon to find the
government secretary. but the government
building all was silence and locked doors.
Neither guards nor attendants were visi-
bic. So l returned and after a while found
the editor OF the Express % who took me
10 the local white House" where I met
President Steyn, who was sitting with
few friends in front OF his house Presi-
dent Steyn also referred to America. but
not with the same good nature as did Pres
ident Kruger. He said he had made per
sonal appeal 70 President Mckinley for ar
hitration but had been refused
America" he said has evidently ar
rived al an understanding with England.
The Republican idea Is dead. We are
looked upon as vassals OF England. but we
viii show the world that We are able 10
defend our liberty as long as Ne have life"
He referred also. with some bitterness. to
the cape COLONY politicians OF the African
party as men whose sole idea OF assist
anse was 70 get up a subscription FOR The
WIDOWS and orphans
Our friends the g" he added. are our
greatest enemies. We can do without
them q"