The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-09-18

to stand. Those are victories they can
not be proud Of"
Then, as IL reverting to the troubles
In China, he abruptly asked me what
America would do IL Germany and Eng
land combined in q war against Russia,
France and China. To this question
expressed the belief that America
would remain neutral and would take
no action beyond that which might be
necessary in protecting American lives
and property in China. He thought for
a rnoment or two, and, as his next re-
mark indicated, his thoughts were Of
Germany and her alliance with Eng
land.
1.-THE dispatches say that Germany
and America and England are acting
together. Germany has treated us very
badly. The emperor encouraged us
greatly before the war, but since the
war has begun he has rendered us no
help whatever, and has even been con-
graduating England on her victories"
His voice was rather contemplative
as he spoke these words, and 1 have no
doubt that among those professions of
bitter memories his treatment by EN-
peror William will be the most frequent
to pass in review.
] was also curious to know how Dom
Paul regarded the actions Of the big
political parties in the United States,
both of which intended, so 1 had read,
to pass pro-Boer resolutions at their
conventions. 1t was evident that the
president had not been following po-
litical gossip in the American news
papers, for he seemed mystified by the
question, and simply answered that he
4. n 4. ~Gz1 a. Aal.
the movements of the American politi-
clans.
NOT DISHEARTENED.
The conversation then veered to gen.
| eral discussion of the present prospects
of the Beers. When talking on the topic
he was vigorous in his speech, but his
heavy, massive features gave no indi-
cation of either hopefulness or despair.
President Kruger Is certainly not hand
some. Every feature large and course,
| and / looked in vain for the fatherly,
| sympathetic expression of which had
heard so many of his admirers speak.
1t was not there. Every line is hard and
| severe. But, as If to make up for his
| lack of gentleness, there Is tremendous
/ power in the lionlike head, the huge,
pear shaped nose and the stern, harsh
mouth-a power which cannot fail to
impress strongly any one who sees him.
According to the words of Dom Paul
the outlook is not bad.
"Our troops are still operating in both
the Transvaal and the Free State" he
said, through Mr.. Reitz. MANY bur-
ghers who were disheartened at the fall
of Pretoria and johannesburg are again
resuming their arms. England has now
less than ine-third Of the Transvaal.
while in the Free State we have taken
100 prisoners since England practi-
cally declared that district pacified.
England can beat us on the open veldt,
for she outnumbers us ten to one, but
she cannot beat us in the mountains.
Their supplies are cut off and the Brit
ish soldiers in Pretoria are suffering
greatly for food. Since the Boer victory
at Bronkhorst Hoek the people have
regained confidence and are far more
J hopeful than they were four weeks ago.
Even now the burghers are massing in
! big numbers east of Pretoria. Does that
look as If we were beaten?
SUPPLIES IN THE MOUNTAINS.
; I'VE have supplies to last us year IN
these mountains. We have plenty of
| anu ldNS iOl lhdily
men in the war. The British have gain
, ed territory, but they now have so much
that they will find it very difficult, If
l not impossible, to preserve their long
= lines of communication and food sup
! plies"
This rather long review Of the situa-
I ton was delivered in scraps, Mr.. Reitz
r interrupting from time to time to in
| terpret II in short sections
5 At the conclusion Of it the interview
: was terminated by general hand-shak-
s ing. AS left the college Mr.. Jacobs
came running out with further piece
S of information which Mr.. Kruger
= wished me to hear.
1.-THE president says that in addition
to the $500 British prisoners at Nooit-
3 gedacht there are about LOO more on
their way here from the Free State. If
they get through safely they will be here
in day or two"
Conditions may change radically be-
8 fore these lines are printed, but at the
= present time any one who talks with
j President Kruger will be convinced
e that the old man is far from giving in,
;. and that Great Britain will have many
: months more of desperate mountain
Il fighting before she subdues the bell
= ligerent and tenacious spirits Of the old
!. Boer leader and his followers.