The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-12-18
kRUGER'S PLAN FOR |
TREATY WITH AMERICA
BLOCKED BY sLAiNE's REFUSAL
TO RECEIVE HIS AMERI-
CAN ENVOY.
Representative Of the Trsnsvaai Gov
eminent Spent $4,000 Appropri-
alton in Vain Trip-Seeond Gem
Mission Never Started.
from the chicago Inter Ocean.

From the Chicago Inter Ocean
The arrival of President Kruger IN
France serves to recall an interesting
piece Of unwritten history concerning
the erstwhile Boer republic, that is in.
terlinked with the United States. II
was in 1889 that President Kruger
evolved a plan for q treaty between
this country and his own. At that time
johannesburg was becoming promi-
nent. through the efforts OF American
miners. as a gold center. II was the
trade Mecca in southern Africa for
England and her colonies. Kruger
even then had a bitter feeling toward
John Bull" and a fervent admiration
for the United States. According TO
the convention Of 1881. the Transvaal
government had no power to enter
into any diplomatic negotiations with
any other power Except the Orange
Free Statel without England consent
The revised convention of 1884 gave
the Beers the right to enter into treaty
with foreign powers. but IL England OBJ
jected within six months the treaty
became null and void.
ion Cd the 1884 convention, planned
for treaty with this country, which
would have been beneficial to the
United States commercially, and at
the same time would have been OF
immense value to the Boer republic
diplomaticallv. BY this treaty Krue-
ger expected to have the United States
become a sort OF big brother" to the
Transvaal There was only one per-
son that prevented 1t. II was the late
James G. Blaine.
Blocked by James 6. Blaine.
there was at that time at the Boer
capital an American named Fisher.
President Kruger had taken fancy
to Mr.. Fisher and it was to him that
he made known his plans for an Amer
-Transvaal treaty. The idea took
with the American. There was money
in IL for him both coming and going.
Among other things that Mr.. Kruger
desired was the arrangement OF trade
relations between the United States
and the Transvaal. providing that
goods sent from this country should
be landed at Delagoa Bav. In this
manner the Transvaal president hoped
TO cripple British railroads and trade
in South Africa. Had he been sue
cessful in his desire IL is probable that
he would still be president in fact at
Pretoria. instead OF an exile from his
land and people.
IL Is probable that IL Kruger had
sent over a Boer commission in 1889,
Secretary of State James G.. Blaine
would have considered seriously their
desires. Blaine was. however, opposed
to any American meddling with the
diplomatic affairs Of other nations,
and on this account he would not re-
ceive Fisher. The treaty fell through
and the Transvaal government was out
$4,000 IL had given to Fisher to travel
in STYLE as its representative to the
United States.
Il was in 1894 that the writer made
a second visit to the Transvaal. the
previous one being in 1879. While
stopping at the Northwestern hotel N
johannesburg DR.. Leyds. lnen Trans
vaal secretary OF state. met the writer
and discussed fully the probabilities
of securing a treaty between the
Transvaal and the United States. 1t
was DR. Levds who related the fact
Of Mr. Fishers failure and OF the
treaty with this country.
Renewed Efforts for Treaty.
The dark clouds OF war were gradu
allv gathering over the Transvaal ut
this time and Kruger wanted II pos
sible to secure a powerful commercial
ally. This country seemed to impress
him as best adapted to his purpose.
Every phase of the question so far as
the benefit to this country was con-
cerned was reviewed by the astute
DR.. Levds. who kept as far as possible
in the background the Interior motive
of the TransvaaL.
The writer at this time advised that
the Transvaal government send COM
mission OF FIVE of the best educated
Beers to this country with complete
power to mase a treaty. He also sug-
gested that an American be sent with
them simply as an escort. but to have
no part in anv diplomatic proceedings.
AT this time Or. Leyds believed that
such course could be adopted. Mr.
Schmidt. the Trausvaal minister Of
RAILWAYS. who was present, also APP
proved the plan.
n was about month later. In No
vemher. 1894 that the writer was tele-
yranhed for to meet committee ut
President Krueser's house. II appears
that Or. Levds had laid the whole plan
before hrueger and had urged him to
act. At this first conference in the
presidents house were the president,
DIR. Ievds. General Joubert. Mr..
Schmidt and the presidents nephew,
who acted as secretary.
Old Kruger was a study. He sat nj
a table with long nipe in his month.
a huge cuspidor at his feet and a bag
Of tobacco at his elbow. Dom Paul
would not speak English. though he
can do so fiuentlv. Little was heard
from him but grunt OF approval as
his conferees talked with him In the
Boer tongue. After the discussion had
proceeded for some time Kruger ask
ed what the cost OF sen9sug such a
commission 70 this country would be-
The writer placed Il at about $50. 600.
Willinu to Spend $4,000.
The sum did not appear too high for
the old president. and he was very
anxious to have the treaty enacted
The writer was made guest at the
presidents residence, and every after
noon during the time that he was At
Krneger's house the American Trans
vaal treaty was discussed. The chief
object that the Beers had then in mind
was the crippling OF British trade with
Johannesburg II was decided that ar
the next meeting of the raAd the COM
mission should be authorized and an
ME money Droyided