Washington sentinel., 1900-04-07
Local 'Notes
Hon. Webster Davis Resigns to Speak
for the Beers.

resignation to the President as Assistan
Secretary Of the Interior IN order to have
no res .ric:ion placed upon him in giving
free vent to his views on the Soutf
African situation.
AS is well known. Mr.. Davis, less thar
a week ago, returned from a visit tc
Cape Town, Lourenco Marquee, anc
the Boer republics, where he was a
spectator ofsome ofthe most interesting
features of the pending conflict. From
his observations and careful study OF the
situation, MIR. Davis concluded that the
BOer side had been Systematically
obscured, perverted, and misrepresented
by the British officials and the
British press, and that the American
people are entitled to know the fac!s in
the case as they appear to a disinterested
witness
He is determined to make his views
known, and will deliver a number Of
public addresses in the leading cities
OF the United States, begin ling to-
morrow night, when he will speak to an
audience at the Grand Opera House in
this city.
Mr., Davis feels that he cannot Weld to
his sYmpathies as a public exponent OF
the cause OF the Beers without embar.
RAISING the Administration while he
remains in the service Of the Govern.
ment.
Speaking of his trip to South Africa
and of what he saw there that prompted
the step he has taken, Mr.. DAVIS said:
III was given every opportunity to
make observations, and saw the people
of the twin republics under all condi.
tions. I was shown the investment OF
Ladysmith and over the battlefield OF
Spion Kop. saw the people in their
homes, out in the veldt in their camps,
and marching to the front with the same
spirit that distinguished the patriots OF
the American Revolution. l saw the
hospitals, the dying and wounded in the
laagers and in the hospital trains, and l |
soon realized that these people had been |
traduced and maliciously maligued; that |
they are not only a brave and liberty |
loving people, but as generous, hospit-
able aud warm hearted as any people in
the world.
II made up my mind then that would
do what lay in mp power 10 make their
cause known, for the appealing faces OF
those who bade me farewell at the station
on my departure would have haunted
me in my dreams if did not spe ak out
for them,
"They are making the most heroic
fight for liberty and independence that
the world has ever Witnessed, and If |
were the only man in America to raise
his voice for them IN the cause of Justice
and divine right, would take up the
battle single handed, for people which
without moneV, resources, or the bope
of recuperation, will fight a power a
thousand times richer, greater and
mightier in defense Of home and country
deserves the poor comfort of fair hear
ing by the American people.
Feeling that can give expression to
my views as private citizen better than
could il should remain in Office, in
other words, desiring 10 relieve the
of any embarrassment
Or responsibility for my views, have
my place.
L have no sensational! developments
% spring, no startling revelations to
make, nor any desire to dip into the
Nacrum case, as has been alleged; nor
I'm doing this to make fortune as a )
ecturer, as some OF my interviewers
'llege. What l may do after have
honestly striVen to tell The public what d
have witnessed OF the Beers and the
var with Great Britain, and what my d
Jews on these subjects are, is a matter
or future consideration. My immediate
'urpose is to speak out in open meeting, >
where all who may wish may hear a =
lain story OF the Boer struggle for y
berty."
AS soon it became known that Mr..
Davis was willing to address an audience
IN the Boer question, a movement was
tarted TO furnish him with one of the e
argest downtown auditoriums in the Il
ity, and a call was issued inviting him o
D make an address, which was signed
umerously, the request including the u
Ames OF Rev. Father Stafford, Prof. w. p
MCGEE and other well known citizens u
the District.
The committee on arrangements ~
ngaged the Grand Opera House for the u
My vacant night available, and has
announced that Mr. Davis will address 81
le public tomorrow Eight in accordance &c
18th the call upon him. %
Il