Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-05-05
EBMLEMoF PEACE
Boer Delegates Given Silver
Palm as God-Speed.
On Their Way tothe United States
British Operations Around Bloem.
fontein-LOng Expected Forward
Movement Seems Probable "Ail
Well at Mafeking."

The Hague, May 3.-The Boer dele
gates started yesterday afternoon for
Rotterdam on their way to the United
States. A great crowd at the station
bade them farewell. Floral tributes
reached the delegates from all parts Of
the country. A committee of the South
African union presented the delegates
with silver palm as an emblem of
peace. Hymns were sung by the school
children gathered at the station, and
Messrs. Fischer and Wolmarans made
short speeches, thanking the popuiace
for the kindly reception extended to
them by "a people united to them by
bonds of race and religion"
The delegates saided today. In re-
sponse to the request of Il representative
Of the Associated Press for a final state
ment regarding what they had accom-
plished in Europe. and as to what they
hoped to accomplish in America. and as
to how the refusal of Secretary Hay to
receive them at Washington officially
would affect their mission, Mr.. Fischer
made the following statement:
Briefly, the object of our visit to the
United States is to appeal TO the govern
ment and people in order to seek the re-
establishment Of peace. We have, thus
far, only visited Holland, because the
people are of our race. and We wish to
see the resolutions adopted at the peace
conference applied in our case. We have
reasons to believe that we shall not lack
support here If an occasion favorable to
the establishment of peace arises.
| I.o, a
have obtained Information. We think
We shall do well to go now to the United
States. a sister republic. where the peo-
pie had the same struggle century ago
which our people are now having. We
are going to the home of a free people.
"The United States are free and great
above all in love of liberty and justice.
We are going with the object to rectify
| erroneous opinions and to make the
truth known. Our enemies say much
which they cannot prove and have thus
led many into error. We are convinced
that If the truth is known no civilized
nation will refuse to support us.
"The principal charge is that we have
desired and sought the war. We will try
TO demonstrate the falseness of this. We
only desire peace and the tranquil pos
session of what is as dear TO us as it is
to the American people-our indepen-
dence, without injuring the rights of
other peoples. We do not make appeal
to one or the other American parties, but
to the American people as whole. hop
ing that all parties will unite on tbs
common platform, as the grandeur of the
American people will be further IN
TO ,tl -
combat for its rights and liberty. Our j
object is to end this cruel outpouring o.!
the blood of all combatants, especially
that of our kindred in the Free state,
who are Indispensable to our eXisterce as
a nation. We hope this appeal to the
government and people of the United
States will not be in vain, and that our
way of carrying on the war has demon
strated that we have the right to demand
an independent existence for our people
and country in South Africa"
Replying to a question as to the con-
ditions which would now satisfy the two
republics. Mr.. Fischer said he could not
add anything to the foregoing decara-
tion.
Concerning the Washington dispatches |
saying the United States government |
would not receive the deputation Of
fcially. Mr.. Fischer said: I'VE know
absolutely nothing. We have seen it in
the papers, but we can say nothing
more"
While Mr.. Fischer was speaking Mr.
Vessels listened attentively, but con.
fined himself to q few words of endorse
ment.
London, May at seems more than
likely that the operations of the British
east and north of 3loemfontein will de-
velop into the long-expected forward
movement. the ultimate object Of which
10 the taking Of Pretoria. Three col.
umns apparently are converging on
Without the Beers succeed
in stopping Maxwell. Bothas line of
communications to the north are in dan
ger AS one days march would place the
British astrlde OF the roads either to
or Brandfort. and fuckers
force is likely to prevent any Boer force
from Brandfort coming to the aid Of the
burghers fronting the British. Tho
whole movement, If successful. should
result in turning the Boer position at
Brandfort, where the main body of the
Transvaal army Is said to be, and give
he British Winburg.
The immediate objective of Lord
Roberts is to establish "a line of British
posts from one frontier Of the Free State
to the other at right angles with the rail
way. thus preventing Boer raids SOUTH
ward. 1t is essential, therefore. that the
Beers should be expelled from the rugged
district and be forced to re-
tire to Ladybrand
AS the result Of the desultory firing
and Tuesday the Beers were
pushed back a few miles; but nothing
decisive appears to have been yet at
tanned.
The Beers continue to follow their har-
RAISING tactics. One well-horsed COM
mando, operating in the neighbor hood Of
5annas Post interferes with the British
conveys going from Bloemfontein to
rhabanchu. The enemy nearly cap
.ured convoy Tuesday. but they were
driven off after brisk fight.
Preparations for an advance continue
1t Kimberley. Sir Alfred Miner has
written to the mayor of Kimberley as
'uring him that the relief OF Mafeking
las not ceased to occupy his attention.
md that Of the military authorities. and
hat nothing will be left undone to raise
he siege at the earliest possible mo-
nent
The British garrisons along the rail-
way to Warrenton have been strength
.ned and supplies are going forward a
mounted force has gone to Barkly West
n consequence Of the Beers having oc-