The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-28
DAVITT SAYS B0ERS
WERE BUFFERS
sYMPATHIzER LEAVES TRANS.
vAAL DIsGUsTED.
Gratitude Never Shown-Liberty or
Death Cry Before Battle of Kroon-
stadt a Sensational Play to CAL
leries.

BY Exclusive Wire from The Associated Press.
London, Sept 27.-The Pretoria cor
respondent of the Standard in a recent
dispatch throws an entirely new light
upon Michael Davitts experiments in
the Transvaal and his feelings toward
the Beers. In view of Mr.. Davitt's
contributions to the American press
during and subsequent to mis- visit to
the seat of war, the Standards dis
patch is of interests. 1t is as follows:
Mr.. Michael Davitt left Pretoria on
the 18th of May, broken and sick at
heart according to the words he him
self used on the railway platform. The
Rev. II. l. Bats, Baptist minister has
recorded them and they are testified
to by the Rev. Henry w. Goodwin,
Congregational minister.
" He told me- says Mr.. Bats, that
he that morning advised the Transvaal
government if they would commend
themselves in the eyes of the world and
obtain the sympathy of the European
nations that they should at once wire
Lord Roberts to this effect: Now that
the Free State is conquered and we
are quite unable to resist alone the
might of England in the interests of
shed we will surrender
Instead of doing this said Mr..
Davitt. they have sent a message of
a threatening character, telling Lord
Roberts that they will blow up the
mines or destroy Johannesburg If some
terms are not made. What the terms
are they do not state, and they do
not really mean to carry out the
ryNl,. l.. -. ,,vsI
them with ignominy and contempt be-
fore the civilized world. They purpose
prolonging the business without SER
iously meaning to fight for the one
object Of heaping up the bars of gold
they are taking from the mines and
of accommodating and boarding them
in obedience to the dictation of that
old man. Paul Kruger.
That oil d man, Paul Kruger con-
tinued Mr.. Davitt, is engaged in a
sort of spiritualist sCance business
with some blind boy, predicting events
that are 20 happen on certain days. [
came out here at my own expense; 1t
has cost me $500. l was full of en-
| thusiasm for these people. They know
me, they know my feelings, but they
have never trusted me. Today they
refused to give me any information as
to the situation for my papers, and l
go away broken and sick at heart. 1
am thoroughly disilusioned. For ma
to remain in this atmosphere is no
| longer possible; ! cannot endure It..
| They ask me'Why go away so soon?
| Things are not so bad as you think
| What said l. when 10000 men re-
| tire as at Kroonstad, and practically
run away without ring a shot
Burghers Are Ungrateful.
"'I went down to Kroonstad and saw
! their positions. They were excellent.
| The Beers thoroughly deceived me.
They assured me that they would dis
pute every inch of ground and would
! sell their liberties with their lives.
What happened you know. All along
the line | have been refused their con-
! fidence. and have been thoroughly de-
ceived. l wrote to my papers this rub
bsh about the grand stand that was
! to be made at Kroonstad-speaking
Through them to Europe. l would give
! 500 to withdraw what l have written
go away today, but do not know
that / can get British passport from
Delago Bay.
But, interposed Mr.. Bats. there
are other English journalists here be-
sides yourself
Yes replied Mr.. Davitt, but l am
| journalist plus politician. There is a
| difference
"A French baron came up at this
moment. That man. said Mr.. Davitt
has fought through the war He has
given up everything for their cause
Now he is going away a pauper, utter
ly neglected, without money enough tC
| pay his fare"