The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-11-23

from the barge to the shore.
Mr.. Kruger was borne on an irresisti-
bic wave of enthusiasm from the landing
stage to his hotel. The broad streets and
boulevards through which the route lay
presented perfect sea of human beings,
all gathered there prompted by the unani-
| nous desire to welcome the aged Boer
| statesman.
From the moment the white, u cared
barge left the side Of the Gelderland with
Mr. Kruger, who appeared to be in good
health, sitting in her stern, surrounded
| by the Boer representatives, including
DR. Leyds and Messrs. Fischer and Wes-
sells, storm of cheering broke and never
ceased until Mr.. Kruger entered his hotel
Even then a vast concourse Of people re-
manned in front of the building until Mr..
Kruger appeared on the balcony where
he had to remain for some time, uncov-
cred, acknowledging the acclamations Of
his thousands of admirers, who continued
cheering until they were hoarse from
shouting
THE BOERS WILL NEVER YIELD.
Replying to the addresses of welcome
of the presidents of the Paris and Mar
selles committees, Mr. Kruger spoke in
At
his words with energetic movements of
his hat which he held in his right hand.
He said
Il thank the President of the Marseilles
committee and the President of the Cen
trail committee of the independence OF
the Beers for their welcome | thank all
this population assembled in great con-
course to greet me- for although / wear
fney ho ,icf
country, and although 1 have not come
to seek festivities. still ! nevertheless
| accept with all my heart these acclama-
tions, for l know they are dictated
by the emotions which are inspired in
you by our trials and by your sympathy
for our cause. which is that of liberty.
This has awakened you. am truly proud
and happy at having chosen as my point
OF landing a port in France to set foot
on free soil and to be received by you
as free man. But my first duty is to
thank your government for all the tokens
of interest that again only recently it
was pleased to give me.
II believe England, had she been bet
ter informed, would never have consented
to this war and since the expedition of
Jameson, who wished to seize the two
republics without the necessity of firing
rifle shot. / have never ceased to de-
mand a tribunal of arbitration, which up
to now has always been refused.
THE war waged on us in the two Re-
publics has reached the last limits OF bar
barism. During my/1ife 1 have had to
fight many times the savages of the
tribes Of Africa. but the barbarians we
have to fight now are worse than the
others. They even urge the Kaffrs
against us. They burn the farms we
worked so hard to construct and they
drive out our women and children whose
husbands and brothers they have killed
or taken prisoners, leaving them unpro-
tected and roofless and often without
bread to eat But whatever they may do
we will never surrender. We will fight
to the end. Our great impershable con-
fldence. reposes in the External, in our
God. We know our cause is just and if
the justice of men is wanting to us, He,
the Eternal, who is Master Of all peo-
pies, and to whom belongs the future,
will never abandon us
Il assure you that If the Transvaal and
the Orange Free State must lose their in
dependence it will be because all the Boer
people have been destroyed with their
women and children
The declaration that the Beers would
not surrender dispelled at once any i'm
preston that Mr.. Kruger intends to ac-
cept compromise from the British Gov
ernment. His announcement was greeted
with roar of cheers and cries of "Vive
Kruger!" "Vive les Boers!" 'Vive la
liberte!"
The sun was shining down on Mr.. Kru-
ger and he held up his hat to shade his
eyes from the glare, which apparently
was painful TO his eyes. As he stood in
this attitude, his head slightly bowed,
with his hair brushed back, he was an
unutterably pathetic figure, which at
once won the sympathy and reverence
--of every person present.
The speech making over, a procession
was formed and Mr.. Kruger was escort
Cd TO his hotel amid the acclanatons Of
the crowds which Mr.. Kruger repeatedly
acknowledged
KRUGER EMBRACES THE TRI-COLOR.
Soon after arriving at the hotel in re-
sponse TO a thunderous ovation he ap-
pearcd on the balcony and repeatedly
bowed but as some ten minutes elapsed
without sign of abatement in the on
thusiasm he spoke a few words which
were interpreted in French by Or. Leyds
and were followed by a renewal of the
frenzy. Finally, to testify his gratitude
he took in his hand a corner OF the
French tri-color that was flying from the
balcony between the Transvaal and free
States liag and pressed 1t to his heart
again and again. The enthusiastic people
cheered him until he withdrew to his
rooms, which he found half filled with
bouquets and garlands presented by his
admirers.
The prcfect and mayor then called to
pay their respects, the latter, M. FIais-
stores, making an eloquent speech in
sympathy with the Beers.
Mr.. Kruger replied briefly, declaring
how deeply he had been touched by the
unexpected warmth Of his reception in
Marseiles and by the sympathy OF the
FRENCH people.
After luncheon and a little repose
Mr.. Kruger descended to the hall Of the
hotel, where he received the delegations.
This proved too fatiguing, and he asked
that the addresses be presented TO him
in writing and then withdrew again to
his apartments, where he passed the
evening quietly, receiving no one.