The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-12
PERFECT CALM AT PRETORIA
re" Evidences OF wnr Apparent in
the Boer Capital

VI W Ut SPPFfthh
the BOer Capital.
PRETORIA. Jan 24.-The calm of the
boer capital and the seeming indifference
to the war and all connected with it are
something incomprehensible TO an Ameri-
can observer. 1t is doubtful il London
Itself is more lacking in all outward signs
OF the war in which Great Britain is en-
gagged than is this city. within two or
three hundred miles Of the nearest firing
lines. This Indifference. although. OF
course, apparent rather than real. is not
confined to outward appearances and man
ner of life; it extends even to everyday
intercourse.
The time, the Beers say. has gone by
for talk. the country has committed Itself
to life and death struggle, it has conf
dence in its leaders. and the subject is
too painful for unnecessary discussion
while the crisis Is pending.
There has been considerable change in
Boer sentiment, both official and popular,
toward the foreign volunteers who come
in very small numbers TO enlist on the
side Of the Republics. Except the Irish
men. they are proving Of very doubtful
A'lN uHtdbt " AliN bUtia- lutlE ldLA VI
training ard skin is such a handicap that
I have frequently heard the Boer leaders
speak Of them as nuisances. and the au-
thorities openly express a hope that no
more will come. There are less than 600
according to the best information, with
the BOer forces at the front. The BOer
leaders have made a regulation that for
eign volunteers, except the Irish, shall
not be formed into separate commands
and that no more than six shall be in
Guided in any one company.
The Boer authorities are striving to
maintain what 1t considers a strictly cor
rect attitude in its occasional eommunica-
tons with the British Government and its
representatives. The first thing done
whenever British prisoners have arrived
at Pretoria has been to make careful lists
Of names, ranks, and condition to tele-
graph the same to Sir Alfred Miner at
Cape Town. The high commissioner has
scrupulously reciprOcated this service. In
recent Geographic correspondence with the
Government at Londod however an in
teresting complication arose. The Trans
yaal authorities cabled to Lord Salisbury
protesting against the embargo laid by the
British Government upon food stuffs des-
tined to the South African. Republic
through a neutral port. State Secretary
htilh lHiUIDS Inc IntI ne recently Ie-
csived a reply stating that the embargo
no longer existed. But the despatch vas
signed chamberlain" Mr. Reitz mere
upon cabled TO Lord Salisbury that the
Transvaai could held no communication
with the Colonial Secretary of a Govern
meEt with which il is al war. and enquired
il he. ss the head OF the British Govern
meEt confirmed the previous message. Mr.
Reitz states that an affirmative reply was
received. Il is said that difficulties are
still made by British naval vessels With
-egard to the landing Of food at Delagoa
Bay, for the Transyaal, and it is said TO
be the intention Of the Boer authorities
in case of a shortage Of supplies, to expel
all foreigners from rhe country, and put
the British prisoners upon a diet of
mealies.
It should be explained. By the way. that
the Beers make a sharp division Of their
prisoners of war into two classes. They
have no luminosity against British regI-
las o. against home volunteers and Aus
tralian ard Canadian troops They have
been doing merely their duty, and the
Beers treat them with kindness and con-
sideration. Against the Natal and Cape
Colonists however. they are very bitter,
and they do rot hesitate 10 show their feel
iugs. Prisoners Of this class, whenever
identified. are separated from the others
and sent to the ordinary jail, where they
are treated like common criminals.
Waterfall. the new military prison camp
some miles outside Pretoria. on the Fe-
;ersburg Railway, is occupied by about -
Geo soldiers. 1t is a beautiful spot. The
camp is in a perfectly sanitary condition.
Games Of all sorts are going on. and per-
fest understanding seems to exist between
the guards and the men. number OF men
who were walking about with the guards
stated that they were being treated all
right One said
why. they treat us here like gentle
men. There has not been a hard word
spoken 10 Us since We were taken prison
ers.
The hospital arrangements We're excel
lent. The rations supplied to the prison.
ers are Of much the same quantity and
uuaiit' as those issued to the wives and
families OF burghers throughout the STATE
In Johannesburg the Government issues
daily ratiOns to 13. coo persons.