Evening star., 1900-06-08
BoERs WILL FIGHT ON.
President Kruger Explains the Attf-
tude of His Governments.


tude of His Government.
LONDON, June S.--The executive offices
of the Transvaal government are in rail-
way car which is shunted on a switch at
Machadorp station. President Kruger
caused the interior of the coach to be re-
constructed some time ago, with a view to
contingencies that have now arrived a
correspondent of the Daily Express, who
went from Lourenco Marquee to see Presi-
dent Kruger, was received yesterday. The
president sat smoking a long pipe. He
locked worried, but his bearing was quiet
and determined. He did not make the least
objection to being interviewed.
The correspondent was equipped for rhe
interview by cables from London
Yes" said President Kruger 1T is quite
true that the British have occupied Pre-
tcria. This, however, does not end the
war. The burghers are fully determined to
fight to the last. They will never surren-
der so long as 500 armed men remain in the
country. / feel deeply encouraged by the
fine work Steyn and Dewet are doing in
the Free State"
The correspondent suggested that the war
was over, inasmuch as the capital had been
taken.
1.-The capital.' exclaimed Mr. Kruger,
with energy. What is a capital? 1t does
bricks and mortar. The capital of the re-
public, the seat of government, is here in
this car. There is no magic about any
special site Our country is invaded. it is
true, but 1t is not conquered. The govern
ment Is still effective"
Referring to the reasons why he left
Pretoria, Mr.. Kruger said:
II was not foolish enough to be taken
motion precisely for the same reason as
burghers supply themselves with
horses when they take the field.
1T is necessary that l should be able to
ell. By and by this car will take me back
to Pretoria. For the present it enables
me to keep away from Pretoria, where 1
could be of no service and where l should
only play into the hands of the enemy"
'They say, Mr.. Kruger" remarked the
correspondent, that you have brought with
you gold to the value of f2,O0,OOO."
1T is not true" replied the president.
Whatever monetary resources l may have
with me are simply those which We require
for state purposes. At the same time I am
no. going to tell you where our treasure is.
Let Lord Roberts find it If he cam.
Gives Lie to Rumors.
'"They also say in England, Mr.. Kruger.
that you contemplate taking refuge IN a
Dutch man-of-war at Lourenco Marquee
THAT again is lie'' retorted the presi-
dent with vehemence. II know of TO
Dutch war vessel. I am not contemplating
taking refuge anywhere. 1 shall not leave
my country. There will be no need for
me to do anything of the kind"
The correspondent-''Then sir, there is
much surprise at your having left Mrs.
Kruger behind
President Kruger-"But why? Mrs. Kru-
ger is quite safe in Pretoria. She would
only be put to personal inconvenience here
All communication between us is stopped,
oe course; but she will await my return with
calnlness and courage. She is a brave
woman. 1 am here awaiting further infor-
nation. We are surrounded by faithful
burghers and are quite safe
State Secretary Reitz remarked:
"You may depend upon it that the war is
not yet over. Guerrilla warfare will con-
tinue over enormous area. We intend
to fight to the bitter end and shall probably
retire upon Lydenburg. where we can hold
out fer many months.'
Yes" observed Mr.. Kruger at is only
now that the real struggle has begun.
fear that there will still be much blood shed,
but the fault is that of the British govern
mcnt."
Then raising his voice to an almost pas
sionate height, Mr. Kruger exclaimed:
1.-The time has passed for us to talk. We
have done plenty Of that. but it has done
us no good There is nothing left for US
to do but to keep on fighting. to keep on
fighting"
Outlandcrs Warned Away.
The following dispatch has been received
at the British colonial office from the Brit
ish high commissioner in South Africa,
Sir Alfred Miner:
CAPE TOWN. June 1T is reported by
telegram that large numbers Of miners and
others are about to start for the Transvaal
from Southampton on Saturday. Cannot a
public notification be issued warning the
people against premature return here. They
will be delayed at Cape ports. and will only
increase the numbers supported by charity.
1t must be a couple of months at least be-
fore the bulk of those now IN the colony
and in Natal can be allowed to return or
work generally can be resumed.
Pennsylvania Refuge for Dom Paul.
Henry Males relative of Kruger, who
lives in Brownlee. Tioga county. Pa, wrote
Kruger. at the breaking out of the war. in
viting him to locate there in case eventuali-