The evening times., 1900-01-22
WITH KRUGER AND STEYN.
A Correspondent Visits the Presi-
dents of the African Republics.

Especial Correspondence
PRETORIA, Dec. AFTER despatching
my letter of November 10, your corre-
spondent spent several days in Observa-
tion of affairs at the government building.
The few officials who remain, work quietly
and steadily. BY far the greatest pressure
Of state affairs falls upon Mr.. F. W. Reitz.
the State Secretary.
In company with Mr.. Reitz. called one
afternoon on President Kruger. The old
President, who is now seyentyfve years
old, rose quickly from his seat on my ar
rival. and asked me where | had been
wandering for the past six years" I told
him all over the world. and lately in New
York. 1 had met him nineteen years pre-
yiously under very similar circumstances.
1t was upon his return from England. in
1880, at Kimberley. a few weeks before he
was to declare war for the first time
against England.
The man before me now was evidently
the same strong, obstinate person. There
was the same quick look from the corner
of his eye, the same husky harsh, and
aggravating voice. His coat might have
been worn for the six years Of my abb
sence. the Kruger hat was the same. The
old mans eyes were plainly very sore. and
must cause him great irritation. but I am
told that since the declaration Of war he
has been abHOrmally amiabIe.
Our conversation opened with America.
l told the President that when I left the
United States a considerable amount of
public sentiment was veering around in IA
vOr of the republic. To this he replied in
a laughing way, that he thought the
Americans would do all that the English
men asked them to do; in fact. they will
join the English against Africa"
That very day" he said, news had
been cabled that the American warships
had been ordered to South Africa as
token of good will to England. "
l took train on the 24th for Bloemfon-
tein and after many delays went on with
a trainload of Traansyalers who were
bound for the front. On arriving l found
the town in its@ customary Sabbath calm.
A few children and women were on the
platform as we into the handsome sta
ton. but there was no expression of well
come shown to the train load of fighting
men from the north.
| started out that afternoon to find the
government secretary but the government
building all was silence and locked doors
Neither guards nor attendants were visi-
the editor of the Express, who took me
20 the local white House. where / met
President Steyn, who was sitting with a
few friends in front OF his house. Presi-
dent Steyn also referred to America but
not with the same good nature as did Pres
ident Kruger. He said he had made a per-
sonal appeal to President Mckinley for ar
hitration but had been refused.
America he said. has evidently ar
rived al an understanding with England
The Republican idea is dead We are
looked upon as vassals OF England. but we
will show the world that we are able 10
defend our liberty as long as We have life.
He referred also. with some bitterness, TO
the Cape Colony politicians Of the African
party as men whose sole idea of assist
ante was to get up a subscription for the
widows and orphans.
'Our friends there" he added are our
greatest enemies. We can do without
them -