Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-19
TO STOP BLO0DSHED
Mission of Boer Delegates Now in
This City.
AN APPEAL TO This GOVERNMENT
Mr.. Abraham Fischer, of the Party,
Makes Statement.
DEMONSTRATION LAST NIGHT

The representatives of the South African
republics had their time fully occupied to-
day. After the greeting which was accord
ed to them on their arrival in the city last
evening, which was followed by a recep-
ton, they were tired enough to appreciate
the chance to get a good nights rest. This
morning they resumed. at early hour.
in their room in the Arlington Hotel, the
greetings to those who called. There was
but little let up in the stream of visitors,
who at first went to the headquarters of
the local committee, which was on the
second floor, where Hermann r. Schade,
the secretary, was in charge. He escorted
them to the upper floor. where the COM
missioners We're found.
The three representatives, together with
the secretary, j. NJ. de Bruyn, received
them. and the callers We're passed down the
line. so to speak, offering their greetings
individually to the foreigners.
Mr.. Abraham Fischer served as the
spokesman for the party. He speaks Eng
fish fuently, and when he was surrounded
by group of newspaper men he talked
with great volubility. His frankness was
evident and he explained that he had moth
ing to conceal and would be glad to talk
fully and freely and answer all questions
without reserve. However, he observed
something might be said which would be
been said first TO the government.
Bring Credentials.
In reply to a question he said the COM
missioners had credentials to this govern
ment, but he declined to state exactly with
what powers they were clothed. 1t was
inferred from what Mr.. Fischer said that
the powers conferred upon them by their
own government were ample. and he
promptly accepted the suggestion that the
position of the delegation was similar to
that of Franklin and Jay, who went to
France during the struggle Of this country
with England in the revolutionary war
The object of the visit of the delegates
to this country, as Mr.. Fischer repeated in
various forms. and the one to which all
others are subordinate was to bring an end
to the bloody contest now going on in their
country. They were willing to yield every
thing to that He also said it was unfor-
tunate. perhaps. that they should be here
in presidential year. but the time of their
coming was not of their selection. 1t had
been dictated by the urgent need of their
country. Their appeal was not to any
party, but to the whole people, and they
desired an opportunity to meet the people
of this country and tell them about the
South African republic and its citizens.
There might be misapprehensiOns, he said.
which they could remove
In this connection Mr. Fischer said they
had not refused since their arrival in this
country to receive the greetings of people
who expressed a friendly interest in them
and in their country. They had been in
formed this the object of the reception
to be given tomorrow evening, otherwise
they would not have consented to attend.
They wished to avoid even suggestion
that they We're allied with any political
party in this country, as their mission was
to the government and the people of the
United States. They greeted people as
Americans, and not In any other political
capacity.
Regarding the terms on which he thought
peace possible. Mr.. Fischer said: I'VE have
not come with any hard and fast PROPOSE
ton. But we believe an honorable peace Is
pc ssible. and believe the United States
is the one country so situated as to be able
to bring it about"
would the recent victories of the Brit
ish in South Africa have any effect on the
terms you would be willing to acceptr' he
was asked.
Possibly" he replied, yet that is a
matter l can't discuss now.
The commissioners would say nothing
about their plans for a tour of the coun-
try. Our business Is first with Washing
tom said Mr.. Fischer. I'VE have pur-
posely avoided accepting any invitations
till we have found what our mission will
amount to here"
1t is understood the commissioners hope
to arrange for a visit to the White House
Monday. This probably will take place be-
fore they make formal application for
hearing at the State Department.
Very Much in Earnest.
While Mr.. Fischer was talking his col
leagues stood by gravely listening or ex-
changing greetings with new arrivals Mr..
Vessels and Mr.. Wolmarans are men Of
serious aspect, and, taken as a whole the
delegation has the appearance of being
very much in earnest. They Will spend
the balance of the day at the hotel, al
though if the weather permits. the local
committee has arranged to take them for
a drive through the city.
They have accepted an invitation to at
tend services tomorrow morning at the
First Presbyterian Church. and in the even
ing the reception at the Grand Opera House
will take place. Tickets for the reception
by calling at room 20, Arlington Hotel.
While the main floor of the theater has
been reserved, yet all seats will be free
after o'clock.
The stay of the delegates in this city will
depend upon the reception which they get
from this government and the success of
their efforts to secure official recognition
Department without Information.
So far the State Department has no
knowledge of the character of the creden-
tails borne by the Boer delegates now in
Washington. In fact. it does not even
know that they have credentials of any
kind. Colonel O'Beirne, who some months
ago vainy sought recognition a diplo-
matte representative of the Boer republics.
being refused on the ground OF ms A1neFl-
can citizenship. yesterday appeared at the
State Department in the interest of the
three delegates. who were then on their
way to the capital from New York. Colonel
O'Beirne previously had short talk with
the President. who referred him to the
State Department. Secretary Hay listened
patiently and with interest to Colonel
Beirne's presentation Of the reasons why
the United States government should act
to bring the war to close. Colonel
O'Beirne like the Boer delegates, felt that
the mere direction of the United States
would suffice to induce England to cease
hostilities.
He argued with good deal of eloquence
in support of that contention, but without
convincing the officials that the United
States government could intervene in the
manner proposed without becoming at once
involved as a party to the war Such
request directed to Great Britain. being in
the nature of an ultimatum, would require
to be enforced, even to the point of HOSTILE
ties, in case the expected happened and
England refused request. So it can be
set down as certain that the present de-
termination of our government is not to
request England to stop the war.
Status Not Defined.
Colonel O'Beirne did not enlighten the
State Department to the status of the
Boer Delegates, even if he was himself