The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-22
He Says the Former President Does
Not Want to Involve Other Pow
ers I'm War ON His Behalf.
OBJECTS TO ANY COMPROMISE
IF ARBITRATION Is REFUSED THE
BOERs WILL DIE FIGHTING.
Mr.. Kruger Again Accuses the Brit
fsh of Wagfng War Like Saw
ages and Ill-Treating Women.

LONDON, Dec 21.-W. 7. Stead has just
returned from The Hague, where he
had long conference with Mr.. Kruger
and ascertained at first hand the views
Of Mr.. Kruger and his councillors as to
the present situation and future prospects.
Mr.. Stead has written the following for
the Associated Press:
First of all. nothing is decided about
his visit to America at present President
Kruger has not abandoned all hope of Sc
curing the support of the governments of
the civilized world in his demand for ar
bitration. Until the last government re-
fuses absolutely to say a word in support
of the principles which they solemnly laid
down at The Hague conference Mr.. Kruger
will not partake In popular demonstrations.
1t is recognized that If he cared to do so
he could shake the continent. The popular
enthusiasm for him is unparalleled since
Garibaldfs visit to London, but until his
diplomatic mission is exhausted an appeal
to the peoples cannot even be taken into
consideration. Mr.. Kruger is emphatic in
diselaiming any desire to involve other
nations in war in behalf of the Beers.
What he asks is that the governments
which, at The Hague, declared their de-
amicable settlement of disputes by means
OF mediation and arbitration should make
united effort to bring the verdict of the
civilized world to bear upon Great Britain.
The English Mr.. Kruger says, are
waging this war in South Africa like saw
ages. They are burning homes. destroying
Sams, cutting trees, devastating fields and
creating famine. They are unable to cap
ture De Wet. but they are making prison
ers of women and children, who are not
treated with ordinary decency Hundreds
Of women have been confined in a prison
kraal near Port Elizabeth, with only one
chair, and several of them are expecting to
become mothers
Mr.. Kruger AYERS that the provisions of
The Hague convention and laws and
usages of war are trampled under foot, and
he wants to know whether the signatories
OF this convention have anything to say
on the subject.
1.-The man on horseback at this moment is
not Mr.. Kruger. but President Steyn. He
Delarey and De Wet are masters of the
situation. having a better disciplined and
more effective force than that which fol-
lowed the vierkleur (fiag) at the outbreak
of the war. They have plenty OIL ammuni-
tion and replenish their stores continually
enough Lee Metford rifles 10 arm all the
burghers now in the field. cannot put their
position better than in the words OF one of
Mr.. Kruger's counselors: England is our
accuser. England is the sole witness
against us. England is the judge. England
Is the executioner and England hopes TO
profit by our death. We appealed for arbi-
tration before war. We are fighting for ar
bitration to-day. We have the right to ex-
pect the sympathies OF the civilized world.
II found Mr.. Kruger hale His bearing Is
not so good IL His mind moves
somewhat more slowly, but every now and
then the old fire flashes from his eyes and
you hear the deep resonant voice which
has so often rallied the burghers in battle
Queen Wilhelmina Is kindness itself. She
has displayed pluck. in remarkable contrast
TO the timidity of many of her official ad-
visers. l found the old mans spirits un-
shaken by his reverses. He disclaimed any
desire TO humiliate England, and said they
only wanted their rights.
1T may interest Americans to know that
Mr.. Kruger's appeal to the civilized world
would be received everywhere with unani-
nous enthusiasm were IL not for the deep
rooted distrust and jealousy OF the dynas-
ties of Hapsburg and Hohenzollern against
the President OF a republic. IL he were a
King the courts would have been open
everywhere. But the central European mon
archs dread the popular enthusiasm ex-
cited by the heroic figure of the republican
President pleading for justice. This feeling.
II is noted, is not shared by Russia The
Beers will not listen TO any proposals for a
compromise They are unanimous on this
point. Failing in arbitration they will pre-
Ter to die lighting.