The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-10
TELLS OF THE BOER WAR.
Commnndnnt Jan I<riEc Speaks at
the Masonic Temple

Commnndnnt Jan friEc Speaks at
the Masonic Temple.
Commandant Jan Krge. of the Boer
army, who took an active part in the
war against Great Britain almost from
the very beginning until his departure
from South Africa some three months
| ago. spoke at the Masonic Temple last
night before large and representative
audience on the South African war, the
! causes leading up to it, and it's prosr ective
consequences.
| The meeting was called to order by the
Rev. William f. Parsons. who, previous
to the opening of the meeting, was elected
chairman Besides Commandant Krige
/ there were on the stage. which was dTaped
with large Beer flag the Rev. Dr. Henry
| Baker. and the Rev. DR.. DOmer, who open
ed the meeting with prayer.
During the course of his remarks. Com
mandant Krige who spoke with a slight
foreign accent. was frequently interrupted
by cheers whenever he dwelt on the dar-
ing deeds of his comrades, and by groans
| and Kisses when he mentioned Joseph
Chamber:ain's name and the part he has
taken in the war. Commandant Krige said
in the course of his remarks:
IF we keep on making progress at the
I present rate and we have been doing
for the last two weeks ! have no doubt
that We will have our homes and Repub
lies back again. Much has been written
and said about Lord Roberts. He is a
gentleman and. TO my knowledge, he has
compelled British soldiers to return cat
tie and sheep they had stolen during raids.
On another occasion an old preacher was
arrested for having offered prayer for
{ President Kruger. AS soon as Lord Rob
nrtu aF1 of SC han rftn ranf he u-tA naf,RT
released and said. there is no reason why
the preacher should be arrested if he
prayed for the President. Lord Roberts
is liberal minded. We can't hold him re-
sponsible for the actions taken by him. as
he had to follow the instructions which
were cabled to him by Joe Chamberlain,
six thousand miles away"
Commandant Krige said that on one oc-
casion during the war General De Wet
offered to surrender under the condition
that the combatants should not be de-
ported to St. Helena, and that they
should be allowed to return to their
farms. To this offer Lord Roberts re-
piled. that nothing but unconditional sur
render could be accepted. When Cronje
was surrounded by the British forces
COmmandant Krige said General De Wet
broke through the British lines and kept
up communications with Cronje. De Wet
cape but he refused, saying: Il was a
soldier when you were born, how can
you give me any advice" Commandant
krigc gave graphic description of the
various battles in which he had taken
part. and described the brutal and in
human manner in which the British SOL
diers treated the wives and children of
the Beers. He said they are subjected
to incredible insults and hardships at
the hands of the British army. When
taken prisoner by the British the first
time, Mr.. krige said, he had prepared
forged pass so as to get beyond the Brit
ish lines without being molested. His
conscience would not permit him to make
use of it, however, and he tore it up,
and escaped otherwise. He was taken
as spy by his own people until recOg
nized by one Of his friends when he was
released. Commandant krige Their gave
short sketch of the history of the
Transyaal, and when he spoke of their
fight for independence against Great
Britain. he said:
Gladstone was a man whom we shall
never forget, ne gave us back our coun-
try
At the conclusion of the address the
following resolutions were offered by Dr.
". A. Croffut. and they were unanimous
ly adopted:
Washington. D. c.. Jan. g. 1901.
Resolved. That We thank Commandant Jan Krige
for the interesting exposition which he has made
of the origin. methods, purposes, and prospects
OF the war nov being waged by the Empire of
Great Britain upon the small and feeble Republics
OF South Africa.
Resolved, That hereby express earnest |
sympathy for the people OF those Republics in |
the brutal war being prosecuted for their de !
struction by the English monarchy, whose pur-
pose has always been the eStirpation OF Re |
publics from the face of the earth
Resolved. That proclaim unfeigned re- |
spect for the humanity Of the burghers and our /
admiration for their wonderful skill and gallantry
in contest with numbers vast that the 1
disparity has caused a vital modification OF con- |
illusions hitherto held by the masters OF the art |
OF VAT
Resolved. That respectfully urge the sig |
natOry Powers that placed their national seals on |
the covenant Of peace adopted at The Hague /
Conference to take immediate measures 10 pro-
vide for the arbitration Of the South African |
war according To the provisions Of that humane |
instrument
collection was taken up to defray the |
expenses OF hall rent, Commandant Krlge
paying his own expenses. He said if there |
should be any surplus he would suggest |
that it De sent TO the high preacher OF the
Dutch Reformed Church or TO the Rev. DR.. /
Kobe a Catholic priest, both in Cape /
Town. for distribution among Boer wo-
men In need