Washington sentinel., 1901-06-15
FOREIGN NEW S.
Translated and Selected fT0w leading
Es1SOSsGR SG6sTS[OT ths SENTINEL
ENGLAND.

Bothas Answer 20 Lord Roberts
Bribe,
The following account Of the interview
ofa German volunteer with Louis Botha
appears in the La Plata Times
did not have much to do with Botha
till was made commissariat officer OF
the German and German speaking
corps. Then l was frequently thrown
in his way, and l shall never forget my
first meeting with him. Irode over one
Sunday afternoon to see If we could not
get transport and supply service OF
our own. We did not wish to be de.
pendent on Boer kindness for our sup
plies. The Generals quarters consisted
of several tents, some Wagons, grazing
horses, oxen, and a few Beers, lying
about, sleeping, or playing cards When
/ asked where the General was, they all
shouted together "YOnder. in the tent.
l looked about and saw pair OF feet
sticking out behind the flap of the tent,
with toes aud heels coming out through
the stockings just as mine were. A look
inside the tent assured me that the
General was asleep, and laid myself
down to wait, for knew from my own
personal experience that man does not
like to be disturbed in his Sunday after.
noon sleep. I had plenty of time to
look at the camp There was no wa oh
set and no sentry before the Generals
door, no glittering staff, no quickly
moving Notwithstanding that IS neces
sary for the headquarters OF the Generali
and there was no difficulty in approach
ing the General himself, for there he
lay, peacefully on the grass in front of
me, and slept the sleep OF the just 1t
was a pretty sound sleep l waited an
hour, and then began to move about
and make myself heard, 1t had abso-
lutely no effect on him, and IT was
necessary TO wake him violently, after
the best part OF the second hour had
gone. Then he was not pleased. "Why
do you come on Sunday7 Why should
not have my Sunday in peace" This
made me rather angry, and / said, "Do
you think, General, that because it is
Sunday my men should have nothing 20
eat9 We have had no meat for three
days" "Is there no commissariatf"
asked Botha. "Not bit OF it," said 1;
"and, General, if you want us to fight
you must give us something to eat, too"
So we went on wrangling, he lying on
the earth meanwhile. until at last he
promised to give us a commissariat.
acEaI Tor n nj al
struggles he cOncocted one in graceful,
flowing handwriting.
When he had finished the business he
became more afable, gave me an
orange, of which he had basket full in
the tent, and asked me il was Germnn
and an officer. Ireplied that was an
officer in the Reserve. Then I can
trust you with this letter." he said,
taking an open letter out OF his pocket;
and he asked me to show it to all our
commando and bring it back within
three days, The answer which he gave
to the letter may be readily guessed.
shook hands with the General and de.
parted; my first task being to read the
letter. II sOaS from Lord Roberts. and
offered BokFa Sso.ooo dorm G-hs W0aId
surrender sOitbiN elght days, tegether
aOHh SIo, 1000 rear .Joy Afe (Sfc),
In conformity with my orders read
the letter to all the commandos / met.
The Beers shook their heads, and
don't know now whether they were
pondering about the shamelessness of
the English or Botha's ioolishneSS in
refusing so brilliant an offer.
ma rr..-,-,,., Au.Ao,trgos ana tho