The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-02-21
BOER SIDE OF THE CASE.
Consul Pierce Tells Why He Thinks
Burghers Must Win.

New York. February }.-Charles ID.
Pierce, COnsulGeneraI Of the Orange
Free State here, and trustee and
treasurer for the BOer relief fund, has
made public statement about the
condition of affairs in South Africa.
The statement in part is as follows:
"Advices from Europe and South
Africa are more encouraging than at
any time since the beginning Of the
war. There can be no doubt OF the
final success Of the Beers, who will
accept no other terms from Great
Britain than peace with honor,
meaning the full recognition OF both
republics, with full treaty ing
powers and without the tag of
'suzerainty.' The Beers are not vet
ready to negotiate with England for
peace, but are determined to continue
the fighting until the general situa-
ton is strong enough in their favor to
make diplomatic steps certain.
The three pretended peace COM
missiOners sent TO De Wet bv the
British were spies and traitors. They
interfered with the burghers. One,
an Englishman, was properly shot,
and it is known that one other
Andres Vessels. was a burgher of the
Orange Free State. and subject to the
laws Of the Republic. of which Presi-
dent Steyn is regarded by the fight
ing burghers as chief executive. while
British society is not recognized by
them. President Stevn is with De
Wet and there is little doubt that
these burghers were tried under the
laws Of the Orange Free State and law
fully executed on the verdict
The BOer forces in the SOut h
African Republic and the Orange Free
Stote, including the invaders of Cape
Colony, number over %, 900 men.
They have SO far succeeded in obtain
ing 10y capture a large portion of their
supplies from the British. General
Christian De Wet, the greatest caralry
leader OF modern times, in one week
has captured 1922. 900 in gold and
100000 khaki uniforms-enough to
last the army four years. He has
also captured over 100000 cattle
and horses and 5000 prisoners. He
and his forces alone have inflicted on
the British losses of over $25. 900. OO0.
lin the beginning of the war the
Beers were armed with Mauser rifles,
using plain bullets, but many of them
now through necessity have Lee
Metford rifles, using dum-dum bull
lets, all OF which have been captured
from the British and bear the arrow
mark of Woolwich
at can be readily understood why
the Beers can continue the war in
definitely, regardless of the number
OF British troops sent against them.
The Beers total losses in killed and
dying from wounds in battle have not
exceeded 100. but the loss in
property and the impovershment OF
the people has been great
1.-The losses to the enemy have al
least staggered Great Britain. The
war has cost her $500. 900. 900 in gold
"a sum twice greater than the entire
value of the Republics. if sold to the
highest bidder-and over l00.00 OF
her troops have been rendered hors
du combat. killed, wounded in battle,
died from disease. sick in the hos.
pitfalls or invalided home A large
portion of their present forces are
still further incapacitated for active
service.
The war is costing Great Britain
at the present time over $1,000, zoo
per day to support the troops in the
field and the Boer prisoners at St.
Helena. Ceylon and other points
The failure Of the British arms tr
open the Kim berly and Johannesburg
mines has deprived British stockhold
srs Of dividends on securities listed
ut $3.50, 600. 900, has reduced the out.
put of diamonds and gold 1924. 900,
900. and has added $500. 10000 tt
the taxation of Great Britain and
Ireland. These tremendous sum:
subtracted from British resource:
have resulted in the impairment O
the values Of many kinds of securitie:
dealt in by London stock brokers an,
are the superinducing causes o
numerous bankruptcies in British
financial circles