Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-04-06
KRUGER WOULD LEAVE
ALL 70 arbitration.
ING TO EVEN SUMMIT CUES
TION OF INDEPENDENCE.
MAY VISIT UNITED STATES.
STILL HAS HOPES THAT THE
BURGHERS MAY BE ABLE TO
WIN aAEIR FIGHT.

NEW YORK, April 5.-A dispatch
to the Herald from Paris says:
An interview with Mr.. Kruger ap-
pears in the Matin. The former presi-
dent of the Tansvaal was seen in a
modest little inn at Utrecht, where
he is stopping for the moment. His
eyes have been very much improved
by recent operations and he can now
dispense with spectacles.
FIR. Kruger began by announcing
that on Saturday mex he proposed re-
firing into the country for complete
rest. The little village of Hilbersum,
not far from Utrecht, has been select
ed for his abode. Nothing has yet been
decided regarding his trip TO Ameri-
ca. He will undertake the journey If
his strength permits and if there is
any hope OF gaining advantage for the
Boer cause.
Mr.. Kruger expressed his entire
readiness to submit all questions to the
arbitrament of an imperial tribunal.
III ONNh ASSPAihS eAC 4ANSSi@h VI ~
dependence.
I'VE would sacrifice our liberty" he
said, If the verdict of arbitration de-
cided that one or the other of the re-
publics had done anything to forfeit it
But on that point we are at ease.
"The South African war has been on
the part of the English a perpetual de-
fiance of the Geneva convention. TO a
much greater extent that their refusal
to accept any Intervention is their de-
fance of The Hague convention"
Referring to Gen. De Vets raid into
Cape Colony, Mr.. Kruger denied that it
was ever hoped to provoke a general
rising. we knew perfectly well thai
this would be impossible" he said, be
cause of the lack OF munitions and
arms. as well as the difficulty Of COM
bined action over such enormous dis
tanceS. But the invasion demonstrated
that the Afrikanders were everywhere
favorable to Il cause and ready to af-
ford help in their power.
President Steyn and Gen. De Wet
had, however, a different object in view,
and they attained it. They were able
to obtain plentiful supplies of food and
horses. Moreover. these brave allies
operated a diversion, which allowed
Gen. Botha to escape from a tight posi-
ton in the east of the ~Transvaal. They
compelled the English to spread their
forces over the distance and
to recognize the fact that the Beers
were masters in the field.
These results are surely not to be
despised. 1ne English cannot be mas
tiers of the two republics; they are not
even undisturbed at the Cape and in
Natal"
Mr.. Kruger next dealt with the ques-
ton of the mines where work is now
said to have been resumed. He de-
clared that so long as he was master
IN Pretoria the mines were safeguarded
and work was continued.
1t is only since the British occu-
patton that property has deteriorated
and that all work has ceased. Every
body should know that as long as we
could we remained faithful guardians
OF this international trust, carrying
u scruples so far even as to respect
the mines which are the cause of all
our misfortunes."
In conclusion, Mr.. Kruger declared
that, far from being exhausted. the
Boer commands were able to go on
fighting indefinitely. I'VE have COM
batants, arms and ammunition in suf-
ficient quantities. 1t is useless to hope
to reduce us by lassitude or extermin-
alton"