The St. Louis Republic., 1901-06-23
This Move by Commissary Pear.
son Is Thought to Be
Clever Ruse.
WOULD GIVE HIM ADVANTAGES
AS an American Citizen England
Dare Not Harm Him Should
He Return to Trans
vaal.

New Orleans. June 2.-Samuel Pearson.
the Commissary General of the Boer Army.
who has been making such vigorous ef-
through the port OF New Orleans. may re-
nouncr his allegiance to the South African
0spubtc, take out naturalization paiefs IN
this country and become u citizen of the
United States.
Here may begin another chapter.
No officer connected with the military
forces of South Africa has been more per-
klstent in the fisht against big odds than
General Pearson. and he has shown re.
sourcefulness which at one time threatened
serious International complications. Sues-
tions raised by General Pearson and his
coadJutors are still up for consideration.
and he is In New Orleans at this time for
the purpose OF taking the record In the
case To the highest court I'm the country.
But his latest move with reference TO
obtaining naturalization papers may bring
out a series OF events that will be more
interesting than those which followed the
bill of complaint MED in the Federal Court
here several months ago. There may bs
some objection made by the authorities at
Washington to the issuance of the preiim-
mary papers to the Boer General on the
ground that his head IL now wanted by the
Engiish Government. and that certain con.
the American Republic headiong into the
seemingly endless broii in South Africa.
the appiicants renoui,cin; ai.esiance to one
country and declaring his intention OF be.
coming q permanent citizen Of the United
Hminary step because Of the TACT ct that the
lioer General might und ertake to claim GER
tain PRIVILEGES unasr this preliminary paper.
He is anxious to return to South Africa.
His wife and children are there.
He makes no concealmelt Of the fact that
Barberto n, where his wife and children are
held as prisoners, If he could do in safe
fy. The fact is that he has become alarmed
somewhat over conditions generally In the
South African countries, with particular
reference to the women and children He
says that they are held as prisoners of
Nar nd al Ea n
happy Recommendations While General
Pearson will mol give an expression of opin-
ion on the subject, 1t is reasonably certain
that he would go TO his home in sarbsrton
II he felt that the United States could pro-
tect him from arrest at the hands cf the
British.
The condition of the women and children
In the South African Republic has caused
much anxiety among all the people who
have An idterest 10 that section OF the
world.
Recent reports slow that about $40 babies
died there during last month.
The men who have families there are
alarmed over the possibilities Of plague.
This may be the motive that actuates the
Beer General in getting hack to his home
in Barberton. in the Transvaal.
But the Government at Washington may
rot yield quickly to the sentiment behind
which might follow The friends and ad-
visers OF the Boer General are not certain
papers. issued in compliance with the nat
uralisation laws, would give him. 1t might
place him In a position where he could re-
again Il might II. The English Govern
Tent would have something 20 say about
"he matter England might insist that the
preliminary papers issued 10 an applicant In
this country would not protect such an ap-
piicant from seizure and arrest, and that
the Republic of, the United States would
not have the right to resent 1t as an out
rage upon an American citizen.
These are some of the contingencies:
Can the Government Of the United states
Samuel Pearson become a
1zed citizen of this country On his renounc-
ing his allegiance to the Government IN the
in that country?
If preliminary papers are issued to him
would the Secretary OF State give him =
passport that would carry him safely to
8arberton?
These questions will probably come up
II the Boer General attempts to secure pa
When approached about the matter yes.
terday. he said he had not looked into the
question nfAciently to give out an express
sion. He admitted that something had been
ssd
with reference to the sufferinss of the wem-
to see my wife and children" he said. but
] cannot go there now without endangering
my liberty certainly. and ! might run tine
Bad reports have been coming from South
Africa about the condition Of the women
and children. There IS a great zeal OF SICK
ness there. and / am sure they are under
going the most fearful hardships."
Beyond these guarded statements the Cen
eral would say nothing about his intentions.
But the fact that he has been considering
the matter Of applying for naturalization
papers is no secret. and the indications are
that If the papers will give him any sort Of
protection, and II he can get them In any
possible way. he will take them out and
head for Barberton.
In the meantime he Is looking after the
appeal asked for in his case against GER
tain ship ners TO prevent the further ship
ments Of mules TO South Africa for the use
of the British. The papers In the case are
being fixed up. and the whole matter Will
in due time be laid before the supreme
Court of the United States.