The Washington times., 1902-06-10
'Boer Envoy Announces
His Intention of Being
NaturallZed.
WILL THEN RETURN HOME
Still Hopes for Independence of His
People and Feels That Best Part of
Peace Terms Have Been Held for Cor
onation Announcement.

General Pearson, the special envoy
sent to this country by the Beers with
view of putting a stop to the shipment
of mules by the British from Camp
Chalmette, near New Orleans, for use
in the South African war, this morning
announced his intention of becoming an
American citizen just as soon as posi-
BILE, and then to return to South Africa
and engage in business pursuits.
While l have not as yet heard
word officially of the signing of peace
articles by the British and Boer repre-
sentatives.' said General Pearson, Il
believe that peace has been agreed to.
! am thoroughly convinced. however.
that the cablegraras published in this
country purportinG to give the text of
the peace treaty have not given the
complete details of that agreement
Something, in my opinion. is being held
back and that something, 1 firmly be-
lieve, is a promise. en- the part Of Great
Britain, to give the Afrikanders indie
pendence. with sort of suzerainty
over them
Expects an Announcement.
Asked what he meant by this, General
Pearson said:
Il mean that l feel confident that on
June rs. when the coronation takes
place in London, King Edward will an
nounce to the world that just such in
dependence as have described is
granted to the burghers. There may be
reasons for holding this matter back at
this time. This action would be the
greatest stroke that King Edward could
possibly make. IT would cause com
plete revulsion of sentiment toward
him and his government throughout Eu
rope, where there is now a deep-rooted
antipathy toward Great Britain, and
would make Edward VII the most pop
ular monarch in the world.
MY reason for this conviction is based
on a number OF things. but particularly
on the fact that the only event of great
Importance in the Boer war since last
February, when the burghers were most
confident of ultimate victory, was the
capture of Methuen; the further fact
that We now hear of the laying down OF
arms by Boer commands in various
quarters, who heretofore had not been
heard from, showing that the Boer
strength in the field was greater, and
that the army was scattered over vast
er area of country than was supposed,
and on the still further fact that it ap
pears from the press reports received
from South Africa that there is gen.
eral rejoicing among the Beers over the
surrender. Now, does 1t seem possible
that the Beers should be glad over the
less of their country? Therefore. | con-
clude that there must be something in
the background that we have not heard.
Something Held Back.
II believe that Kitchener has prom
Used more than the alleged peace terms
seen in this country indicate. If these
were the full peace terms why should
General Kitchener rush them post haste
by one of the members of his staff, I'M
der seal, to the King, as he has done?
Why should he not be satisfied with
transmitting them by the usual chan
mel, the telegraph? 1t is all very strange
10 me. linen, 100, fTeSlueDt hruger mas
not yet, so far as have been able to
learn, received a word officially from
either OF the Boer representatives who
signed the peace treaty. This would
strongly indicate that the British are
having something held back
Speaking of his own plans, General
Pearson said he was simply waiting for
the official word of peace. "Cf course"
he added, 1.-The signing of the treaty
winds UP the Boer government. and
when have received this news officially
from Dr. Leyds. the Bocr pleuipotentiary
to Europe, who is now in Brussels, my
mission in this country as representa-
tive of the Beers will be at an end. /
shall then do my duty TO my new SOW
ereign. the King of England. The work
Of such men as De Wet and Botha is all
right l will abide by it. ! have entire
confidence in them.
Will Return to Africa.
When the official notification OF the
surrender comes to me / shall present
myself at the British embassy in this
city and announce my intention of be-
coming an American citizen. / shall