The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-06-09
BOBR ENVOY TO B COME
AN AMERICAN CITIZEN
Thinks England Is Holding
Back Peace Terms.
HOPING FOR INDEPENDENCE
General Pearson Declares That He Be
lieves Complete Terms Have Not Been
Announced and That England Will
Merely Hold Suzerainty Over Beers.

General Pearson. the special envoy
sent to this country by the Bocrs with
a 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 I have not as yet heard
word officially OF the signing OF peace
articles by the British and Beer repre-
sentatives. said General Pearson. 7
believe that peace has been agreed TO.
1 am thoroughly convinced. however,
that the cablegra1s published in this
country purportina, to give the text Of
the peace treaty have not given the
complete details Of that agreement
Something, in ny opinion, is being held
back. and that something. firmly be
Hevo. is a promise. on the part CT Great
Britain, to give the Afrikande-s indie
penderce. with a sort of suzerainty
over them"
Expects an Announcement.
Asked what he meant by this, General
Pearson said
7 mean that I feel confident that on
June Is. when the coronation takes
place in London. King Edward will an
uounce 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 tine. This action would be the
greatest stroke that King Edward could
possibly make. II would cause q com
plete revulsion OF sentiment toward
hin and his government throughout EU-
rope, where there is now a deeD-rooted
antipathy toward Great Britain, and
would make Edward VII the nest pop
ular mc-arch IN the world.
Ny reason for this conviction is based
on number OF things, but particularly
on the fact that the only event of great
Importance in the Boer war since L t
February. when the burghers were NEST
confident OF ultimate victory, was the
capture Of Methuen; the further fact
that re 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 vas supposed,
and or 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 it seem possible
that the Beers should be glad over the
less OF their country Therefore, con
ciude that there must be something in
the background that We have not heard
Somsthing Held Back.
1T believe that Kitchener has prom
ised more than the alleged peace terms
seen in this country indicate. II these
were the full peace terms why should
General Kitchener rush them post haste
by one OF the members Of his staff, IN
der seal, to the King, as he has done
Why should he not be satisfied with
transmit ting them by the usual chan
mel, the telegraph It is all very strange
to me. Then, too. President Kruger has
not yet, so far as I 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 'Of course, -
he added, the signing of the treaty
winds up the Boer government, and
when have received this news officially
/ from Dr.. Leyds. the BocT plenipotentiary
/ to Europe, who is now in Brussels, my
mission in this country as a 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. I will abide by it l have entire
! confidence in them.
VIII Return to Africa.
When the official notification of the
surrender comes TO me I shall present
myself at the British embassy in this
city and announce my intention of be-
coming an American citizen. I shall
then return to South Africa, where
have a wide experience in mining and
! mercantile pursuits, and act as the rep
resentatiye in that country Of such
American concerns and individuals as
/ care to have my services South Africa
| is a great country, and its mining and
mercantile interests will not be serious
| " Handicapped by the war The people
will soon recuperate, the burghers Will
return to their farms, and business will
go ahead as it never has before. There
vii! also be lots OF American capital
| tod