The sun., 1902-03-06
BOERS SEE The PRESIDENT.
APPEAL FOR ACTION TO END WAR
IN SOUTH AFRICA.
They Also Asked That shipments OF sup
niles 10 the British From This Country
Be stopped mo Indication Thnt ANY
Action WIN he Taken nj washington.

WASHINGTON, March 5.-The object OF
the visit to Washington OF {. h. vessels
and ID. w. Womarans, the special 'on-
,nissioners OF the Boer Republic. was made
main to-day when they called on Presideht
poosoveIt and laid before him an appeal
"a take some action in the name OF the Gov
.rnmapt of the United States to bring 10
nm end the war in South Africa. PRIOR
60 their call Mt the White House the Com
,nissioners had a long interview with Secre-
tarv Uay at the State Department, In
which there was full and free exchange Oh
,io,vs over the South African situation.
The result of their visit to President hoose-
Welt and Secretary Hay cannot be Tore
cas,ed at this time While the President
and Secretary have given no indication
of an intention TO change the policy oi inns
Government not to interfere in any way
IN tho troubles between the British and the
Roe,s unless both parties request IL. II can
be aid Tint Nessrs Vessels and Wolmarans
succeeded in making an impression' ana
,Lat ,ho representations which they maze
are under consideration. .-.,... -,
Montague White, the representative oi
the Transvaal In New YORK. saw oecse-
tary Uay this morning and arranged Tor
,he call of the two Commissioners. Inc
engagement of the President TO meet Them
was also made this morning by Dr mem
drick Muller, the Diplomatic representative
of the Orange Free State III Europe, VINO
was introduced TO Mr.. Roosevelt bv Repre-
sentative Gillett of Massachusetts. In
their interview with Secretary Hay the
Boer Commissioners made an appeal Tor
some action on the part oil the I nlteu STATES
which would terminate hostilities WhiIe
preferring that this action should take me
=
any specific request, 'leaving the deter
mnation Of the character OF whatever
steps the Government might take 10 the
President and the Secretary OF state In
other words, their appeal was addressed
to the sympathies OF this Government
and indicated that the Beers would he
satisfied IL an arrangement could be made
whereby hostilities would cease.
Mr.. HAY pointed out to the Boer repre-
sentatives that the President was the
supreme authority in such matters
and Wolmarans lay their case before
him. At the same time he promised that
consideration should be given their repre-
sentations and let them understand that
the Government Of the United States was
only too willing to see the end OF the war
in South Africa. The Boer Commissioners
discussed also with Secretary Hay the
question Of the right Of the United States
Government 10 permit British agents 10
ship horses, mules. -four, munitions OF
war and other supplies to the British forces
in South Africa. II IL understood that
thew were convinced by Mr.. Hay that no
relief in this direction could be afforded
the Boers. He showed them the authorities
bearing on the subject Of such shipments
from the ports of neutral Power and
explained that the Beers were entitled
10 the privileges which had been exercised
by their enemies. The jurisdiction OF the
United States over the vessels engaged IN
carving war supplies to South Africa,
il was shown, did not extend beyond the
marine limits Of the United States, and the
Beers, Mr.. Hay said, had perfect right TO
capture the British supply vessels when
they were outside that limit.
President Roosevelt received Messrs.
Vessels and Wolmarans In his office. Sec
retary Hay was present. The interview
was entirely unofficial and informal and did
not last very long. The representations
that had been laid before Secretary Hay
were repeated 20 President Roosevelt and
il is understood that he promised 10 give
them consideration. IN Is generally taken
for granted that the President will not make
any radical departure from the rule laid
down by his predecessor in office. that an
appeal must come from both sides before
the United States may take any steps look
ing TO bringing about an ending OF the
South African war. Even should the
President determine to take some action.
the most that may be expected is that he
will communicate 10 the British Govern
ment the appeal made by the Boer Com
missioners without any suggestion or recon-
rnendation