The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-06
seven Beers Who Have ExiIed Them
selves from Their Country Were
Seated on the Stage.
APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT
LENGTHY RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
FOR MIR. ROOsEvELT's PERUsAL.
Interview with MIR. Bryan, Who De-
clined to Commit Himself i'm Favor
of Any Candidate.

CLEVELAND. o., Jan. 5.-Four thousand
people attended a pro-Boer meeting in
Gray's Armory this afternoon. There was
enthusiastic applause for every expression
of sympathy and encouragement for the
struggling Beers. An unexpected event in
the meeting was the appearance of w. j.
Bryan, who was in this city as the guest
of Mayor johnson. When the committee
in charge Of the meeting learned that Mr..
Bryan was in the city an invitation was
sent to him and the mayor to attend and
address the gathering. Both gentlemen ac-
cepted and when. toward the close of other
speeches, Mr.. Bryan and Mr.. Johnson eE-
tered the hall the whole audience rose
en- masse and repeatedly shouted the names
of Bryan" and johnson" and greeted
them with hurrahs and handclapping.
The audience was composed mostly of
men, although a number Of women were
present. The tricolor OF the Boer Republics
was a prominent feature of the armorys
decorations and little streamers were tied
in the buttonholes of many of the men.
Upon the stage were seven native Beers
who had been in some of the early conflicts
of their countrymen against the English
forces. They were driven from the country
and are now residents of this city. The
meeting continued for four hours, the prin-
cipal address being by the Hon. John ].
Lentz The Rev. August Franz a local
Reformed Lutheran clergyman, also spoke.
Whe the formal spee.bes .f The Ter
noon were concluded Messrs. Or
Johnson were called on TO address the vast
audience. Mr.. Bryan spoke for about five
minutes during which time he said: Sad
will be that day. fallen will be the star of
cur destiny, if the time ever comes when
struggling freemen feel that they cannot
look upon the people of these States for
sympathy"
Mr.. Bryan said he was in entire sympathy
with the intent of the meeting. eulogized
the fighting South African farmers and
urged them TO continue the struggle. He
said he was glad the war lad cost Eng
land so dearly and that the disastrous cost
in money and life would be a much-needed
lesson for the English government. because
II would teach and has already taught
lesson that will not be soon forgotten. ~
Mr.. Bryan said he considered IL A compi-
ment that the Beers looked 10 the United
States for aid and sympathy in their strug-
gle. and he considered II a disgrace that
no official expression OF sympathy had yet
been made by this government Mr.. Bryan
believed that the English people are op-
posed TO the continuance OF the war be-
cause they, too are suffering because OF
the unhappy COnrlct, and are the ones that
must bear the burden Of the cost.
Mayor Johnson also spoke briefly and
said he was in full sympathy with the in
tent Of the meeting and expressed similar
sentiments TO those expressed by Mr..
Bryan in that the English people generally
are opposed TO the
A resolution OF great length was passed
and will be sent TO the President of the
United States. The resolution calls atten-
tion of the President 10 the continuance
Of the war for the past two years. and
states that il has been characterized on the
part of the British as a conflict OF saw
agery by the confiscation or destruction
/ of property of inhabitants and noncom-
batants lying within the zone Of war. At
/ tentiOn is called 10 the denunciation by
President Mckinley OF the system of re-
concentration camps. A quotatio from the
Manchester (England) Guardian of Sept.
4, 1901, is made, which states that a de-
gree Of suffering and death exists in these
camps without a parallel in history. In
/ conclusion the President is asked 10 en-
! force the treaty OF Washington. May q.
lS71. denying to vessels operating under
British authority opportunity for the aug
| mentation Of supplies Of war from the
/ United States.
President Roosevelt IS asked 10 continue
! the efforts OF his predecessor 10 bring 10
end the horrors Of concentration camps
and a warfare which by Its unexsmplcd
ferocity and enormous cost of life and
treasure has astounded the civilized world -
Members of German singing societies,
numbering 600 voices. sang patriotic songs.