Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1900 — WILL CONQUER OR DIE [ARTICLE]

WILL CONQUER OR DIE

. YWS DECLARATION IS MADE BY K ' PRESIDENT KRUGER. Boers, Be Save, Expect No Aid from .Other Nations, bat Are Determined (Wo Fisht to the Last—Bnrghers Are in Desperate Straits. Notwithstanding recent reverses and the general collapse, apparently, of the Free State as a factor in the war, with the rumored disheartening of the Boers in consequence, eminent war critics say there ia reason to believe that President Kruger is correctly reported as saying his people “will conquer or die.” From the first there have been rumors of dissatisfaction from the Free State, but from the Transvaal there has not been the slightest indication that its burghers have ever thought of faltering or of peace unless the latter should be upon lines for which the determined citizens of the South African republic took, up arms. President Kruger is reported, by way of Paris, as saying: “Having been forced into the war, the Boers will conquer or die. 1 expect no aid from other nations, but we are glad of sympathy and friendship. The Transvaal is willing to make peace at any time, but we want no more cons. Only absolute independence is possible. We don’t want more territory, .hut are content with our present frontier, if we are permitted to live peacefully. This is all we ask.” These statements read strangely enough in connection with the fact that the Free State is overrun, an army is on its way to the relief of Mafefcing, and Buller, Methuen and L>rd Roberts are each at the head of an army, ready for the final advance upon the Transvaal. • As to intervention, Dr. Ix?yds is said to be still looking hopefully toward America—not realizing, perhaps, that in offering its friendly offices to England the American Government has done all it can

do short of intervention by force, which would mean wat. Possibly Russia’s forthcoming answer to President Kruger’s appeal for intervention may be more effective as regards aid to the Boers, btif unless the continental powers are prepared for forcible intervention there is no aid in sight for “Oom” Paul and his people outside their own strength’ and valor. That the sturdy president of the Transvaal contemplates this possibility is probable. From present indications the world is likely to witness a he-, roic but pathetic and useless struggle before the South African republic, like the Orhnge Free State, has a new capital and a new ruler. The British inhabitants of the Transvaal, whose rights as non-combatants have hitherto been respected, are now experiencing the hardships of war. President Kruger has commandeered all ablebodied men in the. State, no matter of "What nationality. The British citizens who remained in Pretoria or elsewhere in the Transvaal, perhaps with the idea of being on the winning side, no matter what might happen, are beginning to discover the difficulty of endeavoring to serve two masters. Under penalty of death, they have been ordered to proceed Ao Kroonstad and help to repel the invaders. This is interpreted in London to mean that the Boers arc in desperate straits. The British say that even the unyielding president of the most uncompromising party among the Boers of South Africa is beginning to recognize the hopelessness of the struggle