MAIL NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 199, 22 August 1900, Page 5

MAIL NEWS.

IN THE BOERS' DEN

THE 11IGHT AND 11E1TZ.

The shrewd London correspondent who has once or twice before faced Kruger and Eeitz in their hiding places did so again last Thursday, and had a by no means uninteresting interview with the Secretary.

I have returned here after a somewhat thrilling experience. My interview with Mr Kelts was brief but animated, he being in a hurry to catch a train to return to Machadodorp with other members of the Executive. I have ascertained that the State Secretary of the ex-South African llepublic did not wish to see me, and was angry and much surprised at my being able to penetrate, into the heart of the as yet unoo'iiquered part of the Transvaal, and even to the seat of its socalled Government, without being challenged, and sent back.

I refrained from explaining how I had managed to do so, but I calmed him down by diplomatically hinting that my mission was not a personal one, a remark which brought back the rejoinder that the "Daily Telegraph" was not on the Boer side, but against it, "like most of the miserable. English papers.''

Wishing to avoid this argument I adroitly glanced to another subject, by stating that it was quite possible that most of the English journals were wrongly informed from the Boer s>idc, and I might, therefore, be the medium of imparting some correct information.

"No use, no use^" Mr Eeitz quickly and vehemently retorted; ".you 'have come here to talk to us about the prospects of peace, so Consul Potts' letter only now received informs us; but President Kruger cannot see you on. s\ich a matter. He wishes me to state —and by stating it to you he only repeats what he has said over and over again to others — that the South African Republic shall continue to fight for its independence, even although 500 burghers are left alive, and then the struggle will go on until we are all exterminated.

I asked if that was to be accepted as the final answer to any question of unconditional surrender.

''Certainly it is," came the reply, like a rocket from its tube; "tell that to your jobrnal, and through it the world, that the South African Eepublic shall fight to the bitter end. What do you take us for? We are fighting for our rights, our independence, and we mean; to continue until death if need be."

"Good-bye," lie said, shaking my hand cordially. I was turning to go, when I asked him to grant me the privilege of snapshotting him, to which he smilingly and quietly responded. I had the opportunity ofi seeing President Kruger later en, but I had no conversation "with him.

My painful experience followed immediately the train had loft conveying members of the Government to Machadodorp. T was shadowed by detectives and subjected to inquisitorial and menacing scowls that looked ominous. My mission had got bruited abroad, and this resulted in all the inhabitants of Watervalonder coming out to view the rara. avis* in the form of the hated Engelschmaw.

During my three days' stay in Transvaal territory I was subjected to insulting espionage, which continued while I was in the train, and on reaching,, the box-dor station I was ' minutely searched, every pocket being turned inside out, and all my papers taken from me, read, and retained.

Had it not been for a. kindly Ifint dropped imo'bserved in tue train, which induced me to destroy all my carefully prepared noted, I would certainly have beeu arrested. As it was, however, the Boers found no incriminating1 papers, and I was 'allowed to pass the border into Portuguese territory, much to my relief of mind. '

President Ivruger is strong willed and still all-powerful, despite the rumours to the contrary. He looks well, and walks with a sprightly and firm step.

I found Mr Reitz, as of old, crafty and foxy. He was excessively demonstrative, gesticulated wildly, and spoke loudly, as if lie wished to overawe me by his man-nerism. He is a dreamer of unrealised dreams, of high, sanguine, and sentimental temperament. Kruger dances to Reitz's playing, but both have a firm hold of the minor individuals, such, as generals and Government officials, who, combined, succeed in ruling their more ignorant compatriot® by a,ri influence subtle enough for their purpose to keep tight the bands of slowly disorganising discipline.