MR. KRUGER.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 47, 23 August 1902, Page 5 (Supplement)

MR. KRUGER.

A Temps reporter has had an interview with the sculptor 'Carles, who re- . turned yesterday (wrote the Paris correspondent of The Times on 30th June) from Utrecht, whither he had been sent by the French pro-Boer Committee to execute a bust of Mr. Kruger. It being the eye of the sculptor's marriage, the conversation was naturally brief, but o» he is tho first foreigner who had seen Mr. Kruger since the conclusion of peace I quote nis words : — " I had two sittings a. day of about half an hour each. At the first I told the President that he might in, my presence do whatever he liked, for, unlike a photographer, 1 did not require him to remain motionless. I left him to eat, smoke, and talk. President Kruger profited by this to work with his secretary. As I do not understand Dutch I was not in the way or indiscreet. ... As far as the^ mind is reflected on the countenance, I noticed in the President signs of calmness, strength, and confidence. There was not tho slightest appearunce of sadness or dejection. In those around him I thought I sometimes surprised an expression of passing discouragement, but in the President never. His whole frame breathes energy, as people say. There is in his serious attitude and l«ok the stamp, as it were, of his profoundly religious sentiments. You know that he passes the best part of his days in reading the Bible. An imposing Bible lay open on the table of the room where I was working. ... I remember his loud voice and outbursts when discussing with his secretary. I did not understand, but I hoard. The secretary must have dropped a remark or nn opinion that did not please tho master. One day 1 asked v the secretary to say to the President on my behalf, 'A people like that of the Transvaal, which has shown such civic virtues, cannot die.' President Kruger replied, 'No, it cannot die. A great nation, on the contrary, will spring from its undeserved misfortunes.' The President, I repeat, has at no moment seemed discouraged. In truth he is ignorant of the latest events in the Transvaal 'and the real conditions of pe«ce. He knowp that the Boers have laid down their arms, and that is all. To those around him the English news— the only news given to Europe — appears to require confirmation, and they are waiting. " The life led by President Kruger is somewhat singular. He rise 9at 10 and works, reads, nnd wmlks in his garden until 1. He lunches and has a siesta from 2 to 4. From 4to 6 he is occupied, as in the morning, In working, reading, and walking. At 6 o'clock dinner is served. He goes to bed at 8, but wnkes nt midnight, and until 2 o'clock works with his secretary. It is at night, I think, that the most important questions are dealt with. My sittings were at 10 a.m. and .4 p.m. The villa at Utrecht is very simple, consisting only of four or five rooms. The drawing-room, therefore, was placed at my disposal. President Kruger has a valet out of the common run. He was the engine-driver of his summer carriage, who accompanied him when ho left the Transvaal. He is naturally very attentive to tho Presideut, filling his pipe for him and giving him a light. My bust of Mr. Kruger is practically finished, but I must add his large Presidential scorf with the Transvaal arms. I advised Mr. Kruger to wear it, nnd' he agreed. On the other hand, the President asked me whether his foreign orders should be shown on the bust, but I thought that this was needless, and would compromise the character of the work. The President agreed with me."