KRUGER IN FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11539, 26 November 1900, Page 5

KRUGER IN FRANCE.

ANTI-BRITISH DEMONSTRA-

TION.

ATTITUDE OF THE FRENCH

GOVERNMENT.

VIEWS OF THE NEWSPAPERS.

INTERVENTION IMPOSSIBLE.

AMERICAN PRESS ADVISES KRUGER TO ADMIT DEFEAT.

By Telegraph.—Press Associai

Paris, November 23. A number of Englishmen who occupied a position on a balcony at Marseilles, declined to uncover as Kruger passed.

At the same time coppers were thrown from the direction of the balcony towards the ex-President's carriage.

This exasperated the crowd, who made attempts to storm the building, and also made a demonstration later c'n against the British Consulate.

It was subsequently proved that the coppers came from a window, the affair being probably the act of an Anglophobe. # A mob of a thousand people for some hours besieged the Hotel Louvre where the coppers were thrown. ...

The police escorted the passengers by the Peninsular steamer from the hotel to the quay.

The crowd compelled the Peninsular manager to hoist the French flag.

Kruger subsequently started for Paris, where the Boer Committee placarded the city, urging a -warm welcome.

Kruger, in taking farewell of Marseilles, hoped that French sympathy would be followed by acts.

Kruger adroitly postponed his reply to the invitation from the municipality of Paris until he had; paid his respects to President Loubet.

The Mayor of Marseilles and many deputations brought endless addresses.

Dr. Leyds represented Kruger at a banquet.

Owing to the absence of a notification from Great Britain respecting the annexation of the Republics, the French Government decided to receive Kruger as a sovereign travelling incognito.

President Loubet will exchange visits if desired.

Paris, November 24.

■ The authorities took a prominent part in a great demonstration at Lyo*ns.

Enormous crowds at Dijon accorded an overwhelming ovation to Kruger, who slept in that city.

The Mayor, in welcoming him, sympathised with Kruger in the sadness of his mournful journey, and the Boers in their ill-fated heroism.

, The town was decorated and illuminated.

It is noticeable that since President Loubet's decision to receive Kruger the enthusiasm heightened as he advanced northwards, military officers mingling with the deputations presenting addresses of sympathy. These come from all classes of the community, the Nationalists being thus deprived of the monopoly of fussy Platonic sentiments.

The leading French newspapers declare that intervention is impossible. All wars, especially mercenary and guerilla wars, were barbarous. They commiserated with the sufferings of those who have surrendered and sworn neutrality. Kruger is much cheered by the addresses presented to him. He received bouquets and flowers at all the stations where the train stopped. London, November 21. Queen Wilhelmina, of Holland, addressing Kruger as President of the South African Republic, telegraphed that she was pleased to offer the use of the Gelderland, and glad he had effected his journey in good health. New York, November 24. The American papers, previously pro-Boer in sympathies, now advise Kruger to admit his defeat. The coolness of the British press is commended.