KRUGER PROCLIVITIES.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 September 1901, Page 2

KRUGER PROCLIVITIES.

A good many Boers had their confidence rudely shaken when Kruger decamped with all the Transvaal gold, while at the same time paying his faithful burgher soldiers in worthless bonds, yet a large number held that he was doing it for the best —from patriotic motive, and with intent to ultimately return the gold to his countrymen, if he did not in the meantime use it up in furthering the Boer cause in Europe. So far, the “ slim ” ex-President has held tightly to the yellow, metal, and discontinued the bribery policy of Dr. Leyds—not, we presume, from any conscientious

motives, but simply because he would not part with his ill-gotten gold. If the action of “ Father Kruger ” gave the Boers a shock*what will that of “ Son Kruger ”do ? A few days ago we were told he had surrendered. Today’s telegrams inform , us that his object in surrendering was to save his farm—which had been given him by the ex-President. Here, again, we have evidence of the se'fish nature of the Kruger family. Patriotism and the cause of the Boer is all very well in its way, but when it comes to a question of personal loss the Kruger Ilk are not there. They are particularly liberal with their Brother Boers blood, but they are not going to risk their own personal property, much less their individual lives to save the South African Republics. The action while it brings out the true nature of the Kruger Family, also tells of the efficacy of Kitchener’s proclamation,' which is further shown by the large number of surrenders. Last week the return of killed, wounded, captured and surrendered was 559, the week before close on 700, while like captures and surrenders have been going on for a good many weeks past. If this is continued for three months the number of Boers in the field will be under a thousand. Undoubtedly the proclamation has tended to shorten the struggle, which cannot last much longer.