Transcribed by Emily Smith. Geo. The Northern News With Which Are Amalgamated The HALTWHISTLE and ALSTON NEWS and NORTH CUMBERLAND REFORMER No. 514 —Vol. XI. Saturday, January 6, 1900 ----- THE WORLD IS FLAT. President KRUGER and some of his most learned subjects, to say nothing of the Boers generally, believe that the world is flat. This is not a libel on their intelligence, says a London correspondent, invented by narrow-minded English prejudice. We find the fact soberly stated by an American who is relating in "The Century Magazine" an account of how he recently sailed round the world in a sloop. Captain SLOCUM is not a Californian adventurer, but an educated man who during his stay in South Africa included Sir Alfred MILNER, the late Harry ESCOMBE, Sir Henry M. STANLEY, M.P., and Col. SAUNDERSON, M.P., among his guests. At Durban he was visited by three Boers from Pretoria who had just published a work proving that the world is not a globe. One of these visitors was a minister of the Dutch Church which President KRUGER attends. Their object in calling upon the captain was to obtain further data from him. The Boers and the traveler discussed the subject for a long time, the Boers producing their Bible, and saying, "If you respect the Word of God you must admit that the world is flat"; while Captain SLOCUM produced his chart, on which he traced the track his sloop had made. But unhappily this quite gave the case away. The chart itself was flat, spread out on a table. What could be clearer? These modern maps of the universe exactly confirmed the Scriptures; this distinguished traveler, of whom they had read in the Pretoria papers, instead of upsetting their arguments, had completely confirmed them. With American nonchalance Captain Slocum gave it up, wondering that there could be such ignorance even in Pretoria. But he wondered more later on. From Durban he journeyed to Pretoria and called upon the President. Judge BEYERS introduced him. In the course of conversation the Judge mentioned that his friend Captain SLOCUM was on a voyage round the world. It was said innocently enough, but the Captain at once saw that the Judge had touched a sore place. The President bluntly told his honour not to talk rubbish. We will quote the story in the Captain's own words:—It unwittingly gave great offence to the venerable Statesman which we both regretted deeply. Mr. KRUGER corrected the Judge rather sharply, reminding him that the world is flat. "You don't mean round the world," said the President; "it is impossible! You mean in the world. Impossible!" he said, "impossible!" and not another word did he utter either to the Judge or me. The Judge looked at me, and I looked at the Judge, who should have known his ground, so to speak, and Mr. KRUGER glowered at us both." It was an embarrassing moment for everybody, excepting Mr. KRUGER, who triumphantly held his own. -- Emily Smith