The Transvaal Crisis.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 163, 13 January 1896, Page 2

The Transvaal Crisis.

(Per Press Association.) yi elbouknb, Jan. 11. Referring to the Boers General Smith said he never saw anyone in the world shoot like the Boers. At the battle of Lang's neck he saw the 58th Regiment go up to their doom. He commanded the force which covered the retreat. The troops were up in close column, which was simply suicidal. The Boers lay on the terraced hill awaiting their coming and then stood up, as cool as cucumbers, and potted the unfortunate British like rabbits, livery shot told and they were as self-possessed and quiet as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening, while the British fired wildly from the hip. The Boers were most humane people, but cared for no thing but their wives and families, their farms, cattle, and the Bible. As to the possibility of war between England and Germany, the Commandant expressed the opinion that Germany would do well to let well alone. If they did go to war all he could say was that it would be a bad thing for Germany. She was just oue of the Powers England could tackle successfully. It' it resolved itself into a question of naval warfare, there was no question as to who would be victorious. The result would be that Germany would lose the ifew colonies she now possesses. Tbis Day. Johannesburg newspapers dated Deer. 16th throw more light on the recent, out break. Presiding at a dinner of the Johannesberg Club Dr Hillier said they seemed to pool everything at Pretoria. A reptile Press had dona its best to make them believe that all they had to do wus to take the oath of allegiance. They were practically slayes, but they had one privilege — that they alone should provide the levenue of the colony. Dr Hillier then proposed the toast of " The President of the Republic." There was no immediate response, and the men looked at one another, astonished at the change. The band struck up the "Transvaal National Anthem," and a few of those present, with no knowledge of the words, stood up and attempted to hum the air. Then all sat down again in quick succes- j siori. The toast of " The Queen " was given, and a scene of the wildest enthusiasm resulted. The whole assembly rose, and the " National Anthem " was heartily sang, cheering being kept up for tally ten minutes. Captain Islein, in proposing a toast said taxation without representation had caused tho American Revolution. Tney did not want a revolution, but they meant to have a vote. Sydney, This Day Premier Reid, in the name of all the Australian Colonies, has sent the following cable to Lord Salisbury: — " The Governments of Australia and Tasmania view with satisfaction the prompt and fearless measures adopted by the Imperial Government for the defence and integrity of the Empire, and desire to convey to you the united assurance of the loyal support of the people of Australia, and their full sympathy in the determination of the Mother Country to resent foreign interference in matters of British and Colonial concern." Pketokia, January 11. Affairs in the Transvaal are quiet, and business is being resumed. The Reform Committee is assisting the Government to collect arms. All, except the leaders, are to be granted an amuesty who surrender their arms. President Kruger proclaims that the originators of the recent plot misled the majority of those taking part in it, and urges the people to conduct themselves in such a manner as to admit of reforms being carried out. He admits that the Goyemment can ask the Volksraad to forget and forgive. January, 12. The Transvaal Customs' officers seized a safe which was consigned to a well known Rand agitator. On being opened it was found to be full of revolver cartridges. The Pretoria High Court has ordered the seizure of the property belonging to the imprisoned agitators. Three members of the Rand Reform Committee have been arrested at Capetown on a charge of treason in the Transvaal. The rank and file of Jameson's ill fated party have left Pretoria for Natal whence, with their officers, they will be deported to England. Francis J. Newton chief magistrate of Bechanavalaud succeeds Dr Jameson. Seventy additional warrants have been issued in Johannesburg. All passports have been withdrawn. London, January 11. Mr Hofmeyer has cabled to the Hon. Mr Chamberlain that a radical change is necessary in the South Africa Chartered Company, which endangers peace in the Transvaal, and demands that an exhaustive enquiry be made into the charges of conspiracy. The Hon. Mr Chamberlain, in reply, states that inquiry is certain, and that at present the chief object is to prevent embittered relations arising between the British and Dutch in the Transvaal. Twenty-two memcers of the Reform Committee, including Colonel Rhodes, Sir Drummond Dunbar, Lionel Phillips, and Dr Saur, have been arrested on charges of treason and conveyed to Pretoria. i The populace appear indifferent in the matter. Several members of the committee have resigned. Dr Jameson has been formally dismissed from the position he held in the Company, and Mr Newton, of Bechuanaland, succeeds him. The Emperor of Germany has replied to Her Majesty's rebuke for his message to President Kruger, congratulating the latter on maintaining the independence of the Transvaal. The Daily Telegrah's Berlin correspondent wires that in reply the Emperor's language mutually proffers his hand, and confirms Prince Hohenlohe's assurances that there was no intention to cast a slur on the dignity of Great Britain. President Kruger has cabled to the Queen, highly appreciating her message, and declaring that the prisoners will be released when quiet has been restored in the Rand. Many leading authorities hold that the sitnation has led to the increased fleet, and demand that the surplus of i-5,000,---000 sterling be devoted to the construction of additional warships. The Queen has sent an antograph letter to Mr Chamberlain, conveying to him her grateful thanks for his services in the Transvaal crisis. H.M.S. Condor haa been ordered to Lorenzo Marquez, in Delogoa Bay. Capetown, Jan. 12. The following have joined Sir J. Gor- ! don Spriggs' cabinet : —Sir Thomas Upi ington, Sir James Sievewright, the Hon P. H. Faure and Dr Waters, The amended list of casualties in the recent fight between Dr Jameson and the Boers reduces the total killed to 41 and wounded 50. The survivors are being sent to England for trial.