The Transvaal Crisis.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 254, 1 May 1896, Page 2

The Transvaal Crisis.

COMMUTATION OF THE SENTENCES. GREAT EXCITEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA. (Per Press Association.) Pretoria. April 29. The sentences passed on the Reformers have been commuted. April 30. The Executive has commuted the death sentences, and is discussing what action to take in respect to the other sentences. The Volkstraad of the Orange Free State is in favour of large purchases of war material. April 30. The Reform Party are very bitter against the severe sentence^ passed on the prisoners, and consider their pleading guilty ill-advised. The majority of the accused declare they would have been able to prove they only signed the mani festo. A number of leading burghers have signed a petition asking that itn i prisonment shall not be enforced. Capetown, April 30. South Africa is excited ov«r the result of the trial of the Reform Committee. The Rand Exchange is closed, and has asked sympathy of London. Business is suspended. The judge, in passing sentence, stated he was compelled to pass sentence in accordance with the Roman and Dutch law, but hoped the Executive would show clemency similar to that displayed towards Dr Jameson and his party. The Pretoria (including Boer) jurors petitioned for commutation. A Loyal Colonial League has been formed in the Cape frontier town. Lord Grey, the new administrator of the Chartered Company, has reached Mangivil and proceeds to Buluwayo. Later. Earl Grey, recently appointed admin istrator for the Chartered Company has reached Buluwayo. Berlin, April 30. The National Zeitoung, referring to the matter, states that the Hon. J. Chamberlain adopts the suzerain tone towards the vassal.