Trouble in the Transanl.

Manawatu Herald, 4 January 1896, Page 2

Trouble in the Transanl.

Owing to the threatened trouble with the foreign settlers over their demand for political rights, General Joubert, the Commandant, has been summoned to Pretoria. Women and children arc leaving the Band, and business is dwindling. It is reported that the miners are arming. President Kruger, in an interview, said he was prepared for any emergency. A portion of the German press publishes articles hostile to Great Britain, and urges the German Government to preserve the integrity of the Transvaal. The Dutch Government remains neutral. The exodus of women and children from Johannesburg is increasing. The price of food is rising. The National Union discloses no definite offensive movement. The burghers have been ordered to be ready for active service. The Mercantile Association, whiob is being formed to protect property, is applying to the Government for arms.

The latest cablegrams announce chat in response to an urgeqt appeal from the leading residents of Johannesburg asking for protection of the life and property of thousand of unarmed British men and women, Dr Jameson, at the head of 700 riflemen, with six Maxim and other guns, entered the Transvaal on Sun* day. They are expected to arrive at Johannesburg on Thursday. The men carry with them provisions for four days. This action was likely to oaase tin* wonted excitement when it is known that Dr Jameson is a 0.8. and is the administrator in Mashonaland for the British South Africa Company, of which the Duke of Aberoorn is chairman, and the Duke of Fife deputy-chairman and amongst the directors appears the name of Hon. Cecil Rhodes.

Mr Chamberlain has urgently directed Dr Jameson to return to Mafeking, but it is feared that the message will noc reach him before he arrives in Johannesburg, from which place no news has been received since Sunday, and it is feared that the telegraph wires have been cut. •

Mr Chamberlain has urged President Eruger to prevent a confliot, offering to co-operate with him in preserving peace. President Eruger is mobilising his array, and is reported to have asked the French and German Consuls for support. President Eruger has informed Sir Hercules Robinson, Governor of Cape Colony, that he looks upon Dr Jameson's expedition as an invasion of the country, and, in the interests of peace, Sir Hercules Robinßon has ordered Dr Jameson to immediately withdraw.

The press generally condemns Dr Jameßon's action, and says his march

r- — ■ ■ was unwarranted unless he was aware that a conflict had had taken pla^e among the natives at the mines. A Birmingham firm has w?thin the last three mouths fulfilled an order of the Transvaal Government for 20,000 Ei .field rifles and 2000 Martini-Henry and Snider rifles.

Mr Cecil Rhodes> Premier of Cape Colony, states that Dr Jameson was not authorised to make bis march into the Transvaal. On the contrary, he (Mr Rhodes) tried to prevent the expedition starting. Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, officially states that he and Sir Hercules Eobinson are taking every means to avert anything happening as tie result of Dr Jameson's extraordinary action.

Sir H. Robinson, through the Pretoria and Johannesburg press, enjoins Britishers not to aid or countenance Dr Jameson, but to remain quiet and obey the law. Sir Jacobus de Wet, British Agent at Pretoria, has left for Johannesburg to intercept Dr Jameson and order him to retire.

Dr Jameson has written to Commandant Marico that his expedition has no hostile intentions, but is advancing for the purpose of assisting and obtaining justice and the rights of the citizen. ?.

Telegrani3 from Pretoria state that an additional force of 800 strong has crossed the frontier.

A rising has occurred in Johannesburg, but no details have been received.

The English press applauds the action of Mr Chamberlain.

Mr Rhodes protests that he had no pre* knowledge of what has been happening.

Sir Hercules Robinson has ordered every officer with DrJameson to retire.

It is officially reported that Dr Jameson has been defeated, with heavy loss.