Trouble in the Transvaal.

Manawatu Herald, 7 January 1896, Page 2

Trouble in the Transvaal.

The British South Africa Chartered Company has had a letter from Mr Chamberlain, couched in imperative terms, demanding that the Company shall officially repudiate Dr Jameson's action.

A private letter from Buluwayo, dated the end of November, mentions that there was then some talk of the English taking the Transvaal.

Official intelligence has been received that Dr Jameson has been defeated by the Boers with heavy loss.

Sir Hercules Robinson's messengers overtook Dr Jameson's force beyond Eland River, but the leader disregarded the messages recalling him, and continued to march on, carryiug the British flag. Before Sir J. De Wet, British agent, could arrive, fighting had begun at Kruger'3 Drop on Wednesday afternoon. Jameson was driven from several positions, and the Boers captured 42 prisoners, half of whom were wounded.

The prisoners include three officers.

The fighting continued until a large force surrounded Dr Jameson at Kruger's Drop, compelling him to surrender. Five were killed. Mr Chamberlain directed Sir Hercules Robinson to proceed immediately to Pretoria to secure generous treatment of the prisoners, and care for the wounded, and to try and arrange a peaceful settlement.

There is considerable excitement in Johannesburg, though no assistance was extended to Dr Jameson. A run on tho banks there has set in. President Eruger has been informed of a further projected incursion by the Chartered Company's troops ; also that Kaffirs command the Bechuanaland frontier.

A large force from the Orange Free State commands the Vaal River, and is ready to assist the Boers.

The Times suggests that the fighting between Dr Jameson and the Boers was an accidental skirmish, and the surrender voluntary, Jameson being willing to yield when he found that the Band did not require the protection of his police. The British South Africa Chartered Company has cabled dissenting from Jameson's invasion.

A private telegram from Capetown states that Jameson will be courtmartialled, and that the other officers will be released.

Before the fight took place, President Kruger issued a manifesto in which he promised to submit the grievances of the Uitlanders to Par* liament if properly requested to do so.

The Emperor of Germany hera sent a message to President Kruger congratulating him on the energetic action taken by him to restore peace and for preserving the independence of the Transvaal without appealing to the friendly powers. The Pall Mall Gazette believes that a huge scheme of President Kruger's is intended, its object being 10 crush the Uitlanders while they are unprepared, and that it is also^^ designed to cripple British interests, and limit their activity. The paper also considers that the Orange Free States' sympathy with Capetown will ultimately divert the Transvaal trade to Delagoa, the Dutch and German capitalists aiding in this direction.

Sir Hercules Robinson cabled on Friday siting that over 80 of Dr Jameson's party were wounded, including Major Grey and Captain Coventry. Seventy were killed, and addi* tional bodies are still being found.

Five hundred prisoners were taken.

The casualties Jon the Boer side Were slight. Jameson, John Wilioughby and Captain White are imprisoned in Johannesburg. The French newspapers Le Temps and Le Journal des Debats exalt over Jameson's defeat, and consider it plain that Mr' Chamberlain's advice for generous treatment to the prisoners is intended as a concession to the Uitlanders.

The European pres3 dwells upon Great Britain's isolated action, and regards the German, French and Russian identical action respecting the Transvaal as the probable forerunner of a tremendous outburst. * The English press protests against the Emperor of Germany's insulting message, and declares that no Euro* pean Power has a right to intervene. • Several newspapers urge that Great Britain should enter into an alliance with the other Powers, as isolated action is dangerous. Several incidents suggest the complicity of Mr Cecil Rhodes in the affair.

President Kruger has promised to grant certain concessions to the Uitlanders.