The Transvaal.

Manawatu Herald, 20 May 1899, Page 2

The Transvaal.

Seven Eoglishmen and one Dame were arrested at Johannesburg on Monday night and conveyed to Pretoria. They are charged with enlisting men for service against the Transvaal Government. It is alleged that two thousand men have been already enrolled for service. According to some accounts several of the eight men arrested were either British officers or ex officer?, but such a statement is doubted. The British agent at Pretoria has expressed to Mr Kruger, the President of the Republic, bis regret at the incident, especially as it had taken place on the eve of a friendly understanding being arrived at. President Kroger in reply said he hoped it would not interfere with his proposed meeting with Sir A. Milner the Governor of Cape Colony, to discuss Transvaal difficulties. The plot was discovered by a decretive, who pretended tv join the movement; and watched the scheme for the past four months. The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain has stated that he has received no official news of the Transvaal incident he has expressed the hope that the serious significance attached to the movement has been exaggerated. The " Times's " Johansburg correspondent has telegraphed that there is great excitement in the city. He further states that the prisoners are irresponsible persons, and that their action is unimportant.