THE SOUTH AFRICAN CRISIS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XVII, Issue 3882, 11 May 1896, Page 3

THE SOUTH AFRICAN CRISIS.

. » London, May 9 In the House of Commons Sir W. V. Harcourt declared that the ciphers recently discovered among the eftects o£ the raiders of the Transvaal proved that the Uitlanders 1 reforms were merely a stock jobbing dodge, which Mr Cecil Rhodes had actuated. The power of settlement m the Transvaal, and the removal of the racial difficulty were impossible whilst controlled by the South African Chartered Company. He demanded the removal of Mr Rhodes, and the re-forming of the Chartered Company's Board of Directors. Mr Chamberlain, m reply, condemned the ciphers, and said that though not of supreme importance, compared with main principles, it was the Government policy to maintain j the paramount state, and rsunite the races. No doubt tfiere were faults on : both sides. Be declared, that the Boers were constantly breaking the Convention. It was not, he said, the intention of the Government to recall Sir Hercules Robinson from Cape Colony, but the summoning of him to London was only for the purpose of consultation. Referring to the statement that Sir Jacobus De Wit, the j British Consul at Pretoria, has been \ recalled, he explained that that gentleman had had a long term of office, and by his close attention to official matters was entitled to well earned rest. Though there was only one opinion as to Mr Rhodes' complicity m the Transvaal raid, it would be unfair to forget his great services m South African matters. He offered no opinion as to the acceptance of Mr Rhodes' resignation. When tbe judiciary had finished, a searching inquiry into the Chartered Company should be made by a Committee of the Lords and Commons. The speech was generally well receivedt though the Opposition were clamorous for Sir Hercules Robinson's removal. Additional ciphers, also extracts from White's notebook, show that Colonel Rhodes m November demanded that the entire Government must be m the hands of Mr Cecil Rhodes, and that the Rand was arranging for 1000 men to assist Dr Jameson's entry on December 29tb. Capetown, May 9 The House of Assembly hps unanimously passed a resolution to the effect that it hopes Sir Hercules Robinson will speedily return. The orders for the troops to advance beyond Maf eking have been cancelled. A number of white people are besieged i at Belingue. Berlin, May 9. An inspired article m a paper states that President Kruger possesses a proclamation of the Reform Committee, which was m effect that Mr Ohas Lennard was to be President, Mr Lionel Phillips Secretary of State, and Mr J. H. Hammond Attorney-General. It adds that the revolution failed owing to disagreement among the reformers. Mr Rhodes was confident of his action being sanctioned, and if successful he would have claimed the Presidency of the South African States. Capetown, May 10 A force of two hundred mounted and three hundred foot, with four Maxim guns, is leaving Buluwayo to endeavor to effect a junction with Cecil Rhodes at Gwelo. Sir Hercules Robinson sails for England on the 20th inst.