THE TRANSVAAL TROUBLE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9307, 7 January 1896, Page 5

THE TRANSVAAL TROUBLE.

ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHT. DR. JAMESON COMPLETELY OUTFOKCED. THE SITUATION. MB CHAMBERLAIN'S VIEWS. TREATMENT OF THE PRISONERS. THE BOERS AND MR CECIL RHODES. GERMAN SYMPATHY. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright London", January 5.

The Governor of Natal has telegraphed an account of the fight between Dr. Jameson's force and the Boers. It appears that the battle took placa on Wednesday and lasted from three o'clock in the afternoon till eleven o'clock at night. Dr. Jameson and his men showed great gallantry. The Boers numbered fifteen hundred and occupied a strong position, but Dr. Jameson attacked them three times, meeting with a repulse on each occasion. He then tried to move on to Roodepoort, via Randfontein, but was blocked at Boorkrorp, where the nght was renewed on Thursday afternoon. In the meantime a detachment of the Transvaal artillery had joined General Joubert's force, and Dr. Jameson found himself completely outf orced, with his men and horses knocked up. The party was without food for three days. The total casualties were 2-10. The wounded received excellent treatment.

The Colonial Office has not been closed since Friday.

Willoughby and Dr. Jameson, who are imprisoned at Johannesburg, are not injured.

Major Grey formerly belonged to the Bechuanaland police. Captain Coventry is the son of Lord Coventry. Captain White, who is also imprisoned at Johannesburg, is a brother of Lord Annaly.

The Transvaal authorities refuse to transmit coded messages, and a censorship has been placed over others.

Mr Chamberlain, replying to a deputation of Cape merchants, said that the prospect of further trouble was remote, and he believed that President Kruger would satisfy the demands of the Uitlanders, with whom the British were in sympathy. Great Britain, he said, would maintain its suzerainty. This is regarded as a rejoinder to the congratulatory message of the Emperor of Germany.

The London and European Exchanges are firm.

Mr Ehodes telegraphs to Mr Howard Vincent that he is on the best of terms with the Boers, and that they will work together for a long time yet.

In the engagement with Dr. Jameson the Boers had only four men killed, although other reports give the number as fifteen.

It is reported that Bettington left Johannesburg to relieve Dr. Jameson, hut the Boers surrounded the party and made prisoners of thirty.

President Kruger telegraphed to Mr Chamberlain on Saturday complaining that British reinforcements are being massed on the Transvaal Border. In this message President Kruger hinted that Mr Ehodes was implicated in the whole trouble, despite his repeated denials. January 6. Mr Chamberlain telegraphed to President Kruger, stating it was rumoured in England that Dr. Jameson and other prisoners had been shot; but he did not believe the report, and he relied on the generosity of the victors to spare the lives of the captives. President .Kruger immediately replied that the prisoners would receive a fair and legal trial. He thought this leniency on his part afforded a strong contrast to the freebooting measures adopted by . Dr. Jameson's men. He regretted that lies had been published in England regarding the treatment of the prisoners. President Kruger added that the confidence of the Boers in Mr Ehodes had been rudely shaken, and his denial of complicity in Dr. Jameson's expedition ought to be received with the greatest caution.

Mr Chamberlain, in reply to this message, telegraphed to President Kruger that the newspapers in England had refused to give credence to the rumours that the prisoners had been shot, and he expressed himself confident that the men would be treated with mercy.

It was reported to-day that Mr Ehodes had resigned the Premiership of Cape Colony, but Sir Hercules Robinson had declined to accept the resignation.

President Kruger sent the German Emperor messages expressing heartfelt thanks for his sympathy, and adding that, with God's help, he would maintain the independence of the Transvaal. Berlin, January 6. The Banks in the city are collecting funds for the assistance of the Boers. Sydney, January 6. The Cape Commissioners look upon Dr. Jameson as Mr Rhodes' lieutenant, and say that if the latter made a mistake it is his first, bat there is probablymore , behind the incident than is at present known. Melbourne, January 6. An Australian who has recently returned, after residing at the Cape, says that if Mr Rhodes was instrumental in sending Dr. Jameson on the expedition President Kruger would have the sympathy of many of the Europeans. Mr Rhodes is not popular in Johannesburg, and he hardly ever visits the town. He has very few followers there even among the English residents. A prominent man on the Exchange there says that the Johannesburg people will never come under the British Government, as the Transvaal is too far distant from the Cape. What is wanted is an independent republic, which the people will probably await President Kruger's death to obtain.