THE TRANSVAAL TROUBLE.

Hastings Standard, Issue 13, 11 May 1896, Page 2

THE TRANSVAAL TROUBLE.

TIIE CHARTERED COMPANY DE FEERING JUI)CiMENT.

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF

COMMONS

FURTHER EVIDENCE AGAINST THE REFORMERS.

London, May 8. Mr Ilawkslev, solicitor, has published a statement at the request of Dr Jameson exonerating the Chartered Company from complicity in the raid. The directors of the company cabled to Mr Rhodes stating that President Ivruger's revelations had caused universal excitement, in consequence of which they hesitated to accept his resignation. Mr Rhodes replied asking them to defer their final decision in the matter, and the directors agreed to do so. May 9. In the House of Commons Sir W. Ilarcourt declared that cyphers recently discovered among the effects of the raiders of the Transvaal proved that the Uitlanders' reforms were merely stock-jobbing dodges which Mr Cecil Rhodes had actuated. A settlement in the Transvaal and a removal of the racial difficulty were impossible whilst such were controlled by the Chartered Company. He demanded the removal of Mr Rhodes and a reforming-of the Company's board of directors. Mr Chamberlain in reply condemned cyphers, but thought them not of supremo importance compared with the main principle. It was the Government policy to maintain a paramount State and reunite the races. No doubt there were faults on both sides, and he declared that the 13oeiy were constantly breaking the convention. Sir Hercules Robinson was only being summoned for the purpose of consultation. He stated that Sir Jacobus de Wet had been merely recalled because of his extended service at Pretoria. Though there was only one opinion as to Mr Rhodes' complicity in the raid, it would be unfair to forget his great services in South African matters. He offered no opinion as to an acceptance of Mr Rhodes' resignation. When the Judiciary had finished, a searching inquiry would be made into the Chartered Company by a committee of Lords and Commons. The speech was generally well received, though the Opposition were clamorous for Sir Hercules Robinson's removal. Additional cyphers, also extracts from White's notebook, show tIwTS Colonel Rhodes in November demanded that the entire Government must be in the hands of Mr Cecil Rhodes, and that the Rand arranged that 1000 men would assist Dr -fame- f son's entrv on December 21).