THE JAMESON RAID.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10407, 3 April 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE JAMESON RAID.

(PEKING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY

INQUIRY.

PRINCE OF WALES PRESENT.

The following description of the opening of the inquiry into tho Jameson raid is given in a London paper :—

Not half a dozen member!! of the outside public were to be seen at the gates of Par-

iiamenb watching for the entrance of the principal character. Members of the Press in strong force were there; members of Parliament also; but the outside public was not represented, and when Mr. Ceoil Khodes and, a little later, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales rode into Palace Yard thuy were quite unnoticed. The room in Westminster Hall was utmost full when they entered. The seals allotted to members of Parliament and the Press woro fully occupied. Only the seats of the Committee and those reserved for counsel and the privileged few were vaoant. Tho room itself is above the historic hall, and erected on the north-eastern corner of it. Archi-

tecturally, it is not benutiful. Gothic windows are topped by an arched teak roof, walls of freestone being relieved by a dado of teak panelling, and an olaborate ornamented doorway, the Royal Arms, eurrounded by floral emblems, and a massive mantel being the most distinctive features. A lhort barricade ran from the doorway to the centre of the room, separating the Press seats from those of tho members. The

Committee sat round a horsoshoe-shaped tiblo at the top uf the room, in tho front of which was placed a table for the special shorthand writer and tho witness. \Vhon Mr. Rhodes entered tho Duke of Abercorn, whom he at .once addressed, wus already there. Sir William Harcourt and his son Lulu were prosent, and others noticed woro Colonel Khodes, Lord Selborno, Sir Donald Currio, Mr. Leonard Courtney, Lord Loch, Sir Ughtred Kay-Shuttloworth, Colonel Saundersoii, and Mr. Tom Ellis. Three

ladies were admitted at tho commencement, bub tho demand by members of Parliament for admission compelled the Committee to ask tliom to<retire,a3well as several goutlemoil hoc officially connected with the inquiry. TIIK PRINCE AMD MR. RHODES. Mr. Cecil Rhodes created a vory favourable impression when he entered. Tall and erect, with » finely-shaped head— to every advantage by the somewhat) curly hair, Inclined to grevnos*, being cut short, and set on a massive pair of shoulders— looked every inch u commander. Mr. Rhodes was accompanied by his solicitor (Mr. Hawk'sley), and tho two sat in tho front row— Mr. Rhodes bolt upright disdaining tho use of the back. Ho was in this position when Hi' Royal Highness entered. Colonel Stanley Clarko was in attendance, but Lord Selborne took the vacant seat) next to him. Mr. Rhodes was at) once pointed out, and for some time His Royal Highness looked fixedly at him. Once ho nodded and smiled, but the South African magnate's gnza was elsewhere. His Royal Highness laughed, and continued to gaze until Mr. Rhodes' attention was attracted. His Royal Highness then once more smiled and bowed, Mr. Rhodes responding with becoming dignity. Lord Loch, who came in a little later, heartily shook hands with tho ex-Premier of the

Cape, and stood chatting with him for some time. It was half an hour after the allotted time boforo the Committee entered. Tho members wero occupied in this interval in arranging the preliminaries of procedure. Sir Wm. Hurcourt was the first, to ontor, the remaindor following in quick succession. Each had to pass the Prince, to whom thoy bowed. Mr. Chamberlain was more favoured. He not only received a bow, but a cordial shake of the hand. Mr. \V, L Jackson, looking much bettor than anticipated, limped in with tho aid of a stick at tho rear. When all were seatod

t was found that Mr. Chamberluin, Sir

Michael Hicks-Beaoh, Sir Richard Webster, and other Unionists were on the ohairman's right; Sir William Hurcourt; Sir H. Campbell-Bannormann, and other Radicals on his left.

OPENING TUB PROCEEDI.NOS.

Tho chairman, in oponing, read the decisions at which tho Committee had arrivod at tho laab mooting, and then abruptly observed, "I will call Mr. Rhodes." Mr. Rlnvlei at. ones rose and advanced to tho witness tablo, where he was sworn by the clerk. There was an impressive silence at this stage, and every eyo was fixed upon the witness. The Prince leaned forward on his ebony stick, and followed every movement. Mr. Jackson first naked Mr. Rhodes a tow questions of identification, at tho conclusion of which he asked him if ho would like to make a statement, " Yes," mild Mr. Rhodes, In a rich baritone; " I think it will be better to make a simple statement "