THE TRANSVAAL TROUBLE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1247, 23 January 1896, Page 36

THE TRANSVAAL TROUBLE.

Pretoria, January 14. President Kruger threatens to cancel the miners’ licenses. He has made a large seizure of the property of the Union, indicating that he thus intends to compensate the country. Owing to his knowledge of the existence of the conspiracy, President Kruger had arranged to mobilise troops, and surround Johannesburg. Bettlehem and Leonard Joel have been arrested at the Cape l’or treason. The Boers declare that only one-third of the rifles have been surrendered. Dr Loyds, Secretary of State for the Transvaal, was the ambassador from the President to Germany in connection with the trouble here. Among those arrested in Johannesburg is W. Davies, an Australian. Pretoria, January 15. In a message to the Volksraad, President Kruger asked that the Assembly should in its calmer moments discuss the causes of the dastardly plot to overthrow the Republic. He announced his determination to establish the rights of the Republic on a more secure basis. The meeting of the Voiksraad was marked by exciting scenes. Instructions were given to increase the artillery by 400 gunners, and thanks were tendered to the Orange Free

State, Sir H. Robinson and Sir J. De Wet. The Assembly then adjourned. Mr Chamberlain is afraid that the wholesale arrests by President Kruger will endanger the industries and, commerce of the Transvaal, and has asked Sir H. Robinson to explain the nature of the charges and the probable punishment. The Boers are disarming. Twelve thousand traversed Johannesburg, and flatter themselves that they can overawe the residents. The Volksraad of the Orange Free State has carried resolutions declaring that the State will always assist the Transvaal, and demanding that the charter of the British South Africa Company be cancelled. The Transvaal burghers are petitioning President Kruger to revoke the British suzerainty. The Chartered Company’s troop of horse at Buluwayo has been disarmed. Mr Cecil Rhodes has loft Capetown for England. Pretoria, January 16. In reply to the enquiries of Mr Chamberlain, Sir Hercules Robinson has telegraphed that the total arrests made by order of President Kruger numbered 60, and that the warrants charged them with having committed treason. Sir H. Robinson added that the Government were believed to be in posses--ion of evidence showing the existence of a widespread conspiracy to seize t!ie whole of the Transvaal on behalf of the Chartered Company. Affairs having resumed their normal state in Pretoria and Johannesburg, Sir H. Robinson leaves at once for Capetown. London. January 14. Mr Chamberlain has decided to remove Sir Jacobus de Wot, the British agent, from Pretoria. Mr Barney Barnato, the South African millionaire, addressing a meeting of shareholders interested in South African ventures, stated that the value of property in South Africa had depreciated to a very large extent during too last six months, He mentioned that the gold mines he represents yielded gold to the value of £1,750,000 in 1895, and paid nearly £1,000,000 in dividends. London, January 17. The privates belonging to Jameson’s party, who were deported from the Transvaal, were released on arrival in England. Capetown, January 15. Herr Hofmcyor, leader of the Afrikander Party, states that in the event of an AngloGerman war England would acquire the German colonies, including Damaraland, which, he thinks, would not be altogether an unuiixed evil. The Emperor of Germany’s action in the Transvaal difficulty was, to his mind, undeserving of serious consideration. Berlin, January 15. The German press officially states that the Emperor William did not apologise to the Queen. New York, January 15. At the annual meeting of the Geographical Society, those present cheered the names of Mr Rhodes and Dr Jameson. Sydney, January 15. Mr Reid has received the fodowing cablegram from Lord Salisbury “ The- Government heartily thank you, and through you the Governments of A ustralia and Tasmania, for their patriotism and asurances of sympathy and support. Nothing can give to us greater confidence in maintaining the rights of our country than the knowledge that we have the approval and goodwill of our fellow-subjects in the colonies.” Auckland, January 16. The Arawas at Rotorua have been discussing the propriety of offering themselves for service in the Transvaal. Many loyal speeches have been made.