THE TRANSVAAL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1250, 13 February 1896, Page 36

THE TRANSVAAL.

London, February 4. There is strong evidence that forged telegrams purporting to be sent by President Kruger to Dr Jameson led to the latter’s invasion of the Tratlsvaal. Several of Jameson’s troopers have arrived in England. London, February 5. Mr Cecil Rhodes was heartily cheered on his arrival at Paddington Station. Replying to an address from the Trades Unions he promised shortly to receive a deputation of workmen. LonPon, February 7. ThU Transvaal agitators arrested by the Boers are to be tried at Pretoria. Thoro is said to be evidence that they possessed a fund of *£7O,ODO, and had prepared a manifesto of the revolt, which, however, was not issued.

Johannesburg is to receive municipal powers, and the teaching of Dutch or English in the public schools is to to optional. The outlook lias improved. Mr Cecil Rhodes had a two hours’ interview with Mr Chamberlain, at which Lord Salisbury was present.

Mr Rhodes’ statement was fully believed And accepted by Mr Chamberlain as complete. Mr Rhodes is assisting the Government to decide the future of the Chartered Company. London, February 8. The Times states that the future conduct of the Chartered Company in South Africa has been provisionally settled. Mr Rhodes returns to Bnluwayo almost inluiodiateiy. The Government defer making a public statement on the matter until the result is known of the trial of those connected with Dr Jameson’s party.. Mr Chamberlain, Secretary of State for tile Colonies, in writing on the 4th to ."dr Hercules Robins* m, Governor of Cape Colony, reviews the events occurring in the Transvaal, and states that he is aware that the exclusive policy adopted by the Boers irritated the Uitlanders, who believed they had formidable grievances. He had watched the movement, and had not believed that a collision was likely ; therefore tho invasion of the Transvaal by Dr Jameson and his force came quite unexpectedly. President Kruger, he mentions, appeared to be similarly ignorant.

Mr Chamberlain points out that since the convention in ISBl< the Transvaal was internally free, while externally subject to British control. There is, he says, no reason to anticipate foreign opposition, and Great Britain is determined to maintain her rights in the Transvaal. British interests in Africa, continues Mr Chamberlain, justifies the Imperial Government in advising the Transvaal to remedy the grievances of the Uitlanders—who are chiefly British subjects —in regard to finance, franchise, education, State monopoly of labour, railways and police. Mr Chamberlain states that ho cordially appreciates Herr Kruger’s magnanimous conduct in the recent difficulty, and invites him to England to discuss the details of the proposals. Capetown, February 5. Major Coventry and 10 other officers have been handed over to the British authorities, and will remain in Durban Hospital for the present. Capetown, February 7.

The South African Chartered Company is arranging for the Beira railway (from Hie E ist Coast) to be extended from Umtati to Fort Salisbury. The tarilf on the alreadyconstructed portion of the railway from the coast has been very laigely reduced. The extension of the main line from the Cape Colony, from Mafeking to Gaberones, will be opened in July. Capetown, February 9. President Kruger has drafted stringent press laws for the Transvaal. Capetown, February 10. Herr Kruger proposes the establishment of a Municipal Council in Johannesburg, and consents to allow children of the Uitlanders to be taught the English language, but insists that instruction in Dutch be compulsory. In connection with the reforms as to the

treatment of the (jit-landers proposed to the Government of the Transvaal and mentioned in Mr Chamberlain’s letter to Sir Hercules Robinson, President Kruger and Dr Leyds, the leader of the Executive Council, will proceed to England to discuss the details provided the Volksraad sanctions such a course. The Times declares that Mr Rhodes* aim is to create a British Johannesburg in Rhodesia, which in five years will contain a population equal to the Uitlanders in the Transvaal. The intention is to develop A settlement of squatters in the uplands o;l similar lines to settlements in Australia; The paper adds that the Hutch will bo welcome in the country. It further states that Mr Rhodes intends to devote the bulk of his fortune to the scheme. London, February 9. The Pretoria Press, the Government organ, says the Boers do not want any European protection. Britain may control the foreign policy of the country, providing that she guarantees the independence of the Transvaal against the world, and gives special access to Delagoa Ray. AN IMPORTANT SECESSION. Capetown, February 8. The Bechuana chiefs Montsioa and Ikanning have withdrawn their territories from the administration of the Chartered Company and transferred their sttppori to the Cape Colony. The territories of Ikanning and Montsioa in the Beclmanaland Protectorate were placed under the control of the Company in October last, and cover part of the line chosen for the northern extension of the Mafekihg-Yryburg Railway;