THE TRANSVAAL

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1265, 28 May 1896, Page 36

THE TRANSVAAL

London, Alay 19,

One million rounds of ammunition have been shipped from Southampton to Pretoria.

Capetown, May 19. In the Legislative Assembly Mr James Xavier Merrimau, a member of the Executive not in the Cabinet, admitted that he had received a telegram from the Chief Justice of the Transvaal to the effect that unless the charter of the South African Chartered Company was abrogated and Cecil Rhodes punished, there would bo a lasting breach between tho Transvaal and Cape Colony. Capetown, May 21. Eight of the Reform Committee in the Transvaal have been discharged ; four have received a year’s imprisonment; 19 have received three months; 18 have been directed to re-petition in five months ; and four for refusing to petition had their sentences maintained.

All the fines imposed are to bo enforced, but tho decree of banishment from the country is suspended if the prisoners agree not to engage in politics. Tho sentences passed on the four leaders, Colonel Rhodes and Messrs Farrar, Phillips and Hammond, have been commuted to 15 years’ imprisonment. London, May 21.

Sir Hercules Robinson telegraphs that the sentences passed on Colonel Rhodes and Messrs Phillips, Hammond and Farrar amount only to a matter of form, and will be revised in a week. The Times declares that the Transvaal authorities have objected to Sir Graham Bower being nominated as the successor to Sir Jacobus do Wet as British Consul at Pretoria.

The Standard refers to President Kruger’s grudging clemency as mere expediency. Tho despatch of German reinforcements for Damaraland provokes a suspicion of German collusion with the Boers.

London, Alay 24.

The Treasury barristers have procured some startling evidence at the Capo referring to Jameson's raid. President Kruger keenly regrets the departure from Pretoria of Sir Jacobus Do Wot, the late British Agent. Air Chamberlain, Secretary for State for tho Colonies, speaking at a South African dinner, said lie was deeply disappointed at the result of the revision by the Transvaal Executive of tho sentences passed upon the Reform Committee. Tho severity shown must result in delaying the reconciliation between tho two races. England would adheio to the policy she had so far pursued. Pretoria, Alay 23. Tho sentences passed on the political prisoners include tho following:— Sir Drummond Dunbar, J. W. Leonard, Alax Langormann, Barley and Bottington, five months’ imprisonment. S. W. Jameson (brother of Dr Jamoson) and Hamilton, one year. S. B. Joel was discharged. Davis, one of tho political prisoners, lias developed homicidal mania. 'The surgeon in charge of the case has vainly asked for his removal from prison. Two more of tho reformers have been released.

Capetown, Alay 22. The situation on the Rand is critical.

The rinderpest and tho general want of confidence paralyses trade. By tho closing of Air B. Barnato’s mines over 1000 men are thrown out of employment.

Pretoria is in a shockingly insanitary condition, and an epidemic is feared. Dr Loyds, Secretary cf State in tho Transvaal Government, enquired from tho Government of the Capo Colony tho reason for tho massing of the largo forces near Alafeking. Sir Hercules Robinson replied that lie was surprised that such obvious falsehoods as had been circulated wore credited, and advised tho Transvaal authorities to take proceedings for libel against tlioso who spread untrue reports. Berlin, Alay 21.

The Reichstag has voted supplies for further reinforcements being sent to Damaraland, South Africa, thus making tho strength of tho regulars there 2000.

Berlin, Alay 23.

Prince Bismarck’s organ declares that Great Britain’s offensive policy in South Africa forces Germany to enter on military preparations on a scale which proves her intention of retaining her colonies. Pretoria, Alay 21.

General Joubort prevents President Kruger from acting as leniently towards the Reformers as ho would like to do. lJ.—l Pretoria, Alay 25.

q’he sentences of banishment on the Reformers will ho suspended if the fines are paid and the men undertake to refrain from politics for three years.

President Kruger desired that a fine only should be imposed on the Reformers, instead of imprisonment, but the Executive Council overruled him. The Boers of Pretoria are said to be irritatod at the severity of the sentences, and consider that a chance of reconciling the races has been lost.