The Transvaal Trouble.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 194, 12 May 1896, Page 2

The Transvaal Trouble.

Pretoria, May 8.

President Kruger's message to the Volksraad is of a pacific nature. He stated that he hoped soon to meet delegates on the Orange Free States to discuss the terms of a union with them.

Kruger's messages to the Volksraad indicate that it is intended to bring down measures dealing with the education question, and makes no reference to the grievances of the reformers or concession. He attributes Jameson's raid to inate malevolence. 'He announced an intention of establishing two consular agents in Germany. It is reported that the Execute delayed coming to a decision upon the reformers sentences by General Joubert insisting upon unanimity. Capetown, May 9.

It is reported that several bands of Matabele are lying in ambush in the Shangfjini forest, waiting for Mr Cecil Ehodes on his way to Buluwayo. The House of Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution to the effect that it hopes Sir H. Robinson will speedily return. London, May 9. In the House of Commons Sir W. Harcourt declared that the ciphers recently discovered among the effects of the raiders of the Transvaal proved that the Uitlanders' reforms were merely a stock-dodging dodge which Cecil Rhodes had actuated. Power of settlement in the Transvaal and removal of racial difficulty was impossible whilst such was controlled by the South African Chartered Company's Board of Directors. Mr Chamberlain, in replying, condemned the ciphers, though they were not of supreme importance compared with the main principle. It was Government policy to maintain a paramount state and reunite races. No doubt there were faults on both sides, and he declared that the Boers were constantly breaking the convention. It was not to be said that it was the inteuiion of the Government to recall Sir Hercules Robinson from Cape Colony, but the summoning of him to London was only for the purpose of consultation. Referring to the statement that De Wet, British Consul at Pretoria, had been recalled, he explained that that gentleman had had a long term of office, and by his close attention to official matters was entitlod to a well-earned rest. Though there was only one opinion as to Rhodes' complicity in the Transvaal raid, it would be unfair to forget his great services to South African matters. He offered no opinion as to the acceptance of Sir C. Rhodes' resignation. When the judicary had finished a searching enquiry would be made into Chartered Company by.a committee of the Lords and Commons. The speech generally was well received, though opposition was clamorous for Sir H. Robinson's removal.

Additional ciphers, also extracts from White's note book show that Colonel Rhodes in November demanded that the entire Government must be in the hands of Cecil Ehodes and that the Rand was airanging* a thousand men to assist Jameson's entry on December 29. Berlin, May 9.

An inspired article in a paper states that Krugor possesses a proclamation of the Reform Committee, which was in effect that Charles Leonard was to bo President, Lionel Phillips, Secretary of State, J. H. Hammoud Attor-ney-General. It adds that the revolution failed owing to disagreement among Reformers and Rhodes, who was confident of the action being awetioned, and if successful he would claim tho Presidency of South Afrioan States.