THE TRANSVAAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2200, 30 April 1896, Page 19

THE TRANSVAAL.

Capetown. April 20.

A number of British naturalised snbjeots in the Transvaal have been eammoned to serve as jurors at the trial of the Band reformers. A detachment of German soldiers arrived at Delagoa Bay. Their passports to Pretoria (a!gn<«d by President Kruger) ware ooncealad in their uniforms and -luggage. Peetobia, April 21. Kruger has sent an amicable reply to Mr Chamberlain's message, but the details have' not been divulged. One thousand seats have been reserved for spectators when the trial of the members of the Reform Oommittee resumes to-day. April 22. The Yolksstcm advocates a prompt movement for the imposition of extreme taxation in connection with the gold and diamond mining industries with a view to the exclaskm of foreigners. April 27. President Kruger objects to a discussion on the question of reforms on the ground that Great Britain cannot interfere, and if the latter is unwilling to discuss a revision o£ the convention without reforms, he prefers that matter* should remain unchanged. Referring to the demand for an indemnity I for Jameson's raid, be states that he doss | not require & guarantee against any foreign attack. The acceptance of the Transvaal basis of a diecueeion of the mutter would facilitate bis visit to England, but at present it was necessary to postpone it. London, April 23. Mr Chamberlain was entertained at a banquet in London. Rsplying to the toast oE his ' health, he said he was confident England would soon regain the sympathy and support of the Afrikander eeotion in South Africa, when the Boers would not refuse to redress the grievances of the Uitlanders. He said that personally ho would exhaust all persuasion and argument in negotiations to renew the good feeliag batweca tbe two races, aad at all costs vrou!d resist foreign aggression. It was not intended, unless in a case of emergency, to B&nd large reinforcements of Imperial troopß to Matabelelaud. The looal resonroes were considered sufficient to cope with the rising. Tbe Times cays that, apart from the Hfetabele trouble, the troops at tbe Cape ought to bo reinforced. April «g. In the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain, replying to a question re the Transvaal, stated that Sir H. Robinson suggested an | increase of the Boers' patrol on the frontier in order to prevent the spread of rinderpest. Bbelin, Af«il 23.

April 24.

A despatch from .the E-jnd to a Hamburg paper states that the Boers are relying on support from the Orange Free State and Afrikander party, and are prepared for war unless their demands aie conceded. April 24. The German press is incensed at the tone of Mr Chamberlain's remarks at the London banquet, Capetown, April 25. At the trial of members of the Johannesburg Reform Oommittee Oolonel Rhodes and Messrs Phillips and Farm pleaded guilty to charges of treason, and the others to Use majesle without hostile intent. The retaainiag counts were withdrawn. The proceedings were quiet, and were marked by no vindictive feelings. Tbe accused will be sentenced on Monday. It is expected that severe sentences will be passed, but that they will be afterwards remitted.

It is officially announced that President Eruger, of the Transvaal, will be unable to visit England at present, as his presence is needed in the Volksraad. Amsterdam, April 26. A great scheme for the emigration of Dutch labourers to the Transvaal is bsing organised at Amsterdam. (Per Alameda, at Auckland.) Advices from the Transvaal to April 2 show that the work of preparing for war is being continued night and day. A gang of men relieve each other »t intervals in tbe work in the armed forts designed to protect Pretoria. Tbe drilling Of artillerymen by German officers goes on openly e»ery day, and there is no logger any i cooc«H]me>nt in the preparations beieg made. The foreign legion, composed almost cutm ly of ! Germans, who have really entered the Transvaal, is organised. This force will b« mostly infantry and artillery, the Boers being relied on to furnish all the cavalry neoesiary.