(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2202, 14 May 1896, Page 17

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

London, March 21. Notwithstanding its historic character and its imnor<ance from some points of view, the trial of Dr Jamesun and his a^oeiates does not ■promisa to be very pi ol flu in f nrnishing interesting reading matter. Ita interest haa, in fact, been almost entirely discounted by (-he full information already placed before* the public There was, of eo-urae, a tremendous rush for seats in the court, and, although special preparations of an exceptionally extensive ■nature were made to accommodate the lookedfor crowds, probably not one- tenth of those who sought; admission were able to obtain it. It was stated that even various Roy*lt.ie«'desired to be pue»eut, bub -wh' i n the tima came they did not put in au &ppe*ranoe. Probably this was -mere /rumour. The proceedings se«*m j likwly to drag their »low leußbh along for m^ny weeks, if not months, aiid I fanoy that loug beforo the case is concluded it will geuerally be regarded as the boreat of bores. Among the public in general the sympathy with Dc Jameson and the admiration of his bravery continue .unabated, and demonstrations are made whenever th->se can be done without involving personal risk and the I demoustrators' liberty. Equally persistent is the *Qgry feelii\g against Germany. Purchasers still continue to rej«ot with acorn articles that bf ar the label " Made iv Germany," and I hear ttul in a good many inetauees Gtrmaa employees have received intimation that their services are so lougsr required. As for the German keepers of restaurants, who are rather numerous in Londonf fhflir bitter cry of loit business rites continually to the heavecs, and there seem* little prospect of any abatement of the international prejudice so unwisely excited by the impulsive Kaiser. Recently at a mu>-io hall ente'taioment a German band of some eminence was engnged fco pUy. It was to have «t»rt«d with " The Watch on the Rhine,"but the audience promptly interposed, refused to hear the German air and insisted on having " Gfd save the Queen" iustend. When the next German item oufhe programme 'trad reached the audience agnin intervened aud insisted on the substitution of "Rule Britannia," which the unprepared orchestra performed to the >bei<t of their ability at such abort notice. This sort of thing occurs nightly ia one part or another of the metropolis. "The slightest chance that offers , for the glorification of Jameson, or for a demonstration against Germany, or for an ebullition of thoughtlea3 jingoism generally is esgarly seized and vociferously tiMlined. Tbe salient feature of the last day's hearing of the Jameson case was a production in writing of the historic .letter on the strength of which Of Ja'tieson is said to have undertaken his ill-omened expedition. There is no doubt that the letter did constitute a very e-»riie3fc , appeal for help in the event of certain possible contingencies which were set forth ; but, as I read the letter, there was certainly no request for an immediate advance, no intimation that the lives of the Uitlanders aud their families were in danger, and no appeal for help " within 48 hours." This is how the matter was put by the signatories of the letter (the italics are mine):— "Dr Jameson —Dear Sir,— The .position of mfttterfl in this State has become so critical that we are assured that at no distant period there will be conflict between the Government and the Uitlander population." Here follows a recapitulation of the Uitlander grievances, and then the writers proceeded as follows : — " What we have to consider is what will be the condition of thinge here in the event of a conflict. Thousands of unarmed men, women, and children of our race will bfe at the mercy of well-armed Boers, while property of enormous value will Ipst in the greatest peril. • We caunot contemplate the luture without the graves}; apprehension, and wo feel that we are justified in taking any steps to prevent the sbeddiug of blood and ensure the protection of our rights. It is under those oircumitances that we feel constrained to call upon you to come to our aid should a disturbance arise here. The circumstances are so extreme that we cannot avoid this step, .and we cannot but believe that yon and the men under >ou will not fail to come to the rescue of people who will be so situated. We guarantee any expense that may reasonably be incurred by you iv helping us, and ask you to believe that nothing but the sternest necessity has prompted this appeal. — We are, sir, yours faithfully, Chas. Leonakd Fbancis Rhodes, Lionel Phillips, John Hats Hammond, Gborgb 'Faebbr." ■ On Dr Jameßoh'a behalf it is, of course, contended that lie advanced on the strength of an ■Bxsenfc .»pj«ajLifi« instant sii \to aaveithelivaa

of British subjects, women and children. ?{he wording of the letter is that Dr Jameson's ielp is .requested only in the event of such an tmirgeney arising, so that the real " inwardness" of the affair remains as entirely unexplained as ever. .