THE TRANSVAAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5455, 6 January 1896, Page 3

THE TRANSVAAL.

EMPEROR WILLIAM'S CON-

. GRATULATIONS.

THE GERMAN PRESS EXCITED

A CRITICAL POSITION,

BOER P

EPABATIONS.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE

BATTLE,

LORD SALISBURY'S ATTITUDE

[Special to Press Association.] LONDON, Jan. 3,

The Pall Mall Gazette believes that the huge scheme of President Kruger is intended to crush the TJitlanders while they are unprepared, and is also designed to cripple British interests and limit their activity. It also considers that the Orange Free State's symoathy with Capetown will ultimately divert the Transvaal trade to Delagoa, the Dutch and German capitalists aiding in this direction. Sir H. Robinson cabled on Friday, stating that over thirty of "Mr Jameson's party were wounded, including Major Grey and Captaiti Coventry. Seventy were killed, and additional bodien are still being found. . Fivje hundred prisoners were taken. The casualties on the Boer side .were flight;; Df, J^n^BoTi,': John :Wilioughby: and Captain White are imprisoned in Johannesburg. . The Emperor of Germany's congratulatory message was prepared after conference with Prince Hohenlohe, and the foreign and naval Ministers of Germany. It is regarded as a distinct recognition of the independence of the Transvaal. Berlin newspapers insist that Dr Jameson's action was an act of war, thus justifying the disavowal o;f Suzerain permitting free international relations. They ridicule Mr Chamberlain's assumed ignorance, and urge the Boers to wreak vengeance on the captives. The German Government makes no attempt to stem the opinion of the Press.

. One hundred thousand nfarks have been co^ected in Hamburg on behalf of the wounded Boers.

The French newspapers Le Temps and the Jot^vnal Debate exult over Di Jameson's defeat, and consider it plain that Mr Chamberlain's advice for generous treatment to the prisoners is intended as a concession to the Uitlanders.

The European Press dwells upon Great Britain's isolated action, and regards German, French and Russian identical action respecting the Transvaal as the probable forerunner , of a tremendous .cnitbirra^ f- i^i ■:-■?. ".~.-, : U ■'-;;. ;».■ . ■/; The EnglisK Press; prbteat8 v agaTnßt! ili6 Emperor of 'Germany's" insulting message, and declares that no Euro? pean Power has a right to intervene. Several newspapers urge that Great Britain should enter into alliances with other Powers, as isolated action is dangerous. Several incidents suggest Mr Cecil Bhodes's complicity in the affair. The newspapers are discussing the advisableness of cancelling the charter of the British South Africa Company. .LONDON, Jan. 5. The Governor of Natal has wired an account of the fight between Dr Jameson's force and the Boers. It appears that the battle took place on Wednesday, and lasted from three o'clock in the afternoon till eleven at night. Dr Jameson and his men showed great gallantry. The Boers numbered fifteen hundred, and occupied a strong position, but Dr Jameson attacked them three times, meeting with a repulse on each occasion. He then tried to, move on to Eoodepoort, via Eandfontein, but ;was blocked-.. at ..Boorkrorp, where the fight was renewed on Thursday afternoon. In the meantime a detachment of Transvaal artillery had joined General Joubert's "force, and Dr Jameson found himself completely out-forced with his men and horses knocked up. The party was without food for three days. The total casualties were 240. The wounded received excellent treatment.

The Colonial Office has not been closed since Friday. i

Willoughby and Jameson, who are imprisoned at Johannesburg, are not injured. Major Grey formerly be-; longed to the Bechuanaland polico. Captain Coventry is a son of Lor.d Coventry, and Captain "White, also imprisoned at Johannesburg, is a brother of Lord Annaly.

The Transvaal authorities refuse to transmit coded messages, and a censorship is placed over others.

Mr Chamberlain, replying to a deputation of Cape merchants, said the prospect of further trouble was remote, and he believed that President Kruger would satisfy the demands of the TJitlanders, with whom the British were in sympathy. Great Britain, he said, would maintain the suzerainey. This is regarded as a rejoinder to the congratulatory message of the Emperor of Germany. The London and European Exchanges are firm. Mr Bhodes wires to Mr Howard Vincent that he is on the best terms with the Boers, and that they will work together for a long time yet. In the engagement with Dr Jameson the Boers had only four men killed, although other reports give the number as fifteen.

It is reported that Bettington left Johannesburg to relieve Jameson, but the Boers surrounded the party and made prisoners of thirty.

PRETORIA, Jan. 4. Johannesburg is quiet. . The Reform Eeport Committee guarantees peace on President Kruger promising not to molest or surround them pending Sir H. Eobinson's arrival.

Sir J. de Wet testifies to the great moderation displayed by the Republic.

President Kruger has promised to grant certain concessions to the TJitlanders.

BERLIN, Jan. 3. The Emperor has sent a message to President Kruger, congratulating him on the energetic action taken to restore peace, and for preserving the independence of the Transvaal without appealing to friendly Powers,

Jan. 4. The German cruiser Condor has

been ordered to Delagoa, and another warship has been ordered to rendezvous at Lorenzo Marquez. SYDNEY, Jan: 6. The Cape Commissioners look upon Dr Jameson as Mr Ehodes' lieutenant, and say that if the latter made a mistake it is his first; but that there is probably more behind the incident than is at present known. ' MELBOURNE, Jan. 6. An Australian, who recently returned after residing at the Cape, says that if Mr Ehodes was instrumental in sending Dr Jameson on the expedition, President Kruger would have the sympathy of many of the Europeans. Mr Ehodes is not popular in Johannesburg, and he hardly ever visits the town. -He has very few followers there, even among the English residents. A prominent man on the Exchange there says that the Johannesburg people will never come under the British Government ; the Transvaal is too far distant from the Cape. What is wanted is an independent republic, which the people will probably await President Kruger's death to obtain.