THE TRANSVAAL TROUBLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5456, 7 January 1896, Page 3

THE TRANSVAAL TROUBLE.

' MAINTENANCE OF THE ■■■'■ BRITISH SUZERAINTY. TREATMENT OF THE . PRISONERS. EESIG-NATION OF MR RHODES. [Special to Pbess Association.] LONDON, Jan. 5. President Krnger wired to Mr Chamberlain on Saturday, complaining that "British reinforcements were being massed on the Transvaal border. In this message President Kruger hinted that Mr Cecil Rhodes was implicated in the whole trouble, despite his repeated denials. Jan. 6. Mr Chamberlain wired to President Kruger stating that it was rumoured in England that Dr Jameson and other prisoners had been shot, but he did not believe the report, and he relied on the generosity of the victors to spare the lives of the captives. President Krug«r immediately replied that the prisoners would receive a fair and legal trial. He I thought that this leniency on his part afforded a strong contrast to the freebooting measures adopted by Dr Jameson's men. v He regretted, that; . < lies had - been published^ uk \England. regarding the treatmentof the prisoners. President Kruger added that the confidence of the Boers in Mr Rhodes had been rudely shaken, and his denial of complicity in Dr Jameson's expedition ought to be received with the greatest caution. : ■■■'•.

Mr Chamberlain, " in reply to this message, wired' to President Kruger that the newspapers in England had refused to give credence to the rumoura that prispners had been shot, and he expressed himself confident that the men would be treated with mercy. , It was reported to-day that Mr Rhodes had resigned the Premiership, but that Sir Hercules Robinson had declined to accept the resignation. President Kruger sent the German Emperor a message expressing: heartfelt thanks for his sympathy, and adding that, with God's help, he would maintain the independence of the Transvaal.

The English rewspapers solidly support Mr Chamberlain in upholding the suzerainty. The Times, in a menacing article, says that Great Britain -may possibly ally herself with a power unfriendly to Germany, ; . On Dec. 31 the National 'Union, Johannesburg, wired to Sir Hercules Eobinson that large numbers of Boers, under General Joubert, were assembling to attack Johannesburg, and that i/hej had directions to shoot at sight all agitators. The Union asked Sir H. Robinson to protect the citizens, who were only agitating constitutionally. On the same day the Union formed a temporary Government, and declared that they were able to defend the town.

Some hundred armed volunteers left under the command of Bettington, but have since been captured by the Boers. ... .

President Kruger has offered to extend the franchise to all supporters of the Government

The latest particulars show that Dr Jameson's force, which consisted only of 460 men, f oughtthe Boers, who numbered 2700, for thirty-six hours, and only surrendered when the last cartridge had been expended. Dr Jameson and his men were expecting aid from a force of two thousand Uitlanders, and had arrived within six miles of Johannesburg. Thef casualties on Dr Jameson's side consisted of 130 killed and 37 wounded.

CAPETOWN, Jan. 5.

Mr Cecil Ebodes has resigned the Premiership, and has been succeeded by Sir Gordon Spring. Colonel Treasurer and thirty officers attached to Dr Jameson's force, who were not wounded, are imprisoned in Pretoria. Captain Coventry, who was among the wounded, has died. Mr Cecil Rhodes expresses the belief that Dr Jameson understood that women and children in Johannesburg were in danger. President Kruger has promised to concede the reforms demanded by the Uitlanders, and it is probable that the malcontents will be disarmed. It has been ascertained that Germany had arranged to march the marines belonging to her warships from Delagoa Bay to the Transvaal, in the event of Dr Jameson's expedition being victorious. BEELIN, Jan. 5. Germany declines to admit the suzeranity, and expresses surprise at the British anger at the Emperor's message. BEELIN, Jan. 6. The banks in this city are collecting funds for the assistance of the Boers. ■ The reason why wines are not taken in such quantities as they used to be, is now attributed to thofact that smoking is much more general than of old. With a taste of tobacco in the mouth, it is not possible to appreciate the delicacy of high-class wines.