The herald., 1896-04-29

lie to Great Britain. recognized by inter-
national law, precluded an attack upon
the independence Of the republic"
In conclusion President Kruger says:
Under existing circumstances the
South African republic will not. at pres
ent, press q reconsideration of the Lon
don convention and a substitution for
1t Of a treaty Of amity and commerce.
but will rest satisfied with pecuniary
compensation and with the appearance
of no violation of its territory will be
repeated"
MoNsrRous PENALTIES
LONDON, April zs.-The Chartered
South African company has a cable
gram from Johannesburg giving fur
ther details Of the judgment OF the high
court at Pretoria in case of the mem-
bers of the reform committee. This dis
patch states that in addition to the SEN
tence Of death passed upon the leaders
Of the reform committee, sixty other
members have been sentenced to two
years imprisonment, a fine of $4,000 and
three years subsequent Punishment
The dispatch adds:
There is great excitement in Johan-
nesburg, and unless the sentences are
speedily eommuted trouble is expected"
The Times says in an article on the
judgment Of the Pretoria court:
The sentences were a complete sur
prise. but were regarded with equanim-
ity solely because 1t was perceived that
they could not be executed. This ap-
piled with equal force to the monstrous
penalties against the other prisoners
! Chose sentenced to death). We rely
! on President Krueger's common sense.
To execute these sentences would be
q crime from which we gladly believe
! Kruger would shrink. It would be an
cpTeRrin11q 4 ioh hor ordt
| to discuss the certain consequences Of
the execution of the sentences.
| The putting them to death would
| kindle blood feud between the English
and the Transvaal Beers. No politi-
| clan can doubt the ultimate issue of a
conflict between Great Britain and the
Transvaal, whatever It's alliances"
| A dispatch from Pretoria to the Times
| gives the text of statements signed by
Messrs Hammond, Phillips, Farrar and
Col Rhodes, which was presented to the
court at Pretoria on Monday and the
chief points of which have already been
cabled to the Associated Press. The
! principal new features in the statements
that are knowing DR. .Jameson's inten-
! tion to come and assist johannesburg,
two delegates of the Transvaal execu-
| tive council COVE the reform committee
a virtual promise that their grievances
should be redressed: that the reformers
| offered to guarantee with their persons
| that II DR.. Jameson were allowed to en-
| ter Johannesburg unmolested he should
leave again peacefully as soon as pos
sible.
HAMMoNDs CONDITION
| NEW YORK, April ga dispatch to
the World from Cape Town says: When
Hammond left Cape Town for Pretoria
Pretoria on Saturday he was assured
that his presence was required only as
| formality. He was quite Ill, suffering
| from heart weakness, but accompa-
| MED by his physician he went. The four
| condemned men are again in Jail. Mrs.
| Hammond is here. Her condition has
been pitiable ever since she heard of her
| husbands sentence.
AT WASHINGTON
WASHINGTON, April 2s.-Manhany,
| Republican, Of New York, in the house
4 this morning asked for immediate con-
sideration Of the resolution calling on
the secretary of state, in view of the re-
port that John Hays Hammond, SEN
\ fenced to death for treason in Trans
vaal, South Africa, to safeguard his In
I terests as an American citizen and in
terfere in, his behalf II such action is
| deemed advisable. After discussion
McCreary, Democrat, of Kentucky, OBJ
jected.
Senators Perkins and White were very
| much surprised when shown this Asso-
! cfated Press cable announcing that
| It was the impression when the plea of
| guilty was made that an understand
+, ing had been reached which would not
| mean the death penalty. Senator Per-
| kins expressed his belief that the law
| required the death sentence. but that
| the government will commute it. The
| California senators probably will ask
| through the state department that
clemency be shown Hammond, al
though Senator White says in face of
the plea of guilty of high treason he is
| rot sure that this government could
| make a very strong representation. The
belief is expressed here that Hammond,
before returning to Praetoria. had some
| understanding on the subject of the SEN
tence to be pronounced, and the pro-
| ceedings that would follow the sentence.
1t is believed he will not be put to death.
United States Vice-Consul Knight at
Cape Town cabled Secretary Olney this
! afternoon that it Is understood that
Hammond's sentence will be commuted.
When Senator Stewart who is per-
sonal friend of Mr.. Hammond, heard
OF his conviction, he Immediately set
to work to prepare a petition in Mr..
| Hammond's behalf which he had cir
culated among senators and members
| of the house. The petition is addressed
to President Krueger and Is a plea for
pardon. 1t sets forth the high charac-
ter of the accused. and while it is con-
ceded by the petition that the crime to
which he has pleaded guilty is a most
serious one and directed against gov
ernment for which the signers have a
high regard, they still ask as an act of
clemency that the offense be condoned
tion was signed by all to whom It was
| preSented