The San Francisco call., 1896-01-18
Apprehension That Hammond
May Be Imprisoned for
Many Years.
BRITISH PRISONERS RELEASED.
The President Urged TO Resent Dis
elimination Against Americans
in South Africa.

The conduct of President Kruger in re-
leasing English prisoners and sending
them to London for trial, and at the same
time holding American prisoners in close
confinement, is changing the current of
public sympathy in this country for the
Beers. While Americans stand ready to
applaud people for resisting invasion, and
particularly British invasion, they will not
submit without protest to discrimination
anywhere or by any people against Ameri-
cans.
What was first thought to be wild rumor,
the product of excitement, to the effect
that John Hays Hammond and other
Americans were in great danger, now
turns out 10 be fact, corroborated by sew
eral messages direct from South Africa.
1t is almost incredible that President
Kruger, q native of Pennsylvania, VINO
served in the Union army during the war,
should so far forget this country as to sin
gle out American citizens for oppression,
but the President may be surrounded by
officious underlings who have poisoned his
mind and misrepresented the facts.
All classes of people in California are
anxious that Governor Budd and Pres
ident Cleveland should take measures as
promptly and effectively as possible to
protect the lives and property of American
citizens.
1t is gratifying to citizens to know that
the wires are carrying messages of appeal
for fair dealing.
At this time the telegraphic correspon-
dence possesses the greatest interest. To
x-Surveyor-GeneralR R. P. Hammond this
6ispatcb % mo from, Vvil+1aa in oo1o,.
Hammond in solitary confinement His po-
siJion most critical. Others all right. Strong
demand OF United States Government in his
behalf necessary forthwith.
From Wiltzee Qater):
Cable from Connor at Johanne sburg says:
"Use ell possible influence at Washington on
behalf of American prisoners. My fears OF
their critical condition are now confirmed.
Hammond is likely TO be sentenced to several
years imprisonment. Push Washington"
Immediately following the receipt of
this intelligence from London Colonel A.
Andrews, on behalf of the Mexican Vet
Grams, sent the following to President
Cleveland:
To GrOUer Cleveland, President, Washington,
D. c.: Veterans of the Mexican War most
earnestly urge American protection for Ameri-
can citizens in South Africa. John Hays Ham,
mond, g distinguished mining engineer, and
other Americans are in prison. His father
was gallant officer in the Mexican War.
COLONEL A. ANDREWS,
Representing Mexican Veterans
To the Governor of California this ap-
peal was sent
SAN FRANCISCO, January II, 1896.
GOrernOr James II. Budd, Stockton, CAL: VIII
you telegraph tonight urging President Cieve-
land n 90 bJa INN +o
direct, Pretoria, Africa, in behalf of my brother
John Hays Hammond, and other Californians
incarcerated there. Extremely important
Will you also take the initiative and cable
yourself to Kruger. Please answer.
R. P. HAMMOND.
Responding to the foregoing earnest re-
quest, the Governor last night sent this
dispatch to Washington:
To the President, Grouer CleueIand Washinoton.
d. c.: AS the chief executive officer of the
State OF California, most respectfully ask for
the citizens of this State, arrested and impris-
oned by the authorities of the South African
republic, the protection of the United States.
If British subjects, with arms in their hands
are allowed to be carried to England for trial,
and the Americans arrested held for trial in
South African republic, will our Government
submit TO such discrimination?
JAMES H. BUDD.
To bring every possible influence to bear
General Hammond forwarded the follow
ing message:
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. II, 1896
Mark B. Hatch, Secretary Aztec Club, WdshfRo-
ton, D. c.: Mining Explorer John Hays Ham
monc. Johannesburg, in danger Englishmen
liberated. Americans imprisoned there.
ask clubs assistance for son of the late Major
K. P. Hammond. Answer
R. P. HAMMOND JR.
The friends of Charles Buffers, the Cali
tOrnian arrested in the Transvaal, are in a
state of great anxiety regarding him.
Yesterday they received word from two
different sources to the effect that he
John Hays Hammond and six Others
had been segregated from the others
under arrest and placed in solitary con-
finement, where their property and even
their lives were threatened. A long tele-
gram to this effect was sent to Governor
Budd last night from Berkeley urging
him TO insist upon, the National Govern
ment taking immediate steps to protect