The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-01
Capt. Jameson and an Armed Force
Have Invaded the Transvaaf and
Are Marching on johannesburg.
PRESIDENT KRUGER'S ACTION
HE APPEALS TO BURGHERs TO RISE
AND DEFEND THEIR COUNTRY.
The English Officers Hasty Step Criti-
cised by London Newspapers-Let-
ter from the UitIanders.

South Africa indicate that the war cloud
which has been lowering over the Transvaal
for some time is about to break and let
loose it's flood OF destruction According to
message from Berlin, received last night.
a crisis has been reached. The dispatch
says: can alarming telegram has been re-
ceived from Pretoria, Transvaal, which
states that an armed force of the British
South Africa Company, numbering eight
hundred men, with six Maxim guns and
other artillery pieces, is reported to have
invaded the Transvaal territory. 1t further
states that the British force has already
reached the vicinity of Rustenburg and is
advancing on Johannesburg. On learning of
the news, President Kruger, of Transvaal,
ordered that further advance Of the invad-
ers should be prevented by force of arms,
and he issued a proclamation calling on all
burghers to defend the country. An armed
conflict as a result of the appeal is inev-
table"
A dispatch TO the Times from Capetown
says: Consequent on a letter signed by
the leading inhabitants of Johannesburg.
which sent to DR.. Jameson, at Mafe-
king on Saturday, DR.. Jameson, on Sunday,
crossed the Transvaal frontier near Mafe-
king with seven hundred men. 1t is known
that he passed Melmani at 5 o'clock on
Monday morning. No further direct news
has been received from Transvaal. The let
ter to DR.. Jameson was dated Dec. %. and
said Matters in this state have become
so critical that we are assured that at no
distant period there will be a conflict be-
tween the government and the Uitlander
population. The p, Sition OF thousands of
Englishmen and OF others is rapidly becom-
ing intolerable.'
CAUSE OF THE FERMENT.
"The letter then proceeds to complain that
the government is virtually compelling the
Uitlanders to pay the whole revenue of
the country, while denying them represent
tation. Every public act betrays the most
positive hostility not only to everything
English, but to the neighboring states. The
internal policy of the government has in
censed not only the Uitlanders but a large
number OF Beers, while it's external policy
has exasperated the neighboring states to
the extent of endangering the peace and
independence and the preservation of the re-
public. The people here only desire fair
play and the maintenance of Independence
and the presence of those public liberties
without which life is noe worth living. The
government denies these things. and vio-
lates the national sense of Englishmen at
every turn.
eve must consider what must be the
condition OF things in the event of an armed
conflict. Thousands OF unarmed men, wom-
en- and children of our race will be at
the mercy of the well-armed Beers while
property of enormous value will be in the
greatest peril. We all feel that we are JUS
titled in taking any steps to prevent the
shedding of blood, and 10 insure the pro-
lection of our rights. 1t is under these
circumstances that we feel constrained to
invoke your aid. Should a disturbance
arise here the circumstances are so ex-
treme that we cannot but believe that you,
and the men under you, will not fall to
come to our rescue. We guarantee any
expense you may reasonably incur in help
ing us. and we ask you to believe that
nothing but the sternest necessity has
prompted this appeal"
Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of
State for the Colonies, has returned to
London Unexpectedly, and remained at
the Colonial Office the whole day yesterday
from 10 a. m. until Z p. m.
JAMESON'S ACTION NOT JUSTIFIED.
The Times. in an editorial, thinks that
the letter hardly justified DIR. Jameson's S
startling move. "But il will he necesSary."
the Times continues, ito wait for further
news before judging his action IL he were
satisfied that nothing but immediate and
decisive Intervention on his part could save
a great British community from armed vio-
lence, his conduct will be approved here
1t may have been technically incorrect, but
the sense and feelings of the nation will
recognize that technicalties could not have
been suffered to stand In the way where
the lives and property of thousands of
their fellow-citizens were at stake Mr.
Chamberlain's action indicates, however
that no adequate justification exists for
DR.. Jameson's apparent breach OF the law
Of nations. 1t was known in official cir
cles yesterday that in the course of the
day Mr.. Chamberlain had wired to Dr.
Jameson, ordering him to return without
delay to the company's territory. 1t cam
not be supposed that such step would
have been taken had the Colonial Office
seen reason TO believe that the orderly
British subjects of johannesburg were in
immediate danger Until they have strong
grounds for entertaining such fears, it is
their obvious duty to prevent any infringe
ment by the chartered South Africa) COM
pany or the rights OF friendly states. The
adoption of this course manifestly places
serious responsibility upon the shoulders
VI the Colonial Office. 1t is believed that
the Boer forces have been mobilized under
General Joubert and that an explosion is
possible at any moment.
MIR. Chamberlain is believed to have ad-
dressed himself to President Kruger as
clearly and as firmly as 10 DR.. Jameson. He
called on the Boer leader TO 10 his utmost
to prevent hostilities, and has offered Great
Britain's aid 10 promote peaceful settle
ment If no rising has occurred Mr.. Cham
berlain's attitude will command universal
approval: but If British blood has been shed
which might have been saved, II Is inev-
liable that some part OF the blame, how
ever unjustly. should attach to his inter-
vention. No replies have been received
from Or. Jameson, and it Is doubtful, in
fact. whether he will receive the kilograms
before his arrival at Johannesburg. when
they may be too late. President Kruger
would do well 10 accept the British offer
OF mediation. but Il Is rumored that ne has
been ill-advised enough TO resort 10 meas
ure OF very different kind. He is said
70 have been so far forgetful of the po-
sition OF the Transyaal az subject to the
sGxerainty Of Great Britain as to appeal TO
the French and German consuls for sup
r><,rt r,urfnf NJ that kind hof ro.-