The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-01-30
NOT IN SERIOUS PERIL.
Situation of the Americans Under Ar
| rest at johannesburg Exaggerated.

Washington, Jan. 25.-The state de-
partment today gave out the following
statement:
"Manion, consular agent at Johannes
burg, cables Secretary Olney that all the
American prisoners are out on parole
except Hammond whose case differs
from that of the others, in that Ham
mOnd signed conditional invitation to
Jameson to come to Johannesburg in
case of extreme peril. Jameson marched
toward Johannesburg, however, before
trouble arose. When this was discov-
cred, American and other leaders issued
proclamations calling on people to refrain
from hostilities. Instead of melting re-
belliOn, Hammond in the beginning rails
ed the Transvaal flag and all in the move
ment bore allegiance. Clements and 9th
er Americans took arms from many and
sent men home. Not shot was fired by
the Johannesburg party. There was no
disturbance, not single act of hostility;
arms were peacefully surrendered and
every effort made to maintain the repub-
lie as against British encrOachment. The
cases against the American prisoners
arrested will be tried in court, though
the government has not yet Indicated
the time of prosecution"
Manion adds that the Transvaal gov
ernment has acted magnanimously.
In view of the foregoing it is believed
here that neither Hammond nor any of
the other Americans are in serious peril.
The state department has cabled Man
ion to use the most active and vigorous
measures for the relief of the Americans
and to that end to make the Transvaal
government direct representation on be-
half of the United States, which, in this,
acts independently, of course, and in be-
half of its own citizens and not as the
sympatbiZer or ally of any other power.
ANENT CHER OKEE INTRUDERS.
Washington, Jan. 25.-Strong opposi-
ton to the ousting of the intruders of the
Cherokee Nation in the Indian Territory
before their claims OF citizenship can be
passed upon by representatives of the
Federal government is made in Il report
Secretary Smith forwarded today to the
house committee on foreign affairs in re-
sponse to a demand for his opinion in Il
senate joint resolution.
Secretary Smith recommends that con.
gress Immediately provide some mode by
which the decision of the Cherokee Ma
ton as to the citizenship of intruders car
be reviewed.
, "Averse as l am" he says, "to dis
, regarding the treaties with Indian tribes
/ believe that those intruders who claim
W De clllLellS VI tHe OHerOhee NdllOH Ol
to be entitled to citizenship under that
Nations existing constitution should
have the action of that Nation with re-
gard to their citizenship reviewed by rep
resentatives of the United States before
the government undertakes to enforce the
adverse findings as to their citizenship
Wherever the decision of the Cherokee
Nation is sustained and the claim to
citizenship by the alleged intruder denied
then the intruder, under the plan | sug.
gest, should be removed from the terri.
tory at once in compliance with the
agreement made between the United
States and the Cherokee Nation. But
wherever this impartial tribunal holds in
a particular case that the alleged in
truder is, in point of fact, citizen of
the Cherokee Nation and entitled, under
the laws and usages of that Nation to
citizenship, then | do not think that the
United States should take any part in his
removal"
Continuing the secretary says that
after the ratification by congress on
March 3, 1898, of the agreement of De-
cember 10, 1891, between the United
States and the Cherokee Nation this de-
partment held that by the terms of that
the sole judge of the right of any person
to citizenship within that Nation, and
/ when a person is declared to be an in
truder, the United States authorities, on
demand of the principal chief. are re-
quired to eject him.
| There is now, according to the report,
no authority remaining with the depart
ment to review the decisions rendered
by that Nation as to who are and who
are not intruders. 1t would accordingly
be the departments duty to undertake
to eject from the land those designated
as intruders by the Cherokee Nation, but
strong representations of the injustice of
such action have been made.