The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-05-01
FITE YEARS IN PRISON.
The Reported Punishment for the
Transvaal "Reformers."
THE BvTDENOB AGAINST THEM.

IT Proved That Not Only Premier Rhodes,
but OmciaIs Of Chartered south African
Company Knew of the Plot to Invade
the Transvnal.
PRETORIA May l. - The excitement
caused by the sentencing to death of John
Hays Hammond and the three other lead
ers of the reform committee and the sub
sequent commutation of their sentences
has not worn itself out. Burghers of in
huence are 1lockinR into this city from all
sides, and are begging the government TO
abolish the sentences imposed upon the
reformers. What influence this will have
upon President Kruger and his advisers is
not known. 1t is currently reported, how.
ever, that the executive council had de-
cided to substitute for the death penalty
sentences of five years penal servitude
and, at the expiration of that time, ban
ishment for life.
Mr. Hammond, It seems to be clearly es-
tablished, played an active part in the
preparations for the Transvaal raid. He
was the confidential emyloye and friend
of Cecil Rhodes. In one case, for instance,
1t is shown that Hammond was instructed
by DIR. Jameson to Inform weak part
ners" that amy delay would be injuri-
GUS"
Further kilograms submitted in evidence
show that DR.. Jameson was urgently in
structed TO start the raid at midnight on
Saturday Dec, 2S, and was enioined to
keep the telegraph silent" as it was sus-
pected that the Transvaal was getting
wind" of the affair. Other kilograms
showed that the British Chartered South
Africa company was the actual authority
for the raid They refer to getting arms
and ammunition from the De Beers mines,
whore they had been secretly stored.
AT the last moment, however, a hitch
seems to have occurred, and dispatches
were sent TO DR.. Jameson telling him to
postpone the hotation" owing to the
difficulties experienced in getting Cecil
Rhodes absolutely to pledge that the au-
thority of the imperial government need
not be insisted upon in order to cross the
border. Hammond, evidently, was among
those who were opposed to any breach of
the law, for a telegram from him was pro-
duced, dated Dec 27, in which he con-
demned any further developments of the
contemplated movement.
Subsequent dispatches exchanged be-
tween the various persons Interested in the
raid indicate that Jameson cut the tele
! graph wires so as not to receive any further
messages against the scheme; that Presi-
dent Kruger really had knowledge of the
affair and succeeded in intercepting the
messages, or that Jameson wilfully disre-
| garded the instructions sent him to post
pone the raid, and crossed the border on
his own responsibility. Previous to cross
ing the border the raiders had been drilled
with the Lee-Metford rifle, the weapon
adopted by the Chartered company, and
preparations had been made to support the
raiders with other forces from Cape Colony,
but the hasty action of DIR. Jameson upset
the plans Additional testimony showed
that on Dec. 2S the Uitlanders of johann
nesburg were arming and making other
preparations to receive DR.. Jameson, all
steps being taken under the direction of
the reform committee.
Colonel Rhodes, at the Gold Fields COM
pany's office on Dec. 2S, ourtly told a rep
resentive of the Beers who called upon
him for an explanation as to what was
going on, that they, the Uitlanders, had
brought the country into n hourishing
condition by means of their capital and
enterprise, and that it was "hard to be
governed by lot of stupid Beers" When
the colonel was asked who the Uitlanders
wished to be protected against he replied:
"The lower classes.' When it was pointed
out to him that the reform committee was
arming the very Glasses the Uitlanders
claimed they wished to be protected