Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-30
FIVE YEARS IN PRISON
Report in Pretoria Regarding Ham
mond's Sentence.
Ills HEALTH Is CAUSING ANXIETY
The Four Leaders Treated With
Consideration.
EFFORTS FOR A PARDON

Copyright. 1896, by the Associated Prcss.)
PRETORIA, South Africa, April 3J-The
sensation caused by the sentencing to
death of Messrs. Hammond, Rhodes, Phil
lips and Farrar, and the subsequent COM
mutation of their sentences, has not by
any means Worn itself out. Burghers of
II fiuence are fiocking into this city from all
sides, and are begging the government to
totally abolish the sentences imposed upon
the so-called reformers. What influence
this will have upon President Kruger and
his advisers remains to be seen though it
is currently reported that the executive
council has decided to impose sentences of
five years penal servitude, and, at the ex-
piration of that time. banishment for life,
for the four men named.
Proof of Conspiracy.
In order to justify severe treatment of
the prisoners, it is said, the executive
council refers to the records of the trial of
the reformers. kilograms We're put in evi-
dcnce which, from cipher key discovered
in DR.. JameSOn'S baggage, when he was
made prisoner by the Beers, after the fight
at DoOrnkOp, prove beyond doubt, it was
claimed, the completely of the British Char
tered South Africa Company with the Jo-
hSnnesburg reform leaders and with Dr.
Jameson's raid. The company. it is al
legged, opened credit of 10000 600 900 in
hanneSburg, the money to be used to or
ganize the raid, and sent message assert
ing that the Times of London had a cable
dispatch from Capt Town saying that to
delay the jameson affair would be i'm
prudent.
(Note-This latter statement the London
Times denied in its issue. of today)
1t Is also alleged that the TranSvaal gov
ernment is in possession of additional dOcu-
nentS, not produced at the trial, which
compromise notable personages and officers
IN South Africa and elsewhere.
press representative was allowed to
visit the convicted reform committeeman
last evening. He found the three English
prisoners well, but Hammond's health is
causing considerable anxiety to his friends.
His SenteTCe caused reaction, after the
great nervous strain he had been under
for so long But today he is said to be as
well as possible. under the circumstances
and being subjected to the prison fare
Today he will be allowed TO procure better
food and other comforts.
The four leaders are confined in small
room, and are treated with consideration.
In view of the bad state of Hammond's s
health every possible influence is being
brought to bear on President Kruger in
his behalf.
Mrs. Kruger. wife of the president has
sent messages of sy sympathy to the families
Of the condemned men.
Why They Pleaded Guilty.
LONDON. April 3O.-A dispatch to the
Times from Pretoria says that the reform
committee pleaded guilty owing to the fact
that their counsel advised them to do so in
face of the mass of discriminating evidence,
in the shape of letters. kilograms and codes
found in the dispatch box of the Jameson
party, which fell into the hands of the gov
ernment. Under the circumstances it is
added, this was the safest course to follow.
The secretary of state for the colonies,
Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, announced in the
house of commons this afternoon that 10
had received the following dispatch from
Sir Jacobus A. De Wett, the agent of the
British government at Pretoria:
The Beers themselves condemn severely,
and are petitioning for a mitigation or free
pardon"