The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-08
STORY OF A LOST CAUSE.
DIR. Jameson's Invasion of the Trans
ynrl ard Nonnction of Uitlnnders.


copyrighted 1896, by the Associated Press)
LONDON Jan. 7.-Mssing dispatches de-
layed i'm transmission from Johannesburg
and Capetown are gradually reaching this
city. Some of the latest messages flied are
arriving before the earliest dispatches
placed in the hands of the telegraph and
cable operators at the different points men
toned. They are dated from Jan. / onward
and being collected. the following synopsis
of the invasion of the Transvaal by the
forces of the British Chartered Company
has been compiled For long time past
the Uitlanders, or foreign residents OF the
Transvaal, have been complaining OF the
treatment they have been subjected TO by
the Beers. The Uitlanders. though far out
numbering the Beers, have been compelled
to contribute practically all the revenue Of
the republic. and yet have no representation
or voice in its government ~That is their
side of the question. On the other hand
the Beers claim that the very fact that the
Uitlanders, mostly Englishmen, so far out
number them is the main argument against
giving them full representation. for then
they would soon outvote the Beers. and
make the republic nothing more or less than
a British colony. On this ground III feel
ing grew until intimations were made to
DR.. Jameson, administrator OF the territory
OF the British Chartered Company, that the
British in the Transvaal were ripe for re-
volt and that IL he would take the initiative
the Uitlanders would rise and support him.
Dr. Jameson then began preparations for
a raid on Johannesburg. mastering about
seven hundred men and plenty of ammuni-
ton, and marched to the Transvaal border
When the right moment arrived a letter
was sent to him to go to the assistance OF
his compatriots, who were in danger at the
hands of the aroused Beers. then riding
about the streets and country in a most
threatening manner. On Monday. Dec. 30
DR.. Jameson's force crossed the Transvaal
border, without the knowledge, however, it
would seem, OF the Uitlanders OF johannes
burg. He cut the telegraph wires behind
him, to prevent being ordered back by the
British government, IL is claimed and
pushed in for Krugersdorp. where he ex-
pected TO meet reinforcements OF two thou
sand Uitlanders.
On the following day. Dec. 81. there was
intense excitement at Johannesburg. the
people hurrylng into the town from the
mines and suburbs. The central committee.
of Uitlander citizens constituted themselves
a provisional government for the town. and
announced that ample provision would be
made 10 defend IL against any body OF
Beers. The provisional government estab-
lished itself in the Consolidated Gold Fields
Building, and their Maxim rapid-fre guns
were placed by the citizens in advantageous
positions about it. The so-cailed new gov
ernment' then sent an ultimatum 10 the
government OF President Kruger. at Pre-
toria. The latter proposed conference at
Pretoria on the following day "wednesday,
but the committee appointed by the new
government hesitated to go TO Pretoria
without a safe conduct.
JITLANDERS ALARMED
Rxr he
had crossed the border was i'm Johannes
burg. and his arrival at that place was ex-
pected hourly. Crowds of people surrounded
the Consolidated Gold Fields Building anc
the gathering of recruits for the Uitlanders'
forces was carried on with vigor. but too
late. as subsequent events showed. In the
meantime the Beers had not been idle
They seem TO have been fully aware OF DIR.
Jamesons proposed raid and met the move
ment by gathering together force of about
i've thousand well-armed. well-moun.ed. ex-
cellently-trained farmer huntsmen. whose
rites always speak in lily earnest. This
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