The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-29
Governor Of Cape Colony Notified to
Request President Kruger 40 Conn
mute the Sentences.
SURPRISE AT WASHINGTON
FURRY IN THE HOUSE OVER A
HASTILY DRAWN RESOLUTION.
Petition Circulated Asking the Presf-
dent Of the Transvaal TO Pardon
mmond-Clemency Probable.

LONDON, April 2S The Secretary Of
State for the Colonies. Mr.. Joseph Cnam-
berlain, announced in the House OF Com
mons to-day that the five leaders OF the
reform committee of Johannesburg-Messr
j. II. Hammond, an American. Col.
Francis w. Rhodes. George Farrar. Lionel
Phillips and another-have been con-
demned 20 death. Sir. Chamberlain added
that, on hearing the news. ne cabled TO
the Governor Of Cape Colony. Sir Hercules
Robinson. to communicate the following TO
President Kruger: The government has
just learned that the sentence of death has
been passed on the five leaders OF the re-
form committee. They can feel no doubt
that your honor will commute the sentence,
and have assured Parliament OF their con-
viction that this is your Honors intention"
Mr.. w. ]. Galloway. Conservative men,
ber for southwest Manchester asked
whether the law under which the leaders OF
the johannesburg reform committee were
tried does not provide for the confiscation
of their property in the event OF convic-
ton. and not for imposing of the death
penalty. Mr.. Chamberlain said he was un-
able TO answer the question.
The news from Pretoria produced a great
sensation in London, especially in the
streets, where the extra editions of the
afternoon newspapers. with sensational
headlines, found quick sales In well-in-
formed circles. however. the sentence has
caused little surprise, as the laws Of the
Transvaal prescribe death for high treason,
and the prisoners. having pleaded guilty.
the Judge could only pronounce the SEN
tence which the law provides. 1t has also
been long understood that very severe sem
tences would be passed in order that the
oil L.
tain 10 exercise. might appear greater. Il
is thought probable that the sentence of
death will be commuted TO a short term or
imprisonment. and big fine. unless M
Chamberlains dispatch to President Kru-
ger. read In the Commons, Ghould irritate
the chief magistrate OF the Transvaal into
greater severity than he would not other
wise exercise. Mr.. ChamberAin's telegram
is regarded mere as being precipitate. and as
leaving President Kruger no time to act on
his own account, and as having, more
over, the ring OF dictation.
ONLY -FOUR SENTENCED.
There seems to be a misunderstanding as
to the number OF members OF the reform
committee who have been sentenced 10
death. Mr.. Chaberlain mentioned Rhodes,
Phillips. Farrar, Hammond, and said there
was another. whose name he had forgot
ten. When he was asked IL IL was Leon
ard he replied NO." 50 IL was presumed
that It might be Fitzpatrick. another En-
glish member OF the committee. But late
In the day Under Secretary OF the Colonial
Office. the Earl of SeIborn, announced in
the House. of Lords that cable dispatch
had been received from Sir Hercules Rob-
inson, Governor Of Cape Colony. confirm
ing the announcement that the sentence OF
deatn nad been imposed on Rhodes. Phil
lips, Farrar and Hammond. and making no
mention OF a f1ftn member of the commit
tee as having been sentenced 10 death. Thus
IL appears certain Mr.. Chamberlain was IN
mons that five members OF the Johannes
burg reform committee had been doomed TO
Mr.. Coamberlain's secretary. Mr.. Wilson.
was questioned this afternoon as TO what
steps would be taken by the British gov
ernment TO save the life OF Mr.. John Hays
Hammond. Mr.. Wilson said that no COM
munication regarding Mir. Hammond had
recently been received from Washington,
nor had the Colonial Office been approached
by the United States embassy Tnerefore
Mr. Wilson refused to make public the ma
lain had seen the United States embassa-
dor Mr. Thomas +. Bayard. on the subject.
While Mr.. Chau1berlain's announcement
of the sentencing OF the reformers caused
a sensation inside and outside Of Parlia-
ment and was eagerly discussed in the lob
bies, where II Is thought TO have increased
the gravity OF the situation In South Africa,
there Is an inner ring of politicians who
are inclined to think that the whole mat
ter Is the result OF deal between the pris-
oners and the Boer authorities. and fnat
the former obtained the assurance that
their sentences would be commufed before
they pleaded guilty to the charge OF hien
treason.
or the condemned men Mr.. John HAYS
Hammond, manager OF the De Beers mines
Is an American, but Mr.. Chamberlain, when
he was first arrested. assured the State
Department that his interests would be
looked after by Great Britain II he was
British subject. Col. Francis w. Rhodes
Is brother OF Cecil Rhodes, formerly
Premier OF Cape Colony. and an officer
official or unofficial. OF the British Char
tered South Africa Company. George Far
rar Is a newspaper proprietor and owner OF
Country Life, published at johannesburg
Lionel Philips Is TIE president OF the Cham