New-York tribune., 1896-01-26
ONLY HAMMOND IN PRISON.
.,Y. THE AMERICANS EXCEPT HIM RE-
LEASED ON PAROLE.

-r Is HELD FOR SENDING CONDITIONAL lNNl-
r.rIoN To JAMESON TO COME TO JoHAN-
NEsBrRG. THOUGH HE AFTERwARD
RAISED THE TRANsvAAL FLAG
SECRETARY oLNEYs EF-
FORTS IN HIS BEHALF
Washington. Jan PA long cable dispatch
ms been received by Mr.. Olney from Mr..
usnion the United States Consular Agent at
johannesburg who gives the details of the
si,uation with reference TO John Hays liam
uond the California mining engineer, and the
ether Americans arrested for alleged completely
IN the Uitlander conspiracy Mr.. Manion says
that all the American prisoners out on
narole except Hammond. whose case differs
from that of the other Americans in that he
signed a conditional invitation to Jameson to
come to johannesburg in the event of extreme
neril Jameson, however marched toward
Johannesburg before trouble arose, and when
this was discovered the American leaders and
the principal men issued a proclaim ltion call
ing upon the people to refrain from hosiilities.
Instead Of melting rebellion. Hammond in
the beginning. according to Mr. Manion. raised
the Transvaal flag. and all the men engaged
IN the movement swore allegiance TO the Gov
ernment. Clement and other Americans took
arms from many persons and sent men home
Not shot was fired by the Johannesburg party.
says MIR. Manion. There was 10 disturbance
and not a single act Of hostility. Arms were
peacefully surrendered. and every effort was
made to maintain the Transvdal Republic as
against British encroachment.
The cases against tn American prisoner Will
be tried in court. though the Government has
NOT vet indicated the time Mr. Manion adds
that the Transvaal Government has acted
magnanimously.
Secretary Olney acted promptly Mr..
Manion's dispatch by cabling to him to take
the most active and vigorous measures for the
relief of the Americans. ard. to that end. TO
make to the TransVaal Government direct rep
resentations in behalf of the United States. 1t
will be seen from Mr.. Manion's dispatch that
Hammond and the other Americans who were
arrested are not in serious peril Notwithstand-
ing this Secretary Oney determined TO make
their safety a surety so far as this Government
is concerned, and so he cabled to Mr. Manion
the foregoing instructions. In pursuing this
course the United States Government is acting
independently in its own interest. and in behalf
of its own citizens. and not as the sympathizer
with or ally Of any other Power.
Mr.. Manons dispatch conveyed TO this Gov
ernment the first authentic account or the par
ticipation OF Hammond in the Johannesburg
trouble AS Mr. ManiOn says, he is held in
custody after other Americans have been re-
leased because he signed invitation to Jane
son to come TO Johannesburg, conditional upon
extreme peril threatening the Uitlanders there
This fact, despite the extenuation furnished
flag coupled with his personal and business
relations with Cecil Rhodes. is believed here TO
bode no good for Hammonds cause. 1t Is
certain that the Beers are anxious to punish
him severely.
Hammond's strongest hop, lies In the act Of
President KRUGER in turning over Jameson and
the members OF his party 10 the British authori-
ties for trial. Secretary Olney WILL in all prob
ability, take advantage Of this and protest
against Hammonds trial in the Transyaa,
in favor of British subjects. Mr. Olney is tax
ing great interest in the case or hammond.
and he had several consultations concerning
81 with the California Senators and other promi-
nent men.
NATIONAL GUARDS IN GOOD CONDITION.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT TAKES MEASURES TO
LEARN WHAT 1T CAN DEPEND on IF
AN EMERGENCY RISES.
Washington, Jan. 25, CspecaD.-The War Depart
rent has sent telegrapho Inquiries to Governors o,
several States asking for tie strength OF the Nator
al Guards thereof their condition as 10 efficiency ana
the time in which they could be modified ana
made ready in all respects for service IN case OF
emergency. The authorities here. 1t is said have
taken this step, not with any feeling that war Is
imminent, but as a precautionary measure. Fore
warned 10 forearmed. and the War Department oi-
Icals wish TO know definitely what they could ex-
rect In the way OF assistance from the states and
Territories having organized militia X serious
contingency should arise. Adjutant-Generals or
militia report annually TO the Secretary Of War
as TO the strength OF the State troops. the number
Of officers non-commissioned officers and privates
and their distribution In the several arms. At In
tervals the authorities are also put in possession
facts relating to the state of efficiency OF the
citizea soldiers At present more specific iniorma.
ton is sought. and hence the inquiries sent out
IN the last few days
Replies TO some o, the communications have
reached the War Department. and they show
speaking generally, that the State troops are In a
satisfactory condition. and that In reasonably
short time mobilization coyld take place For ex
from Adjutant-General McAlpn. SAYING that lS'1D
officers and be placed under arms IN
twelve hours and concentrated at almost any given
point in the State in a few hours thereafter. Ac-
cordng to late reports received by the Adjutant-
General 0. the Army, there are In the country
$4,000 men available for military duty. OF tbs
York has the largest orsanized force; next comes
Pennsylvania. with $500 officers and men; next
South Carolina, with 800; then cshudsetts
with $500; Ohio with 500: Illinois, with 800 ana
California with 400. The state having the small az
est number Of organized troops Is Idaho which mas
only 3s officers and In the Territories and the
District Of Columbia the total organized force IS
1890.
TO LOOK INTO FOREIGN TREATIES.
A PROJECT LOOKING TO RECIPROCITY BEFORE
THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE.