The record-union., 1896-04-29

Hays Hammond has created a pro-
found sensa ton in diplomatic circles.
The State Department has closely fol-
lowed the case from the date of the ar
rest of Hammond and other Americans.
and it is an open secret that the depart
ment already has a course marked out
to meet the present emergency. IL is
now said by people who profess to know
the intention of the department tnat
when Secretary Olney asked the kind
" offices of the British Government IN
behalf of Hammond he foresaw the
present serious turn of the case, ana
knew that the time would come Wheli
the active interference of Great Britain
in Transvaal affairs would be an iInpef-
ative necessity. The chances are thar
the British Government will now make
an imposing demonstration against the
Beers, and force them to promise par
dons for Americans and Engllshmen
found guilty of high treason and SEN
fenced to death.
The latest news from the State De-
partment is to the effect that the SEN
tence of Hammond has been commuted
and that for this reason the American
Government will defer action in his
case until further details are received.
Secretary Olney to-day received a
cable dispatch from c.. H. Knight, the
United States Vice-Consul at Cape
Town, South Africa, announcing the
sentence of John Hays Hammond. 1t
said that Hammond and five others
had been condemned to death, but that
II was understood that the sentences
would be commuted
The subject formed topic for dis
cussion at the Cabinet meeting to-day.
Ii is asserted here that the State De-
partment has official informal ton to the
effect that Hammond and the other
leaders in the movement pleaded guilty
under the agreement that they would
not be punished severely. 1t is likely
the leaders will get off with heavy fines
and perhaps small sentences of i'm
prisOnment. Hammond is possessed OF
considerable property in the South AT
rican republic, and there has been a
disposition on the part of the Beers to
confiscate it. So far the attempt has
been frustrated, and sufficiently strong
representa- tiOns from this Government
may prevent its accomplishment.
AT a late hour tonight your corre-
spondent was advised by the State De-
partment officially that a cablegram
had been received from Pretoria giving
assurance that only a nominal fine
would be imposed upon Hammond.
APPEAL FOR HIS PARDON.
WASHINGTON, April Ex-senator
Stewart prepared and circulated in both
houses of Congress to-day petition ad-
dressed to President Kruger, President
of the Transvaal Republic, asking him
to pardon John Hays Hammond The
fact that such petition had been signed
and would be forwarded was cabled to
the Transvaa1 Government The petit
ton, which was signed generally. is as
follows:
THE undersigned, members of the
Senate and House of Representative of
the United States of America, respect
fully represent that John Hays Ham
mond is citizen of the United States
a man of high character and connected
with the best families in this country,
and an engineer of ability We re-
gret exceedingly his unfortunate con-
nection with the trouble in your coun-
try, for which all our people entertain
feelings Of kindness and respect In
view of the irreproachable character of
Mr.. Hammond in his own country, and
the high standing of his friends and
relatives, we earnestly ask for him
your most kindly consideration. If
your eXcellency should extend to him a
pardon for his offenses against your
Government, we would esteem it an
especial compliment to ourselves. as
well as to the people of the United
States.
Hoping that you will relieve Mr..
Hammond from the penalty of his con-
nection, we are your most obedient
servants" etc, etc