New-York tribune., 1896-05-03
IS 1T ARREST OR SURRENDERf
THE ALTERNATIVE THAT SEEMS TO BE
IN STORE FOR CECIL RHODES.
TO WHAT EXTENT WAS THE INNER CABINET AC-
oUAINTEp WITH THE CONSPIRACY AGAINST
THE TRANSvAAL?-MR. CHAMBER

QUAINTED WITH THE CONSPIRACY AGAINST
THE TRANsvAAL?-MR. CHAMBER
LAIN's LOSS OF PRESTIGE
London, May 2.-It is reported to-day that the
directors of the Chartered Company have sent
dispatch to Mr.. Rhodes advising him to surren-
der himself voluntarily. and adding that they
are ready to relieve him from the managing
dictatorship. This fact coupled with credited
dispatches from Cape Colony that President
Kriiger still holds in reserve crushing revela-
tions concerning Mr. Rhodes and his colleagues.
completes his downfall from the leadership In
South Africa. 1t is a question whether he VIII
surrender await arrest.
The questions exciting the lobby of the House
Of Commons and all the political clubs are
how far the inner Cabinet knew Of the revela-
tions made at Pretoria before they were known
to the public and whether Sir Hercules Robin
son. Governor of Cape Colony and British High
Commissioner in South Africa. is implicated IN
the conspiracy against the Transvaal The plea
OF guilty entered by the members of the Jo-
hannesburg Reform Committee who were on
trial at Pretoria Is now believed to have been
due to a concerted attempt to avert the pupl-
ation of the evidence involving Cecil Rhodes
and Governor Robinson, who assured the men,
bers that the Imperial Government would inter-
vena to bring about the quashing or the SEN
tences that might be imposed upon them. NO
suspicion attaches to Mr.. Chamberlain. the Sec
retary Of State for the Colonies in connection
with the initial conspiracy, but his prolonged
tentatives with President Krdger are held 10 DE
partial proof that he learned the rsmihcations
OF the plot more completely than ne ever as
closed to Parliament. Mr.. Chamberlain IS not
to be blamed for necessary reticence, put MS
reputation as the keenest statesman IN 'he
Cabinet has been weakened by the fact thal
Is now admitted on all sides that he has been
checkmated by President Kruger at every point
Regarding Sir Hercules Robnsons completely
In the conspiracy. the references 20 "Chalrmah
contained in the cipher dispatches nave peeh
examined in the light Of the sequence OF oc-
curences and the known relations between him
and Mr. Rhodes prior TO the raid inference
Identifies "Chairman' with Governor ROplnsoi'
1t Is not supposed that Mr. Rhodes confded 10 MIN
the details of the plan; certainly not Or. Jane
sons prepar atoms to enter the TransVaai, out
Mr. Rhodes relied upon the assistance OF Gov
ernor Robinson TO arrange terms after sue
cessful rising in Johannesburg. The immediate
outcome of the publication OF the dispatches VIII
be the appointment of a commission TO inquire
into the whole matter and report thereon 10
Parliament. .
Mr. Chamberlain in January promised the
House Of Commons that a Commission snould
be appointed to inquire into the policy OF the
British South Africa Company. II he had not
been absent last night In Birmingham ne "oulo
have been asked to explain the delay In the ap-
polntment Of the Commission. The consensus OF
opinion in the lobby Is that an inquiry Is I'M
perative Responsible Minsterasts privately
concur IN the belief that Mr.. Rhodes. Governor
Robinson and every one concerned in the mater
should be summoned TO explain their connection
with the conspiracy. and that the triai OF Dr.
Jameson and his colleagues, now penang IN
London should be postponed until the plot snail
be probed - the bottom.
When the colonial vote is discussed next FRI
day. the Liberals will insist upon the MINISTRY
making a full disclosure OF the latest IransVaai
DEVELOPMENTS II the Government tries 10 post
pone the debate on the vote the Liberals Will
raise II by moving the adjournment of the House.
Mr. Chamberlain's followers deny that he has
any desire 10 conceal anything any interest
In so doing. Mr. Chamberlain wants 10 appoint
a Commission to inquire into the affairs OF the
British South Africa Company. and awaits de-
cision OF the Cabinet on the question. He pro-
poses II is said. Immediately TO summon Cecil
Rhodes to London to stand trial beside DR.. Jane
ggn