The herald., 1896-02-26
DOCTOR JAMESON IS A HERO
In the Opinion of Hilarious
English People
HIS TRANSVAAL INVASION
Viewed as q Chivalrous and Knightly
Adventure
The British Authorities Are Of Another
Opinion and VIII Punish the Outrage
Upon Friendly Power

Associated Press Special Wire.
LONDON, Feb. 25.-It was probably not
without design that the appearance of DIR.
Jameson for nrraignment in the Bow
street police court was delayed all through
the day. There was disposition to hilar-
ity manifest in the locality of the court
from an early hour, and it was evident the
London masses to give "Dr. Jim" an ova-
ton.
The British authorities desire. as far as
possible, to give no appearance of encour-
aging such demonstration of approval OF
citizen who has been handed over to
them by power against which he sought
to wage war.
Great Britain will see justice done to
him and will properly avenge the outrage
done to friendly power.
But the British government is we'll aware
that though DR.. Jameson is brought to
England for trial as a criminal, he is. in
the popular eye, a hero, and his raid into
the Transvaal, far from being viewed as a
political enterprise, is looked upon as a
chivalrous and knightly adventure to sue.
cor hard-pressed friends and fellow-coun-
trymen. It was for this reason that the
crowds around Bow street police court
were kept waiting and everything possible
done to make a mystery of the movements
of DR.. Jameson. 1t was hoped the ardor
of his admirers would be cooled by the long
wait, and the noisy mob waiting to cheer
him would grow weary and depart.
But all this strategy was without avail.
The people insisted upon waiting. They
grew impatient and somewhat irritable. to
be sure. and many rumors circulated
among them that they had been duped
into coming to Bow street, while the dis
tinguished prisoner had been quietly
smuggled into another court and there ar
raigned and quietly bailed. 1t did not take
long, however, to prove the falsity of these
rumors, and the crowd renewed its vigil
with reawakened zest.
At 3:l5 p. IN. the faith of the crowd that
thcy had not been waiting in vain was
quickened by the arrival at the Bow street
police court of party of aristocratic
friends of DR.. Jameson. Among these
were the Duke of Abercorn, Viscount Chel-
sea, the Earl of Arlington, Colonel Stra-
cey, private secretary of the Marquis Of
Mr.. Charles +. Ward, NJ. p, and many
other people of note. Many Of these were
shown to prominent places in the court
room, which was thus made to present an
animated scene during the period Of the
still further wait.
As a matter Of fact. it was quite late in
the day before DR.. Jameson was landed st
all. He was brought on o tug to Frith-on.
tbe-Thames, and was then conducted by a
further roundabout and obscure route to
Bow street police court.
AS consequence, it was almost 6 $50 in
the evening when he was finally driven up
to the entrance of the court and brought
in. The authorities thus succeeded in
avoiding any very noisy demonstration on
the part of the waiting crowds o.:tside, as
they we're scarcely aware that the prisoner
was among them before he had disap.
peared in the court room. But his en-
trance into the court room was the signal
for remarkable scene. Evidently every
one in the court room was of one mind in
sympathizing wish him. All were his
friends, and all rose and uncovered upon
his appearance. giving him hearty cheer.
It was in vain that the court officers sought
to queli the demonstration.
The charge lodged against DR.. Jameson
and l 4 of his fellow prisoners was then de-
clared to be 'warring against a friendly
state.'
After the charge had been read, Mr..
Henry Matthews, y. c., who was home
secretary in the former Salisbury govern
ment, announced that in view of the inn
portance of the case, the law officers of the
crown would conduct the prosecution.
Formal evidence was then presented as
to the circumstances of the arrest The
lawyers. who we're in court in behalf Of
the accused men, asked that their personal
recognizance be accepted for bail. Sir
John Bridge, the chief magistrate of the
Bow street police court. from his place OH
the bench, said that before decdiDg upon
the bail. he felt that he ought to observe
that in his opinion a graver oflense could
not be charged against the prisoners. 1t
was a crime of the highest po ssible gravity,
the magistrate continued, and it must be
SO treated by everyone when they consider
that the commission OF such an Cjfense
viousiy friendly. The circumstances of
the present case, he added, were most
peculiar. lie felt satisfied that tho pris.
oners would appear when wanted. He
therefore accepted their personal recogni-
zances and fixed their bail at $1,000 each.
Sir John Bridge addressed the prisoners
personally in grave and serious vein. He
urged them for their own sakes and for the
sake or the good faith of the country, to
refrain from appearing where the public
excitement wou d be aroused or in any way
allowing themselves to assist in disturb.
ing the peace. Notwithstanding the tone
and tenor his remarks deprecating any
public demonstration over the pgisoners,
the Withdrawals of the tlefendaais from
the court room was accompanied by a re-
newed outbreak of cheering. The court
officers set about restoring order and by
vigorous remonstrances finally succeeded
in queliing the disturbance.
When the court room had become quiet
again Sir John Bridge said steruIy: "l'hat
sort of thing might bring the name of
England into contempt"
Meanwhile still wilder scene wac being
enacted outside the court room. The prie-
oners had been smuQgled into the court
room so unexpectedly and with such dex-
teriy that the waiting mob was cheated
out of i,s opportunity for shouting. But
they were ready this time. DIR. Jame-
sons appearance outside the building was
the signal for wild outburst of cheering,
throwing of hats and tremendous press.
ure TO get up within reach of the popular
idol. The crowds intentions were friend
Iy, but they threatened bodily harm to the
object of their admiration. Dr. Jameson
was quickly hemmed in by. a sirging
throng, who apparently sought to carry
him, and lie made his way through them
with great difficulty.
When he finally reached his cab he was
driven of without waiting to make any
sign of acknowledgment of the popular
ovation.