Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-05-08
CLEMENCY SHOWN.
Sentence COMMITTED TO Reform
Committee Members.
DEATH PENALTY REMITTED
Seven Americans Among the hank
and File Who Have RecelVeo
Heavy Sentences.

The death sentences imposed upon Messrs.
John Hays Hammond, the American engi-
neer. Col. Francis Rhodes, Lionel Phililps
and George Farrar, members OF the Johan-
nesburg reform committee at Pretoria. who
pleaded guilty OF high treason, were com
muted by the President. AS yet 1t is uncer-
tain what sentence will be imposed upon the
men. but it is thought probable that they
will be given heavy fines, Imprisonment ana
banishment for long term OF years.
The Judge in summing up, said he had no
option but to pass sentence according to the
Roman-Dutch law. Continuing, he said that
although DR.. jameson must have come int
the country against the wish OF the prisoners
and for his own purposes or for the purposes
Of the British Chartered South Africa COM
pany. the fact remained that he came to the
border at the invitation OF the reform commn'
tee. and If they had not invited him, there
would not have been an inroad from an
other country. Could the prisoners reason
ably expect mercy for such serious crlIAe
as high treason2
maintained during the trial he said 1t was ms
painful duty to pass the sentences required
by law. At the same time he expressed the
hone that tho executive would show the same
cemency as 1t displayed to the members OF
the jameson party.
Then, amid profound silence, the judge
sentenced, individually and separately Lionel
Phillips, George Farrar, Col. Francis hhodes
and John Hays Hammond to death. The
prisoners wore perfectly calm and merely
bowed to the Judge when their sentences
were pronounced.
The Judge then sentenced the other pris-
oners to pay fines OF $4,000 each, to under
20 two years Imprisonment and to three
years Punishment, although the latter pun
ishment is made subject to the will OF the
executive There are seven Americans
among the fifty-nIne who received the latter
sentence. They are Messrs j. W. Leonard,
| Capt N. n Men, J. 8. Curtis, V. B Clement,
J. Lawlcy, II. j. King and Mr.. Lingham.
The sonterces pronounced ca. sed constSEs
nation among all classes In Pretorin, ami II
was the general opinion that counsel ior the
defense made great mistake in not intro
ducing evidence by which the accused would
be tried In proportion to their respective
efrenses instead Of placing them all upon the
same footing. The Judge did not give weight
to the plea that the prisoners were more
guilty Of folly than Of crime.
IYDIGNATIoN FELT AT LONDON.
The sensation caused by the sentencing to
death of the leaders OF the Johannesburg
Reform Committee at Pretoria increases In
spite of the fact that 1t is announced that the
sentences have been commuted and little or
nothing else Is talked about People gener-
ally are indignant at the attitude OF the
Transvaal as outlined in President Kruegers
reply to the invitation of Colonial Secretary
Chamberlain and urge that strong measures
be taken. They will not approve OF any
further negotiations involving an appeal to
President Krueger's generosity and Mr..
Chamberlain is denounced on all sides.