The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-05-22

were originally sentenced to death for
high treason, is regarded with disfavor by
the public here and has caused great re-
vulslon OF feeling among the Afrikanders.
1t Is felt that the Government in not
hberating the prisoners mas lost the chance
OF uniting the opposing sections of the
population in the Transvaal and that the
evil consequences will be incalculable. II
is credibly stated that President Kruger
for three days persistently urged the
Executive Council to substitute fines for
imprisonment in the cases of all the pris-
oners, but that he was overcome by q
majority of the Council.
LONDON, Eng, May 21.-The Times will
tomorrow publish 8 long dispatch from
Pretoria detailing the excitement arising
from the heavy sentences imposed upon
the mem bers of the reform committee.
The dispatch says that the widest kind OF
talk is INDUCED in, and that the situation
is critical. The foreign residents of the
TrsnsvaaI are dlsmayed. They are con-
WINGED that Great Britain will not NEEDLE
with their affairs or with the sentences OF
the prisoners.
The annual gathering of prominent men
interested in South Africa took place to-
night at the Hotel Metropole, where the
usual banquet was given. The Right Hon.
Joseph Chamberlain, Secretary of State
for the Colonies, presided. Among those
present were Sir William Dunn, Consul
General OF Cape Colony, and Wal
ter Peace, Agent-General of Natal.
MI Chamberlain made a speech, in the
course OF which he said he regretted that
little progress had been made in the at.
tempts TO reconcile the Dutch and English
IN South Africa. He confessed that he
was disappointed by the decision of the
Transvaal Government regarding the sem
tence of the leaders of the reform COM
mittee, especially because he had ALWAYS
trusted in President Kruger's magma.
nimity, believing that he was never ami.
mated by vindictive feeling against the
men who, whatever their errors. had nv
their energy and enterprise, created the
Transvaal's prosperity. Mr.. Chamberlain
declared that he could not discuss the
matter further, but the policy of the Gov
eminent had already been declared and
would not be changed. This declaration
was greeted with cheers.
In the House OF Commons TODAY Mr.
Chamberlain, Secretary of State for the
Colonies, announced that the Colonial OF.
fee had received telegram from Presi-
dent Kruger of the Transvaal Republic
stating that the jail regulations would be
Immediately modified so as to increase the
comfort of the reform committee pris-
oners-
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA. Nav 21.-
The Transvaal Government, it is learned
again complained few days ago to Sir
Hercules Robinson, the British High Com.
missioner, regarding the reported assem-
bling of 900 British troops and forty can
non between Mafeking and Ramutsa, near
the Transvaal frontier. Sir II ercules Rob.
lnson in his reply gave the details of the
smaller force which had been sent to Maj.
king in accordance with the previous noti-
ficaiion sent to the Transvaal authorities
which force was intended to be used in
quelling the Matabele revolt. Sir Her
cules also suggested that the Transyaal
Government should prosecute the person
who gave the false information on which
its complaint was based.