The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-01-02
CONFLICT HOURLY EXPECTED
Fight Between Beers and Englishmen
Almost Certain.

LONDON, Jan. 2.-The news from
Pretoria, Transvaal Republic, tends to
confirm the gravity of the situation
there, growing out of the invasion of
the Boer territory by an armed force of
the British South Africa company,
numbering about 700 men, with six
Maxim guns, led by DR.. Jamison, the
British commissioner, who was so sue
cessful in his operations against King
Lobenguela. The Transvaal president,
Kruger, has called upon the burghers
to defend their country, and a serious
conflict is anticipated in spite Of the
fact that the colonial secretary, the
Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, has tele-
graphed to DIR. Jamison to withdraw
into British territory, and has urged
President Kruger to do his utmost to
prevent bloodshed.
Conflict Is Hourly Expected.
A dispatch received here from the
Transvaal by financial paper says:
The burghers are advancing to meet
Jamison. A conflict is hourly ex-
pected."
The afternoon newspapers comment
at great length upon this fresh trouble
which the British government has to
face. They recognize the fact that the
invasion of the Transvaal, although
made upon the argent request of thou
sands of Enghshmen and others
in the Transvaal, who complain
that they have to pay the
I whole revenue of the country, while
being denied representation, is liable to
give particular otfense to Germany,
whose friendship at this critical stage,
the Marquis Of Salisbury is most anx-
ious to cultivate. AS the telegraph
wires are believed to have been cut be-
hind DIR. Jamison's force, and as the
Boer forces, we'll armed and equipped,
have been mobilized under General
Joubert, news of a bloody conflict is
, expected.
Koers Have 5000 Fighting Men.
The Beers can put in the field about
G,OO0 good fighting men, supported with
Maxim guns, and to oppose this force,
DR.. Jamison has only about 700 men,
with six Maxim guns, who may receive
the direct or indirect assistance of about
1000 unframed and badly armed Eng
lishmen. However, Jamison may be
able to call to his support 1000
men belonging to the Declares COM
pany, whose headquarters are at KIM
berly. These men are we'll equipped
and would prove an effective
reinforcement for Dr. Jamison But as
the latter is already said to be advanc-
ing upon Johannesburg, with his small
body men, he may meet the Beers and
the issue be decided before any rein
forcements can reach him. Great
Britain, through the colonial secretary,
has offered to arbitrate the matter but
it is feared that the offer has come too
late, and that the most serious conse-
Quences are to be apprehended.
A Statement by Chamberlain.
The secretary Of state for the colonies,
Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, has issued
the following statement Of the Trans
vaal question:
a Having learned on Monday evening
that DIR. Jamison had entered the Boer
1 country, have since been continuously
engaged in an endeavor to avert the
consequences Of his extraordinary ac-
+ tion. Sir Hercules Robinson has by
proclamation publicly repudiated DR..
}, Jamison's act, and has enjoined the
British subjects to obey the law and
remain quiet. DIR. Jamison and his
officers have also been ordered to re-
tire Immediately. 1t is hoped that a
collision will be averted, but Dr. Jami-
son cut the wires as he advanced"
A, ting without Any Authority.
1.-The British agent at Johannesburg, "
Mr.. Chamberlain's statement contin-
ues, lis moving forward to meet DR..
Jamison and to order him in the queens
name to retire forthwith. have called
upon the chartered company to re-
pudiate DR.. Jamison's proceedings, of
which the company says it is entirely
innocent" Mr.. Cecil Rhodes, premier
of Cape Colony. stated that DR.. Jami-
son acted without his authority. As
soon as he heard that he contemplated
! entering the Transvaal he endeavored
to stop him, but found that the wires
we're cut.