New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-26

b
Of High Commissioner and Governor-Gen-
eral Of South Africa and appointing In
his stead Sir Hercules Robinson, who had
long been one of the business associates and
Mariners of Mr. Rhodes. Moreover, the Queen
conferred upon him a membership in her Privy
Council and it was off her palace at Osborne
where he had been paying her a visit. that the
mail steamer for the Cape was stopped 10 take
him aboard. Yet If the Government fuihls us
duty toward the nation and toward the comfy
of foreign powers, the Right Honorable Cecii
Rhodes will be arrested. and constituted virtu-
ally a prisoner the very moment that he sets
foot on land. The question is whether the Gov
eminent and by the Government l mean Lord
Salisbury and Mr.. Chamberlain Will dare 10
do IL.
Since the beginning Of the year, many points
at first obscure in connection with the Trans
yaal difficulty have been gradually cleared
up In the first place. 1t has been proved be-
yond the shadow Of do ibt by letter Of Dr.
Jameson addressed to the Commandant OF
Maricio that the object OF his invasion of the
Boer Republic rot to save life nor to pro-
feet the property Of his fellow-countrymen es-
tablished at johannesburg and elsewhere in the
Transvaal but solely TO assist the principal
foreign residents of the Rand to secure justice
and ordinary rights Of citizenship" This. there
fore does away with the argument which mad
been put forward in behalf Of 'Dr. jim" TO the
effect that his raid was an heroic if injudicious
attempt to rescue the lives of Engshmen and
English women and children In great danger,
and who had impored their countrymen across
the border for help.
RHODEs'S PART IN THE RAID.
Secondly, 1t has become evident that Cecil
Rhodes was cognizant Of the raid and was it's
most intimate friend but likewise his alter ego.
especially with regard to the affairs Of the
Chartered Company, Of which Rhodes Is the
founder the leading spirit and the absolute
dictator And it has been discovered that the
invasion of the Transvaal by the company's
troops was not due to any sudden impulse but
was on the contrary a carefully planned and
preconceived project which was known and
talked about by the friends and associates Of
Mr. Rhodes months beforehand. Thus, in
letter dated January 2. 1896. from tombstone
Castle. in Renfrewshre and published in The
Paisley Gazette" George Houston, one Of the
territorial magnates and magistrates or the
county. declares. in response TO charge made
that ne was responsible for the lives Of the
Paisley men who fell fighting under DR. Jane
sons orders and whom he had urged 10 emil
crate 10 Newfoundland, that when he had ieft
Cape Town II had been all arranged thet 'he
invasion Of the Transvaal was not TO take place
until April next. Then. too. the soldier prother
Of Cecil Rhodes had been at johannesburg LOT
two or three weeks prior to the raid straihihs
every nerve In his efforts TO induce the Iitiahu-
ers to rise against the Boer Government smui-
taneously with the jameson raid. flhahy' II
Is impossible that such a large BODY OF mel" '"e
flower of the Chartered Conparys army couiu
have been stationed for nearly a fortnight on
To-
unfortunate stockholders Of the concern with
out Cecil Rhodes. who was in daily touch with
Jameson by means OF the telegraph. being aware
OF and consenting to what was going on ana 10
What about to take place.
WILL HE BE TRIED?
So much for the responsibility Of Cecil Rhodes
In this flibustering expedition into the Trans
wal. II Mr. Chamberlain does his duty to the
letter and suhs popular expectations, ne VIII
be placed On trial in England along with d.
Jameson and any other leaders OF the rald WHO
may be surrendered by the Beers TO the BRUSH
authorities. the charge Of having violated
the so-called Foreign Enlistment Statute OF
1870 This was one of the results of the Alabama
difficulty and provides two years imprisonment
with or without hard labor. as well fine, for
every person who plans. fits out, or partici-
pates in a military or naval expedition against
the dominions Of any friendly State" while a
similar penalty Is prescribed for everybody who
aids. abets. counsels procures the commits
sion Of offences against this act" Whether II
Will be possible 10 indict the Dukes Of Fife and
OF Abercorn. Earl Grey and St Horace
FarQuhar. who constitute the English end Of
the management Of the Chartered Company, 1t
Is difficult to say. The Duke Of Abercorn, who
Is the chairman or president OF the concern. dis
claims any prior knowledge OF the raid and dis
unctly disavows DR.. Jameson's conduct The
other titled directors. however have remained
silent. and have taken no public step as yet to
disassociate themselves from DIR. jim by dis
missing him from the service of the company.
There Is no getting away from the fact how
ever. that either they were privy TO the pro-
1ected invasion Of the Transvaal and therefore
Jointly liable with Cecil Rhodes, or else II
ignorant they have shown themselves to be
mere ornamental hgureheads and dummies
whose presence on the board was desf,ned soieIv