Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1896-05-04

TranSVaal.)
George Farrar, Lionel Philips and
Leonard-had been condemned to death.
They had pleaded guilty to high treason
and it was expected that they would be
treated leniently.
Mr.. Chamberlain added that upon hear
ing the news he cabled to the governor
of Cape Colony, Sir Hercules Robinson,
to communicate the following to Presi-
dent Kruger:
The government have just learned that
sentence of death has been passed upon the
can feel no doubt that your honor Will com
mute the sentence and have assured Parl1a-
ment of their conviction that this is your
hOnOr'S intention
Der for Southwest Manchester, asked
whether the law under which the lead
ers of the Johannesburg reform commit
tee were tried does not provide tor the
confscation of their property IN the
event of conviction, and not for the I'M
posing of the death penalty.
Mr.. Chamberlain said he was unable
to answer the question.
John Hayes Hammond, one OF the
members Of the reform committee con-
demned to death, is an American.
Great Sensation in London.
London, April 2S.-The sentencing of
the members of the reform committee
to death has produced a great sensation
in London, especially in the streets, where
the extra editions of the afternoon news
papers, with sensational headlines, find
quick sale. In well-informed circles,
however, the sentence has caused little
SURPRISE as the laws of the Transvaal
prescribe death for high treason and the
prisoners, having pleaded guilty, the
judge could only pronounce the sentence
which the law provides. 1t has also been
IT sentences
would be passed in order that the elem
ency which President Kruger is certain
to exercise might appear great.
1t is thought probable that the death
sentence will be committed to a short
term of imprisonment and a big fine,
unless Mr. Chemberlain's dispatch to
President Kruger read in the House of
Commons should irritate the chief magis-
trate of the Transvaal into greater Sc
verify than he would otherwise exercise.
Mr.. Chamberlains telegram is regarded
here as being precipitate and as leaving
President Kruger no time to act on his
own account and as having, moreover,
the ring of dictation.
There seems TO be misunderstanding
as to the number of members of the re-
form committee who have been SEN
fenced to death. Mr. Chamberlain said
Rhodes, Phillips, Farrar, Hammond and
another whose name he had forgotten.
When he was asked if it was Leonard,
he replied: mo- so it was presumed
it might be Fitzpatrick, another English
member of the committee. But later in
the day the under secretary of the colon
ial Office, the Earl of Selborne, an
nOunced in the House of Lords that a
cable dispatch had been received from
Sir Hercules Robinson, the governor of
Cape Colony, confirming the announce
ment that the sentence of death had
been imposed upon Rhodes.
Therefore it is believed that but four
have been sentenced to death.
Mr.. Chamberlain's secretary, Mr.. Will
son, was questioned this afternoon by
a representative of the Associated press
as to what steps would be taken by the
British government to save the life OF
John Hays Hammond.
Mr.. Wilson said that no communi-
Gently been received from Washington
nor had the colonial Office been APP
preached by the United States embassy,
Therefore Mr.. Wilson refused to make
public the nature of the steps which
would be taken in Mr.. HammOnd's
behalf until Mr.. Chamberlain had seen
the United States ambassador on the
subject.
Sixty-twO Sent to Prison.
London, April 29.-The Chartered
South Africa company has received
cable dispatch from johannesburg Civ
ing further details of the judgment of
the high court at Pretoria in the case
of the members of the National Reform
committee This dispatch states that in
addition to the sentence of death passed
upon the leaders of the reform COM
mittee, sixty-two other members have
been sentenced to two years impriSOn-
ment, a fine of $4,000, and three years
subsequent Punishment. The dispatch
adds: ''There is great excitement in
TIL rroI &1O
are speedily committed, trouble is ex-
pected."
The Times this morning has letter
from Pretoria which describes the in
trigues which the correspondent says
were intended to prevent liberal minded
trial. ''There is no doubt" the letter
continues, ''that the largely increasing
state artillery will soon be in German
hands. British subjects are being out
rageously taxed to find funds for this
German invasion. War-like prepare
tons do not abate.
Hammond May Not be Executed.
Washington, d. c., April 28.-United
States Vice-Consui Knight tCape Town
that it was understood there that Ham
mond's sentence will be committed.
The California senator's probably will
ask, through the state department, that
clemency be shown Hammond, although
Senator White says that in the face of
plea of guilty of high treason he is not
sure that this government could make
very strong representation. The be-
lief is expressed here that Hammond, be-
fore returning to Pretoria, had some I'M
Outstanding on the subject OF the SEN
tence to be pronounced and the proceed
ings that would follow the sentence. 1t
is believed he will not be put to death.
When Senator Stewart, who is a per-
sonal friend of Mr.. Hammond, heard OF
his conviction, he Immediately set to