Morris tribune., 1896-01-08
How 1T OCCUR RRED
Connected Account Of the Recent
Troubles in the Transyaal
Republic.
A Provisional Government Was
Organized by johannesburg
Foreigners.
Beers We're Cognizant of Jane.
sons Movements and Easily
Defeated Him.

LONDON, JAN 9.-Missing dispatches,
DELAYED in transmission from Johannes
burg and Capetown, are gradually
reaching this city. Some of the latest
messages filed are arriving before the
earlier dispatches placed in the hands
| of the telegraph and cable operators at
the different points mentioned. They
are dated from Jan. l onward and being
collected, the following synopsis OF
the invasion Of the Transvaal by the
forces of the British Chartered COM
pany has been compiled.
For long time past the Uitlanders,
or foreign residents of the Transvaal,
| have been complaining of the treatment
they have been subjected to by the
Beers. The Uitlanders, though far out
numbering the Beers, have been com
PEELED to contribute practically all the
revenue of the republic, and yet have
no representation or voice in its govern
! ment. This is their side Of the question.
would be Only British Colony.
On the other hand, the Beers claim
that the very fact that the Uitlanders,
mainly Englishmen, SO far outnumber
them is the main argument against CIV
ing them full presentation, for then
they would soon out-vote the Beers and
make the republic nothing more or less
than British colony.
On this ground ill-feeing grew until
intimations were made to DIR. Jameson,
TO-, of 4loa Soy. r l1o
British Chartered company, that the
British in the Transvaal were ripe for
revolt, and that if he would take the
initiative the Uitlanders would rise and
support him.
DR.. James on then began preparations
for raid upon Johannesburg, muster
ing about 7G0 men and plenty of ammu-
milton, but little food, on the Transyaal
border. When the right moment ar
rived a letter was sent to him to give
assistance to his compatriots who were
in danger at the hands Of the aroused
Beers, then riding about the streets and
country in most threatening manner.
On Monday, Dec 30, DR.. Jameson's
forces crossed the Transvaal border
without the knowledge, however, it
would seem, of the Uitlanders of Johan.
nesburg. He cut the telegraph wires
behind him to prevent being ordered
back by the British government, it is
claimed, and pushed on for Krugers-
dorp, where he expected to meet rein
forcements of 1900 Uitlanders.
On the following day, Dec. 81, there
was intense excitement at Johannes
burg, people hurrying into the town
from the mines and suburbs
Provis onaI Cove nment Established.
The central committee OF Uitlander
citizens constituted themselves a provi-
sional government for the town, and
announced that ample provision would
be made to defend it against any body
of Beers.
The provisional government estab-
lished itself in the Consolidated Gold
fields building, and three Maxim rapid
fire guns were placed by the citizens in
advantageous positions about it.. The
so-called new government" then sent
an ultimatum to the government of
President Kruger, at Pretoria The
latter proposed a conference at Pretoria
on the following day, Wednesday, but
the committee appointed by the new
government hesitated to go to Pretoria
without safe conduct
By this time the news that Dr. Jane
son had crossed the border was in
Johannesburg and his arrival at that |
place was expected hourly. Crowds of |
people surrounded the Consolidated |
Goldfelds building, and the gathering
of recruits for the Uitlanders' forces
was carried on with vigor, but too late,
as sub4equent events showed
Were Aware of Jameson's Moves.
In the meantime the Beers had not
been idle. They seem to have been
fully aware Of DR.. Jameson's proposed
raid, and met the movement by gather
ing together force of about 5000 well
armed, well mounted, excellently
trained farmer-huntsmen whose rifles
always speak in deadly earnest.
This caused a feeling of alarm among
the Uitlanders, numbers Of whom left
the town during the night, in bands of
so each, and the hope of raising force
to assist DR.. Jameson began to melt
away like snow beneath hot sun.
Had Interview With Kruger.
Eventually the committee of the pro-
visional government of Johannesburg
went to Pretoria and had an interview
with President Kruger on Wednesday
evening. The president after listening
to the complaints made promised to re-
dress their grievances, gave the Uit-
landers representation in the govern
ment of the Transvaal, concluded a
three days armistice with the insur-
gents and thus removed any further
real cause for raising men to support