The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-05-01
NEWSIS STARTLING.
6oERS SENTENCE FOUR uITLANpER
FEFORMERS TO DEATH.

sdahany Wants the state Department "Ex-
pedited" for Fear John Bull VIII Make a
scapegoat of the American, Hammond
Ohicial Circles In England Not Worried.
| WASHINGTON, April 29.-Uncle Sam
came In collision, as it were, with tho
Boer republic yesterday; orperhaps It was
the Boer republic came in collision with
Uncle Sam, and the excitement was great
In congressional circles. The nows was
that John Hays Hammond, noted
American mining engineer, and one of
the men living at johannesburg who
dared to protest against paying all the
taxes and having no voice in the govern.
ment had been condemned to death on
bis plea of guilty Of high treason in con.
nection with the Jameson raid. There
was much hurrying to and fro for awhile
In tho two chambers.
Prays to Kruger for Mercy.
In the senate Stewart, who knows Ham.
mond personally, got up a petition to
Kruger, the Boer president, the tenor of
which Is 'peccavi," and plea for mercy.
Ii sets forth the high character of the ac-
cused and states that his family and as
Sociations here were of the best, and while
1t Is conceded by the petitioners that the
crime to which he has pleaded guilty is
most serious one and directed against
government for, which the slgners have a
high regard, they still ask as an act of
clemency that the offense DO condoned
and the prisoner liberated This petition
was circulated in both houses and signed
by all who were given an opportunity.
The News I'm the House.
Mahany of New York started the ball
In the house. He smelled 'psrAdious
Albion" rat. He was fearful it seemed
that the willy Brlton who he said had to
find scapegoat, would hail with delight
the fact that there was an American on
the list who would do for the role Ma
hany offered a resolution asking the Sec
rotary of state to take Immediate action
to safeguard the interests of said Ham,
mond and exert the friendly offices of that
department in his behalf, If the secretary
OF state in his Judgment deems such in
terposition advisable" Mahany explained
the urgency of the case. 1t was matter
of life and death. Hammond might be
executed under the sentence at any time,
and any delay might be fatal.
That RascalIy Old John Ball,
rs not the secretary of state competent |
to deal with the situation?" asked Bart |
lett. Certainly" replied Mahany. "But |
the case might escape his attention. With
The house of representatives behind him
he can proceed vigorously. desire to say
IN this connection that the whole power
Of English diplomacy is being employed
TO safeguard the interests of the subjects
IF the queen who are being tried at Pre-
5oria Someon will be made the scape-4
goat of this affair. i do not propose to
attempt to shield any American from the
ust conquences of his act, but I am de-
that an American shall not be
made the scapegoat.
Sentence and Execution Two Things.
The resolution was finally referred to
he foreign affairs committee. And later
zane the news from London that more
han likely the sentence 10 death of the
Jitlander reformers is purely Pickwicki-
N. A cable from London says: 1.-THE
entencing of the members of the reform
Committee to death at Pretoria has pro.
luced q great sensation in London,
specially in the streets, where the extra
ditions of the afternoon newspapers, with
ensational headlines, find quick sale In
veil informed circles, however, the sem
oiiCe mas Cuuseu uVlle surprise, as tine |
avs of the Transvaal prescribe death for
Ugh treason. and the prisoners having
loaded guilty the judge could only pro-
ounce the sentence which the law pro-
ides.
Chamberlain Makes q Fluhe.
ut has also been long understood that
cry severe sentences would be passed in
rider that the clemency which President
.ruger Is certain to exercise might appear
reater 1t is thought probable that the
,ntence of death will be commuted to
hort term of Imprisonment and big fine
Mess Chamberlain's dispatch to Presi-
emit Kruger, read In the house of com.
ions, should irritate the chief magistrate
the Transvaal into greater severity
IAN he would otherwise exercise Cham.
erlain's telegram Is regarded here as be-
lg precipitate, and as leaving President
.ruger no time to act on his own account
nd as having moreover, the ring of die
ltion."
The Dispatch That Is Referred To.
Following is what Chamberlaing cabled
, Kruger: 1.-THE government has Just
armed that the sentence Of death has
cen passed upon the four leaders of the
form committee. 1t can feel no doubt
lat your honor will commute the sem
nee and has assured parliament of its
,nviction that this Is your honor's In
ntion."
British Fight the Matabele.