The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-01-01
A CONFLICT.
Appears to Be Inevitable Outcome OF
Transvaal Troubles.
An INVASION BY sRlTIsHERs
Has Brought Matters to a
Serious Crisis.

has been received from Pretoria, Trans
vaal. which states that an armed force of
the British South Africa company, num-
bering 500 men, wit h six maxim guns and
other artillery piecs S, is reported 10 have
invaded the Transyi al territory.
The telegram fu rther states that the
British forces have already reached the
vicinity of Rustenbc q, and are advancing
upon Johannesberg. On learning OF the
news. President Krn ger of Transvaal or
dered that n furthar advance OF the in
yaders should be pf eyented by force OF
arms, and he issued "A proclamation call
ing upon all bl,rghers to defend the coun-
try. An armed conflict, rs result OF the
appeal, is inevitable.
A dispatch from Caps' Town says: "Con'
seouent upon letter Il gned by the lead
ing inhabitants OF Johannesberg, which
was sent to DIR. jameson a. at Mafeking, on
Saturday, DIR. jameson. on Sunday,
crossed the states. The internal policy OF
the government has ificensed not only
the Uitlanders, but large number or
Beers, while it's external policy has ex
asporated the neighboring states 10 the ex-
tent OF endangering the peace and inde-
pendence and the preserv alton OF the re-
public. The people here only desire fair
and the presence Of those public liberties
without which life is not worth living.
The government denies these things and
violates the national se1se of Englishmcn
at every turn.
Eve must consider what must DO the
condition OF things in the event OF an
armed conflict. Thousands OF unarmed
men, women and children Of our race will
be at the mercy of the well-armed Beers,
while property of enormous value will be
Ia the greatest peril. We all feel that we
are justified in taking any steps to prevent
the shedding of blood and to insure the
protection of our rights.
sIt-is under these circumstances that We
feel constrained TO invoke your aid.
Should disturbance arise hero the cir
cumstances are so extreme that we cannot
. hut believe that you, and the men under
you, will not fail To come TO our Rescue.
We guarantee any expense you may reas-
onably incur In helping US. and ask you to
believe that nothing but the sterncst neces-
sity has prompted this appeal"
Joseph Chamberlain has returned to
London unexpectedly, and remained at
the colonial Office the whole day yesterday,
from 10 in the morning until z in the
evening.
The Times thinks that the letter hardly
justified DIR. Jameson's startling move.
But 1t will be necessary, The Times con-
tinues, to wait for further news before
Judging his action. II he were satisfied
that nothing but immediate and decisive
Intervention on his part could save a
great British community from armed vio-
lence his conduct will 10 approved here.
Ii may have been technically incorrect,
but the sense and feeling of the nation
will recognize that technicalities could
not have been suffered To stand in the
way where the lives and property of THOU
sands OF their fellow citizens were at
stake.
Jameson's Action Not Justified.
Mr.. Chamberlain's action indicates, how
ever, that no adequate justification exists
for DIR. Jamcson's apparent breach Of the
law of nations. It was known in official
circles yesterday that in the course of the
day Mr.. Chamberlain had wired DR..
Jameson. ordering him TO return without
delay 20 the company's territory. 1t can
not be supposed that such step would
have been taken had the colonial Office
seen the reason to believe that the orderly
British subjects OF johannesburg were in
Immediate danger. Until they have strong
grounds for entertaining such fears, IL is
their obvious duty TO prevent any infringe
nent by the chartered (South Africa
company of the rights Of friendly states.
The adoptiop Of this course Inanifestly
places "A serious responsibility upon the
shoulders Of the colonial Office. 1t is be-
lieyed that the Boer forces have been mobil-
lied under General Joubert, and that an
explosion is possible Mt any moment
Mr.. Chamberlain is believed to have ad-
dressed himself To President Kruger as
clearly and as firmly AS TO DIR. Jameson.
He called upon the Bocr leader 10 do his
utmost TO prevent hostilities and has or
fersd Great Britain's aid TO promote a
peaceful settlement
IL no rising has occurred. Mr.. Chamber
iain's attitude will command universal
approval, bpt IL British blood had been
shed which might have been saved IL is
inevitable that some part of the blame,
however unjustly, should be attached To
his intervention. No replies have been re-
ceiyed from DIR. Jameson, and IL is doubt
full. I'm fact, whether he will receive the
kilograms before his arrival at Johannes
berg, when they may be too late.
President Kruger would do well to &C.
cept the British offer OF mediation. but IL
is rumored that he has been ill-advised
enough to resort TO measure OF very
different kind. He Is said TO have been 80
far forgotful OF the position Of Transyaal as
subject 90 suzerainty OF Great Britain as to
appeal TO the French and German consuls
for support. Conduct of that kind betrays
remarkable ignorance OF the rights OF
this country over Transvaal and OF her
resolution TO enforce them. Whatever
else we may tolerate at tho hands of the
Beers, we will not endure foreign inter
yentlon in any shape within the Transvaal.
nor suffer tho Transvaal TO fall into an
srchy.
Not Sanctioned by Robinson.
A special article TO The Times says:
No statement has yet been issued by the
governments, but it is understood that
President Kruger has informed High
Commissioner Robinson at Cape Town
that a ruDior had reached him Of an In
vasion OF the TE.nsyaal. and asking him
whether this step had been taken with his
tRobinson) permission. Governor Rob
inson rcpiicd that he had heard "A similar