Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-29

CAPE TOWN, Africa. April 29.-Further
adNices received here from Pretoria say
that at the close of the trial of the lead
ing members of the johannesburg reform
committee yesterday, the presiding judge,
after summing up, said that it was his pain
1ui duty to pass sentence upon the prisoners
no had pleaded guilty of high treason
put ne expressed the hope that the exeeu-
tive would show the same clemency it had
eNh.bited during the crisis which marked
the beginning of the year
Then, amid the most intense, painful
silence throughout the court room the
judge solemnly passed the sentence of dea tn,
individually, upon Lionel Phillips president
OF the chamber of mines of johannesburg:
george tarrar, proprietor and publisher of
country Ltfe of Johannesburg; Col Francis
K. Rhodes, brother Of the Hon Cecil Rhodes
and John Hays Hammond, the American
engineer, manager of the De Beers mine.
A few minutes later the remaining fifty
nine prisoners. including Joel Barnato, a
nephew of Barney Barnato; Mr.. Bettelheim
the Turkish consul. and formerly attorney
general of Cape Colony: J. w. Leonard and
Capt. Men. J. s Curtis v B. Clement /
Lawley, H. ]. King and Mr.. Iingbam. ali
Americans, We're sentenced to two years
Imprisonment, three years banishmeat and
to pay fine of 1000 in default of which
they will undergo another years imprison-
ment.
Excitement Caused
with the greatest amazement here, at Jo-
hannesburg, and even at Pretoria, and
caused the greatest excitement everywhere
even though it was generally understood
that the four men sentenced to death would
not be executed. The telegraph wires
throughout the colony and the Transyaal
Were blocked with messages 10 and from
Pretoria, business was at a standstill ev-
erywhere. and every man had a what
next! expression his face
TIC attitude of the British population
was one OF angry resentment; the Beers
v ere Sullenly defiant.
message from the secretary of state
for the colonies, Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain.
was communicated to President Kruger last
evening by Sir j. A. Dewitt, the British
agent at Pretoria.
The president was calm, but it was evi-
dent to all that he felt the gravity of The
situation most acutely
Later last night rumor obtained cir
cultt!C!i mat the president was carefully
gong over the records of the trial, and
consuitir with the legal authorities of
Pretoria, with the result that he had de-
Cided to commute the death sentences "a
heavy fines and long terms of imnrison.
Hent, to he followed by banishment
Sentences Commutcd
This report caused a decided feeling of
relief, which was intensified when dis
patch from Pretoria this morning from an
Official source announced that the SEN
fences of death had indeed been commut.d
me president, in exercising ciemency has
OILY followed the course which he was ex
pected to adopt, under the circumstances
put his impulse in the matter was dictated
oy ms sense OF justice alone, and not from
any fear of the consequences which might
nave followed the execution of the nrison
ers indeed, it is stated upon high author-
ity that he had decided days ago upon the
step Just taken, and that the firm stand
ne TOOK In his letter declining Mr.. Cham
periaih invitation to visit England was