The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-07-14
CECIL RHODES IS BLAMED.
Mas Guilty Of Grave 0ffcnsc In
Having Transynal Raided.
BELT MUST SHARE RESPONSIBILITY.
without Binmc-La bouchcrc
Makes broad Hints.

| Londcn, July lathe parliamentary
South African commission. which has been
inquiring into the Transvasl raid. has
agreed upon Its report. Tho Pail Mall
Gazette publishes summary Of the con-
illusions of tho committee. The report Will
express an emphatic opiaion that whatever
justification there might have been for
action on the part of the people of johann
ncsburg. there was none whatever for
Cecil Rhodes conduct In euhsldizins, or
ganlzlng and stimulating an armed insur-
rcctlon against tho government of the
Trausvaal. A heavy responsibility, accord
ing to the report, remains with Rhodes, de-
spite the fact tina, at the last moment DR..
jameson invaded the Transvaa without
Rhodes direct saaction,
The gravity of Rhodes transaction Ia
weigh,ily expressed by the Commission,
which tina that "he seriously embarrassed
both the imperial and colonial govern
mentsi that his proceedings resulted In an
astounding breach Of International COM
ity. that nc utilized his position and the
great interests he controlled TO assist and
support revolution, and deceived the nigh
comm issioner as weN as concealed his views
from the members of the colonial ministry
and the directors OF the cnarteieu com
pauy."
The commission is Of the opinion that OF
the official chartered company's directors
who were examined only Mr. Belt and Mr.
Mcguire were cognlzant OF the plans OF
Rhodes and Belt was entrusted with the
money TO promote revolutionary move
ments. SO he must share the fun RESPONSE
hility for the consequences. The report
adds that Newton also failed in his duty,
but In less degree.
Tho commission. In conclusion, unite TO
condemn the raid but at the came time
they express the opinion that nothing VIII
be gained by proceeding with the proposed
extension OF inquiry Into the administration
Of The chartered company. They declare
Lord Rosemeade and MIR. Chamberlain and
the under secretaries of the colonial Of
flee blamelees on the ground that there is
no evidence that any of them were In any
sense cognigant OF the plans of the raid
but they pronounced Sir Graham Bower
IMPERIAL secretary Of the high commits
siouer. guilty Of grave dereliction of duty
In that he failed to decline to receive from
Cecil Rhodes confidential communications
wholly Incompatible with the duty Of the
high commissioner.
The voluminous minority report. pre-
scented by Mr.. Labouchcre. finds tina, the
plan for tho raid was concerted by Belt
and Rhodes and sought to be carried out
through Phillips, Hammond, Colonel
Rhodes Cecil Rhodes hrother) md Leon
ard. 1t was devised. according to MIR. Ia
bouchore, in order that wealthy men might
become more wealthy.
Rhodes" continues the report. may
have possibly been Influenced to certain
extent by vague and ha2y idea Of a vast
African federation under tho British flag.
IN which he would play the leading part.
but ho WAS also influenced and is influ-
encsd by financial considerations
Mr. Labouchere docs not consider that
certain high personages in tho board OF al
reciors OF tho chartered company did their
duty whilo he hints that Rhodes and Bolt
merit severe punlshment' for raid
which Is "one of the most disgraceful cpl
sodcs Of our coun'ry's history"
The minority report concludes as follows;
I'VE regret that the alleged completely OF
tho colonial office has not been probed 10
The bottom in order 10 moro cffectnaily ro-
move any idea that there may have been
some truth In the statements of certain wit
ness7s that The secret aims Of Cecil Rhodes
were moro or less cIsarly revealed 10 Mr..
Jnesr.h Chamberlain"