The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-13
UNION WITH TRANSVAAL
KRUGER YISTTS THE ORAAGE FREE
STATE WI1H THIS OBJECT.
lie Says the Queen Is Troublesome
Observation-Disclosures Presses Witt
ness Very Closely.

LONDON. March ia dispatcr
from BlOenfontein. tho capital OK TIA,
orange Free State. says that President
Kruger is visiting that place with a
view TO the arrangement Of u closer union
with the Transvaal.
At q luncheon at which he was enter
tanned. the Boer President. replying to
Il toast by President Steyn, said he was
not there to controyert the Queen j
rights. Time. he said, would show that
he had always defended her Majesty, and
he had told his people to respect her.
lie expressed hope that the two re-
publcs would form indissolublc ties, but
he never entertained any idea OF the
Free State being absorbed by the Trans
yaal. The Boer President said he was
aware that he must abide By the London
convention, but the Queen was trouble
some woman, and IL was consequently
necessary TO deal with the question OF
union very cautiously. lie concluded
by expressing hope that some day ne
would see union of the whole OF
Africa.
INVESTIGATION RESUMED.
The examination OF Sir Graham Bow
or. formerly Imperial Secretary at the
Cape Colony, was resumed to-day by the
Southern African Committee, sitting IN
Westminster Hall. Witness testified
that he had never told Cecil Rhodes to
communicate his intention of assisting
in the rising in the Transvaal TO the
High Commissioner. He understood that
Rhodes intended TO do so. Rhodes, SIR
Graham continued. had communicated
his intentions TO him as personal TREND
not as Imperial Secretary. lie DID not
know if he had ever asked khodeS
whether ne had informed the High Com
missioner Of his plans.
Mr.. Labouchere, who is conducting the
cross-examinatlon. insisted upon posi-
tive reply by the witness TO the ques-
tions The High Commissioner, he SAN,
had wired last evening, denying that ne
had ever been told anything before the
raid that showed any connection between
the force that gathered on the frontier
and the citizens movement II Johannes
burg.
The witness persisted in the statement
that ne could not recall whether Rhodes
had said 20 him that he had told the
High Commissioner Of his intention.
At this point the chairman interposed
and ruled against Mr.. Labouchere's con-
tinuing to press the point. whereupon Mr..
Tabouchere said he believed the witness
was not telling the truth.
Mr.. Chamberlain speaking warmly. said:
"The committee must protect the wit
ness from insult
QUESTION or VARIETY.
Mr. i.abouchere-"I repeat that II Is
my oninion that the witness Is not tell
Ing tho truth.
The Chairman-"You are out Of order
Mr. Labouchere-"I shall move that The
room he cleared on every opposed ques-
ton II necessary. l am going 10 sec
whether this inquiry Is sham or
reality"
The Chairman-"This IS not tie way
10 facilitate business
Mr. Labouchere-"Th way to n 'ilitate
business is to let me ask questions
Then turning 10 the witness ho said:
"Did Mr.. Rhodes keep faith by informing
the Hieh Commissioner Of his intentions
Of assisting I'm the rising?'
Tho witness vouchsafed no reply 10 tie
question. whoreupon Mr. Labouchere
added.
"po Won decline to speak in order TO
shield YOURSELF
Other members Of the committee inter-
poeod at this point. but Mr.. Labou' mere
norsis'od in demanding an answer 10 this
question. and the witness finally ~.
eft is 70 matter Of opinion whether ir'
Rhodes kent his word or not. ue1'he
20 say further ,,-,,.,..,
I'm reply 10 a question by SIR lnlHi
Harcourt the witness SAID ne u'u ~
.t,,t, bot Mr.. Rhodes had co-operated
,,f,b the High Commissioner in such
,,,,. "a could have averted the raid.