Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-29
JAMES0N'S RAID.
The Leader Tells of the Now
Famous TransvaaI Revolt.
Or. Jameson, Cecil Rhodes and John
Hays Hammond the Instigators
Though the People Had Fully Determined TO
Break Their Bonds.

London. March 2S.-The Parliament
airy South African committee, Friday
resumed the inquiry into the Trans
vaal raid. Quite number of friends
and admirers of DR.. Jameson, tbs
leader of the raid. were present. it be-
ing known that he would be called
upon to give evidence.
The examination of w. r. Schrieinar
who was attorney general of Cape
Colony under the premiership of Cecil
Rhodes, was continued by Mir. Cham
berlain, secretary of state for the col
cnies. who by his questions showed
that he was anxious to procure a vim
Gication of his policy in connection
with the Transvaal question. MIR
Schreiner's evidence was of little inter
est and upon it's conclusion DIR. Jane
son was called.
DR.. Jameson was pale, but self-con-
tanned. He read statement in which
he said the design of the leaders of the
reform movement in Johannesburg was
to act alone to the end of obtaining a
plebesite and electing a President His
tJaneson's) force. he said, was only
intended to maintain order and moth
ing more. He referred to a number of
conversations he had with Mr.. Rhodes
On the federation of South Africa.
which is a pet scheme of the ex-colo-
NAL prime minister. They discussed
the attitude of the Transvaal and the
obstacles it presented to the plan OF
federation
He-proceeded to give the details of CON
versations had between himself. Mr..
Rhodes and john Hays Hammond, the
American mining engineer, who was sub
sequehly arrested at Johannesburg and
sentenced to death for the part he had
taken in the Johannesburg troubles.
they discussed the grievances of the for
eisn residents of the Transvaal and the
onerous restrictions placed by the Boer
government upon the mining operations
on the Rand.
1t was the opinion of Mr.. Hammond
THAT the. conditions in the Transvaal, 50
lar as foreigners were concerned. were
lnsupportah.e. and unless the Boer gov
ernment made some attempt to redress
their grievances, the people of Johannes
burg would revolt.
DR.. Jameson said he was impressed by
tne views and representations of Mr.
Hammond. and subsequently went with
MN TO Pretoria, the capital OF the Trans
naai. where he learned that Mr.. Ham
Of his Investigations led to the prepare
ton of the forces of the British South
Africa Co.. in order that If a revolt oc-
CURED CURED at Johannesburg they might be in
readiness to render aid. Last year, he
VISITED Johannesburg and learned that
lne residents were finally determined to
force matters to an issue. He was in
formed as to the plans that were 10 be
followed. The first proposal was FOR the
people of Johannesburg to act alone, and
companies of troops were to be i'm readi-
ness on the border i'm case they were re-
qouired. Later. the leaders concluded that
there was no hope of success without the
nelp OF the armed force. and they decided
that the only way to obtain reforms was
70 change the administration of
the ,IranSvaal, and the safest mode of
erecting this would be to have a sufii-
c 1 force at Johannesburg to induce
PRESIDENT Kruger to take the plebiscite
or the whole population and decide who
was to be President
They invited DIR. Jameson's help and It
was arranged to take the company's force
20 Johannesburg to maintain order and
brlig pressure to bear upon the Trans
Naal, while the redress of the grievances
was enforced. 1t was arranged that as
soon as the revolt occurred in Johannes
purg, DIR. Jameson and his force were
pr Jameson further said he told Mr..
hhodes of the plans that had been ar
ranged and Mr.. Rhodes agreed to them
The statement proceeded to give details
OF the actual raid into Boer territory.
IN this DR.. Jameson said that he acted
entirely. upon his own responsibility. He
received no instructions from anyone
IN reply to a question by Henry Labou-
cnere, Or. Jameson said he had never
t Deea informed that the officers of the
Replying to another question, he said he
EneW now that the expedition into the
!, Iransvaal was mistake because it
mas not been successful. If he had sue
His answers to questions were given In
a clear, firm voice, without evasion