The San Francisco call., 1897-03-27
JAMESON TALKS
OF THE TRANSvAAL
Gives Reasons for the Raid
Into Paul Kruger's
Domain.
Cecil Rhodes and John Hays
Hammond Agreed in All
the Plans
But the Doctor Declares That He Was
Not Backed b. the Eome
Govsrrm nt.

LONDON, ENG. March 26.-The Parlia-
mentary South African Commission to-
day resumed its inquiry into the Trans
vaal raid, in Westminster Hall. Quite
number of the friends and admirers of Dr.
Jameson, the leader OF the famous raid
were present, it being known that he
would be called upon to give his evidence.
The examination of w. P. Schreiner,
who was Attorney General of Cape Col
ony, under the prem iership of Cecil
Rhodes, was continued by Mr.. Cham ber-
lain, who by his questions showed that
he wa. anxious to procure vindicatIoE
of his policy in connection with the
Transvaal question. Mr.. Schreiner's evil
dence was of little interest, and upon it's
conclusion DR.. Jameson was called.
Dr. Jameson was pale, but self ICON taineu.
He read statement in which he said the
design of the leaders OF the reform move
men. in johannesburg was to act alone
to the end of obtaining pie bscite and
eIecting President. His (Jame son's)
force, he said, only intended to maintain
order and nothing more. He referred to
a number of conversations he had with
Mr.. Rhodes on the federation of South
Africa. which is pet scheme OF the ex-
Colonial Prime Minister. They had dis
cussed the attitude of the Transvaal and
the obstacles it presented to the plan Of
federation.
He then proceeded to give the details of
conversations had between himself, Mr..
Rhodes and John III. Ham mond, theAmeri-
can mining engineer, who was subse-
quently arrested at Johannesburg and
sentenced to death for the part he had
taken in the Johannesburg troubles. They
discussed the grievances of the foreign
residents of the Transvaal and the onerous
restrictions placed by the Boer Govern
ment upon the mining operations in the
Rand. 1t was the opinion of Mr.. Ham
mond that the conditions in the Trans
vaal, so far as foreigners were concerned,
were insupportable, and that unless the
Boer Government made some attempt to
redress their grievances the people of
johannesburg would revolt.
Continuing, DR.. Jameson said that he
was impressed by the views and represen-
tations of Mr.. Hammond, and subse-
duently went with him to Pretoria, the
capital OF the Transvaal, where he learned
that Mr.. Hammond's views were correct.
The result of his Investigations led TO the
preparation of the forces of the British
South Africa Company, in order that if
revolt occurred at Johannesburg they
would be in readiness to render aid. Last
year he had visited Johannesburg and
learned that the residents had finally
determined 10 force matters to an issue.
He was informed as to the plans that were
to be followed.
The first proposal was for the people of
johannesburg to act alone, but the COM
pany's troops were to be in readiness on
the border in case they were required.
Later the leaders concluded there was no
hope of success without the help of an
armed force and thev decided that the
only way TO obtain reforms was to change
the administration of the Transvaal, ard
that the safest mode of effectng this
would be to have a sufficient force at
Johannesburg to induce President Kruger
to take plebiscite of the whole popula-
tion TO decide who was to be President.
They, therefore, invited Dr.. Jameson's
help, and it was arranged TO take the COM
pany's force to johannesburg to maintain
order and bring pressure 10 bear upon the
Transvaal, while the redress of the griev-
ance was enforced. 1t was also arranged
that as soon as the revolt occurred in
Johannesburg, DR.. jameson and his force
were to start across the border for that
city.
DR.. Jameson further said that he told
Mr.. Rhodes of the plan that had been ar
ranged, and that Mr.. Rhodes agreed to
them.
The statement then proceeded to give
the details of the actual raid into the Boer
territory. In this DR.. Jameson said he
acted entirely upon his own response
bility.
In reply to question by Mr.. Labou-
chere, DR.. Jameson said that he had never
been informed that the officers of the
British Government supported his action.
Further, replying to question, he ex-
pressed the belief that the public has
always held regarding the raid, to the
effect that he knew now that the raid in:o
the Transvaal was a mistake because it
had not been successful. Ii he succeeded
he would have been forgiven.
His answers 10 the questions were given
in clear, firm voice and without evasion.