The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-05-18
The Alleged Plot to Create a Revo-
luton in the TransVddI
Appears to Have Little Foundation, When
the Facts Are SIftsd Down.
The Men Arrested irresponsible
Melodies, With Fictitious Mill
tary Titles Affixed by the Beers
With the Object of Discrediting
the British in the Eyes of the
Continental Powers.

| LONDON, May 1.-THE Consul of the
Transvaad here has received the follow
! ing telegram from his Government,
dated Pretoria, May 10Th:
Richard Nichols, describing himself
as a Colonel; George Patterson, Cap
tain; Edward ]. Tromlett, Charles Ellis
and John A. Mitchell. and Fries and
Hooper We're arrested yesterday on the
sworn declaration of three Englishmen,
on the charge of high treason in con-
nection with the alleged object of the
enrolment of the troops to create Il
revolution. seize Johannesburg fort, and
hold possession of the town until the
| British troops from Natal could come to
| their assistance.
One of the prisoners alleges that he
was acting under instructions from the
British War Department"
A representative of the Associated
Press to-day saw a number of promi-
nent South Africans connected with the
leading concerns of johannesburg. They
| declared they had not received a word
| from their own agents in Cape Colony,
the absence of advices indicating that
the affair was trumpet up by the
Boer police, and that in any case the
men arrested were irresponsible no.
bodies with fictitious military titles al
fixed by the Beers, with the object of
discrediting the British in the eyes of
the Continental Powers.
| 1t is now believed that Tromlett was
formerly a Captain of Volunteers in
Cape Colony, and that he is now a
mining agent; Patterson is described as
a butcher and labor agitator; Mitch
ell is said to be a store keeper; Cooper
is classed as 81 carpenter; Ellis is al
legged to be private detective, and the
occupations of Fries and Nichols are
unknown.
prominent Uitlander said to the rep
resentative of the Associated Press:
My own view is that a few irrespon-
sible men met together to discuss means
| of defense in case the necessity for
such action arose. Those who are ac-
quainted with johannesburg know that
such precautions are necessary. There
was the greatest unrest and ferment
there When i left But the statement
that there has been a conspiracy during
the past four months. and that the
South African League was connected
with it is untrue. No Uitlander is al
lowed to possess rifle. yet at every
NOAAANA al Z POliSCiilCH dIlneQ WIFI Tll1SS
and revolvers. The feeling of alarm OH
the arrival of the Boer artillery can be
conceived.
1T lis a significant fact that the men
arrested are practically unknown show
ing that the feeling which in 1895 was
limited to the capitalistic class, has now
gone lower down. and has reached the
ordinary working class Of shopkeepers
of Johannesburg"
In response to inquiries made on the
subject in Government circles the cor
respondent here of the Associated Press
was told to-day that the report that the
men arrested at johannesburg had act
ed under instructions from the British
War Office was too absurd for refu-
tation.''
ALLEGED REVOLUTIONISTS AR
RAIGNED
PRETORIA (Transvaai), May IT.
The seven alleged revolutionists, who
presented the appearance of ordinary
loafers, were arraigned in court to-day
charged with the capital offense Of
high treason. They were remanded for
a fortnight.
Sworn affidavits allege that 2 600 men
have been enrolled for military service.
and that 1t was intended to arm them
in Natal, to return to the Rand and
at a given signal, to seize and hold the
tort of Johannesburg for twenty-four
hours, pending the arrival of British
troops
The Press" says the Government re-
CARDS the matter as IAN unfortunate To-
cal incident which will not affect the
general situation"
The Government also confirms the re-
port that the arrangements between
President Kruger and the Governor of
Cape Colony, High Commissioner Of
South Africa, Sir Alfred Milford. for a
meeting at Bloemfontein capital of the
Orange Free State, are nearly complet-
ed. The Presidents proposed reforms
Will be presented to the Volksraad prior
to the meeting
TROOPS NOT TO PROCEED TO THE
CAPE.
LONDON. May 1.-THE impression is
gaining ground here that the alleged
plot was prepared by President Kreu-
gers agents to discredit the South
African League.
The officers of the Liverpool regiment
and an artillery regiment, who were
to have left tomorrow, under orders
to proceed to the cape, were stopped
at the last moment.
EXCITEMENT ABATING.
CAPE TOWN, May 1.-THE expect
ed conference between President Kreu-
ger of the Transvaal and Sir Alfred
Miner, Governor of Cape Colony, has
not yet been arranged.
Fries was the only prisoner who did
not appear to-day at the Pretoria court
for arraignment. The streets were
thronged and the prisoners were es-
corted under a strong guard from the
Jail to- the court. A demand was grant
ed, and the prisoners were returned to
ial The axoifaraaaraf To-