The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-05-17
CHARGED WITH
HIGH TREASON
Plotting to Overthrow the
TransvaaI Republic.
EIGHT ARRESTS MADE
OFFICERS FORMERLY IN THE
BRITISH SERVICE.
INTENSE EXCITEMENT AT JOHANNESBURG
Here, Where the Aness We're Made, More
Warrants have Been Issued. lncrimi-
mating Documents on Prisoners.
Council in Secret Session.

Council in Secret Session.
Pretoria, Transvaal Republic, May
16.-The arrest at Johannesburg early
this morning of seven alleged former
British officers, Patterson, Tromlett,
Ellis, Fries, Hooper and Mitchell, on
the charge of high treason, has caused
intense excitement here. The pris-
oners were brought to Pretoria by
special train. After they had been
lodged in Jail, they were visited by
the British diplomatic agent here.
The arrests were effected by de-
tective who joined the movement
which, it is asserted, was for the pur-
pose of enrolling men in order to
cause an outbreak of rebellion.
discriminating documents were
found upon the prisoners and it is ex-
pected that further arrests will be
made.
THE OFFICERS ARRESTED.
The officers arrested, who are eight
in number, instead of seven. as pre-
viously cabled, are Captain Patterson,
formerly of the Lancers; Colonel X. f.
Nichols, Lieutenant f. j. Tremlott,
Lieut.. c. "A. Ellis. lately a-private de-
tective at Johannesburg, Lieut.. John
Allen Mitchell, formerly of the horse
artillery; former Sergeants j. Fries
X. P Hooper and Nichols.
None of them have been in the en-
ploy of the British South African
Chartered Company.
1t is said that the Commissioner OF
xxybo bn1 40 tfai,. in hand
had been working up the case for four
months. Mr.. Beatty, the detective,
who effected the arrests, received his
instructions last week and secured the
necessary warrants yesterday.
The executive council of the Trans
vaal is sitting i'm secret session this
evening, considering the arrests.
AN INTERVIEW WITH KRUGER.
Pretoria, May 16.-The British
Agent and Charge d'Affairs, Mr.. Con-
ynham Green, had an interview with
President Kruger this afternoon and
expressed regret that men who had
worn the Queens uniform should be
concerned i'm such movement. Presi-
dent Kruger replied that he would not
believe the prisoners were British Of
ficers until it had been proved, add
ing that he hoped the affair would not
interfere with the proposed meeting
between himself and Sir Alfred Mil
ner, Governor of Cape Colony and
British High Commissioner for South
Africa.
MORE WARRANTS ISSUED.
johannesburg, May 16.-Further
warrants have been issued.
1t is asserted that the officers al
ready arrested were also preparing
to organize corps in Natal, the Brit
ish colony between the Orange Free
State and the Indian Ocean, to assist
the projected movement at Johannes
burg.
ENLISTING FOR Rebellion.
Cane Town, May 16-According to
advices from Pretoria the charge against
the prisoners is that while staying i'll
the Rand privately, they were really en-
gagged in enlisting men for the purposes
of rebellion when they were ready to give
the signal.
1t is said that the enlistment roster
included 1900 men and that a number
of discriminating documents We're found
at the time the arrests We're made.
CHAMBERLAIN Is COOL.
London, May 16.-Joseph Chamber
lain, Secretary of State for the Colonies,
this evening said he had heard nothing
officially regarding the arrests in the
Transvaal and did not think that too
serious significance ought to be at
tached to them.
The news caused considerable excite
ment among the members of the House,
but little disposition was manifested to
credit the rumors of rebelious con-
spiracy.
RHODES KNOWS NOTHING.
London, May 16.-The advices from
Johannesburg are also probably con
nected with a mysterious dispatch re-
ceived at johannesburg from Preto
ria on May 18th. saying a special
train fully equipped with Boer artil-
lerymen, guns and searchlight APP |
paratus was being held in readiness
at the capital of the Transyaal. The
statement was then declared to be
without significance. but today's news
brings a more serious light on the
movement and it is certain there will |
be a great sensation in London when |
the news of. the arrest becomes gen
orally known.
The afternoon papers print dis
patches from Cape Town saying seven
men have been arrested at Johannes !