The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-17
TREASON ALLEGED.
Eight ex.Enelish Officers In the Trans.
vaal Arrested.
AFFAIR CAUSES EXCITEMENT.
Prisoners We're Taken to Pretoria and
There Lodged in Jail.
INCRIMINATlNG DOCUMENTS FOUND.
The Men We're Said to Be Enllstine Men
for the Purpose Of Rebellion.
PLOT HAS BEEN MATURING FOUR MONTHS
A Detective wnc Apparently in the
Movement and He Gave the
Conspirators Away.
INCRININATlNG DOCUMENTS FOUND.
The Men We're Said to Be Enlistine Men
for the Purpose Of Rebellion.
PLOT HAS BEEN MATURING FOUR MONTHS
A Detective VINO Apparently in the
Movement and He Gave the
Conspirntors Away.

Pretoria. Transvaal. May 1.-THE arrest
at johannesburg early this morning Of
alleged former British officers named
Nicholas, Patterson, Tremlett Lieutenant
C. A. Ellis lately private detective at Jo-
hanneshurg Lieutenant John A. Mitchell.
formerly of the horse artillery: Former
Sergeant F. Fries. r. p. Hooper and Mich
OILS, On the charge of hlsh treason. has
caused intense excitement here The
prisoners were brought to Pretoria
by special train After they had been
lodged in jail they were visited by the
British diplomatic agent here.
high treason, has caused intense excite
ment here. The prisoners 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 detective
who j51nec the movement, which it is
asserted was for the purpose OF enrolling
men In order 10 cause an outbreak OF re-
bellicn
discriminating documents were found on
the prisoners. and it Is expected that fur
Their arrests will be made.
The British agent and charge d'affaires.
Mr.. Cunningham Green, has had an inter-
view with President Kruger and expressed
regret that men who had worn the queen 3
uniform should be concerned in such
movement President Kruger replied
that he would not believe the prisoners
were British officers until 1t had been
proved. adding that he hoped the affair
would not Interfere with the proposed
meeting between himself and Sir Alfred
Miner, governor OF Cape Colony. and
British high commissioner for South AZ
rica.
johannesburg, May 16.-Further war
rants have been issued, /, is asserted that
the officers already arrested were also pre-
pairing to organize corps In Natal. the
British colony, between the Orange Free
State and the Indian ocean to assist the
projected movement at johannesburg.
Pretoria May 16.-The officers arrested,
who are eight in number instead OF seven,
as previously Gabed are Captain Patter-
SON formerly OF the lancers; Colonel r F.
Nichols. Lieutenant Tremet. C. A. Ellis.
lately private detective at Johannesburg:
Lieutenant John Allen, formerly OF the
horse artillery; Quartermaster Mitchell,
! ~. g..
geant X. +. Hooper. None OF them has
been in the employ OF the British South
Africa company.
II ia said that the commissioner Of
poice, who had the affair In hand had
been working up the case four months.
Mr. Beatty, the detective who effected the
arrests, received his instructions last week
and secured the necessary warrants yes
terday
The executive council Of the Transvaal
is sitting in secret session this evening
considering the arrests.
london, May ls-The foregoing dis
patch probably explains the telegram re-
ceived by the Argus OF Capetown today
from Pretoria. saying the Transyaai secre-
tary OF state confirmed the report that a
number OF unusual arrests had been made
and that It was rumored that the prisoners
were British officers,
The advices from johannesburg are also
probably connected with mysterious dis
patch received at johannesburg from Pre-
toria on May -, saying special train
fully equipped with Boer artillerymen
guns and a searchlight apparatus was
being held in readiness at the capital Of
the Transvaal. The statement was then
declared to be without significance, but
today's news throws a more serious light
on the movement. and 1t is certain there
will be a great sensation in London when
the news OF the arrests become generally
known.
The afternoon newspapers today print
special dispatches from capetown saying
seven men have been arrested al Johannes
burg and have been taken to Pretoria.
The government OF Cape Colony, 1t fur