The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-17
Betrayed by n Detective, Who Joined
the Alleged Revolutionary Movement
and spied on the Uitlanders.
TWO THOUSAND MEN ENLISTED
IN THE INTEREST OF THE ANTI-BOER
SOUTH AFRICAN LEAGUE.
Neither Chamberlain Nor Rhodes Able
fo Throw Light ON the Case-sen-
sation in London and Cape Town.

LONDON, May 17.-Afairs In the Trans
vaaI have assumed a grave aspect. The
Beers have arrested several Englishmen at
johannesburg on the charge Of high treason
and taken them to Pretoria the capital of
the Dom Paul's republic. A dispatch from
Pretoria, dated yesterday, says: The arrest
at johannesburg early this morning of seven
alleged former British officers named
Nichols, Patterson, Trenlett, Ellis, Freis.
Hooper and Mitchell, on the charge of high
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 dip
lomatic agent here. The arrests were ef-
fected by a detective who joined the move
ment, which, 1t is asserted, was for the pur-
pose OF enrolling men in order to cause an
outbreak OF rebellion. discriminating doc
uments were found ON the prisoners and it is
expected further arrests viii be made" A
dispatch to the same effect has been received
from johannesburg.
EIGHT OFFICERS ARRESTED.
Another dispatch from Pretoria says:
tho officers arrested. who are eight in
number. instead Of seven. as previously
cabled. are Captain Patterson. formerly of
the Lancers. Col. r. F. Nichols. Lieut. r.
Tremlott, Lieut. c. A Ellis, lately private
detective at johannesburg. Lieut.. John Allen
former Sergeant J. Fries, d. p. Hooper
and - Nichol. None Of them has
been In the employ of the British
South African Chartered Company. 1t is
said that the Commissioners OF police who
had the effair in hand had been working on
tho case four months. Mr.. Beatty, the de-
tective who effected the arrests, received
his instructions and secured the necessary
warrants on Monday. The executive OF the
Transvaal held secret session Tuesday
evening to consider the arrests. Further
that the officers already arrested were also
preparing to organize a corps in Natal.
the British colony between the Orange Free
State and the Indian ocean. to assist the
projected movement at Johannesburg.
'-rhe British agent and charge d'affaires.
Mr.. Cunningham Greene, had an interview
with President Kruger this afternoon and
expressed regret that men who had worn
the Queens uniform should be concerned in
such a movement President Kruger replied
that he would not believe the prisoners were
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 commits
sioner for South Africa"
A cablegram from Cape Town says 'The
Argus OF this city publishes dispatch from
Pretoria, capital OF the Transvaal, or South
African Republic. saying that p. W. Reitz.
the secretary Of state. confirms the report
that a number OF unusual arrests have been
made there. The charge against the pris-
privately they were really engaged In en-
listing for the purposes or rebellion
when they were ready to give the signal 1t
Il said the enlistment roster included two
thousand men and that number of incrim-
mating documents were found at the time
the arrests were made"
The news from South Africa recalls a mys-
terious dispatch received at Johannesburg
from Pretoria, on May IL, saying special
train fully equipped with Boer artillerymen,
guns and q searchlight apparatus was be-
ing held In readiness at the capital of the
Transvaal- The statement was then de-
ciared to be without significance. but yester-
days 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 becomes generally
known
The afternoon newspapers yesterday
printed special dispatches from Cape Town
saying seven men had been arrested at
johannesburg and taken to Pretoria The
government OF Cape Colony. II further ap-
pears. Is considering the matter secretly.
CAUSED EXCITEMENT.
The news has caused great excitement
throughout South Africa The Standard and
Disgers News the Beers organ in London
las dispatch from Pretoria which says
that warrants were issued Monday evening
BY the state attorney and were executed at
midnfsht- The dispatch adds that plot or