The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-05-18
THE TRANsvAAL ARRESTS.
Arrested EngIishmen Arraigned ON
the Charge of High Treason.

Arrested Oh
the Charge of High Treason.
LONDON, May 1.-THE arrest of alleged
British officers in the Trarsvaal on the
charge OF high treason is still the reigning
sensation in England. A dispatch from
Pretoria says: THE 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 fort
night. Sworn affidayits allege that 1000 men
have been enrolled for military service, and
that 1t was intended to arm them in Natal,
to return them to the Rand and at given
signal to seize and hold the fort of Johan-
nesburg for twenty-four hours. pending the
arrival of British troops. The Press says
the government regards the matter as an
unfortunate local incident which will not
affect the general political situation. The
government also confirms the report that
the arrangements between President Kru-
ger and the Governor of Cape Colony, and
high commissioner of South Africa, Sir
Alfred Miner, for meeting at Bioemfon-
tein, capital of the Orange Free State. are
nearly completed. The Presidents proposed
reforms will be presented to the Volksraad
prior to the meeting
u
ceived the following telegram from his gov
erament, dated Pretoria, May 16: Richard
Nicolls. describing himself as a colonel:
George Patterson, captain; Edward j.
Treemlett, Charles Ellis and John A.
Mitchell, and Fries and Hooper were ar
rested yesterday morning on the sworn dec
laration of three Engishmen. on the charge
of high treason in connection with the al
Il -oii.--
to create 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 al
leges that he was acting under instructions
from the British War Department"
A representative of the Associated Press
to-day saw a number of prominent South
Africans connected with the leading con-
Germs Of johannesburg. They declared they
had not received a word from their own
agents in Cape Colony. the absence of ad-
vices indicating that the affair was
"trumped up by the Boer police" and that
in any case the men arrested were irrespon-
sible nobodies with fictitious military titles,
affixed by the Beers with the object of dis
crediting the British In the eyes of the con-
tinental powers. 1t is now believed Treem-
in Cape Colony, and that he is now a min
ing agent; Patterson is described as a
butcher and labor agitator; Mitchell is
said to be store keeper; Cooper is classed
as carpenter; Ellis is alleged to be pri-
vate detective and the occupations of Fries
and Nicolls are unknown. The others are
unknown.
prominent Ultlander said to-day: MY
xvinx 10 hot
together 70 discuss means of defense in case
the necessity for such action arose. Those
who are acquainted with Johannesburg
know that such precautions are necessary.
There was the greatest unrest and ferment
fhere when left. But the statement that
there has been conspiracy during the past
four months and that the South African
League was connected with 1t is untrue. Nc
| pitiander is allowed to possess a rifle. yet
at every corner are policemen armed witt
rines and revolvers. The feeling of alarm
on the arrival of the Boer artillery can be
| conceived 1t is significant fact that the
men arrested are practically unknown
showing that the feeling which, In 1895, was
limited to the capitalist class, has now gone
lower down and has reached the ordinar,
class of shop keepers of johannesburg"
| dispatch from Pretoria tonight says
The president Of the South African League
repudiates any connection with the enlist
ment of men for any purpose. Fries was
the only prisoner who did not appear to-
day at the Pretoria court for arraignment
The streets were thronged and the pris
oners were escorted under strong guarc
from the Jail to the court. A remand wa.
granted, and the prisoners were returned
to the jail. The excitement here is some
| what abating"