The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-05

Rhodes saw the danger to which the town
and Its Inhabitants were exposed he came
10 the conclusion that the time had ar
rived for the facts in the case to be placed
on record. He accordingly called the mayor
and few leading citizens together. and In
consultation with therl drew up the fol-
lowing representation, which was duly for
warded TO Colonel Kekewich, accompanied
by the request that he would transmit II
by Photograph to the higher military All
thorities:
Kimberley. Feb. 10.-On behalf of the
inha bitants OF this town respectfully
desire to know whether there is an in
tention on your part to make an immediate
effort for our relief. Your troops have
been for more than two months within
distance of little over twenty miles from
Kimberley. and If the Spyfontein hills are
too strong for them there is an easy APP
preach over level fat. This town. with
population of over 600 people. has been
besieged for 120 days. and large portion
Of the inhabitants have been enduring great
hardships. Scurvy is rampant among the
ratives; children, owing to the lack of
proper food, are dying in great numbers,
and dysentery and typhoid are very preva-
lent. The chief foods of the whites have
been bread and horse flesh for long time
past. and of the blacks meal and malt only.
These hardships. we think you will agree.
have been borne patiently and without
complaint by the people. During the last
few days the enemy have brought into &C
tion from a position within three miles OF
us n six-inch gun. throwing lW-pound
shell, which is setting fire to our buildings
and is causing death daily among the popu-
lation AS you are aware, the military guns
here are totally inadequate to cope with
this new gun. The only weapon which
gives any help is one of local manu-
facture. Under these circumstances, as
representatives of this community. We feel
that we are justified in asking whether you
have any immediate intention OF instruct
we understand large reinforcements have
recently arrived In Cape Town. and we
feel sure that your men at Modder river
have at the outside 10000 Beers opposed 10
them You must be the judge as TO what
number of British troops would be required
to deal with this body of men, but II Is ap-
solutely necessary that relief should be al
forded TO this place
After taking time to consider his de-
oision the officer commanding sent Mr..
Rhodes a letter informing him that the
substance of his communication had been
forwarded to Lord Roberts. per heiograpn,
10 Enslin. Lord Roberts's reply, which was
communicated I'm due course, possesses no
less hysterical interest than the remark
able communication which originated the
correspondence: i beg you present TO the
possibly can the disastrous and Illuminating
effect of surrender after so prolonged ano
glorious defense. Many days cannon pos
sibly pass before Kimberley VIII De re-
leved as we commence active operations
tomorrow. Future military operations de-
pend in a large measure on you MAINTAIN.
ing your position q very SHUT thhS ionoS''
'Mr. Rhodes was much annoyed at the
suggestion that the thought OF surrender
had ever occurred either to himself or TO
those associated with him In the repre-
sensations which had been made, and /
have reason to believe that when Loro
Roberts and Kitchener arrived In kimber-
ley he took an early opportunity OF as
abusing their minds Of so mischlevous an
impression.
ssIt is to be regretted that the relations
between Mr.. Rhodes and Colonel kekewich
should have been almost from the pegin-
ming of the siege, for reasons which IL is
impossible to discuss. almost uniformly un-
satisfactory. Colonel Kekewich treated
Mr. Rhodes as a simple civilian. On his
part, Mr.. Rhodes was intolerant or MILL
tary routine, q little too inclined TO ex-
press opinions bluntly and brusquely; still
the fact remains that harmonious rela-
tions with the head of the De Beers Com
pany were absolutely essential to the
smooth operation of the military stan with
the civil population. They were barely on
and their accidental meeting shortly after
General French's arrival gave rise to a
most stormy scene. Colonel kekewlch, IL
appears, told Mr.. Rhodes that he had come
to see the general about arresting the coll
tor of the Diamond Fields Advertiser. Mr..
Rhodes replied warmly: Then you had
better arrest me, for 1 agree with every
word he has written, and we ought TO
go to prison together This led to a lively
passage at arms, which ended with MT
Rhodes ordering Colonel Kekewich to leave
the house subsequently Mr.. Rhodes ex-
planned the reason of the article TO General
French, who was quite satisfied. and de-
clined point blank to act upon Colonel
Kekewichs irate suggestions.