The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-05
TROUBLE AT KIMBERLEY,
Cecil Rhodes and Col. kekewich
Quarreled savagely During
the siege.

Quarreled savageIy During
the siege.
Correspondence OF the Associated Press.
LONDON. March &.-While the fifty
odd columns written at the front, appear
ing during the last two days In the Lon
don dailies have been chiefly devoted 10
Cronje's surrender and Ladysmith's re-
lief, other events no less interesting nave
developed in the letters of those not for
tunate enough to have been present at the
greater occasions. The troubles between
Cecil Rhodes and Col. kekewich are not
fully told 1t appears that the relations
between the empire maker and the colo
mel commanding at Kimberley, reached
such a pass that Mr.. Rhodes ordered the
army officer out of the house. The dis
pute Is told in detail by the Kimberley
correspondent Of the Daily Telegraph, who
writes:
when Mr.. Rhodes saw the danger 10
which the town and its inhabitants were
exposed he concluded that the time had
arrived for the facts in the case to be
placed on record. Accordingly, the mayor
and a few leading citizens in consultation
with him drew up the following represen-
tation. which was duly forwarded to Col
Kekewich. accompanied by the request
that he would transmit it by photograph 10
the higher military authorities:
" Kimberley, Feb. 10.
ON behalf Of the inhabitants of this
town we respectfully desire TO be informed
whether there is an intention on your
part to make an immediate effort for our
relief Your troops have been for more
than two months within a distance of ht-
tie over twenty miles from Kimberley, and
II the Spyfontein hills are too strong for
them, there Is an easy approach over
level fat This town, with population
of over 5000 people, has been oesieged for
40 days and large portion of the inhabl-
tants have been enduring great hardships.
Scurvy is rampant among the natives,
children, owing to the lack of food, are
dying in great numbers. and dysentery and
typhoid are very prevalent. The CHIEF
foods Of the whites have been bread and
horsehesh for long time past and the
blacks. meat and malt only. These hard
ships, we think you viii agree, have been
borne patiently and without complaint by
the people During the last few days the
enemy have brought into action, from po-
sition within three miles OF us, 6-inch
gun throwing a i00-pound she'll, which
is setting fire to our buildings and is
causing death daily among the population.
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 manufacture. I'm
der these circumstances, as representing
this community. we feel that We are JUS
titled in asking whether you have any
immediate intention of instructing your
troops to advance to our relief. We UNI
derstand large achievements have recent
ly arrived in Cape Town, ana We feel sure
that your men at Modder river have at
the outside loco Beers opposed to them.
You must be the Judge as TO what number
of British troops would be required to
deal with this body of men, but 1t is abb
solutely necessary that relief should be at
forded to this place
After taking time to consider his de-
cisou the officer commanding sent Mr..
Rhodes a letter informing him that the
substance of his communication had oeen
forwarded to Lord Roberts by Photograph
to Ensn. Lord Roberts reply, which was
communicated in due course, possesses no
less historical interest than the remark
able communication which originated me
correspondence:
4 beg you represent to the mayor and
Mr. Rhodes as strongly YOU possibly
can the disastrous and humia,ing effect
OF surrender. after so prolonged and sIori-
Gus defense. Many days cannot possibly
pass before Kimberley viii be relieved, as
we commence active operations tomorrow.
Future military operations depend IN n
large measure on your maintaining your
position q very short time longer
Mr. Rhodes was very much annoyed at
the suggestion that thought of surredder
had ever occurred, either to Himself or
to those associated with him In the rep
RESERVATIONS winch Hdu bttH
to Roberts. and as soon as Roberts and
Kitchener arrived In Kimberley he took
an early opportunity OF disaousing their
minds OF such a mischievous impression.
at is TO be regretted that the relations
between Mr. he's and Col hekewieh
should have been almost from the begin
ming OF the siege, for reasons which II is
impossible to discuss almost uniformly un-
satisfactory Col Kekewch treated Mr..
Rhodes as a simple civilian. On his part
Mr. Rhodes was intolerant Of military
routine. a little too inclined 10 express his
opinion bluutly and brusquely. still, the
fact remains that harmonious relations
with the head of the De Beers Company
were absolutely essential to the smooth
operation Of the military stan with the
civu population They were barely on
speaking terms when the siege was rails
ed. and their accidental meeting shortly
before Gen Frenchs arrival gave rise
to a most stormy scene Col. kekewich, 1t
appears. told Mr.. Rhodes that he had come
to SEQ the general about srresung the
editor Of the Diamond Fields Advertiser.
Mr.. Rhodes replied warmly:
Then YOU had better arrest me- for
| 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 Mr.. Rhodes ordering
Col Kekevvich 10 leave the house. Suisse
atientlv Mr. Rhodes explained the reason
Of the article 70 Gen. French. who was
quite satisfied and declined point blank 10
act upon Col Kekewichs iratc sugges-