New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-23
A FORETASTE OF THE BOOK WHICH
IS TO APPEAR NEXT WEDNESDAY.
THE EX-PREsIDENT IN ERCLEs's VEIN
BITTERNESS AGAINST MR. CHAMBER
LAIN-THE RAID FROM THE POINT
OF VIEW OF THE RAIDED.


The Century Company will publish on
Wednesday next, November % THE Memoirs
Of Paul KRUGER" the testament, so to say OF
a man who, having failed TO preserve intact the
political fabric put in his hands by his people
is resolved to justify himself before them, in
words at least. From advance sheets Of the
critical chapter in this volume in which the
history Of the famous raid is traversed, 1t is
plain that the discredltng Of the inflammatory
tone adopted by DR.. Leyds hitherto his spokes-
man. has not shown Mr. Kruger the dangers
of headong assumption and violent dlatrlpe.
1t is not necessary that the reader should hold
a brief for the Colonial Secretary in order to
6eprecate the bland discourtesy with which, as
Mr.. KRUGER seems to think he is put in his place
in the opening paragraph of this chapter IL
is true" says the President, that Mr.. Cham
berlan at the time of the raid, declared that
he knew nothing OF the whole conspiracy a
great many people, remembering that the
British statesman spoke upon his honor nave
considered that point settle4. But they reckon
without Mr. KRUGER, who says: Later now
ever it shown that the British Government
or at least the Colonial Secretary, was fully
informed of Cecil Rhodess plans and intriSues'
which resulted in Jameson's disgraceful raid.
Cecil Rhodes we are told, had long enter
tanned the project OF making himself master
of the republic in one way or another, ana ne
devoted his money, his influence and his posi-
ton as Premier of Cape Colony to this OBJECT
He is described as employing the National Union
ito keep mems minds at johannesburg in con-
slant state of ferment" it was through his
fundamentally, the author continues, that arms
and ammunition were smuggled into the city;
and il is stated that he was the largest share
holder in the mine in which this material was
concealed His negotiations with the British
Government for extension OF the Chartered Com
pany's territory were opened, il is said because
in this way he hoped to obtain the strategic posi-
tions he lacked for the contemplated rising Mr..
KRUGER lays stress upon the aid which he be-
ueves was given in these negotiations by Dr.
Harris and "a lady journalist called Flora
Shaw" and In support of his argument he cites
certain familiar kilograms that passed between
Miss Shaw and Rhodes Not content how
ever, with discriminating Rhodes. he says;
II must be remembered. moreover, that the
British Government laid only portion OF tne
kilograms before the so-called Select Paria-
mentary Committee on British South African
Affairs, and probably kept back those when
most compromising. Why should TINS De
done when inquiry is instituted 10 discover
the truth? Is 1t not the natural conclusion IhdI
Chamberlain was equally guilty with fthodeS
However no one can seriously deny that tne
above mentioned published telegrams clearly
proved Mr. Chamberlains completely IN the
plot
Abiding to the burning question OF the fran
chise, Mr.. KRUGER asserts that, while 1t was one
of the main grievances set forth in the National
Unions manifesto Of December, 1899 Lionel
Phillips had not long before written TO his
partner in London. a German Jew called Belt
who was closely connected with Rhodes. that
we do not care fig for the franchise" He
has some words of his own 10 explain. He said
to the burghers who were keen on Furnishing
the rebeIlious element. when johannesburg was
in turmoil and doubt. you must give the tor
tose time to put out his head before YOU can
catch hold Of it These words have been taken
as implying a knowledge Of the preparations
for the Jameson raid the tortoise being under
stood 10 mean Jameson: but MT. KRUGER denies
that he, or any OF the TVansvaal authorities at
that time thought such an enterprise possible.
He maintains that he was deceived in regard
70 the horses, provisions and fodder then being
bought up by the British He believed that
they were intended for an expedition against
the Kaffirs, and describes the burghers as so
little suspicious that they assisted in the pur-
chase and conveyance of these stores. He de-
clares that he had himself shortly before, Of
fered the British High Commissioner the as
sistanee of the republic for the protection of the
women and children against the Matabele, who
were giving trouble. "If had had the smallest
inkling of Jameson's plan" he says, II should
assuredly not have allowed him to push so far
into the republic" and adds;
What I meant by the tortoise the Ma
tional Union, which continually abusing the
government and threatening to resort to force
in order to obtain the removal of its grievances.
7 intended to convey that must allow the
movement quietly TO take its course, until II
revealed It's true character and showed itself so
undoubtedly guilty that the government could
punish the leading members, the real rebels. for
high treason. Had these men been arrested
earlier they could still have tried to deny their
misconduct. and we should then, perhaps, have
been unable TO convince the world Of their
guilt.
Are we to regard Mr.. KRUGER kind of
Dutch Machiavelli? The foregoing passage GER
tainly suggests II. Yet the grim policy thus
limited at was apparently not incompatible
with a refusal to look upon the rebellion as
serious" In fact Mr., KRUGER says that tine
whole thing would have presented a farcical
spectacle If the results had been less serious"
and there is a note by the editor of the Ger
man edition affixed to this page denying the
story that the President kept his horse saddled
in his stable and his rifle loaded by his bed
side during the time OF the raid. The Me
moirs," as a whole, will be awaited with in
terest, of course, and in the hope that
facts may be forthcoming in them. In the mean
time the advance fragments clearly indicate
that Mr. KRUGER remains as irreconcilable as
ever and has no intention of admitting any
thing like good faith anywhere on the side of
his opponents.
TRANSATLANTIC TRAVELLERS