Gross britannien. Nr. 10891. independence, subject to the Conventions, she will maintain her position as the Paramount Power in South Africa, and especially the provisions of Article IV. 13. Jan. 1896. of the Convention of 1884. || It is my sincere hope, that President Krüger, who has hitherto shown so much wisdom in dealing with the situation, will now take the opportunity afforded to him of making of his own free will such reasonable concessions to the Uitlanders as will remove the last excuse for disloyalty, and will establish the free institutions of the Republic on a firm and lasting basis. || You will recollect that promises have before been made to the Uitlanders, which unfortunately have not been fulfilled. I trust the President will now see his way to repeat these promises to you as the Representative of the Paramount Power; and in this case he may rely upon the sincere friendship of Her Majesty's Government, and on their determination that all external action against the independence of the Republic shall be prevented. Nr. 10892. Grossbritannien. 13. Jan. 1896. Nr. 10892. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Gouverneur in Kapstadt an den Kolonialminister. Der Orange - Freistaat wünscht Beseitigung der Charter der britischen südafrikanischen Gesellschaft. Pretoria; received 9.30 p. m., 13th January 1896. Telegraphic. || 13th January. No. 2. I have received following from Acting President of Orange Free State to-day: - Begins: I have been requested by the Volksraad to acquaint your Excellency with the following Resolution: Translation begins: Volksraad resolves to request the Executive to enter into correspondence with his Excellency the High Commissioner and to call his Excellency's attention to the fact that, in the view of the Volksraad, the existence of Governments such as that of the British South Africa Company has proved to be and will in the future continue to be a great and threatening danger to the peace of the whole of South Africa, and that the Volksraad is of opinion that the peace and mutual confidence which should exist between the States and Colonies which has now been so severely shaken have little chance of being renewed and preserved before that the Charter of the said Company is cancelled and the Imperial Government or that of the Cape Colony shall take the direct responsibility of the government of the countries at present under the ruling of the British South Africa Company. Further, that the Executive shall in the meantime endeavour to obtain a guarantee from the Imperial Government that the peace of South Africa will not again be disturbed from these quarters. Ends. || Will your Excellency be kind enough to communicate the above to the Secretary of State for the Colonies? On your Excellency's arrival in Capetown I shall correspond with you further on this matter. By order: John Brebner, Acting Government Secretary. Ends. Nr. 10893. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Kolonialminister an den Gouverneur in Kapstadt. Wünscht Aufklärung über Sent 2.10 p. m., 14th January 1896. Gross Telegraphic. || 14th January. No. 1. Press telegrams state numerous Nr. 10893. arrests of leading residents on the Rand, including many Americans, Germans, britannien. and other nationalities. Fear that number of these arrests of active managers 14. Jan. 1996. representatives, may disorganize industry on the Rand. Wish to know of what accused, when brought to trial, whether bail allowed, and what penalties prescribed by law. Shall be glad to learn from President of South African Republic what his intentions are in this matter, which affects the subjects of so many States. Propose to communicate President's reply to American and Belgian Governments, which have already asked us to take charge of interests of their respective citizens. Nr. 10894. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Gouverneur in Kapstadt an den Kolonialminister. Gefahr weiteren Blutvergiessens vorüber; Vertagung des Volksraths. Pretoria; received, 6 p. m., 14th January 1896. Gross Telegraphic. || 14th January. No. 3. I have received a letter from Nr. 10894. Government of the South African Republic stating that, in their opinion, every britannien. reason exists for assuming that the complications at Johannesburg are approach- 14, Jan. 1896. ing to an end, and that there need be no longer any fear of further bloodshed. The President of the South African Republic and Executive Council tender to me the warmest thanks of the Government of the South African Republic for the assistance I have been able to render in preventing further bloodshed, and their congratulations on the manner in which my object in coming has been fulfilled. They tender also their cordial acknowledgments of the services. rendered by the British Agent at Pretoria, which I think is fully deserved. The Volksraad met yesterday and adjourned till May, the only business transacted being a vote of thanks to the Orange Free State and the High Commissioner for their efforts in promoting a peaceful settlement, which was carried by acclamation. I now only await settlement of prisoners difficulty to leave for Capetown, where my presence urgently needed in consequence of change of Ministers. Governor of Natal and General Cox are here, to whom I will give instructions as to reception and disposal of prisoners as soon as I hear from you. Nr. 10895. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Derselbe an denselben. Unterhandlung mit Krüger über die Auslieferung. Pretoria; received, 8.45 p. m., 14th January 1896. Telegraphic. || 14th January. No. 1. Present position of prisoners question as follows: I communicated purport of your telegram of the 13th Nr. 10895. Grossbritannien. 14. Jan. 1896. Gross britannien. Nr. 10895. [? 11th] January No. 3 to President, and he replies that the Government of South African Republic does not propose to lay any obstacle in the way of 14. Jan. 1896. surrendering prisoners, but they only desire that the British Government places those persons, including the rank and file, on trial before a qualified Court, and, should they be found guilty, punish them according to law. He adds that the Government of South African Republic will place prisoners in the hands of British Government on the borders of Natal, according to his letter on 10th January which accompanied my telegram to you 10th January No. 5, and from that moment Government of South African Republic must be viewed as having laid all responsibility off its shoulders. || I have answered by letter dated 13th January repeating, that Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to bring rank and file to trial because, in their opinion, such a proceeding would be contrary to practice of all civilized Governments. I added that if with this understanding Government of South African Republic is willing to place prisoners in the hands of British Government at borders of Natal, they would be taken over and Government of South African Republic from that moment relieved from all responsibility as regards their disposal. I sent this letter last evening to President of South African Republic by the hand of British Agent. President of South African Republic states, that he was in the greatest embarrassment; he had stood out almost single-handed against his Executive Council and his Burghers, who were clamorous for the trial and punishment of prisoners in this country; that he had told them they would be tried and dealt with according to British law, and that if now they were to be told that rank and file are to be set at liberty his position would be untenable. || British Agent pointed out that President of South African Republic could not expect Home Government to act in a manner inconsistent with usages of all civilized Governments. || President of South African Republic replied, that by their laws these men could be all tried and punished, and he did not see how he could make his peace with the Burghers if on crossing the border they were set at liberty. | President of South African Republic has acted extremely well throughout this matter and is really in a position of great embarrassment. I think if all prisoners were sent to England and that it was then found that rank and file could not be tried his position would be made easier. Nr. 10896. Nr. 10896. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Derselbe an Denselben. Regelung der Auslieferungsfrage. Pretoria; received, 12.5 a. m., 15th January 1896. Telegraphic. || 14th January. No. 6. I have just arranged with britannien. President South African Republic as follows: All prisoners to be taken over 14. Jan. 1896. by Her Majesty's Government on the Natal border: Dr. Jameson and the leaders, about eleven in number, to be sent to England as prisoners for trial, Gross and any of the rank and file who are not domiciled in South Africa to be Nr. 10896. sent to England in custody to be there dealt with as Her Majesty the Queen britannien. shall see fit. Remainder of rank and file to be discharged in batches and 14. Jan. 1896. sent to their homes in an undemonstrative manner. I have made all the arrangements with Hutchinson and Cox as to reception and disposal of prisoners on this basis. In intimating your decision as to sea transport, please send duplicate of any message to me to Hutchinson direct so that he may act at once as to freighting steamer or otherwise. || I propose leaving at 7 o'clock this evening and hope to arrive at Capetown on Thursday evening; meanwhile telegrams will reach me en route. || Hutchinson and Cox will remain at border to take over prisoners and arrange for their disposal. Nr. 10897. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Kolonialminister an den Gouverneur in Kapstadt. Fordert Reformen in der südafrikanischen Republik. Sent 1.55 p. m., 15th January 1896. Telegraphic. || 15th January. Gross 15. Jan. 1896. No. 1. I am left in great perplexity Nr. 10897. by your telegram No. 3 of the 14th instant, and fear that some previous britannien. telegrams must have miscarried. || Refer to my long telegram of 4th January, and my telegrams No. 3 of 6th January, Nos. 1 and 3 of 13th January, and No. 1 of 14th January; also to yours No. 2 of 6th January, No. 3 of 7th January, Nos. 1 and 3 of 8th January, and No. 4 of 10th January. I have received no reply to any of these telegrams from me; but I have assumed that negotiations were in progress between the President and yourself. || There can be no settlement until the questions raised by these telegrams are disposed of. The people of Johannesburg laid down their arms in the belief, that reasonable concessions would be arranged by your intervention; and until these are granted, or are definitely promised to you by the President, the root cause of the recent troubles will remain. || The President has again and again promised reform, and especially on the 30th December last, when he promised. reforms in education and franchise; and grave dissatisfaction would be excited if you left Pretoria without a clear understanding on these points. Her Majesty's Government invite President Krüger, in the interests of the South African Republic and of peace, to make a full declaration on these matters. I am also awaiting a reply respecting the alleged wholesale arrests of English, Americans and other nationalities, made after the surrender of Johannesburg. || It will be your duty to use firm language, and to tell the President that neglect to meet the admitted grievances of the Uitlanders by giving a definite. promise to propose reasonable concessions would have a disastrous effect upon the prospects of a lasting and satisfactory settlement. || Send me a full report of the steps that you have already taken with regard to this matter and of the further action that you propose. Nr. 10898. britannien. Nr. 10898. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Der Gouverneur in Kapstadt an den Kolonialminister. Antwort auf Nr. 10891. Pretoria; received 2 p. m., 15th January 1896. Telegraphic. 15th January. - No. 1. Your telegram 13 January Gross- No. 1 only reached me last night after I had left Pretoria. I could, if you 15. Jan. 1896. Consider it desirable, communicate purport to President of South African Republic by letter; but I myself think such action would be inopportune. moment. Nearly all leading Johannesburg men are now in gaol, charged with treason against the State, and it is rumoured that Government has written evidence of a long-standing and widespread conspiracy to seize Government of country on the plea of denial of political privileges, and to incorporate the country with that of British South Africa Company. The truth of these reports will be tested in the trials to take place shortly in the High Court, and meanwhile to urge claim for extended political privileges for the very men so charged would be ineffectual and impolitic. President of South African. Republic has already promised municipal government to Johannesburg, and has stated in a Proclamation that all grievances advanced in a constitutional manner will be carefully considered and brought before the Volksraad without loss of time; but until result of trials is known nothing, of course, will now be done. Robinson (en route to Capetown). Nr. 10899. britannien. Nr. 10899. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Kolonialminister an den Gouverneur in Kapstadt. Antwort auf Nr. 10892. Telegraphic. || 15th January. Sent 5.25 p. m., 15th January 1896. No. 2. Referring to your telegram of Gross- 13th January, No. 2, thank Orange Free State for their friendly resolution, 15. Jan. 1896. and assure the Acting President that the whole matter is engaging my earnest consideration. | The Orange Free State may rest assured, that effective steps will be taken to render impossible any repetition of the late lamentable occurrences. Nr. 10900. britannien. Nr. 10900. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Derselbe an Denselben. Fordert Reformen in der südafrikanischen Republik. Sent 7 p. m., 15th January 1896. Telegraphic. | 15th January. No. 5. Referring to your telegram Gross- No. 1 of the 15th January, see my telegram No. 1 of to-day which was sent 15. Jan. 1896. before receipt of yours. I recognise, that the actual moment is not opportune for a settlement of the Uitlanders' grievances, and that the position of the President of the South African Republic may be an embarrassing one; but I do not consider, that the arrest of a few score individuals out of a population of 70,000 or more, or the supposed existence of a plot among that small minority, is a reason for denying to the overwhelming majority of innocent |