lop TOD .
Extreme Penalty For Him and
His Fellow “Reformers.”
THE BOERS’ STERN JUSTICE.
Sentence Pronounced ‘Upon the Pris-
oners’ Pleas of Guilty.
PRECIPITATE MR. CHAMBERLAIN.
A Rather Dictatorial Message Sent to
President Kruger.
Most Persons Are 01' the Opinion That It
\Vas Never Intended to Execute the
Sentence of Death, and That Clemency
Will Be Shown the Prisoners Unless the
Curt Communication of Secretary Cham-
berlain 'Should Have the Effect of~Irri-
. tating the_Chief Executive of lthe South
1
African Republic—Kruger Appears In ’
the Lightof an Accomplished Diplomat
In His Declination of the Invitation to
visit England—News From the Berea-
guered Town of Bulawayo—A Battle In
“'hich the Matabeles Are Reported to
Have Been Rented.
LONDON, April 29.—-Mr. Chamberlain,
Kin the house of commons today, stated
that he had cabled to the governor of Cape
Colony, Sir Hercules Robinson, to com-
municate the following to President Kru-
ger:
“The government has just learned that
the sentence of death has been passed upon
the chief leaders of the reform committee.
They can feel no doubt that your honor
will commute the sentence and have as-
sured parliament of their conviction that
this is your honor’s intention.” .
Mr. W. J. Galloway, Conservative mem-
ber for southwest Manchester, asked
whether the lawunder which the leaders
of the Johannesburg reform committee
were tried does not provide for the con-
fiscation of their property, in the event of
conviction, and not for the imposing of the
death penalty. Mr. Chamberlain said he
was unable to answer the question. .
The announcement that the reformers
have been condemned to death has caused
a profound sensation, although it is not
believed that the sentence will be carried
out.
Mr. John Hays Hammond, who was out
on $100, 000 bail, pleaded guilty of high
treason at Pretoria yesterday, following
the example of the other leaders of the
reform committee. Mr. Hammond was
prevented by illness from being present at
the time the other leaders made their plea.
The dispatch from Pretoria which an-
nounced Mr. Hammond’s plea did not say
whether he pleaded through counsel or in
person, and it is considered doubtful here
whether the leaders were tried under the
statute laws of the South African Republic
or under the Roman-Dutch law. Under
the latter they may be sentenced to death.
The Reformers' Statement.
Counsel for the reformers yesterday at
Pretoria read a statement reviewing the
recent history of the agitation for the re«
dress of the uitlander grievances and ad-
mitting that, in face of the rumors cur-
rent that the Boers were going to attack
Johannesburg, the signers of the memorial
sent to Dr. Jameson asked the latter to
'come to their relief. But, the statement
added, the signers deplored the mistake
he had made in coming when there was
no urgent need for his presence. They
maintained that their action throughout
the crisis had not been hostile to the re-
public, and that its officials had been pro-
tected, while life and property had been
generally preserved. ‘
Continuing, the statement said that the
reform committee sent officers on Dec. 27
' to forbid the movement on Dr. J ameson’s
part. ’ . ~
In addition to this signed. statement,
telegrams were handed into the court
which had passed between Mr. Beit of the
Chartered South Africa company and Dr.
Jameson, Colonel Francis Rhodes and
others, but among the latter was no mes-
sage from Mr. Cecil Rhodes, the then
premier of Cape Colony.
Following the‘ presentation of. these
documents counsel for the reformers made
a speech of two hours’ duration in their
behalf and concluded as follows:
“If the edge of the sword is to be used,
it will cause eternal misery in the repub~
lie, but should the flat side be employed it
will usher in peace and good will. "
Clemency Expected.
The sentencing of the members of the
reform committee to death has produced a
great sensation in London, especially in
the streets, where the extra editions of the
afternoon newspapers with sensational
placards are being sold like the proverbial
bot cakes. In well informed circles, how-
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PRESIDENT KRUGER.
ever, the sentence has caused little sur-
prise, as the laws of the Transvaal pre-
scribe death for high treason, and, the pris-
oners having pleaded guilty, the judge
could only pronOunce the sentence which
the law provides. It has also been long
understood that very severe sentences
would be passed in order that the clem-
ency which President Kruger is certain to
exercise might appear greater. ‘ It- is
thought probable that the sentence of
death will be commuted to a short term of
“ - imprisonment and a big fine unless Mr.
' Ghamberlain’s dispatch to President Kru-'
ger read in the house of commons, irri-
“ ~Advertise in the Gszsrrn.
\
tame the chief magistrate of’the Transvaal.
Mr. Chamberlain’s telegram is regarded
‘here as being precipitate and as leaving
President Kruger no time to act on his
own account and as having, moreover, the
ring of dictation.
THE" NEWS FROM; PRETORIA.
Confirmation From the Seat of GOvern-
ment of the Transvaal.
PRETORIA, April 29.—-Five of the leaders
of the national reform committee who
pleaded guilty of high treason yesterday,
including John ' Hays Hammond, the
American mining engineer, were con-
demned to death at this forenoon’s sitting
of the court. Counsel for the defense yes-
terday read a statement to the court
signed by Hammond, Phillips, Farrar and
Colonial Rhodes, admitting that they. had
Ref-1,19?“
/.;, r ‘ x
P
JOHN HAvs HAMMOND.
asked Dr. Jameson to go to Johannesburg,
butdeploring his mistake in entering the
Transvaal and marching on Johannesburg
when there was no urgent need for his
presence. They maintained that their ac
tion throughout was not hostile to the
government. ,
The statement also enumerated the
grievances Of the uitlanders and elaborat-
ed reasons to prove that the actions of the
committee were not hostile to the republic.
Regarding Dr. Jameson’s raid the state-
ment declared that when the committee
learned captain facts it 'sent on Dec. 27
two messengers, Major Heany by rail and
Captain Holden across country. to forbid
Dr. Jameson to move.
' Who Hammond Is.
The American, John Hays Hammond,
who has been condemned to death for his
part in the Johannesburg rebellion, is a
mining engineer by profession and an in-
timate friend of Cecil Rhodes, the former
premier of Cape Colony, whose adviser he
has been in Transvaal affairs.
Mr. Hammond is a native of California
and went to South Africa several years
ago to enter the service of a mining com-
pany controlled by Mr. Rhodes.
Mr. Hammond is said to be a man of
great wealth, which be has acquired by
his interests in the Transvaal gold mines.
When Mr. Hammond was Arrested on
the charge of treasonable practices, his
friends in America requested Secretary
Olney to intervene in his behalf, and the
American secretary of state asked Secre-
tary of the Colonies Joseph Chamberlain
to see that Hammond was protected in his
rights. President Kruger assured Mr.
Olney through the American consular
agent at Cape Town that Mr. Hammond
would be treated with every possible con.-
sideration, but stated that he would not
be allowed to escape the consequences of
the act if the court at Pretoria found 'him
guilty of the charges of treason preferred
against him.
Mr. Hammond was a leading member
of the Johannesburg Reform union, which
was declared to be responsible for the
Jameson raid.
Three of the other prisoners who, to
gether with Hammond, have been sen-
tenced to death are Colonel Francis W.
Rhodes, brother of Cecil Rhodes; Lionel
Phillips, president of the Johannesburg
chamber of mines, and Percy Farrar, pro-
prietor of The South African Country Life.
KRUG-ER’S REPLY.
Text of the Boer President’s Note Refus-
ing to Visit London.
CAPE TOWN. April 29.-—The text of
President Kruger’s reply to the invitation
of the British government, through the
secretary of state for the colonies, hir. JO-
seph Chamberlain, to visit England and
discuss matters connected with the Trans-
vaal and its future is a voluminous doc-
ument and plainly indicates the firm at-
titude assumed by the Boer states-man,
who does not yield in the slightest.
The president begins by stating that his
visit to England has always depended
upon the settlement of a basis of discus-
sion, and he regrets that the basis has not
yet been reached. Continuing, he says:
“In a friendly spirit, but from the very
first, the government saw clearly and re-
corded its opinion that no foreign inter-
ference in the internal affairs of the re-
public couldbe allowed. Mr. Chamber-
lain admits the justice of this position, yet
he intimates that Great Britain desires
that particular internal measures be taken
by the Transvaal. The latter cannot al-
low to pass unnoticed the expression 'ad-
mitted grievances.’ and, however well
meant and observate, this government
must express regret that, having intimated
. its desire for a reconsideration of the Lon-
” don convention, in consequence Of the in-
road of Dr. Jameson, the position should
be assumed that in 'the discussion the so
cluded as a sine qua non in the event of a
reconsideration of the convention being
agreed to.
No Grievances Admitted. .
“The South African Republic .has al-
Ways been prepared to receive and consider
in a friendly spirit the private suggestions
of the imperial government regarding the
interests of Britlsh subjects, although the
South African Republic has never ad-
mitted the existence of the so called 'ad-
mitted grievances’ and must deny, on
that account, that the right exists to cre-
ate rebellious movements. It does not
effect to be perfect or infallible, and has
repeatedly declared that it is prepared to
listen to just complaints presented in a
constitutional manner by any one. But
the South African Republic is of the Opin-
ion that every step calculated to prolong
the irritation existing in South Africa
must be studiously avoided by the exercise
of mutual forbearance and good will.
‘ I feel confident you will recognize and
appreciate the difficulty of my position.
It appears to be wiser not to ,press the
question of my proceeding to England
any farther at present. but to leave it open‘,
especially in view of the coming session of
the volksraad. The desirability of my
presence during at least 'a portion of the
Advertise in the Gamma:
styled ‘admitted grievances’ must be ln-'
\
l . X .. . f.-
session, when important 'measures are to
be considered, is apparent.”
In regard to Mr. Chamberlain’s propos-
al to guarantee the Transvaal protection
from outside attack in exchange for a
remedy for the uitlanders’ grievances,
President Kruger says:
Offered “’hat It Already Has.
“Something is ofiered the South African
Republic which it already possesses, as the
obligations and relations of the South
African Republic to Great Britain, as
recognized by international law, already
precluded an attack upon the independence
of the republic. ” .
The remainder of President Kruger's
replly may be summarized as follows:
be president remarks that if a revision
of the London convention and superséd-
ing it by a treaty of amity and commerce
containing the most favored nation clause
cannot be discussed unless the alleged
grievances are also discussed, the govern-
ment prefers to leave. matters in statu
quo and will limit its demands to an in-
demnity for the Jameson raid.
In conclusion President Kruger says:
“Under existing circumstances the
South African Republic will not at present
press a reconsideration of the London con-
vention and a substitution for, it of a
treaty of amity and commerce, but will
rei t satisfied with pecuniary compensation
and with the assurance that no violation
of its territory will be repeated. ”
Trial of Jameson and His Men.
LONDON, April 29.—’I‘he trial of Dr.
Jameson and his fellow raiders was re-
sumed in the Bow Street police court to—'
day. The street in the vicinity of the
court was much‘quieter than upon the oc-
casion of previous hearings of this case.
and the courtroom was not nearly so
crowded as formerly, though there were
many distinguished persons present.
Among those in attendance were Ladies
Chesterfield and Foley and Mrs. Bayard,
wife of the United States ambassador.
The court decided that after today’s sit—
ting the case would be adjourned until
June 11, when important evidence from
Africa will be ready. Sir Edward Clarke
argued a motion that the charges against
the minor defendants be dismissed, but
the court refused to grant the motion.
Transvaal Case In Congress.
WASHINGTON, April 29.—Mr. Mahany
(Rep.. N. Y.), in the house today. asked
for the immediate consideration of a reso-
lution calling on the secretary of state, in
view of the report that John Hays Ham-
mond, the American engineer. had been
sentenced to death for treason in the
Transvaal. South Africa, to safeguard his
interests as an American citizen and in-
terfere in his behalf if such action is deemed
advisable. After some discussion Mr. Mc-
Creary (Dem., Ky.) objected.
MATABELES ROUTED.
Report of a Severe Engagement—The
Anxiety at Cape Town.
LONDON, April BEL—The Mashonaland
(South Africa) agency here has received
the following dispatch from Bulawayo,
dated April 27:
“Big engagement this morning. Thre
impis (native regiments) surrounded us.
Defeated and routed them, with great
loss.” *
CAPE TOWN April 29. -—Dispatches which
reached here from Bulawayo yesterday in-
creased the feeling of anxiety felt. re—
garding the fate of the besieged town: It
was reported that the circle of Matabeles
behind the mound fortifications hadagain
been drawn closer to Bulawayo and at
the same time extended. The natives had
been further re-enforced, and another large
body of men was leaving the Matoppo hills
in order to effect a junction and surround
the place, keeping south of the fortified
pass. Another strong force Of hostiles had
gone in the direction of the route taken
by the relief corps advancing from Male-
king. Itigl said that 20,000 natives are
now Operating against Bulawayo alone,
and that 80, 000 are under arms, their
number increasingdaily.
The Matabeles are kept plentifully and
regularly supplied with cattle and ammu-
nition for all their rifles. These supplies
are sent out from the Matoppo bills, the
Matabele headquarters, and it is said that
over 50,000 head of cattle have been gath-
ered in from different directions. The
hills themselves are being fortified by the
insurgent force holding them. so that
should Bulawayo be relieved and the
British be able to resume the offensive the
natives will have a stronghold to fall back
upon and there make along stand against
the Chartered;company’s forces. .
A dispatch from Bulawayo last even-
ing said that Dawson’s troop was starting
for a fort situated six miles along the Tat!
road, with the Object of guarding the tele-
graph line and keeping the road clear.
Another dispatch says that a coach, laden
with arms and ammunition, reached Bu-
lawayo yesterday from the south.
Earl Grey, one of the administrators of
the territory of the British Chartered com‘
pany, is expected to arrive at Bulawayo
within a few hours with a strong escort of
troopers. '
It is announced that Sckombi. one of
Lobengula’s leading chiefs, was among
the killed during the fighting abbut the
Umbuza river which foilowed the second
sortie of the British.
Hottcntots Defeated.
BERLIN, April 29.-—A German force de-
feated a large body of Hottentot rebels in
Damaraland on April 5, killing 46 of
them. The German loss was a killed.
Little Hope For Taylor.
KANSAS CITY, April 29. -—A special from
Washington says: Justice Brewer of the
United States supreme court has refused
to interfere in any way with the judgment
.of the Carroll county circuit court, which
sentenced Bill Taylor to be hanged April
30 for the murder of the Monks family.
The only hope left for Taylor is that Gov-
ernor Stone will grant a respite.
Credit Men's Combine.
TOLEDO, April 29.-—-The Toledo cham-
ber of commerce has invited credit men to
meet in convention here'June 23-5 for the
purpose Of perfecting a national organiza-
tion. One hundred and fifty of the credit
and financial managers of the largest
houses in the country have been appointed
-on the executive committee.
Crowley Again Convicted.
BOSTON, April 29.——1n the superior court
today Richard Crowley for the second time
was adjudged guilty of manslaughcer in
causing the death of John E. Burns by a
knife thrust in the throat. inflicted during
a street fight on the night of May 4, 1895.
A Tugboat Sunk. ‘
TOLEDO, April 29.—A telegram to Hud-
ley& Thompson says that the tug Wiscon-
sin has been sunk off Lorain in 30 feet of.
water. _________
Yon Treltschke De‘ad.
BERLIN, April 29.—Helnrich Gotthard
von Treitschke, the historian, is dead. He ,;'
, Was born in 1834. .
I Advertise in the GAZETTE. '
. I
I” ,
\
Bus an S grewaal .
Trade.
Home Trade
Buildsoilles ..
new your areas, 442 nnonnww. ' w°"‘.‘s¢°"“"i°§'_
The Boslon Slore is in ils. Eighlh Year of Business life, and we inland lhal lhis‘
shall be our grealesl. Why? BeoauSe' we are now in a posilion lo "buy from menu; *‘
faclurers and imporlers—lrom lhe same people lhal lhe New York houses buy lheir
goods~~and we buylhem al lhe same prices. Therefore ills easy for us lo selllower‘ '
lhan lhey do, for our expense is nolhing compared wilh lheirs. - l - a
HERE ARE SOME or THE saws FOB'THIS’ wow 1
IN OUR CLOAK ROO-M——j '
50 of these Beautiful Figured Brilliantines. wide skirts, lined with rustling and interlined, $3.98;
we shall sell one each to a customer for $2.25, '
10 Ladies’ Black, Fine Diagonals, $4.98. -
25 Ladies’ Covert Jackets. $5.00 each; we sha’l sell at $23.49,
15 Ladi-s’ Black Cloth Jackets, $4.25 each; we shall sell at $2.98,
20 Silk Capes, $6.50 ones, for $4.25,
15 Black Velvet Capes,x$6.00ones, for $4.50. . T. ,
Light Colored Broadcloth and Covert Capes, at $4.50, 4.93, 6.59, 7.50 and 8-98-
Children’s Jackets, 98c, 5|.25, L49, L98, 2.25 to 5.98. '
Children’s Suits, $|.15,'4,98, 5,15 and 6,25,
’ W RA P P E R5
I We have just put in stock 'one hundred dozen new spring Wrappers.
25 dozen Lawn Wrappers. 196-
10 dozen Fancy Prints, $|.25. .
10 dozen Fancy Percales, $.98-
5 dozen Persians, 82.15. -
25 dozen Print Wrappers, best quality, 65c.
20 dozen Cambric Wrappers. 980. l
10 dozen Check Percal $.49. .
5 dozen Dresden, $2.25.
SHIRT WAISTS 7.
, . We were obliged to put ten- salesladies behind our immense Shirt Waist counter last week. No
Wonder 1 Our styles and prices are all right. Weists with or without detachable collars and cuffs,
29c, 39c, 49c, 690, 15c,_98o, $l.25, L49, l.98 tnd'2.T5._
, BUSTUN STUHE.EUI. Main‘an Wall 38.-
I
A POINTER...
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In Case of Fire
You should be insured. A policy in the Reliance or l‘hiladciphia;
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ROOM 1. GAZETTE BUILDING- ,
LOANS NEGOTIATED AND lNVESTMEN’TS MADE.
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”CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED 0. -
x
Norwalk Chronicler