Nr. 10872. britannien. - Nr. 10872. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Gouverneur in Kapstadt an den Kolonialminister. Ultimatum an Johannesburg. Pretoria; received 4.45 p. m., 7th January 1896. Telegraphic. | 7th January.-No. 1. I would be most inexpedient to Gross- send troops to Mafeking at this moment, and there is not the slightest 7. Jan. 1896. necessity for such a step, as there is no danger from Kimberley Volunteer Corps or from Mafeking. I have sent De Wet with ultimatum this morning. to Johannesburg, and believe arms will be laid down unconditionally. I understand in such case Jameson and all prisoners will be handed over to me. || Prospect now very hopeful if no injudicious steps are taken. Please leave matter in my hands. (Chamberlain stimmte noch an demselben Tage telegraphisch zu. Red.) Nr. 10873. britannien. Nr. 10873. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Gouverneur in Kapstadt an den Kolonialminister. Johannesburg nimmt das Ultimatum an. Pretoria; received, 11 p. m., 7th January 1896. Telegraphic. 7th January. No. 3. I need now only say, that I Gross- have just received a message from Reform Committee resolving to comply 7. Jan. 1896. With demand of Government of South African Republic to lay down their arms; the people of Johannesburg placing themselves [? and] their interests unreservedly in my hands in the fullest confidence that I will see justice done to them. I have received also the following from British Agent: Begins: 7th January. I have sent the following telegram to his Honour the President: Begins: I have met the Reform Committee. Am gratified with the spirit shown in the discussion of the all-important present position. The Committee handed me the following resolution: Begins: The Reform Committee in Johannesburg, having seriously considered the ultimatum of the Government of the South African Republic, communicated [?] to them through Her Majesty's Agent at Pretoria, in a telegram dated 6th instant, to the effect that Johannesburg must lay down its arms as a condition precedent to a discussion and consideration of grievances, have unanimously decided to comply with this demand, and have given instructions to the citizens employed by this Committee for maintaining good order to lay down their arms. In coming to this determination the Committee rely upon the Government that I [it?] will maintain law and order and protect life and property in this town at this critical juncture. The Committee have been actuated by a paramount desire to do everything possible to ensure the safety of Dr. Jameson and his men, to advance the amicable discussion of terms of settlement with the Government, and to support the High Commissioner in his efforts in this respect. The Committee would draw the attention of the Government of the Republic to the presence of armed Burgher forces in the immediate vicinity Gross of this town, and would earnestly desire that these forces be removed in order Nr. 10873. to avoid all risk of any disturbance of the public peace. Resolution Ends. britannien. I wish to add to my above remarks, that I feel convinced there will be no 7. Jan, 1896. further difficulty in connection with the laying down of their arms. I would suggest that the Government co-operate with the Reform Committee for a day or two for the purpose of restoring the town to its normal state. This will only take a day or two, and those who are excited among the people will by that time have calmed down and the police can resume their ordinary duties. The Committee will co-operate in this matter. This course will very much facilitate the task of your Government if it meets with your approval. Ends. I hope now to be able to confer with President of the South African Republic and Executive Council as to prisoners and the redress of Johannesburg grievances. Nr. 10874. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Derselbe an Denselben. Jo hannesburg hat sich ergeben. Auslieferung der Pretoria; received 10.35 a. m., 8th January 1896. Grossbritannien. Telegraphic. 7th January. No. 7. Johannesburg surrendered Nr. 10874. unconditionally this afternoon, and arms were given up. President of the South African Republic has intimated his intention to hand over Jameson and 7. Jan. 1896. the other prisoners to High Commissioner on the border of Natal. You may therefore feel satisfied, that the crisis is over, and that all danger of further hostilities is at an end. Nr. 10875. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Kolonialminister an den Gouverneur in Kapstadt. Dank an Präsident Krüger, Telegraphic. || 8th January. No. 3. Give the following message to Nr. 10875. Gross the President of the South African Republic from me: "I have received britannien. the Queen's commands to acquaint you, that Her Majesty has heard with 8. Jan. 1896. satisfaction that you have decided to hand over the prisoners to Her Government. || "This act will redound to the credit of your Honour, and will conduce to the peace of South Africa and to that harmonious co-operation of the British and Dutch races which is necessary for its future development and prosperity." Nr. 10876. Grossbritannien. this morning, matters have not been going so smoothly. When the Executive 8. Jan. 1896. britannien. Nr. 10876. Council met I received a message that only 1,814 rifles and three Maxim guns Gross- had been surrendered, which the Government of the South African Republic 8. Jan. 1896. did not consider a fulfilment of the ultimatum, and orders would be immediately issued to a commando to attack Johannesburg. I at once replied, that the ultimatum required the surrender of guns and ammunition for which no permit of importation had been obtained, and that onus rested with Transvaal Government to show that guns and ammunition were concealed for which no permit had been issued. If before this was done any hostile step were taken against Johannesburg I should consider it to be a violation of the undertaking for which I had made myself personally responsible to the people of Johannesburg, and I should leave the issue in hands of Her Majesty's Government. This had a sobering effect and the order for the attack on Johannesburg was countermanded, and it was arranged that the Transvaal officials should accompany Her Majesty's Agent to Johannesburg and point out to him, if they could, where arms were concealed. Her Majesty's Agent left at 1 p. m. to-day for Johannesburg for this purpose. || The explanation of the change, I take it, is that Krüger has great difficulties to contend with among his own people. The apparent object is to prove, that people of Johannesburg have not fulfilled the conditions which were to precede the handing over of the prisoners and consideration of grievances. I should not be surprised if, before releasing the prisoners or redressing grievances, an attempt were now made to extort an alteration of the London Convention of 1884, and the abrogation of Article No IV of that instrument. I intend, if I find that the Johannesburg people have substantially complied with the ultimatum, to insist on the fulfilment of promises as regards prisoners and consideration of grievances, and will not allow at this stage the introduction of any fresh conditions as regards the London Convention of 1884. Do you approve? (Chamberlain stimmte am 9. telegraphisch zu. Red.) Nr. 10877. britannien. Nr. 10877. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Derselbe an Denselben. In Rhodesia ist alles ruhig. Pretoria; received 1.15 p. m., 9th January 1896. Telegraphic. || 8th January. No. 4. Following telegram from Acting Gross- Administrator Matabeleland received this evening: Begins: 8th January. 8. Jan. 1896. While the public of Rhodesia naturally full of sympathy personally for Dr. Jameson and his men, they are fully under control of local Administration and are loyally obeying your Proclamation and my notice requiring strict neutrality, and also all your instructions, of those of Board of Directors, and of Capetown representatives of Company. There is absolutely no truth in any rumours of hostile movement in Rhodesia against South African Republic. I urgently request your Excellency to inform Secretary of State for the Colonies of these facts by cable. Ends. || You will, I am sure, consider this very satisfactory. Nr. 10878. GROSSBRITANNIEN. — Derselbe an denselben. Die Johannesburger Schwierigkeiten beseitigt. Pretoria; received 1.17 p. m., 9th January 1896. britannien. Telegraphic. || 9th January. No. 1. Referring to my telegram of Nr. 10878. 8th January, I now learn, that yesterday's hitch was due to previous boasting Grossof Uitlanders themselves, who had stated they had over 20,000 rifles, with 9. Jan. 1896. cannon. When, therefore, only 1,800 rifles were surrended, and no cannon, the Boers thought the Uitlanders were acting in bad faith, and threatened to get out of hand. They have however been restrained by President of South African Republic, and I believe it will to-day be admitted by Government that Johannesburg has practically complied with ultimatum. Nr. 10879. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Kolonialminister an den Gouverneur in Kapstadt. Wünscht weitere Erklärung über die Rüstungen Jameson's. - Sent 5.50 p. m., 9th January 1896. britannien. Telegraphic. 9th January. . . . ... Further please say: Did the officers Nr. 10879. and men know for what purpose they were assembled? What was the strength Grossof the force which came down from Matabeleland in October to occupy Ikaning 9. Jan. 1896. and Montsioa's district? Did they have ordnance? Did they remain in Ikaning's country, or did they concentrate at Pitsani Potlogo? If so, did you know of it? I presume you knew nothing of the Honourable White bringing down three fresh troops in the middle of December. What was strength of Company's force in Protectorate on, say, the 1st December, and what additions were afterwards made by recruiting or fresh arrivals from Matabeleland other than Bechuanaland Border Police taken over? Authorise Newton to telegraph any facts to me direct, as time is all-important. Nr. 10880. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Der Gouverneur in Kapstadt an den Kolonialminister. Uebersendet die Antwort Präsident Krügers auf Nr. 10875. Pretoria; received 11.30 p. m., 9th January 1896. britannien. Telegraphic. || 9th January. No 5. I have received following from Nr. 10880. President South African Republic: || Begins: I have the honour to acknow- Grossledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of to-day with copy enclosed 9. Jan. 1896. therein of a telegram received by your Excellency from the Secretary of State for the Colonies requesting your Excellency by command of Her Majesty the Queen to inform me of a message in which Her Majesty expresses her satisfaction at my decision to hand over the prisoners to Her Majesty's Government. As I had already caused your Excellency [to?] be informed, it is really my intention to act in this sense so that Dr. Jameson and the British subjects who were under his command may then be punished by Her Majesty's Govern britannien, Nr. 10880. ment, and I will make known to your Excellency the final decision in this Gross- matter as soon as Johannesburg shall have reverted to a condition of quiet9. Jan. 1896. ness and order. In the meantime I have to request your Excellency to assure Her Majesty the Queen of my high appreciation of her words and in proffering her my respectful good wishes to express my thanks for the same. S. J. P. Krüger, State President. Ends. Nr. 10881. britannien. Nr. 10881. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Derselbe an Denselben. Bittet um Instruktionen für den Fall der Auslieferung der Gefangenen. Pretoria; received 2.15 a.m., 10th January 1896. Telegraphic. || 9th. January.-No. 3. I expect, that to-morrow or next day Gross- President of South African Republic will intimate his readiness to hand over 9. Jan. 1896. all prisoners to me at the Natal border, and will inquire how Her Majesty's Government propose to deal with them. I should be glad to receive, therefore, as soon as possible, an expression of your views on the subject. My idea is, that Jameson and all commissioned officers of Her Majesty's Regular Forces and Reserve Forces, to about the number of ten, should be sent from Durban to England as prisoners in a man-of-war, to be there dealt with as Her Majesty's Government may decide. That the junior police officers and non-commissioned officers and men, to about the number of 400, should be sent to some place in Natal, probably Charlestown, to be placed there under military escort, until paid off in detachments [of men] of twenty men at a time, sent to their homes in an undemonstrative manner. Details as to mode of temporary accommodation in Natal, conveyance through, and embarkation from that Colony, I would settle with Governor Natal and General Officer Commanding, the former of whom I propose to invite, with consent of President of South African Republic, to come up here and confer with me on the subject. It will be easy to arrange, that Jameson and his party should proceed to Durban from Charlestown by special train, embarking at daylight some morning without notice. Nr. 10882. Nr. 10882. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Derselbe an Denselben. Antwort auf Nr. 10879. Received 3 25 p.m., 10th January 1896. Telegraphic. || 10th January.-No. 1. 8 o'clock a.m. Your telegram britannien. 9th January received. I knew nothing personally of unusual concentration of 10. Jan. 1896. men and stores on Transvaal border except as follows: When Ikaning's and Montsioa's districts were transferred to British South Africa Company, I heard that Company were bringing down two troops from Buluwayo to Pitsani. I asked Mr. Rhodes why this was being done and he told me it was to protect railway line and for economy, as troops could be kept there at half the |