On Friday the news that it was contemplated to shoot Dr. Jameson caused a frenzy of horror and excitement in the town.  Every effort was made by the Reform Committee and its supporters to maintain strictly the position which the Government had suggested through their Commission on Wednesday, lest some untoward incident should turn the trembling balance against Dr. Jameson and his men; nor were the Committee alone in the desire to maintain that position.  On Friday and on Saturday communications were received from the local Government officials, and from Commandant-General Joubert through the British Agent, drawing the attention of the Committee to alleged breaches of the arrangement.  The allegations were satisfactorily disproved; but the communications clearly indicated that the Government were most desirous of maintaining the position in relation to Johannesburg which they had laid down before the first battle with Dr. Jameson’s forces.

Information was received on Thursday that the High Commissioner would leave Capetown for Pretoria at 9 p.m. that night.  It had been a matter of surprise that, the arrangement having been entered into with him early on Wednesday, he had not found it convenient to start for some thirty-six hours.  Considering how seriously he had interfered with the movement—­first by his proclamation, and next by concerted action with the Government for a peaceful settlement—­it had been naturally assumed that he would not lose a moment in leaving Capetown for the scene of trouble.  Such however was not the case.

It has been alleged that the arrangement made between the Transvaal Government and the High Commissioner with a view to a peaceful settlement bore only upon Dr. Jameson’s action, and that it was not contemplated that there should be any interference between the Government and its own subjects in Johannesburg.  In answer to this it may be noted that the High Commissioner had in the first place offered his services, and that those services had been declined by the Transvaal Government; but that the latter, on realizing the seriousness of the position which they were called upon to face, and acting, it is stated, upon the advice of Mr. J.H.  Hofmeyr, the recognized leader of the Dutch Africanders in the Cape Colony, reconsidered this refusal and urgently besought the High Commissioner to go up to Pretoria and use his influence to effect a peaceful settlement.  This arrangement, together with the promise of the redress of grievances, had been made known to the deputation of the Reform Committee by the Government Commission in Pretoria, as has already been stated—­the Government well knowing that Johannesburg was in arms and a party to the arrangement with Dr. Jameson.