Before any communication was received from the High Commissioner on Monday messages had been received by the members of the Reform Committee to the effect that the laying down of arms would be absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of Jameson and his men.  The Reform Committee had then learnt that the two messengers sent to stop Dr. Jameson—­Major Heany and Captain Holden—­had reached him, and had come in with him, and were at that moment prisoners with him in Pretoria.  They had also heard of the reception accorded to Sir Jacobus de Wet’s despatch and the High Commissioner’s proclamation, so that it was abundantly clear that the incursion had been made in defiance of the wishes of the leaders, whatever other reasons there might have been to prompt it.  But the public who constituted the movement were still under the impression that Dr. Jameson was a very fine fellow who had come in in a chivalrous manner to help those whom he had believed to be in distress.  There was however no division of opinion as to what should be done; even those who felt most sore about the position in which they had been placed did not hesitate for a moment.  The first and for the time being the only consideration was the safety of Dr. Jameson and his comrades.

The events and negotiations of the days preceding the arrest of the Reformers have been the subject of so much discussion and so much misunderstanding that it will be better as far as possible to compile the history from original documents or the published and properly authenticated copies.  In Blue Book [C. 7,933] the following is published: 

SIR HERCULES ROBINSON (Pretoria) to MR. CHAMBERLAIN.

(Telegraphic.  Received 1.8 a.m., 6th January, 1896.)

5th January.  No. 3.—­Arrived here last night.  Position of affairs very critical.  On side of Government of South African Republic and of Orange Free State there is a desire to show moderation, but Boers show tendency to get out of hand and to demand execution of Jameson.  I am told that Government of South African Republic will demand disarmament of Johannesburg as a condition precedent to negotiations.  Their military preparations are now practically complete, and Johannesburg, if besieged, could not hold out, as they are short of water and coal.  On side of Johannesburg leaders desire to be moderate, but men make safety of Jameson and concession of items in manifesto issued conditions precedent to disarmament.  If these are refused, they assert they will elect their own leaders and fight it out in their own way.  As the matter now stands, I see great difficulty in avoiding civil war; but I will do my best, and telegraph result of my official interview to-morrow.  It is said that President of South African Republic intends to make some demands with respect to Article No. 4 of the London Convention of 1884.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN to SIR HERCULES ROBINSON.

(Telegraphic.  January 6, 1896.)