Sir Hercules Robinson, replied: 

15th January.  No. 2.—­Your telegram of 14th January, No. 1.  The accused are between fifty and sixty in number, and are mostly members of the Reform Committee.  They have been arrested on charge of treason, and of seeking to subvert the State by inviting the co-operation and entrance into it of an armed force.  The proceedings are based, I understand, on sworn information, and the trials will take place before High Court.  The accused are being well treated, and are represented by able counsel.  It is alleged that Government has documentary evidence of a widespread conspiracy to seize upon Government, and make use of the wealth of the country to rehabilitate finances of British South Africa Company.  On taking leave of President of South African Republic, I urged on him moderation as regards the accused, so as not to alienate the sympathy he now enjoys of all right-minded persons.  Bail is a matter entirely in the hands of Attorney-General.  The Government seem acting within their legal rights, and I do not see how I can interfere.  Mines are at work, and industry does not seem to be disorganized.

While still on his way to Capetown, the High Commissioner telegraphed to Mr. Chamberlain again in a manner indicating his complete abandonment of the position taken up by him in relation to Johannesburg—­in fact, his repudiation of what his own words have recorded against him: 

16th January.  No. i.—­Your telegram of 15th January, No. 1, received.  I cannot at this moment follow the complications arising from supposed missing and crossing telegrams, but can only say that no telegram which has reached me from you has remained unanswered.

No promise was made to Johannesburg by me as an inducement to disarm, except that the promises made in the President’s previous proclamation would be adhered to, and that Jameson and the other prisoners would not be transferred until Johannesburg had unconditionally laid down its arms and surrendered.  I sent your long telegram of 4th January to President; but the question of concessions to Uitlanders has never been discussed between us.  Pending result of coming trials, and the extent to which Johannesburg is implicated in the alleged conspiracy to subvert the State is made clear, the question of political privileges would not be entertained by Government of the South African Republic.

He justified the change of policy in another communication addressed to Mr. Chamberlain before he reached Capetown: 

16th January.  No. 3.—­Your telegram of the 15th January, No. 5.  If you will leave the matter in my hands, I will resume advocacy of Uitlanders’ claims at the first moment I think it can be done with advantage; the present moment is most inopportune, as the strongest feeling of irritation and indignation against the Uitlanders exists both amongst the Burghers and Members of Volksraad of both Republics.  Any attempt to dictate in regard to the internal affairs of South African Republic at this moment would be resisted by all parties in South Africa, and would do great harm.