Sentences Commuted

Pretoria, April 80.- The sentences of death imposed upon Mr. John Hays Hammond, the American engineer; Colonel Francis Rhodes, a brothor of the former premier of Cape Colony; Lionel PBillips, president of the Chamber of Mines of Jolannesburg, aDd Georgo Farrar, pi'oprietor of Country Lite, of Johannesburg, lave been commuted. Dr. W. J. Loyns, secretary of state for sho Transvaal, has inf ormed Sir Jadewett, the British agent at Pretoria, that it had not yet been decided what punishment would be imposed upon the reform commlttee .prisoners in place of the death sentence, and he also intimated that the executive council was reconsidering the sentences imposed upon all the other prisoners. This leads to the belief that the minor sentences will be lightened. London, April 30. - Tho secretary of state for the colonies, Mr. Joseph Chamjerlain, received the following diapatch dated Wednesday at Pretoria from Sir Jadewett, the British agent there: "Ley ds (Dr. W. J. Ley ds, secretary of state for the Transvaal,) has just told me ihat the sentence of death has been taken off the four prisoners (Hammond, Farrar, rthodes and Phillips). It is undeoided what punishmont will bo substituted. The exeeutive council is now engaged in considering the sentences of all the prisoners." Washington, April 30.- Secretary Olney Wednesday received a cablcgram rom Vice Consul General Knighc at 3ape Town stating that he has been inormed offlcially that the death sentence of John Huys Híimmond has been comnuted. Mr. Kuight in his cablegram jroinised to furnished further particuars.