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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15175-8.txt b/15175-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7c201e5 --- /dev/null +++ b/15175-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6145 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Century of Wrong, by F. W. Reitz + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Century of Wrong + +Author: F. W. Reitz + +Release Date: February 25, 2005 [EBook #15175] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CENTURY OF WRONG *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Garrett Alley, and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +A CENTURY OF WRONG + +ISSUED BY + +F.W. REITZ + +_State Secretary of the South African Republic_ + +WITH PREFACE BY + +W.T. STEAD + +"Audi Alteram Partem" + +LONDON: + +"REVIEW OF REVIEWS" OFFICE, MOWBRAY HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, W.C. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + PAGE. +PREFACE. _By W.T. Stead_. vii. + +INTRODUCTION 1 + +THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE 4 + +THE FOUNDING OF NATAL 13 + +THE ORANGE FREE STATE 17 + +THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC 23 + +THE CONVENTIONS OF 1881 AND 1884 33 + +CAPITALISTIC JINGOISM--FIRST PERIOD 37 + +CAPITALISTIC JINGOISM--SECOND PERIOD 49 + +CONCLUSION 89 + +APPENDIX A.--Lord Derby's Dispatch on Convention of 1884 101 + B.--The Annexation of the Diamond Fields 105 + C.--The Reply to Mr. Chamberlain's Dispatch on Grievances 109 + D.--The Final Dispatch of Mr. State Secretary Reitz 127 + E.--The Text of the Conventions, 1852, 1881, and 1884 128 + +INDEX 149 + + + + +PREFACE. + + +"In this awful turning point of the history of South Africa, on the eve +of the conflict which threatens to exterminate our people, it behoves us +to speak the truth in what may be, perchance, our last message to the +world." + +Such is the _raison d'être_ of this book. It is issued by State +Secretary Reitz as the official exposition of the case of the Boer +against the Briton. I regard it as not merely a duty but an honour to be +permitted to bring it before the attention of my countrymen. + +Rightly or wrongly the British Government has sat in judgment upon the +South African Republic, rightly or wrongly it has condemned it to death. +And now, before the executioner can carry out the sentence, the accused +is entitled to claim the right to speak freely--it may be for the last +time--to say why, in his opinion, the sentence should not be executed. A +liberty which the English law accords as an unquestioned right to the +foulest murderer cannot be denied to the South African Republic. It is +on that ground that I have felt bound to afford the spokesman of our +Dutch brethren in South Africa the opportunity of stating their case in +his own way in the hearing of the Empire. + +Despite the diligently propagated legend of a Reptile press fed by Dr. +Leyds for the purpose of perverting public opinion, it is indisputable +that so far as this country is concerned Mr. Reitz is quite correct in +saying that the case of the Transvaal "has been lost by default before +the tribunal of public opinion." + +It is idle to point, in reply to this, to the statements that have +appeared in the press of the Continent. These pleadings were not +addressed to the tribunal that was trying the case. In the British press +the case of the Transvaal was never presented by any accredited counsel +for the defence. Those of us who have in these late months been +compelled by the instinct of justice to protest against the campaign of +misrepresentation organised for the purpose of destroying the South +African Republic were in many cases so far from authorised exponents of +the South African Dutch that some of them--among whom I may be reckoned +for one--were regarded with such suspicion that it was most difficult +for us to obtain even the most necessary information from the +representatives of the Government at Pretoria. Nor was this suspicion +without cause--so far at least as I was concerned. + +For nearly a quarter of a century it might almost have been contended +that I was one of the leading counsel for the prosecution. First as the +friend and advocate of the Rev. John Mackenzie, then as the friend and +supporter of Mr. Cecil Rhodes, and latterly as the former colleague and +upholder of Sir Alfred Milner, it had been my lot constantly, in season +and out of season, to defend the cause of the progressive Briton +against the Conservative Boer, and especially to advocate the Cause of +the Reformers and Uitlanders against the old Tory Administration of +President Kruger. By agitation, by pressure, and even, if need be, in +the last resort by legitimate insurrection, I had always been ready to +seek the establishment of a progressive Liberal Administration in +Pretoria. And I have at least the small consolation of knowing that if +any of the movements which I defended had succeeded, the present crisis +would never have arisen, and the independence of the South African +Republic would have been established on an unassailable basis. But with +such a record it is obvious that I was almost the last man in the Empire +who could be regarded as an authorised exponent of the case of the +Boers. + +That in these last months I have been forced to protest against the +attempt to stifle their independence is due to a very simple cause. To +seek to reform the Transvaal, even by the rough and ready means of a +legitimate revolution, is one thing. To conspire to stifle the Republic +in order to add its territory to the Empire is a very different thing. +The difference may be illustrated by an instance in our own history. +Several years ago I wrote a popular history of the House of Lords, in +which I showed, at least to my own satisfaction, that for fifty years +our "pig-headed oligarchs"--to borrow a phrase much in favour with the +War Party--had inflicted infinite mischief upon the United Kingdom by +the way in which they had abused their power to thwart the will of the +elected representatives of the people. I am firmly of opinion that our +hereditary Chamber has done a thousand times more injury to the subjects +of the Queen than President Kruger has ever inflicted upon the +aggrieved Uitlanders. I look forward with a certain grim satisfaction to +assisting, in the near future, in a semi-revolutionary agitation against +the Peers, in which some of our most potent arguments will be those +which the War Party has employed to inflame public sentiment against the +Boers. But, notwithstanding all this, if a conspiracy of Invincibles +were to be formed for the purpose of ending the House of Lords by +assassinating its members, or by blowing up the Gilded Chamber and all +its occupants with dynamite, I should protest against such an outrage as +vehemently as I have protested against the more heinous crime that is +now in course of perpetration in South Africa. And the very vehemence +with which I had in times past pleaded the cause of the People against +the Peers would intensify the earnestness with which I would endeavour +to avert the exploitation of a legitimate desire to end the Second +Chamber by the unscrupulous conspirators of assassination and of +dynamite. Hence it is that I seize every opportunity afforded me of +enabling the doomed Dutch to plead their case before the tribunal which +has condemned them, virtually unheard. + +In introducing _A Century of Wrong_ to the British public, I carefully +disassociate myself from assuming any responsibility for all or any of +the statements which it contains. My _imprimatur_ was not sought, nor is +it extended to the history contained in _A Century of Wrong_, excepting +in so far as relates to its authenticity as an exposition of what our +brothers the Boers think of the way in which we have dealt with them for +the last hundred years. + +That is much more important than the endorsement by any Englishman as +to the historical accuracy of the statements which it contains. For what +every judicial tribunal desires, first of all, is to hear witnesses at +first hand. Hitherto the British public has chiefly been condemned to +second-hand testimony. In the pages of _A Century of Wrong_ it will, at +least, have an opportunity of hearing the Dutch of South Africa speak +for themselves. + +There is no question as to the qualifications of Mr. F.W. Reitz to speak +on behalf of the Dutch Africander. Although at this moment State +Secretary for President Kruger, he was for nearly ten years Chief +Justice and then President of the Orange Free State, and he began his +life in the Cape Colony. The family is of German origin, but his +ancestors migrated to Holland in the seventeenth century and became +Dutch. His grandfather emigrated from Holland to the Cape, and founded +one of the Africander families. His father was a sheep farmer; one of +his uncles was a lieutenant in the British Navy. + +Mr. Reitz is now in his fifty-sixth year, and received a good English +education. After graduating at the South African College he came to the +United Kingdom, and finished his studies at Edinburgh University, and +afterwards at the Inner Temple, where he was called to the Bar in 1868. +He then returned to the Cape, and, after practising as a barrister in +the Cape courts for six years, was appointed Chief Justice of the Orange +Free State, a post which he held for fifteen years. He was then elected +and re-elected as President of the Orange Free State. In 1893 he paid a +lengthy visit to Europe and to the United Kingdom. After Dr. Leyds was +appointed to his present post as foreign representative of the South +African Republic, Mr. Reitz was appointed State Secretary, and all the +negotiations between the Transvaal and Great Britain passed through his +hands. + +Mr. Reitz's narrative is not one calculated to minister to our national +self-conceit, but it is none the worse on that account. Of those who +minister to our vanity we have enough and to spare, with results not +altogether desirable. In the long controversy between the Boers and the +missionaries Mr. Reitz takes, as might be expected, the view of his own +people. + +An English lady in South Africa writing to the _British Weekly_ of +December 21st, in reply to the statement of the Rev. Dr. Stewart, makes +some observations on this feud between the Boers and the missionaries, +which it may be well to bear in mind in discussing this question. The +lady ("I.M.") says:-- + + Dr. Stewart naturally starts from the mission question. I speak + as the daughter of one of the greatest mission supporters that + South Africa has ever known when I say that the earliest + missionaries who came to this country were to a very large extent + themselves the cause of all the Boer opposition which they may + have had to encounter. When they arrived, they found the Boers at + about the same stage of enlightenment with regard to missions as + the English themselves had been in the time of Carey. And yet, in + spite of prejudice and ignorance, every Boer of any standing was + practically doing mission work himself, for when, according to + unfailing custom, the "Books" were brought out morning and + evening for family worship, the slaves were never allowed to be + absent, but had to come and receive instruction with the rest of + the family. But the tone and methods which the missionaries + adopted were such as could not fail to arouse the aversion of the + farmers, their great idea being that the coloured races, utter + savages as yet, should be placed upon complete equality with + their superiors. At Earl's Court we have recently seen something + of how easily the natives are spoilt, and they were certainly not + better in those days. When, however, the Boers showed that they + disapproved of all this, the natives were immediately taught to + regard them as their oppressors, and were encouraged to + insubordination to their masters, and the ill-effects of this + policy on the part of the missionaries has reached further than + can be told. May I ask was this the tone that St. Paul adopted in + his mission work among the oppressed slaves of his day?... It is + not those who do _not_ know the Boers, like Dr. Stewart, but + those who know them best, like Dr. Andrew Murray, who are not + only enamoured of their simple lives, but who know also that with + all their disadvantages and their positive faults they are still + a people whose rule of life is the Bible, whose God is the God of + Israel, and who as a nation have never swerved from the covenant + with that God entered into by their fathers, the Huguenots of + France and the heroes of the Netherlands. + +Upon this phase of the controversy there is no necessity to dwell at +present, beyond remarking that those who are at present most disposed to +take up what may be regarded as the missionary side should not forget +that they are preparing a rod for their own backs. The Aborigines +Protection Society has long had a quarrel with the Boers, but if our +Imperialists are going to adopt the platform of Exeter Hall they will +very soon find themselves in serious disagreement with Mr. Cecil Rhodes +and other Imperialist heroes of the hour. That the Dutch in South Africa +have treated the blacks as the English in other colonies have treated +the aborigines is probably true, despite all that Mr. Reitz can say on +their behalf. But, whereas in Tasmania and the Australian Colonies the +black fellows are exterminated by the advancing Briton, the immediate +result of the advent of the Dutch into the Transvaal has been to +increase the number of natives from 70,000 to 700,000, without including +those who were attracted by the gold mines. In dealing with native races +all white men have the pride of their colour and the arrogance of power. +The Boers, no doubt, have many sins lying at their door, but it does not +do for the pot to call the kettle black, and so far as South Africa is +concerned, the difference between the Dutch and British attitudes toward +the native races is more due to the influence of Exeter Hall and the +sentiment which it represents than to any practical difference between +English and Dutch Colonists as to the status of the coloured man. The +English under Exeter Hall have undoubtedly a higher ideal as to the +theoretical equality of men of all races; but on the spot the arrogance +of colour is often asserted as offensively by the Briton as by the Boer. +The difference between the two is, in short, that the Boer has adjusted +his practice to his belief, whereas we believe what we do not practice. +That the black population of the Transvaal is conscious of being treated +with exceeding brutality by the Boers is disproved by the fact that for +months past all the women and children of the two Republics have been +left at the absolute mercy of the natives in the midst of whom they +live. + +The English reader will naturally turn with more interest to Mr. Reitz's +narrative of recent negotiations than to his observations upon the +hundred years of history which he says have taught the Dutch that there +is no justice to be looked for at the hands of a British Government. The +advocates of the war will be delighted to find that Mr. Reitz asserts +in the most uncompromising terms the right of the Transvaal to be +regarded as an Independent Sovereign International State. However +unpleasant this may be to Downing Street, the war has compelled the +Government to recognise the fact. When it began we were haughtily told +that there would be no declaration of war, nor would the Republics be +recognised as belligerents. The war had not lasted a month before this +vainglorious boast was falsified, and we were compelled to recognise the +Transvaal as a belligerent State. It is almost incredible that even Sir +William Harcourt should have fallen into the snare set for him by Mr. +Chamberlain in this matter. The contention that the Transvaal cannot be +an Independent Sovereign State because Article 4 of the Convention of +1884 required that all treaties with foreign Powers should be submitted +for assent to England may afford a technical plea for assuming that it +was not an Independent Sovereign International State. But, as Mr. Reitz +points out, no one questions the fact that Belgium is an International +Independent Sovereign State, although the exercise of her sovereignty is +limited by an international obligation to maintain neutrality. A still +stronger instance as proving the fact that the status of a sovereign +State is not affected by the limitation of the exercise of its +sovereignty is afforded by the limitation imposed by the Treaty of Paris +on the sovereign right of the Russian Empire to maintain a fleet in the +Black Sea. To forbid the Tsar to put an ironclad on the sea which washes +his southern coast was a far more drastic limitation of the inalienable +rights of an Independent International Sovereign State than the +provision that treaties affecting the interests of another Power should +be subject to the veto of that Power, but no one has protested that +Russia has lost her international status on account of the limitation +imposed by the Treaty of Paris. In like manner Mr. Reitz argues that the +Transvaal, being free to conduct its diplomacy, and to make war, can +fairly claim to be a Sovereign International State. The assertion of +this fact serves as an Ithuriel's spear to bring into clear relief the +significance of the revival by Mr. Chamberlain of the Suzerainty of +1881. Upon this point Mr. Reitz gives us a plain straightforward +narrative, the justice and accuracy of which will not be denied by +anyone who, like Sir Edward Clarke, takes the trouble to read the +official dispatches. + +I turn with more interest to Mr. Reitz's narrative of the precise +differences of opinion which led to the breaking-off of negotiations +between the two Governments. Mr. Chamberlain, it will be remembered, +said in his dispatch he had accepted nine-tenths of the conditions laid +down by the Boers if the five years' franchise was to be conceded. What +the tenth was which was not accepted Mr. Chamberlain has never told us, +excepting that it was "a matter of form" which was "not worth a war." +Readers of Mr. Reitz's narrative will see that in the opinion of the +Boers the sticking point was the question of suzerainty. If Mr. +Chamberlain would have endorsed Sir Alfred Milner's declaration, and +have said, as his High Commissioner did, that the question about +suzerainty was etymological rather than political, and that he would say +no more about it, following Lord Derby's policy and abstaining from +using a word which was liable to be misunderstood, there would have been +no war. So far as Mr. Reitz's authority goes we are justified in saying +that the war was brought about by the persistence of Mr. Chamberlain in +reviving the claim of suzerainty which had been expressly surrendered in +1884, and which from 1884 to 1897 had never been asserted by any British +Government. + +Another point of great importance is the reference which Mr. Reitz makes +to the Raid. On this point he speaks with much greater moderation than +many English critics of the Government. Lord Loch will be interested in +reading Mr. Reitz's account of the way in which his visit to Pretoria +was regarded by the Transvaal Government. It shows that it was his visit +which first alarmed the Boers, and compelled them to contemplate the +possibility of having to defend their independence with arms. But it was +not until after the Jameson Raid that they began arming in earnest. As +there is so much controversy upon this subject, it may be well to quote +here the figures from the Budget of the Transvaal Government, showing +the expenditure before and after the Raid. + + Public Special Sundry + Military. Works. Payments. Services. Total. + £ £ £ £ £ +1889 75,523 300,071 58,737 171,088 605,419 +1890 42,999 507,579 58,160 133,701 742,439 +1891 117,927 492,094 52,486 76,494 739,001 +1892 29,739 361,670 40,276 93,410 528,095 +1893 19,340 200,106 148,981 132,132 500,559 +1894[1] 28,158 260,962 75,859 163,547 521,526 +1895[2] 87,308 353,724 205,335 838,877 1,485,244 +1896 495,618 701,022 682,008 128,724 2,007,372 +1897 396,384 1,012,686 248,864 135,345 1,793,279 +1898[3] 163,451 383,033 157,519 100,874 804,877 + +Of the Raid itself Mr. Reitz speaks as follows:-- + + The secret conspiracy of the Capitalists and Jingoes to overthrow + the South African Republic began now to gain ground with great + rapidity, for just at this critical period Mr. Chamberlain became + Secretary of State for the Colonies. In the secret correspondence + of the conspirators, reference is continually made to the + Colonial Office in a manner which, taken in connection with later + revelations and with a successful suppression of the truth, has + deepened the impression over the whole world that the Colonial + Office was privy to, if not an accomplice in, the villainous + attack on the South African Republic. + + Nor has the world forgotten how, at the urgent instance of the + Africander party in the Cape Colony, an investigation into the + causes of the conflict was held in Westminster; how that + investigation degenerated into a low attack upon the Government + of the deeply maligned and deeply injured South African Republic, + and how at the last moment, when the truth was on the point of + being revealed, and the conspiracy traced to its fountain head in + the British Cabinet, the Commission decided all of a sudden not + to make certain compromising documents public. + + Here we see to what a depth the old great traditions of British + Constitutionalism had sunk under the influence of the + ever-increasing and all-absorbing lust of gold, and in the hands + of a sharp-witted wholesale dealer, who, like Cleon of old, has + constituted himself a statesman. + +When Mr. Reitz wrote his book he did not know that immediately after the +Raid the British Government began to accumulate information, and to +prepare for the war with the Republic which is now in progress. The +reason why Mr. Reitz did not refer to this in _A Century of Wrong_ was +because documents proving its existence had not fallen into the hands of +the Transvaal Government until after the retreat from Glencoe. Major +White and his brother officers who were concerned in the Raid were much +chaffed for the incredible simplicity with which he allowed a private +memorandum as to preparations for the Raid to fall into the hands of the +Boers. His indiscretion has been thrown entirely into the shade by the +simplicity which allowed War Office documents of the most secret and +compromising nature to fall into the hands of the Boers, showing that +preparations for the present war began immediately after the defeat of +the Raid. The special correspondent of Reuter with the Boers telegraphed +from Glencoe on October 28th as follows:-- + + The papers captured at Dundee Camp from the British unveil a + thoroughly worked out scheme to attack the independence of both + Republics as far back as 1896, notwithstanding constant + assurances of amity towards the Free State. + + Among these papers there are portfolios of military sketches of + various routes of invasion from Natal into the Transvaal and Free + State, prepared by Major Grant, Captain Melvill, and Captain Gale + immediately after the Jameson Raid. + + A further portfolio marked secret styled "Reconnaissance Reports + of Lines of Advance through the Free State" was prepared by + Captain Wolley, on the Intelligence Division of the War Office, + in 1897, and is accompanied by a special memorandum, signed by + Sir Redvers Buller, to keep it secret. + + Besides these there are specially executed maps of the Transvaal + and Free State, showing all the natural features, also a further + secret Report of Communications in Natal north of Ladysmith, + including a memorandum of the road controlling Lang's Nek + position. + + Further, there is a short Military Report on the Transvaal, + printed in India in August last, which was found most + interesting. The white population is given at 288,000, of whom + the Outlanders number 80,000, and of the Outlanders 30,000 are + given as of British descent--which figures the authorities regard + as much nearer the truth than Mr. Chamberlain's statements made + in the House of Commons. + + One report estimates that 4,000 Cape and Natal Colonists would + side with the Republics in case of war, and that the small + armament of the Transvaal consists of 62,950 rifles, and that the + Boers would prove not so mobile or such good marksmen as in the + War of Independence. + + Further, the British did not think much of the Johannesburg and + Pretoria forts. + + A further secret Report styled "Military Notes on the Dutch + Republics of South Africa," and numbers of other papers, not yet + examined, were also found, and are to be forwarded to Pretoria. + + The Free State burghers are now more than ever convinced that it + was the right policy for them to fight along with the Transvaal, + and they say, since they have seen the reports, that they will + fight with, if possible, more determination than ever. + +It may be contended, no doubt, upon our part that these private reports +were none other than those which every Government receives from its +military attachés, but it must be admitted that their discovery at the +present moment is most inopportune for those who wish to persuade the +Free State that they can rely upon the assertions of Great Britain that +no design was made upon their independence. If at this moment the +portfolios of a German Staff Officer were to fall into the hands of an +English correspondent, and detailed plans for invading England were to +be published in all the newspapers as having been drawn up by German +officers told off for that purpose, it would not altogether tend to +reassure us as to the good intentions of our Imperial neighbour. How +much more serious must be the publication of these documents seized at +Dundee upon a people which is actually at war. + +The concluding chapter of Mr. Reitz's eloquent impeachment of the +conduct of Great Britain in South Africa is devoted to a delineation of +what he calls Capitalistic Jingoism. It is probable that a great many +who will read with scant sympathy his narrative of the grievances of his +countrymen in the earlier part, of the century will revel in the +invective which he hurls against Mr. Rhodes and the Capitalists of the +Rand. If happier times return to South Africa, Mr. Reitz may yet find +the mistake he has made in confounding Mr. Rhodes with the mere +dividend-earning crew, who brought about this war in order to diminish +the cost of crushing gold by five or six shillings a ton. In the +realisation of the ideal of Africa for the Africanders Mr. Rhodes might +be more helpful to Mr. Reitz and the Dutch of South Africa than any +other living man. Whether it is possible for them to forget and forgive +the future alone will show. But at present it seems rather as if Mr. +Reitz sees nothing between Africanderism and Capitalistic Jingoism but +war to the death. + +Mr. Reitz breaks off his narrative at the point immediately before the +Ultimatum. Those curious politicians who begin their survey of the war +from the launching of that declaration will, therefore, find nothing in +_A Century of Wrong_ to interest them. But those who take a fresh and +intelligent view of a long and complicated historical controversy will +welcome the authoritative exposition of the causes which, in the opinion +of the authors of the Ultimatum, justified, and, indeed, necessitated +that decisive step. To what Mr. Reitz has said it is only necessary to +add one fact. + +The Ultimatum was dated October 9th. It was the natural response to the +menace with which the British Government had favoured them three days +previous, when on October 6th they issued the formal notice calling out +the Reserves for the avowed object of making war upon the South African +Republic. + +Whether they were right or wrong, it is impossible to withhold a tribute +of admiration and sympathy for the little States which confront the +onslaughts of their Imperial foe with such heroic fortitude and serene +courage. As Dr. Max Nordau remarks in the _North American Review_ for +December:-- + + The fact that a tiny people faces death without hesitation to + defend its independence against an enemy fabulously superior in + number, or to die in the attempt, presents an aspect of moral + beauty which no soul, attuned to higher things, will disregard. + Even friends and admirers of England--yea, even the English + themselves--strongly sense the pathos in the situation of the + Dutch Boers, who feel convinced that they are fighting for their + national existence, and agree that it equals the pathos of + Leonidas, William Tell, and Kosciusko. + +Over and above all else the note in the State Secretary's appeal which +will vibrate most loudly in the British heart is that in which he +appeals to his countrymen to cling fast to the God of their forefathers, +and to the righteousness which is sometimes slow in acting, but which +never slumbers or forgets. "It proceeds according to eternal laws, +unmoved by human pride and ambition. As the Greek poet of old said, it +permits the tyrant, in his boundless self-esteem, to climb higher and +higher, and to gain greater honour and might, until he arrives at the +appointed height, and then falls down into the infinite depths." + +Who is there who remembers the boastings of the British press at the +outbreak of the war can read without awe the denunciations of the Hebrew +seers against the nations and empires who in arrogance and pride forgot +the Lord their God? + +"Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord God of +Hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee. And the +most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up." + +This, after all, is the great issue which underlies everything. Is there +or is there not in the affairs of men a Providence which the ancients +pictured as the slow-footed Nemesis, but which we moderns have somewhat +learned to disregard? "If right and wrong, in this God's world of ours, +are linked with higher Powers," is the great question which the devout +soul, whether warrior or saint, has ever answered in one way. When in +this country a leading exponent of popular Liberalism declares that +"morally we can never win, but that physically we must and shall," we +begin to realise how necessary is the chastisement which has fallen upon +us for our sins. If this interpretation of the situation be even +approximately correct, the further we go the worse we shall fare. It is +vain for us to kick against the pricks. + + W.T. STEAD. + _January 1st, 1900._ + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: 1894.--Year of Lord Loch's visit (in June) to Pretoria.] + +[Footnote 2: 1895.--Conspiracy, culminating in the Raid.] + +[Footnote 3: 1898.--First nine months.] + + + + +A CENTURY OF WRONG. + + * * * * * + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +BROTHER AFRICANDERS! + +Once more in the annals of our bloodstained history has the day dawned +when we are forced to grasp our weapons in order to resume the struggle +for liberty and existence, entrusting our national cause to that +Providence which has guided our people throughout South Africa in such a +miraculous way. + +The struggle of now nearly a century, which began when a foreign rule +was forced upon the people of the Cape of Good Hope, hastens to an end; +we are approaching the last act in that great drama which is so +momentous for all South Africa; we have reached a stage when it will be +decided whether the sacrifices which both our fathers and we ourselves +have made in the cause of freedom have been offered in vain, whether the +blood of our race, with which every part of South Africa has been, as it +were, consecrated, has been shed in vain; and whether by the grace of +God the last stone will now be built into the edifice which our fathers +began with so much toil and so much sorrow. + +[Sidenote: The alternative of Africanderdom.] + +The hour has struck which will decide whether South Africa, in jealously +guarding its liberty, will enter upon a new phase of its history, or +whether our existence as a people will come to an end, whether we shall +be exterminated in the deadly struggle for that liberty which we have +prized above all earthly treasures, and whether South Africa will be +dominated by capitalists without conscience, acting in the name and +under the protection of an unjust and hated Government 7,000 miles away +from here. + +[Sidenote: The necessity of historical retrospect.] + +In this hour it behoves us to cast a glance back at the history of this +great struggle. We do so not to justify ourselves, because liberty, for +which we have sacrificed everything, has justified us and screened our +faults and failings, but we do so in order that we may be, as it were, +sanctified and prepared for the conflict which lies before us, bearing +in mind what our people have done and suffered by the help of God. In +this way we may be enabled to continue the work of our fathers, and +possibly to complete it. Their deeds of heroism in adventures with Bantu +and Briton shine forth like guiding stars through the history of the +past, in order to point out the way for posterity to reach that goal for +which our sorely tried people have made such great sacrifices, and for +which they have undergone so many vicissitudes. + +The historical survey will, moreover, aid in bringing into stronger +relief those naked truths to which the tribunal of impartial history +will assuredly testify hereafter, in adjudging the case between +ourselves and our enemy. And the questions which present themselves for +solution in the approaching conflict have their origin deep in the +history of the past; it is only by the light of that history that it +becomes possible to discern and appreciate the drifting straws which +float on the currents of to-day. By its light we are more clearly +enabled to comprehend the truth, to which our people appeal as a final +justification for embarking upon the war now so close at hand. + +History will show convincingly that the pleas of humanity, civilisation, +and equal rights, upon which the British Government bases its actions, +are nothing else but the recrudescence of that spirit of annexation and +plunder which has at all times characterised its dealings with our +people. + + + + +THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. + + +The cause for which we are about to take up arms is the same, though in +somewhat different form, as that for which so many of our forefathers +underwent the most painful experiences centuries ago, when they +abandoned house and fatherland to settle at the Cape of Good Hope, to +enjoy there that freedom of conscience which was denied them in the land +of their birth. In the beautiful valleys lying between the blue +mountains of the Cape of Good Hope they planted the seed-germ of +liberty, which sprang up and has since developed with such startling +rapidity into the giant tree of to-day--a tree which not only covers a +considerable area in this part of the world, but will yet, in God's good +time, we feel convinced, stretch out its leafy branches over the whole +of South Africa. In spite of the oppressive bonds of the East India +Company, the young settlement, containing the noblest blood of old +Europe as well as its most exalted aspirations, grew so powerfully that +in 1806, when the Colony passed into the hands of England, a strong +national sentiment and a spirit of liberty had already been developed. + +[Sidenote: The Africander spirit of liberty] + +As is forcibly expressed in an old document dating from the most +renowned period of our history, there grew out of the two stocks of +Hollanders and French Huguenots "a united people, one in religion, +united in peaceful reverence for the law, but with a feeling of liberty +and independence equal to the wide expanse of territory which they had +rescued as a labour of love from the wilderness of nature, or from its +still wilder aboriginal inhabitants." When the Dutch Government made way +for that of Great Britain in 1806, and, still more, when that change was +sealed in 1814 by a transaction in which the Prince of Orange sold the +Cape to Great Britain for £6,000,000 against the wish and will of the +inhabitants, the little settlement entered upon a new phase of its +history, a phase, indeed, in which its people were destined by their +heroic struggle for justice, to enlist a world-wide sympathy on their +behalf. + +[Sidenote: England's native policy.] + +Notwithstanding the wild surroundings and the innumerable savage tribes +in the background, the young Africander nation had been welded into a +white aristocracy, proudly conscious of having maintained its +superiority notwithstanding its arduous struggles. It was this sentiment +of just pride which the British Government well understood how to wound +in its most sensitive part by favouring the natives as against the +Africanders. So, for example, the Africander Boers were forced to look +with pained eyes on the scenes of their farms and property devastated by +the natives without being in a position to defend themselves, because +the British Government had even deprived them of their ammunition. In +the same way the liberty-loving Africander burgher was coerced by a +police composed of Hottentots, the lowest and most despicable class of +the aborigines, whom the Africanders justly placed on a far lower social +level than that of their own Malay slaves. + +[Sidenote: Slachter's Nek.] + +No wonder that in 1815 a number of the Boers were driven into rebellion, +a rebellion which found an awful ending in the horrible occurrence of +the 9th of March, 1816, when six of the Boers were half hung up in the +most inhuman way in the compulsory presence of their wives and children. +Their death was truly horrible, for the gallows broke down before the +end came; but they were again hoisted up in the agony of dying, and +strangled to death in the murderous tragedy of Slachter's Nek. Whatever +opinions have been formed of this occurrence in other respects, it was +at Slachter's Nek that the first bloodstained beacon was erected which +marks the boundary between Boer and Briton in South Africa, and the eyes +of posterity still glance back shudderingly through the long vista of +years at that tragedy of horror. + +[Sidenote: The missionaries.] + +This was, however, but the beginning. Under the cloak of religion +British administration continued to display its hate against our people +and nationality, and to conceal its self-seeking aims under cover of the +most exalted principles. The aid of religion was invoked to reinforce +the policy of oppression in order to deal a deeper and more fatal blow +to our self-respect. Emissaries of the London Missionary Society +slandered the Boers, and accused them of the most inhuman cruelties to +the natives. These libellous stories, endorsed as they were by the +British Government, found a ready ear amongst the English, and the +result was that under the pressure of powerful philanthropic opinion in +England our unfortunate people were more bitterly persecuted than ever, +and were finally compelled to defend themselves in courts of law +against the coarsest accusations and insults. But they emerged from the +ordeal triumphantly, and the records of the criminal courts of the Cape +Colony bear indisputable witness to the fact that there were no people +amongst the slave-owning classes of the world more humane than the +Africander Boers. Their treatment of the natives was based on the theory +that natives ought not to be considered as mature and fully developed +people, but that they were in reality children who had to be won over to +civilisation by just and rigid discipline; they hold the same +convictions on this subject to-day, and the enlightened opinion of the +civilised world is inclining more and more to the same conclusion. But +the fact that their case was a good one, and that it was triumphantly +decided in their favour in the law courts, did not serve to diminish, +but rather tended to sharpen, the feeling of injustice with which they +had been treated. + +[Sidenote: Emancipation of the slaves.] + +A livelier sense of wrong was quickened by the way in which the +emancipation of the slaves--in itself an excellent measure--was carried +out in the case of the Boers. + +Our forefathers had become owners of slaves chiefly imported in English +ships and sold to us by Englishmen. The British Government decided to +abolish slavery. We had no objection to this, provided we received +adequate compensation.[4] Our slaves had been valued by British +officials at three millions, but of the twenty millions voted by the +Imperial Government for compensation, only one and a quarter millions +was destined for South Africa; and this sum was payable in London. It +was impossible for us to go there, so we were forced to sell our rights +to middlemen and agents for a mere song; and many of our people were so +overwhelmed by the difficulties placed in their way that they took no +steps whatever to receive their share of the compensation. + +Greyheads and widows who had lived in ease and comfort went down +poverty-stricken to the grave, and gradually the hard fact was borne in +upon us that there was no such thing as Justice for us in England. + +[Sidenote: Slavery at the Cape.] + +Froude, the English historian, hits the right nail on the head when he +says:-- + + [5] "Slavery at the Cape had been rather domestic than predial; the + scandals of the West India plantations were unknown among them. + + Because the Dutch are a deliberate and slow people, not given to + enthusiasm for new ideas, they fell into disgrace with us, where + they have ever since remained. The unfavourable impression of + them became a tradition of the English Press, and, unfortunately, + of the Colonial Office. We had treated them unfairly as well as + unwisely, and we never forgive those whom we have injured." + +[Sidenote: The Glenelg policy.] + +[6] But this was not all. When the English obtained possession of the +Cape Colony by convention, the Fish River formed the eastern boundary. +The Kaffirs raided the Colony from time to time, but especially in 1834, +when they murdered, plundered, and outraged the helpless Colonists in an +awful and almost indescribable manner. The Governor was ultimately +prevailed upon to free the strip of territory beyond the Fish River from +the raids of the Kaffirs, and this was done by the aid of the Boers. But +Lord Glenelg, the Colonial Secretary, reversed this policy and restored +the whole territory to the natives. He maligned the Boers in even more +forcible terms than the emissaries of the London Missionary Society, and +openly favoured the Kaffirs, placing them on a higher pedestal than the +Boers. The latter had succeeded in rescuing their cattle from the +Kaffirs, but were forced to look on passively while the very same +cattle, with the owner's brand marks plainly visible, were sold by +public auction to defray the cost of the commando. It was useless to +hope for justice from Englishmen. There was no security for life and +property under the flag of a Government which openly elected to uphold +Wrong. The high-minded descendants of the proudest and most stubborn +peoples of Europe had to bend the knee before a Government which united +a commercial policy of crying injustice with a veneer of simulated +philanthropy. + +[Sidenote: The Dutch language.] + +But it was not only in regard to the Natives that the Boers were +oppressed and their rights violated. When the Cape was transferred to +England in 1806, their language was guaranteed to the Dutch inhabitants. +This guarantee was, however, soon to meet the same fate as the treaties +and conventions which were concluded by England with our people at later +periods. + +The violator of treaties fulfilled its obligation by decreeing in 1825 +that all documents were for the future to be written in English. +Petitions in the language of the country and complaints about bitter +grievances were not even acknowledged. The Boers were excluded from the +juries because their knowledge of English was too faulty, and their +causes and actions had to be determined by Englishmen, with whom they +had nothing in common. + +[Sidenote: The Great Trek.] + +After twenty years' experience of British administration it had become +abundantly clear to the Boers that there was no prospect of peace and +prosperity before them, for their elementary rights had been violated, +and they could only expect oppression. They were without adequate +guarantees of protection, and their position had become intolerable in +the Cape Colony. + +They decided to sell home, farm, and all that remained over from the +depredations of the Kaffirs, and to trek away from British rule. The +Colony was at this time bounded on the north by the Orange River. + +[Sidenote: Legality of the Trek.] + +[7] At first, Lieutenant-Governor +Stockenstrom was consulted; but he was of opinion that there was no law +which could prevent the Boers from leaving the Colony and settling +elsewhere. Even if such a statute existed, it would be tyrannical, as +well as impossible, to enforce it. + +The Cape Attorney-General, Mr. Oliphant, expressed the same opinion, +adding that it was clear that the emigrants were determined to go into +another country, and not to consider themselves British subjects any +longer. The same thing was happening daily in the emigration from +England to North America, and the British Government was and would +remain powerless to stop the evil. + +The territory to the north of the Orange River and to the east of the +Drakensberg lay outside the sphere of British influence or authority, +and was, as far as was then known, inhabited by savages; but the Boers +decided to brave the perils of the wilderness and to negotiate with the +savages for the possession of a tract of country, and so form an +independent community rather than remain any longer under British rule. + +[Sidenote: The Manifesto of Piet Retief.] + +In the words of Piet Retief, when he left Grahamstown:-- + + We despair of saving the Colony from those evils which threaten + it by the turbulent and dishonest conduct of vagrants who are + allowed to infest the country in every part; nor do we see any + prospect of peace or happiness for our children in a country thus + distracted by internal commotions. + + We complain of the severe losses which we have been forced to + sustain by the emancipation of our slaves, and the vexatious laws + which have been enacted respecting them. + + We complain of the continual system of plunder which we have for + years endured from the Kaffirs and other coloured classes, and + particularly by the last invasion of the Colony, which has + desolated the frontier district and ruined most of the + inhabitants. + + We complain of the unjustifiable odium which has been cast upon + us by interested and dishonest persons, under the name of + religion, whose testimony is believed in England to the exclusion + of all evidence in our favour; and we can foresee, as the result + of this prejudice, nothing but the total ruin of the country. + + We quit this Colony under the full assurance that the English + Government has nothing more to require of us, and will allow us + to govern ourselves without its interference in future. + + We are now leaving the fruitful land of our birth, in which we + have suffered enormous losses and continual vexation, and are + about to enter a strange and dangerous territory; but we go with + a firm reliance on an all-seeing, just, and merciful God, whom we + shall always fear and humbly endeavour to obey. + + In the name of all who leave this Colony with me. + + P. RETIEF. + +[Sidenote: The English in pursuit.] + +We journeyed then with our fathers beyond the Orange River into the +unknown north, as free men and subjects of no sovereign upon earth. Then +began what the English Member of Parliament, Sir William Molesworth, +termed a strange sort of pursuit. The trekking Boer followed by the +British Colonial Office was indeed the strangest pursuit ever witnessed +on earth. [8] The British Parliament even passed a law in 1836 to impose +punishments beyond their jurisdiction up to the 25th degree south, and +when we trekked further north, Lord Grey threatened to extend this +unrighteous law to the Equator. It may be remarked that in this law it +was specially enacted that no sovereignty or overlordship was to be +considered as established thereby over the territory in question. + +[Sidenote: The Trichardt Trek.] + +The first trek was that of Trichardt and the Van Rensburgs. They went to +the north, but the Van Rensburgs were massacred in the most horrible way +by the Kaffirs, and Trichardt's party reached Delagoa Bay after +indescribable sufferings in a poverty-stricken condition, only to die +there of malarial fever. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 4: Theal, _History of the Boers_, page 64.] + +[Footnote 5: _Oceana_, page 34.] + +[Footnote 6: Theal, page 62.] + +[Footnote 7: Theal, 102.--Cachet.] + +[Footnote 8: 6 & 7, William IV., ch. 57.] + + + + +THE FOUNDING OF NATAL. + + +[Sidenote: Murder of Piet Retief.] + +The second trek was equally unfortunate. Piet Retief had duly paid for +and obtained possession from Dingaan, chief of the Zulus, of that tract +of territory now known as Natal, the latter, incited by some Englishmen, +treacherously murdered him and his party on the 6th February, 1838; 66 +Boers and 30 of their followers perished. The Great Trek thus lost its +most courageous and noble-minded leader. [9] Dingaan then sent two of +his armies, and they overcame the women and children and the aged at +Boesmans River (Blaauw-krantz), where the village of Weenen now stands; +282 white people and 252 servants were massacred. + +Towards the end of the year we entered the land of this criminal with a +small commando of 464 men, and on the 16th December, 1838--since known +as "Dingaan's Day," the proudest in our history--we overthrew the +military might of the Zulus, consisting of 10,000 warriors, and burnt +Dingaan's chief kraal. + +[Sidenote: No extension of British territory.] + +[10] After that we settled down peaceably in Natal, and established a +new Republic. The territory had been purchased with our money and +baptised with our blood. But the Republic was not permitted to remain in +peace for long. The Colonial Office was in pursuit. The Government first +of all decided upon a military occupation of Natal, for, as Governor +Napier wrote to Lord Russell on the 22nd June, 1840, "it was apparently +the fixed determination of Her Majesty's Government not to extend Her +Colonial possessions in this quarter of the Globe." The only object of +the military occupation was to crush the Boers, as the Governor, Sir +George Napier, undisguisedly admitted in his despatch to Lord Glenelg, +of the 16th January, 1838. The Boers were to be prevented from obtaining +ammunition, and to be forbidden to establish an independent Republic. By +these means he hoped to put a stop to the emigration. Lord Stanley +instructed Governor Napier on the 10th April, 1842, to cut the emigrant +Boers off from all communication, and to inform them that the British +Government would assist the savages against them, and would treat them +as rebels. + +Twice we successfully withstood the military occupation; more English +perished while in flight from drowning than fell by our bullets. + +Commissioner Cloete was sent later to annex the young Republic as a +reward for having redeemed it for civilisation. + +[Sidenote: Protest of Natal] + +[11] Annexation, however, only took place under strong protest. On the +21st February, 1842, the Volksraad of Maritzburg, under the chairmanship +of Joachim Prinsloo, addressed the following letter to Governor +Napier:-- + + We know that there is a God, who is the Ruler of heaven and + earth, and who has power, and is willing to protect the injured, + though weaker, against oppressors. In Him we put our trust, and + in the justice of our cause; and should it be His will that total + destruction be brought upon us, our wives and children, and + everything we possess, we will with due submission acknowledge to + have deserved from Him, but not from men. We are aware of the + power of Great Britain, and it is not our object to defy that + power; but at the same time we cannot allow that might instead of + right shall triumph, without having employed all our means to + oppose it. + +[Sidenote: The Boer women] + +[12] The Boer women of Maritzburg informed the British Commissioner +that, sooner than subject themselves again to British sway, they would +walk barefoot over the Drakensberg to freedom or to death. [13] And they +were true to their word, as the following incident proves. Andries +Pretorius, our brave leader, had ridden through to Grahamstown, hundreds +of miles distant, in order to represent the true facts of our case to +Governor Pottinger. He was unsuccessful, for he was obliged to return +without a hearing from the Governor, who excused himself under the +pretext that he had no time to receive Pretorius. When the latter +reached the Drakensberg, on his return, he found nearly the whole +population trekking over the mountains away from Natal and away from +British sway. His wife was lying ill in the waggon, and his daughter had +been severely hurt by the oxen which she was forced to lead. + +[Sidenote: Suffering in Natal] + +Sir Harry Smith, who succeeded Pottinger, thus described the condition +of the emigrant Boers:--"They were exposed to a state of misery which he +had never before seen equalled, except in Massena's invasion of +Portugal. The scene was truly heart-rending." + +This is what we had to suffer at the hands of the British Government in +connection with Natal. + +We trekked back over the Drakensberg to the Free State, where some +remained, but others wandered northwards over the Vaal River. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 9: Theal, pages 104--130.] + +[Footnote 10: Theal, 169.] + +[Footnote 11: Theal, 155.] + +[Footnote 12: Theal, 179.] + +[Footnote 13: Theal, 244.] + + + + +THE ORANGE FREE STATE. + + +[Sidenote: Boomplaats] + +[14] Giving effect to Law 6 and 7, William IV., ch. 57, the English +appointed a Resident in the Free State. Pretorius, however, gave him 48 +hours' notice to quit the Republic. Thereupon Sir Harry Smith mobilised +an army, chiefly consisting of blacks, against us white people, and +fought us at Boomplaats, on the 29th August, 1848. After an obstinate +struggle a Boer named Thomas Dreyer was caught by the blacks of Smith's +army, and to the shame of English reputation, was killed by the English +Governor for no other crime than that he was once, though years before, +a British subject, and had now dared to fight against Her Majesty's +Flag. + +Another murder and deed of shame in South Africa's account with England! + +[Sidenote: Annexation of the Orange Free State] + +In the meantime Sir Harry Smith had annexed the Free State as the +"Orange River Sovereignty," on the pretext that four-fifths of the +inhabitants favoured British dominion, and were only intimidated by the +power of Pretorius from manifesting their wishes. + +[Sidenote: Moshesh] + +But the British Resident soon came into collision with Moshesh, the +great and crafty head chieftain of the Basutos. + +The Boers were called up to assist, but only 75 responded out of the +1,000 who were called up. The English had then to eat the leek. The +Resident informed his Government that the fate of the Orange River +Sovereignty depended upon Andries Pretorius, the very man on whose head +Sir Harry Smith had put a price of £2,000. Earl Grey censured and +abandoned both Sir Harry Smith and the Resident, Major Warden, saying in +his despatch to the Governor dated 15th December, 1851, that the British +Government had annexed the country on the understanding that the +inhabitants had generally desired it. But if they would not support the +British Government, which had only been established in their interests, +and if they wished to be freed from that authority, there was no longer +any use in continuing it. + +[Sidenote: The Orange Sovereignty once more a Republic.] + +The Governor was clearly given to understand by the British Government +that there was in future to be no interference in any of the wars which +might take place between the different tribes and the inhabitants of +independent states beyond the Colonial boundaries, no matter how +sanguinary such wars might happen to be. + +In other words, as Froude says, [15] "In 1852 we had discovered that wars +with the Natives and wars with the Dutch were expensive and useless, +that sending troops out and killing thousands of Natives was an odd way +of protecting them. We resolved then to keep within our own territories, +to meddle no more beyond the Orange River, and to leave the Dutch and +the Natives to settle their differences among themselves." + +And again: [16] "Grown sick at last of enterprises which led neither to +honour nor peace, we resolved, in 1852, to leave Boers, Kaffirs, +Basutos, and Zulus to themselves, and make the Orange River the boundary +of British responsibilities. We made formal treaties with the two Dutch +States, binding ourselves to interfere no more between them and the +Natives, and to leave them either to establish themselves as a barrier +between ourselves and the interior of Africa, or to sink, as was +considered most likely, in an unequal struggle with warlike tribes, by +whom they were infinitely outnumbered." + +The administration of the Free State cost the British taxpayer too much. +There was an idea, too, that if enough rope were given to the Boer he +would hang himself. + +A new Governor, Sir George Cathcart, was sent out with two Special +Commissioners to give effect to the new policy. A new Treaty between +England and the Free State was signed, by which full independence was +guaranteed to the Republic, the British Government undertaking at the +same time not to interfere with any of the Native tribes north of the +Orange River. + +As Cathcart remarked in his letters--the Sovereignty bubble had burst, +and the silly Sovereignty farce was played out. + +[Sidenote: The Diamond Fields] + +[17] It must not be forgotten that as long as the Free State was English +territory it was supposed to include that strip of ground now known as +Kimberley and the Diamond Fields; English title deeds had been issued +during the Orange River Sovereignty in respect of the ground in +question, which was considered to belong to the Sovereignty, and to be +under the jurisdiction of one of the Sovereignty Magistrates. At the +reestablishment of the Free State it consequently became a part of the +Orange Free State. + +[Sidenote: The Basutos.] + +Not fifteen years had elapsed since the Convention between England and +the Free State before it was broken by the English. It had been solemnly +stipulated that England would not interfere in Native affairs north of +the Orange River. The Basutos had murdered the Freestaters, plundered +them, ravished their wives, and committed endless acts of violence. +After a bitter struggle of three years, the Freestaters had succeeded in +inflicting a well-merited chastisement on the Basutos, when the British +intervened in 1869 in favour of the Natives, notwithstanding the fact +that they had reiterated their declaration of non-interference in the +Aliwal Convention. + +[Sidenote: The Diamond Fields.] + +[18] To return to the Diamond Fields, as Froude remarks: "The ink on the +Treaty of Aliwal was scarcely dry when diamonds were discovered in large +quantities in a district which we had ourselves treated as part of the +Orange Territory." Instead of honestly saying that the British +Government relied on its superior strength, and on this ground demanded +the territory in question, which contained the richest diamond fields in +the world, it hypocritically pretended that the real reason of its +depriving the Free State of the Diamond Fields was that they belonged to +a Native, notwithstanding the fact that this contention was falsified +by the judgment of the English Courts. [19] "There was a notion also," +says Froude, "that the finest diamond mine in the world ought not to be +lost to the British Empire." + +The ground was thereupon taken from the Boers, and "from that day no +Boer in South Africa has been able to trust to English promises." + +Later, when Brand went to England, the British Government acknowledged +its guilt and paid £90,000 for the richest diamond fields in the world, +a sum which scarcely represents the daily output of the mines. + +But notwithstanding the Free State Convention, notwithstanding the +renewed promises of the Aliwal Convention[20]--the Free State was forced +to suffer a third breach of the Convention at the hands of the English. +Ten thousand rifles were imported into Kimberley through the Cape +Colony, and sold there to the natives who encircled and menaced the two +Dutch Republics.[21] General Sir Arthur Cunynghame, the British +Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, admits that 400,000 guns were sold +to Kaffirs during his term of office. Protests from the Transvaal and +the Free State were of no avail.[22] And when the Free State in the +exercise of its just rights stopped waggons laden with guns on their way +through its territory, it was forced to pay compensation to the British +Government. + +"The Free State," says the historian Froude, "paid the money, but paid +it under protest, with an old-fashioned appeal to the God of +Righteousness, whom, strange to say, they believed to be a reality." + +It seems thus that there is no place for the God of Righteousness in +English policy. + +So far we have considered our Exodus from the Cape Colony, and the way +in which we were deprived of Natal and the Free State by England. Now +for the case of the Transvaal. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 14: Theal, 256-64. Hofstede.] + +[Footnote 15: _Oceana_, page 31.] + +[Footnote 16: _Oceana_, page 36.] + +[Footnote 17: Froude, _Oceana_. Hofstede.] + +[Footnote 18: _Oceana_, page 41.] + +[Footnote 19: _Oceana_, page 40.] + +[Footnote 20: _Oceana_, page 42.] + +[Footnote 21: Cunynghame, page XI.] + +[Footnote 22: _Oceana_, page 42.] + + + + +THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC. + + +The disastrous fate of the Trichardt Trek has already been told. The +Trichardts found the Transvaal overrun by the warriors of Moselikatse, +the King of the Matabele and father of Lobengula. The other tribes of +the Transvaal were his "dogs," according to the Kaffir term. + +[Sidenote: Moselikatse.] + +As soon as he heard of the approach of the emigrant Boers he sent out an +army to exterminate them. This army succeeded in cutting off and +murdering one or two stragglers, but it was defeated at Vechtkop by the +small laager of Sarel Celliers, where the Boer women distinguished +themselves by deeds of striking heroism. + +Shortly afterwards the emigrant Boers journeyed across the Vaal River, +and after two battles drove Moselikatse and his hordes across the +Limpopo right into what is now Matabeleland. Andries Pretorius had come +into the Transvaal after the Annexation of Natal, and lived there +quietly, notwithstanding the price which had been put on his head after +Boomplaats. The British Resident in the Free State, which at this time +still belonged to England, was compelled to admit in a letter to the +English Governor that the fate of the Free State depended upon the +selfsame Pretorius. It was owing to his influence that Moshesh had not +killed off the English soldiers. People had decided in England--to quote +Froude once more--to abandon the Africanders and the Kaffirs beyond the +borders to their fate, in the hope that the Kaffirs would exterminate +the Africanders. + +[Sidenote: The Sand River Convention.] + +According to Molesworth, the English member of Parliament, the Colonial +Office was delighted when the Governor received a letter in 1851 from +Andries Pretorius, Commandant-General of the Transvaal Boers, in which +he offered on behalf of his people to enter into negotiations with the +British Government for a Treaty of Peace and Friendship. [23] The price +put on his head was promptly cancelled, and when Sir Harry Smith was +recalled in disgrace, Governor Cathcart was sent out to recognise the +independence of the Boers. The Aberdeen Ministry declared through its +representative in the House of Commons that they regretted having +crossed the Orange River, as the Boers were hostile to British rule, and +that Lord Grey had permitted it out of deference to the views of Sir +Harry Smith, against his own better judgment and convictions. This +policy was almost unanimously endorsed by the House of Commons. + +The proposal of Pretorius was then accepted, and two Assistant +Commissioners, Hogge and Owen, were sent out with Governor Cathcart, and +met the Boer representatives at Sand River, a meeting which resulted in +the Sand River Convention, respectively signed by both the contracting +parties. + +In this Convention, as in the later Free State Treaty, the Transvaal +Boers were guaranteed in the fullest way against interference or +hindrance on the part of Great Britain, either in regard to themselves +or the natives, to whom it was mutually agreed that the sale of firearms +and ammunition should be strictly forbidden. The British Commissioners +reported that the recognition of the independence of the Transvaal Boers +would secure great advantages, as it would ensure their friendship and +prevent any union with Moshesh. It would also be a guarantee against +slavery, and would provide for the extradition of criminals. [24] On the +13th May, 1852, great satisfaction was expressed by the Governor, Sir +George Cathcart, in his proclamation that one of the first acts of his +administration was to approve and fully confirm the Sand River +Convention. On the 24th June, 1852, the Colonial Secretary also +signified his approval of the Convention. + +[Sidenote: Recognition of the South African Republic by Foreign Powers.] + +The Republic was now in possession of a Convention, which from the +nature of its provisions seemed to promise a peaceful future. In +addition to Great Britain it was recognised in Holland, France, Germany, +Belgium, and especially in the United States of America. The American +Secretary of State at Washington, writing to President Pretorius on the +19th November, 1870, said:--"That his Government, while heartily +acknowledging the Sovereignty of the Transvaal Republic, would be ready +to take any steps which might be deemed necessary for that purpose." + +But no reliance could be placed on England's word, even though it was +embodied in a Convention duly signed and ratified, for when the Diamond +Fields were discovered, barely seventeen years later, England claimed a +portion of Transvaal territory next to that part which had already been +wrested from the Free State. Arbitration was decided upon. As the +Arbitrators could not agree, the Umpire, Governor Keate, gave judgment +against the Transvaal. Thereupon it appeared that the English Arbitrator +had bought 12,000 morgen (of the ground in dispute) from the Native +Chief Waterboer for a mere song, and also that Governor Keate had +accepted Waterboer as a British subject, which was contrary to the +Convention. Even Dr. Moffat, who was no friend of the Boers, entered a +protest in a letter to the _Times_, on the ground that the territory in +question had all along been the property of the Transvaal. + +[Sidenote: Sale of guns to Natives.] + +But this was only one of the breaches of the Convention. When the +400,000 guns, about which Cunynghame and Moodie testify, were sold to +the Kaffirs, the Transvaal lodged a strong protest in 1872 with the Cape +High Commissioner. Their only satisfaction was an insolent reply from +Sir Henry Barkly. + +[Sidenote: Annexation of the Transvaal.] + +As a crowning act in these deeds of shame came the Annexation of the +Transvaal by Shepstone on the 12th April, 1877. Sir Bartle Frere was +sent out as Governor to Cape Town by Lord Carnarvon to carry out the +confederation policy of the latter. Shepstone was also sent to the +Transvaal to annex that State, in case the consent of the Volksraad or +that of the majority of the inhabitants could be obtained. The Volksraad +protested against the Annexation. The President protested. Out of a +possible 8,000 burghers, 6,800 protested. But all in vain. + +Bishop Colenso declared that: [25] "The sly and underhand way in which +the Transvaal has been annexed appears to be unworthy of the English +name." + +The Free State recorded its deepest regret at the Annexation. + +Even Gladstone, in expressing his regret, admitted that England had in +the Transvaal acted in such a way as to use the free subjects of a +kingdom to oppress the free subjects of a Republic, and to compel them +to accept a citizenship which they did not wish to have. + +But it was all of no avail. + +Sir Garnet Wolseley declared: "As long as the sun shines the Transvaal +will remain British Territory." He also stated that the Vaal River would +flow backwards to its source over the Drakensberg before England would +give up the Transvaal. + +[Sidenote: Pretexts for the Annexation.] + +Shepstone's chief pretexts for the Annexation were that the Transvaal +could not subdue Secoecoeni, and that the Zulus threatened to overpower +the Transvaal. As far as Secoecoeni is concerned, he had shortly before +sued for peace, and the Transvaal Republic had fined him 2,000 head of +cattle. With regard to the Zulus, the threatened danger was never felt +by the Republic. Four hundred burghers had crushed the Zulu power in +1838, and the burghers had crowned Panda, Cetewayo's father, in 1840. + +Sir Bartle Frere acknowledged in a letter to Sir Robert Herbert dated +12th January, 1879, that he could not understand how it was that the +Zulus had left Natal unmolested for so long, until he found out that +the Zulus had been thoroughly subdued by the Boers during Dingaan's +time. Just before the Annexation a small patrol of Boers had pursued the +Chief Umbeline into the very heart of Zululand. But Bishop Colenso +points out clearly what a fraudulent stalking horse the Zulu difficulty +was. There had been a dispute of some years standing between the +Transvaal and the Zulus about a strip of territory along the border, +which had been claimed and occupied by the Boers since 1869. The +question was referred to Shepstone before the Annexation, while he was +still in Natal, and he gave a direct decision against the Boers, and in +favour of the Zulus. There was thus no cause on that account for the +fear of a Zulu attack upon the Transvaal. But scarcely had Shepstone +become administrator of the Transvaal when he declared the ground in +dispute to be British territory, and discovered that there was the +strongest evidence for the contention of the Boers that the Zulus had no +right to the ground. Bulwer, the Governor of Natal, appointed a Boundary +Commission, which decided in favour of the Zulus, but Shepstone +vehemently opposed their verdict, and Bartle Frere and the High +Commissioner (Wolseley) followed him blindly.[26] The result was that +England sent an ultimatum to the Zulus, and the Zulu War took place, +which lowered the prestige of England among the Natives of South Africa. + +It will thus be seen that Shepstone's two chief reasons for the +Annexation were devoid of foundation. + +It was naturally difficult for the Secretary of State to justify his +instructions that the Annexation of the Transvaal was only to take +place in case a majority of the inhabitants favoured such a course, in +face of the fact that 6,800 out of 8,000 burghers had protested against +it. + +But both Shepstone and Lord Carnarvon declared without a shadow of proof +that the signatures of the protesting petitions were obtained under +threats of violence. The case, indeed, was exactly the reverse. When the +meeting was held at Pretoria to sign this petition, Shepstone caused the +cannons to be pointed at the assemblage. As if this were not enough, he +issued a menacing proclamation against the signing of the petition. + +When these pretexts were thus disposed of, they relied on the fact that +the Annexation was a _fait accompli_. + +Delegates were sent to England to protest against the Annexation, but +Lord Carnarvon told them that he would only be misleading them if he +held out any hope of restitution. Gladstone afterwards endorsed this by +saying that he could not advise the Queen to withdraw her Sovereignty +from the Transvaal. + +When it was represented that the Annexation was a deliberate breach of +the Sand River Convention, Sir Bartle Frere replied, in 1879, that if +they wished to go back to the Sand River Convention, they might just as +well go back to the Creation! + +It is necessary here not to lose sight of the fact that the ground, +which according to the Keate award in 1870 had been declared to lie +beyond the borders of the Republic, was now included by Shepstone as +being a part of the Transvaal. + +There were, however, other matters which under Republican +administration were branded as wrong, but which under English rule were +perfectly right. In the Secoecoeni War under the Republic the British +High Commissioner had protested against the use of the Swazies and +Volunteers by the Republic in conducting the campaign. + +Under British administration the war was carried on at first by regulars +only, but when these were defeated by the Kaffirs, an army of Swazies, +as well as Volunteers, was collected. The number of the former can be +gathered from the fact that 500 Swazies were killed. The atrocities +committed by these Swazi allies of the English on the people of +Secoecoeni's tribe were truly awful. + +Bishop Colenso, who condemned this incident, said, with regard to the +results of the Annexation of the Republic, that the Zululand difficulty, +as well as that with Secoecoeni, was the direct consequence of the +unfortunate Annexation of the Transvaal, which would not have happened +if we had not taken possession of the country like a lot of freebooters, +partly by "trickery," partly by "bullying." Elsewhere he said: "And in +this way we annexed the Transvaal, and that act brought as its Nemesis +the Zulu difficulty." + +That the British Government had all along considered the Zulus as a +means of annihilating the Transvaal when a favourable opportunity +occurred, is clear from a letter which the High Commissioner, Sir Bartle +Frere, wrote to General Ponsonby, in which he says:--[27] "That while +the Boer Republic was a rival and semi-hostile power, it was a Natal +weakness rather to pet the Zulus as one might a tame wolf who only +devoured one's neighbours' sheep. We always remonstrated, but rather +feebly, and now that both flocks belong to us, we are rather embarrassed +in stopping the wolfs ravages." + +And again in a letter to Sir Robert Herbert:--[28] "The Boers were +aggressive, the English were not; and were well inclined to help the +Zulus against the Boers. I have been shocked to find how very close to +the wind the predecessors of the present Government here have sailed in +supporting the Zulus against Boer aggression. Mr. John Dunn, still a +salaried official of this Government, thinking himself bound to explain +his own share in supplying rifles to the Zulus in consequence of the +revelations in a late trial of a Durban gun-runner, avows that he did so +with the knowledge, if not the consent, and at the suggestion of (naming +a high Colonial official) in Natal. There can be no doubt that Natal +sympathy was strongly with the Zulus as against the Boers, and, what is +worse, is so still." + +Under such circumstances did the Annexation take place. The English did +not scruple to make use of Kaffir aid against the Boers, as at +Boomplaats, and it was brought home in every possible way to the British +Nation that a great wrong had been committed here; but even the High +Commissioner, though he heard the words issue from our bleeding hearts, +wished that he had brought some artillery in order to disperse us, and +misrepresented us beyond measure. + +Full of hope we said to ourselves if only the Queen of England and the +English people knew that in the Transvaal a people were being oppressed, +they would never suffer it. + +[Sidenote: The War of Freedom.] + +But we had now to admit that it was of no use appealing to England, +because there was no one to hear us. Trusting in the Almighty God of +righteousness and justice, we armed ourselves for an apparently hopeless +struggle in the firm conviction that whether we conquered or whether we +died, the sun of freedom in South Africa would arise out of the morning +mists. With God's all-powerful aid we gained the victory, and for a time +at least it seemed as if our liberty was secure. + +At Bronkorst Spruit, at Laing's Nek, at Ingogo, and at Majuba, God gave +us victory, although in each case the British troopers outnumbered us, +and were more powerfully armed than ourselves. + +After these victories had given new force to our arguments, the British +Government, under the leadership of Gladstone, a man whom we shall never +forget, decided to cancel the Annexation, and to restore to us our +violated rights. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 23: Molesworth.] + +[Footnote 24: Theal, 305.] + +[Footnote 25: 30th April, 1877, Letter to the Rev. La Touche.] + +[Footnote 26: Martineau, _The Transvaal Trouble_, page 76.] + +[Footnote 27: Martineau, _The Transvaal Trouble_, page 69.] + +[Footnote 28: _The Transvaal Trouble_, page 76.] + + + + +CONVENTIONS OF 1881 AND 1884. + + +[Sidenote: Pretoria Convention.] + +An ordinary person would have thought that the only upright way of +carrying a policy of restitution into effect would have been for the +British Government to have returned to the provisions of the Sand River +Convention. If the Annexation was wrong in itself--without taking the +Boer victories into consideration--then it ought to have been abolished +with all its consequences, and there ought to have been a _restitutio in +integrum_ of that Republic; that is to say, the Boers ought to have been +placed in exactly the same position as they were in before the +Annexation. But what happened? With a magnanimity which the English +press and English orators are never tired of vaunting, they gave us back +our country, but the violation of the Sand River Convention remained +unredressed. Instead of a sovereign freedom, we obtained free internal +administration, subject to the suzerain power of Her Majesty over the +Republic. This occurred by virtue of the Convention of Pretoria, the +preamble of which bestowed self-government on the Transvaal State with +the express reservation of suzerainty. The articles of that Convention +endeavoured to establish a _modus vivendi_ between such self-government +and the aforesaid suzerainty. Under this bi-lateral arrangement the +Republic was governed for three years by two heterogeneous +principles--that of representative self-government, and that +represented by the British Agent. This system was naturally unworkable; +it was also clear that the arrangement of 1881 was not to be considered +as final. + +[Sidenote: The London Convention.] + +The suzerainty was above all an absurdity which was not possible to +reconcile with practical efficacy. So with the approval of the British +Government a Deputation went to London in 1883, in order to get the +status of the Republic altered, and to substitute a new Convention for +that of Pretoria. The Deputation proposed to return to the position as +laid down by the Sand River Convention, and that was in fact the only +upright and statesmanlike arrangement possible. But according to the +evidence of one of the witnesses on the British side, the Rev. D.P. +Faure, the Ministry suffered from a very unwholesome dread of +Parliament; so it would not agree to this, and submitted a counter +proposal (see Appendix A.), which eventually was accepted by the +Deputation, and the conditions of which are to-day of the greatest +importance to us. + +This Draft was constructed out of the Pretoria Convention with such +alterations as were designed to make it acceptable to the Deputation. +The preamble under which complete self-government, subject to the +suzerainty, was granted to the Republic was deliberately erased by Lord +Derby, then Secretary of State for the Colonies, so that the suzerainty +naturally lapsed when the Draft was eventually accepted. In order to +make it perfectly clear that the status of the Republic was put upon +another basis, the title "Transvaal State" was altered to that of the +"South African Republic." All articles in the Pretoria Convention which +gave the British Government any authority in the internal affairs of +this Republic were done away with. As far as foreign affairs were +concerned, a great and far-reaching change was made. It was stipulated +in Article 2 of the Pretoria Convention that "Her Majesty reserves to +herself, her heirs and successors (_a_), the right from time to time to +appoint a British Resident in and for the said State, with such duties +and functions as are hereinafter defined; (_b_), the right to move +troops through the said State in time of war or in case of the +apprehension of immediate war between the Suzerain Power and any Foreign +State or Native tribe in South Africa; and (_c_) the control of the +external relations of the said State, including the conclusion of +treaties and the conduct of diplomatic intercourse with Foreign Powers, +such intercourse to be carried on through Her Majesty's diplomatic and +consular officers abroad." + +This was superseded by Article 4 of the Convention of London, which was +to the following effect:-- + + "The South African Republic will conclude no treaty or engagement + with any State or Nation other than the Orange Free State, nor + with any Native tribe to the eastward or westward of the + Republic, until the same has been approved by Her Majesty the + Queen. + + "Such approval shall be considered to have been granted if Her + Majesty's Government shall not, within six months after receiving + a copy of such treaty (which shall be delivered to them + immediately upon its completion), have notified that the + conclusion of such treaty is in conflict with the interests of + Great Britain, or any of Her Majesty's possessions in South + Africa." + +The right of the British Government to exercise control over all our +foreign relations, and to conduct all our diplomatic negotiations +through its own Agent, was thus replaced by the far more slender right +of approving or disapproving of our treaties and conventions _after they +were completed_, and then only when it affected the interests of Great +Britain or Her Majesty's possessions in South Africa. + +[Sidenote: Status of the Republic.] + +It was this Article 4 which gave an appearance of truth (and an +appearance only) to Lord Derby's declaration in the House of Lords that +although he had omitted the term of suzerainty, the substance thereof +remained. It would have been more correct to have said that owing to the +lapse of suzerainty the South African Republic no longer fell under the +head of a semi-suzerain State, but that it had become a free, +independent, sovereign international State, the sovereignty of which was +only limited by the restriction contained in Article 4 of the +Convention. Sovereignty need not of necessity be absolute. Belgium is a +sovereign international State, although it is bound to observe a +condition of permanent neutrality. The South African Republic falls +undoubtedly under this category of States, the sovereignty of which is +limited in one or other defined direction. But the fact of its +sovereignty is nevertheless irrefutable. It will be pointed out later +how this position, which is undoubtedly the correct one, has been +consistently upheld by the Government of the South African Republic, but +it is necessary now to revert to the historical development. + + + + +CAPITALISTIC JINGOISM. + +FIRST PERIOD. + + +[Sidenote: The gold fields.] + +In 1886 gold was discovered in great quantities and in different parts +of the South African Republic, and with that discovery our people +entered upon a new phase of their history. The South African Republic +was to develope within a few years from a condition of great poverty +into a rich and prosperous State, a country calculated in every respect +to awaken and inflame the greed of the Capitalistic speculator. Within a +few years the South African Republic was ranked among the first +gold-producing countries of the world. The bare veldt of hitherto was +overspread with large townships inhabited by a speculative and bustling +class brought together from all corners of the earth. The Boers, who had +hitherto followed pastoral and hunting pursuits, were now called upon to +fulfil one of the most difficult tasks in the world, namely, the +management of a complicated administration, and the government of a +large digging population, which had sprung up suddenly under the most +extraordinary circumstances. And how have they acquitted themselves of +the task? We quote the following from a brilliant pamphlet by Olive +Schreiner, who possesses a deeper insight into the true condition of +affairs in South Africa than has been vouchsafed to any other writer on +the same subject:-- + + [29] "We put it to all generous and just spirits, whether of statesmen + or thinkers, whether the little Republic does not deserve our + sympathy, which wise minds give to all who have to deal with new + and complex problems, where the past experience of humanity has + not marked out a path--and whether, if we touch the subject at + all, it is not necessary that it should be in that large + impartial, truth-seeking spirit in which humanity demands we + should approach all great social difficulties and questions?" + + "It is sometimes said that when one stands looking down from the + edge of this hill at the great mining camp of Johannesburg + stretching beneath, with its heaps of white sand and _débris_ + mountain high, its mining chimneys belching forth smoke, with its + seventy thousand Kaffirs and its eighty thousand men and women, + white or coloured, of all nationalities, gathered here in the + space of a few years on the spot where, fifteen years ago, the + Boer's son guided his sheep to the water and the Boer's wife sat + alone at evening at the house door to watch the sunset, we are + looking upon one of the most wonderful spectacles on earth. And + it is wonderful; but as we look at it the thought always arises + within us of something more wonderful yet--the marvellous manner + in which a little nation of simple folk, living in peace in the + land they loved, far from the rush of cities and the concourse of + men, have risen to the difficulties of their condition; how they, + without instruction in statecraft or traditionary rules of + policy, have risen to face their great difficulties, and have + sincerely endeavoured to meet them in a large spirit, and have + largely succeeded. Nothing but that curious and wonderful + instinct for statecraft and the organisation and arrangement of + new social conditions which seem inherent as a gift of the blood + to all those peoples who took their rise in the little deltas on + the north-east of the Continent of Europe where the English and + Dutch peoples alike took their rise could have made it possible. + We do not say that the Transvaal Republic has among its guides + and rulers a Solon or a Lycurgus, but it has to-day, among the + men guiding its destiny, men of brave and earnest spirit, who are + seeking manfully and profoundly to deal with the great problems + before them in a wide spirit of humanity and justice. And we do + again repeat that the strong sympathy of all earnest and + thoughtful minds, not only in Africa, but in England, should be + with them." + +If one compares the gold fields of the Witwatersrand with those of other +countries, it is certain that the former can claim to be the best +governed mining area in the world. This is the almost unanimous verdict +of people who have had a lengthy experience of the gold fields of +California, Australia, and Klondyke. + +As far as South Africa is concerned, it is only necessary to instance +the diamond fields of Griqualand West when they were directly +administered by the British Government. They then afforded a continual +spectacle of rebellion, rioting, and indescribable uncertainty of, and +danger to, life and property. + +In Appendix B. are certain extracts from the evidence of eye witnesses +as to the chaos which characterised the condition of the diamond fields +when under British rule--a condition which differs from that of the +Witwatersrand gold fields as night from day. Reference will be made +later on to the administration of the gold fields of the South African +Republic. For the present it is necessary to glance at certain forces +which had been developed on the diamond fields of the Cape Colony, and +which have introduced a new factor of overwhelming importance into the +South African situation. + +[Sidenote: Capitalism.] + +The development of British policy in South Africa had hitherto been +influenced at different times, and in a greater or less degree, by the +spirit of Jingoism, and by that zeal for Annexation which is so +characteristic of the trading instincts of the race. It was, however, a +policy that had been conducted in other respects on continuous lines, +and it might be justified by the argument that it was necessary in the +interests of the Empire. But Capitalism was the new factor which was +about to play such an important _rôle_ in the history of South Africa. +The natural differences in men find their highest expression in the +varieties of influence which one man exercises over another; this +influence can either be of a religious, moral, political, or purely +material nature. Material influence generally takes the form of money, +or the financial nexus, as an English writer has termed it. An unusual +combination of this form of influence leads to Capitalism just as an +unusual combination of political influence leads to tyranny, and an +unusual combination of religious influence to hierarchical despotism. +Capitalism is the modern peril which threatens to become as dangerous to +mankind as the political tyranny of the old Eastern world and the +religious despotism of the Middle Ages were in their respective eras. + +In a part of the world so rich in minerals of all descriptions as the +Transvaal, it is natural that Capitalism should play a considerable +_rôle_. Unfortunately, in South Africa it has from the very first +attempted to go far beyond its legitimate scope; it has endeavoured to +gain political power, and to make all other forms of government and +influence subservient to its own ends. The measure of its success can be +clearly gauged by the fact that all South Africa is standing to-day on +the brink of a great precipice, and may be hurled into the abyss before +the ink on these pages is dry. + +[Sidenote: Mr. Cecil Rhodes] + +The spirit of Capitalism found its incarnation in Mr. Cecil Rhodes, who +was able to amalgamate the pressing and conflicting interests of the +Diamond Fields into the one great Corporation of which he is the head. + +Although he probably had no exceptional aptitude for politics, he was +irresistibly drawn towards them by the stress of his interests. By means +of his financial influence, together with a double allowance of +elasticity of conscience, he succeeded so far as to become Prime +Minister of the Cape Colony, and was powerfully and solidly supported by +the Africander party. The Africanders believed in him because they were +really and deeply imbued with the necessity of the co-operation and +fusion of the two white races in South Africa, and he, as a loyal +Englishman, but fully possessing the confidence of Colonial +Africanderdom, seemed to them just the very person to realise their +ideal. + +To a careful observer the alliance between Africanderdom and Capitalism +was bound to lead to a rupture sooner or later. Deeply rooted and pure +national sentiment as well as burning conviction form the basis of +Africander Policy, and it was obvious that in the long run it would be +discovered that this policy could never be made subservient to purely +financial interests. + +[Sidenote: Jingoism.] + +But there was another factor. There was that debased form of patriotism +called Jingoism. It is a form of party politics without solid +convictions or real beliefs, which puffs itself out with big words, and +with the froth of high-sounding ideas and principles. It is a policy, +nevertheless, which appeals most strongly to the instincts of +self-interest and to the illegal appropriation of other people's +property. It revels in the lust of boasting, so deeply ingrained in +human nature. In a word, it is a policy which is in direct opposition to +the true spirit of religion, to the altruistic ideals of humanity, and +to that sentiment of humility and moderation which is the natural basis +of all morality. + +[Sidenote: Alliance between Capitalism and Jingoism.] + +Here, indeed, were the elements of an enduring alliance--an alliance +between Capitalism, with its great material influence, but barren of any +one single exalted idea or principle on the one hand, and Jingoism, +sterile, empty, soulless, but with a rich stock-in-trade of bombastic +ideas and principles, prompted by the most selfish aspirations, on the +other hand. + +The one was eminently calculated to form the complement of the other, +thus creating a natural alliance which is rapidly becoming a menace, all +the world over, to the best and most enduring interests of humanity. + +This Capitalistic Jingoism is the tree from which it is the lot of our +unfortunate South Africa to gather such bitter fruit to-day. + +Mr. Rhodes, with that treacherous duplicity which is an enduring +characteristic of British policy in South Africa, co-operated publicly, +and in the closest relationship, with the Colonial Africanders, while he +was secretly fomenting a conspiracy with Jingoism against the Cape +Africanders and the South African Republics. He already had the +Africanders in the Cape Colony under his sway; his aim was now to gain +the same influence in the South African Republic, with its rich gold +mines--not so much, perhaps, for himself personally as for Capitalism, +with which his interests were so closely identified. In case of success, +he would obtain his personal aim, and Capitalism would be absolutely +despotic in South Africa. With an eye to this end he, with other +Capitalists, began in 1892 to foment a political agitation in +Johannesburg against the Republic. In a place like Johannesburg, where +drink is consumed in great quantities, and where the high altitude and +the stress of business all tend to keep people's spirits in a constant +state of excitability, it was easy enough, with the aid of money, to +bring about a state of political ferment in a very short time, +especially as just that measure of grievances existed to give a colour +of truth to the imaginary ones. + +[Sidenote: The National Union.] + +Under these conditions the National Union movement originated in 1892. +Its adherents were entirely composed of the creatures and parasites of +the Capitalists, with a few honest fools and enthusiasts who naturally +did not think deeply enough to discern the aim and the trend of this +hypocritical movement. + +The Capitalists at this time certainly kept well in the background, in +order that the movement might have the appearance of being a popular +one. The Capitalists of Johannesburg were, however, a theatrical lot, +and the desire to play a prominent _rôle_ was too intense to be +suppressed for any length of time, so that after the lapse of a couple +of years they naturally took the leading part in the _opera bouffe_ +agitation which followed. + +[Sidenote: Corruption of the Capitalists.] + +They began, by means of the lowest and most repulsive methods, to +undermine the Boer policy in order to gain the mastery of the mining +legislation and administration. They had persuaded themselves and the +rest of the world that the Boers were as a body corrupt and tainted, so +they armed themselves, with the power of money in order to overthrow +them. + +Lionel Phillips wrote in this spirit on the 16th June, 1894, to Beit in +London:--[30] "I may here say that, as you of course know, I have no +desire for political rights, and believe as a whole that the community +is not ambitious in this respect. The bewaarplaatsen question will, I +think, be settled in our favour, but at a cost of about £25,000. It is +proposed to spend a good deal of money in order to secure a better +Raad, but it must be remembered that the spending of money on elections +has, by recent legislation, been made a criminal offence, and the matter +will have to be carefully handled." + +On the 15th July, 1894, he wrote again to the same +correspondent:--[31] "Our trump card is a fund of £10--15,000 to improve +the Raad. Unfortunately the companies have no secret service fund. I +must divine away. We don't want to shell out ourselves." + +Here we catch a glimpse behind the scenes, and we observe how the +Capitalists in 1894 had already endeavoured to lower and vitiate our +public life by methods which did not even recoil before the criminal law +of the land, to say nothing of elementary morality. + +And did they succeed? Were the people and the Volksraad as corrupt as +they thought, and as they still endeavour to make the world believe? +Their failure is the best and most complete answer to this calumny. + +If corruption on a large scale, however, failed to ensure the triumph of +Capitalism over the community, the other trump card of Jingoism still +remained. The pulse of the High Commissioner was felt by Mr. Lionel +Phillips, and what was the answer of Sir Henry Loch, Her Majesty's +representative in South Africa? We extract from the same secret letter +book from which we have already quoted the following letter, dated 1st +July, addressed to Wernher, a member of the influential firm of Wernher, +Beit & Co.:-- + +[Sidenote: (Sir) Henry Loch's indiscretion.] + +[32] "Sir Henry Loch (with whom I had two long private interviews alone) +asked me some very pointed questions, such as what arms we had in +Johannesburg, whether the population could hold the place for six days +until help could arrive, etc., etc., and stated plainly that if there +had been three thousand rifles and ammunition here he would certainly +have come over." + +And so on in the same strain. Sir Henry Loch endorsed the truth of these +statements two years later by boasting openly in the House of Lords +about his plans for organising a raid into the South African Republic. + +And all this happened while he (Sir Henry Loch) was the guest of our +Government, and engaged in friendly negotiations about the interests of +British subjects. To what a depth had British Policy in South Africa +already degenerated. Within two years, however, a deeper abyss was to +open. + +[Sidenote: The conspiracy.] + +The secret conspiracy of the Capitalists and Jingoes to overthrow the +South African Republic began now to gain ground with great rapidity, for +just at this critical period Mr. Chamberlain became Secretary of State +for the Colonies. In the secret correspondence of the conspirators, +reference is continually made to the Colonial Office in a manner which, +taken in connection with later revelations and with a successful +suppression of the truth, has deepened the impression over the whole +world that the Colonial Office was privy to, if not an accomplice in, +the villainous attack on the South African Republic. + +[Sidenote: The Jameson Raid] + +It is unnecessary to dwell at length on the Jameson Raid; the world has +not yet forgotten how the Administrators of a British province, carrying +out a conspiracy headed by the Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, +attacked the South African Republic with an armed band in order to +assist the Capitalist revolution of Johannesburg in overthrowing the +Boer Government; how this raid and this revolution were upset by the +vigilance of the Boers; how Jameson and his filibusters were handed over +to England to stand their trial--although the Boers had the power and +the right to shoot them down as robbers; how the whole gang of +Johannesburg Capitalists pleaded guilty to treason and sedition; how, +instead of confiscating all their property, and thus dealing a death +blow to Capitalistic influence in South Africa, the Government dealt +most leniently with them (an act of magnanimity which was rewarded by +their aiding and abetting a still more dangerous agitation three years +later). + +[Sidenote: The Parliamentary Commission.] + +Nor has the world forgotten how, at the urgent instance of the +Africander party in the Cape Colony, an investigation into the causes of +the conflict was held in Westminster; how that investigation degenerated +into a low attack upon the Government of the sorely maligned and deeply +injured South African Republic, and how at the last moment, when the +truth was on the point of being revealed, and the conspiracy traced to +its fountain head in the British Cabinet, the Commission decided all of +a sudden not to make certain compromising documents public. + +[Sidenote: "Constitutional means."] + +Here we see to what a depth the old great traditions of British +Constitutionalism had sunk under the influence of the ever-increasing +and all-absorbing lust of gold, and in the hands of a sharp-witted +wholesale dealer, who, like Cleon of old, has constituted himself a +statesman. Treachery and violence not having been able to attain their +objects, "Constitutional means" were to be invoked (as Mr. Rhodes openly +boasted before the aforesaid Commission), so as to make Capitalistic +Jingoism master of the situation in South Africa. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 29: Olive Schreiner, _Words in Season_, page 62.] + +[Footnote 30: Transvaal Green Book No. 1 of 1896.] + +[Footnote 31: Transvaal Green Book No. 1 of 1896.] + +[Footnote 32: Transvaal Green Book No. 1 of 1896.] + + + + +CAPITALISTIC JINGOISM. + +SECOND PERIOD. + + +[Sidenote: National sentiment in South Africa kindled by the Jameson +Raid.] + +The foregoing sketch has shown how deeply our people felt and resented +the wrong that was done to them. It was to be expected that such a +treacherous attack on the Republics, emanating from their own leader, +would awaken the Africanders even in the remotest districts, and would +bring fresh energy into the arena of politics. To give an instance of +the measure of the feeling which had been quickened by the raid, a short +extract is given below from an article published in the organ of the +Africander party, _Our Land_, a few months after the Raid, an article +which undoubtedly expressed the feeling of Africanders:-- + +"Has not Providence over-ruled and guided the painful course of events +in South Africa since the beginning of this year (1896)? Who can doubt +it? + +"The stab which was intended to paralyse Africanderdom once and for all +in the Republics has sent an electric thrill direct to the national +heart. Africanderdom has awakened to a sense of earnestness and +consciousness which we have not observed since the heroic war for +Liberty in 1881. From the Limpopo as far as Cape Town the Second Majuba +has given birth to a new inspiration and a new movement amongst our +people in South Africa. A new feeling has rushed in huge billows over +South Africa. The flaccid and cowardly Imperialism, that had already +begun to dilute and weaken our national blood, gradually turned aside +before the new current which permeated our people. Many who, tired of +the slow development of the national idea, had resigned themselves to +Imperialism now paused and asked themselves what Imperialism had +produced in South Africa? Bitterness and race hatred it is true! Since +the days of Sir Harry Smith and Theophilus Shepstone and Bartle Frere to +the days of Leander Jameson and Cecil Rhodes, Imperialism in South +Africa has gone hand in hand with bloodshed and fraud. However wholesome +the effects of Imperialism may be elsewhere, its continual tendency in +this country during all these years has been nothing else but an attempt +to force our national life and national character into foreign grooves; +and to seal this pressure with blood and tears.... This is truly a +critical moment in the existence of Africanderdom all over South Africa. +Now or never! Now or never the foundation of a wide-embracing +nationalism must be laid. The Iron is red hot, and the time for forging +is at hand.... + +... The partition wall has disappeared. Let us stand manfully by one +another. The danger has not yet disappeared; on the contrary, never has +the necessity for a policy of a Colonial and Republican Union been +greater; now the psychological moment has arrived; now our people have +awakened all over South Africa; a new glow illuminates our hearts; let +us now lay the foundation stone of a real United South Africa on the +soil of a pure and _all-comprehensive national sentiment_." + +Such language caused the Jingoes to shudder--not because it was +disloyal, because that it certainly was _not_, but because it proved +that the Jameson Raid had suddenly awakened the Africanders, and that +owing to this defeat of the Jingoes a vista of further and greater +defeats widened out in the future. The Colonial Africanders would +certainly have to be reckoned with, in case an annexation policy were +followed with regard to the Republics. + +[Sidenote: Victory of the Africander Party in the Cape Parliament.] + +For some time the Jingoes cherished the hope that they would gain the +majority in the Cape Parliament under an amended Redistribution Act. The +General Election of 1898 took place, with the result that the Africander +party obtained a small majority, and later, under a Redistribution Act +forced upon them by the Jingoes, the majority of the former was +considerably increased. + +[Sidenote: The cry of disloyalty] + +Instead of honestly admitting that the Africander victory was the +natural result of the Jameson Raid, the Jingoes began, not only in South +Africa, but also in England, to shout that the rule and supremacy of +England in South Africa was menaced. + +[Sidenote: The Transvaal must be humiliated.] + +They contended that South Africa would be lost to England unless +energetic intervention took place without delay, and that this menace to +English rule was due to the Republican propaganda which the South +African Republic had set in motion. That as long as the South African +Republic refused to humiliate itself before British authority, but on +the contrary kept its youthful head on high with national pride, other +parts of South Africa would be inclined to follow its example, and there +would thus be no certainty for British supremacy in this quarter of the +globe. The South African Republic would have to be humiliated and to be +crushed into the dust; the Africanders in other parts of South Africa +would then abandon their alleged hope of a more extensive Republican +South Africa. + +[Sidenote: The necessity for constitutional means.] + +But how was this humiliation to be brought about, and how, above all, +was it to be brought about by those "Constitutional means," which, since +the failure of the conspiracy, had become a _sine qua non_? + +The new Governor of the Cape Colony and High Commissioner of South +Africa, who had enjoyed the distinction of a brilliant university +career, who had learnt humility and moderation at the feet of Mr. W.T. +Stead, and who had learnt by his experience with the fellaheen in Egypt +how to govern the descendants of the Huguenots and the "Beggars of the +Sea," would know very well how to evolve "Constitutional means" in order +to humiliate the South African Republic, and to crush it into the dust. + +[Sidenote: The suzerainty.] + +There was at any rate the burning question of suzerainty, which the +South African Republic had unconsciously and innocently raised in the +following way:-- + +After the Jameson Raid the Volksraad had passed certain laws with a view +of removing some of the causes of that movement, as, for example, the +law by which dangerous individuals could be expelled from the State, and +the law by which paupers and people suffering from contagious diseases +could be prevented from entering the Republic.[33] These laws were +declared to be in conflict with Article XIV. of the London Convention. +Violations of Article IV. were also said to have taken place in regard +to certain extradition and other treaties, which had been concluded +between the South African Republic and Foreign Powers.[34] On the 7th +May, 1897, the Government of the South African Republic dispatched a +very important reply to these accusations, in which, after fully stating +the reasons why the Government differed from Her Majesty's Government, +an appeal was made for arbitration as being the most suitable method of +settling the dispute. + +This appeal was couched in the following language: + +[Sidenote: The appeal for Arbitration.] + +[35] "While it respects the opinion of Her British Majesty's Government, +it takes the liberty, with full confidence in the correctness of its own +views, to propose to Her British Majesty's Government the principle of +Arbitration, with which the honourable the First Volksraad agreed, in +the hope that it will be taken in the conciliatory spirit in which it is +made. It considers that it has every reason for this proposal, the more +so because the principle of Arbitration is already laid down in that +Convention in the only case in which, according to its opinion at the +time, a difference could be foreseen, to wit, with regard to Article I.; +because it has already been proposed by Her British Majesty's +Government, and accepted by this Government with regard to the +difference in respect of Article 14 of the Convention arising in the +matter of the so-called Coolie question, which was settled by +Arbitration; because the Right Honourable the Secretary of State, Mr. +Chamberlain, himself, in his letter of the 4th September, 1895, to His +Excellency the High Commissioner at Cape Town, favours this principle in +the same question, where he says: 'After 1886, as time went on, the +manner in which the law was interpreted and was worked, or was proposed +to be worked, gave rise to complaints on the part of the British +Government, and as it seemed impossible to come to an agreement by means +of correspondence, the Marquis of Ripon took what is the approved course +in such cases, of proposing to the South African Republic that the +dispute should be referred to Arbitration. This was agreed to ...,' +because the principle of Arbitration in matters such as this appears to +the Government to be the most impartial, just, and most satisfactory way +out of the existing difficulty, and, lastly, because one of the parties +to a Convention, according to all principles of reasonableness, cannot +expect that his interpretation will be respected by the other party as +the only valid and correct one. And although this Government is firmly +convinced that a just and impartial decision might be obtained even +better in South Africa than anywhere else, it wishes, in view of the +conflicting elements, interests, and aspirations which are now apparent +in South Africa, and in order to avoid even the appearance that it would +be able or desire to exercise influence in order to obtain a decision +favourable to it, to propose that the President of the Swiss Bondstate, +who may be reckoned upon as standing altogether outside the question, +and to feel sympathy or antipathy neither for the one party nor for the +other, be requested to point out a competent jurist, as has already +often been done in respect of international disputes. The Government +would have no objection that the Arbitration be subject to a limitation +of time, and gives the assurance now already that it will willingly +subject itself to any decision if such should, contrary to its +expectation, be given against it. The Government repeats the well-meant +wish that this proposal may find favour with Her British Majesty's +Government; and inasmuch as the allegations of breaches of the +Convention find entrance now even in South Africa, and bring and keep +the feelings more and more in a state of suspense, this Government will +be pleased if it can learn the decision of Her British Majesty's +Government as soon as possible." + +[Sidenote: England refuses to arbitrate on ground of suzerainty.] + +To this the British Government replied that according to the Convention +of 1884, taken in conjunction with the preamble of the Convention of +1881, the South African Republic was under the suzerainty of Her +Majesty, and that it was incompatible with the subordinate position of +the South African Republic to submit to Arbitration any matters in +dispute as to the construction of the Convention between it and the +suzerain Power. + +In order to avoid any misunderstanding as to this very remarkable +document, the exact wording of the British dispatch is +given:--[36] "Finally, the Government of the South African Republic +propose that all points in dispute between Her Majesty's Government and +themselves relating to the Convention should be referred to Arbitration, +the Arbitrator to be nominated by the President of the Swiss Republic. +In making this proposal the Government of the South African Republic +appear to have overlooked the distinction between the Conventions of +1881 and 1884 and an ordinary treaty between two independent Powers, +questions arising upon which may properly be the subject of Arbitration. +By the Pretoria Convention of 1881 Her Majesty, as Sovereign of the +Transvaal Territory, accorded to the inhabitants of that territory +complete self-government, subject to the suzerainty of Her Majesty, her +heirs, and successors, upon certain terms and conditions, and subject to +certain reservations and limitations set forth in 33 articles; and by +the London Convention of 1884, Her Majesty, while maintaining the +preamble of the earlier instrument, directed and declared that certain +other articles embodied therein should be substituted for the articles +embodied in the Convention of 1881. The articles of the Convention of +1881 were accepted by the Volksraad of the Transvaal State, and those of +the Convention of 1884 by the Volksraad of the South African Republic. +Under these Conventions, therefore, Her Majesty holds towards the South +African Republic the relation of a _suzerain_ who has accorded to the +people of that Republic self-government upon certain conditions, _and it +would be incompatible with that position to submit to Arbitration the +construction of the conditions on which she accorded self-government to +the Republic_." + +[Sidenote: Reply of the Transvaal Government.] + +[37] In its celebrated reply of the 16th April, 1898, the Government of +the South African Republic proved with unanswerable force that the +preamble of the Convention of 1881 had been abolished, that Lord Derby +had himself in 1884 proposed a draft Convention, in which the preamble +was erased (see Appendix B.), and that by the ultimate acceptance of +that proposal, the suzerainty had ceased to exist. + +On this account, as well as for other reasons, it contended that as no +suzerainty existed between the two countries, the objection to +Arbitration as a means of settling disputes would disappear, and the +Government reiterated their appeal to have such differences or disputes +disposed of by Arbitration. + +[Sidenote: The object of the suzerainty dispute.] + +Naturally this was exactly what Mr. Chamberlain did not want. He was +opposed to Arbitration dispute, because it would have probably led to +the humiliation of the British and not of the Boer Government. The +suzerainty question was introduced in the meanwhile as a "Constitutional +Proposal," which might be used for the purpose of humiliating the South +African Republic. + +In his answer to the arguments put forward by the South African +Republic,[38] Mr. Chamberlain could only persist in repeating his +contention that suzerainty still existed, and did not even attempt to +refute the statement that Lord Derby had himself erased the preamble of +the Convention of 1881. It was clearly his opinion that Lord Derby had, +through stupidity and thoughtlessness, abandoned the suzerainty in +1884, just as Lord Russell had abandoned the idea of obtaining the +South African Republic in 1852, so that he would now, just as Shepstone +in 1877, have to try and disconcert the Republic by a display of force +and inflexible determination, so as not to be deprived of these +eminently "Constitutional means." + +[Sidenote: The Transvaal a sovereign international state.] + +[39] His arguments in this dispatch, that both the suzerainty of Her +Majesty and the right of the South African Republic to self-government +were dependent upon the preamble of the Pretoria Convention, and that if +the preamble were null and void, not only would the suzerainty but also +the right to self-government disappear, were clearly designed to +intimidate the South African Republic; but in other respects the +argument was perfectly correct. Accordingly the Government of the South +African Republic replied that it did not base its claim to +self-government on the preamble of the Convention of 1881, nor on the +Convention of 1884 (for no mention is made of self-government in that +document), but simply on the ground of its being a sovereign +international state. + +In other words, it contended that the Convention of London implied that +the South African Republic was a sovereign international state, and that +it was therefore superfluous in that Convention to specify or define its +rights. Into this answer, which is not only juridically and historically +correct, but which rests on the basis of common sense, the astute High +Commissioner was able to read a menace to Her Majesty's Government, +although the Government of the Republic distinctly stated in that reply +that it adhered to the Convention of London, an assurance which it had +already made hundreds of times. + +[Sidenote: Justice of the Transvaal contention.] + +This is the whole history of the suzerainty dispute between the two +Governments. The South African Republic had asked for arbitration on +certain questions, and England, with Mr. Chamberlain as spokesman, had +refused, because a suzerain Power could not be expected to settle +disputes with its vassal by means of arbitration. So that according to +the new principles of International Law, based on the "screw" ethics of +Birmingham, it was to be judge and jury in its own disputes with other +people. + +The position taken up by our Government in this remarkable controversy +is substantiated by the actions of Lord Derby during the negotiations +about the Conventions, as well as by the following telegram, which he +sent to the High Commissioner for communication to the two Republics:-- + + HIGH COMMISSIONER, CAPE TOWN. + + _To_ BRITISH RESIDENT, PRETORIA. + + Please inform Transvaal Government that I have received the + following from the Secretary of State:--27th February. Convention + signed to-day. New south-western boundary as proposed, following + trade road. British Protectorate country outside Transvaal + established with delegates' consent. They promise to appoint + Border Commissioner inside Transvaal, co-operate with ours + outside; Mackenzie--British Resident. Debt reduced to quarter + million. Same complete internal independence in Transvaal as in + Orange Free State. Conduct and control diplomatic intercourse + Foreign Governments conceded. Queen's final approval treaties + reserved. Delegates appear well satisfied and cordial feeling two + Governments. You may make the above known. + +This Convention is also substantiated by the express declarations of +Lord Rosmead and the Rev. D.P. Faure to the effect that it was clearly +understood, at the time the London Convention was concluded, that the +suzerainty was abolished. It is unnecessary to add anything about the +evidence of the Members of the Transvaal Deputation. The suzerainty has +thus not the slightest shadow of existence; and yet, as will be proved, +Mr. Chamberlain is prepared to go to war with the South African Republic +over this question, a war which will, according to his intentions, +result in Annexation. + +[Sidenote: Uitlander grievances and Capitalistic agitation.] + +While the two Governments were occupied with this question the +Capitalists were not idle. They were busy fanning the flame in another +direction. It was not only a fact that Rhodesia was an unexpected +failure, but it had proved far richer in native wars than in payable +gold mines. The Capitalist groups possessing the greatest interests in +the Witwatersrand gold mines were also the most deeply interested in +Rhodesia, and it naturally occurred to them that their Transvaal mines +ought also to bear the burden of their unprofitable investments in +Rhodesia--an adjustment which would, however, necessitate the +amalgamation of the two countries, especially when the interests of the +shareholders were considered. + +In order to attain this object a continual agitation was kept up at +Johannesburg, so that English shareholders living far away should be +prepared for the day when the Annexation would take place on +Constitutional lines. + +The argument which was calculated to impress these European shareholders +was that the administration of the South African Republic had created a +situation which was most prejudicial to the financial interests of the +mining industry. Viewed from this standpoint the Uitlander grievances +were an inexhaustibly rich and payable mine. + +[Sidenote: The industrial Commission.] + +This agitation first of all emanated directly from the Capitalists, and +had assumed such proportions in 1897 that the Government decided to +appoint a Commission of officials and mining magnates in order to +enquire searchingly into the alleged financial grievances. As far as the +Government was concerned, the chief findings of the Commission were:-- + +(1). That the price of dynamite (85 shillings per case of 50lbs.) was +too high under the existing concession, and that a diminution in price +was desirable either by cancellation of the concession, or by testing +the legality of the concession in the High Court. + +(2). That the tariffs of the Netherlands Railway Company for the +carriage of coal and other articles were too high, and that it was +necessary to expropriate the railway. + +(3). That the import duties on necessaries of life were too high, and +that the cost of living in Johannesburg for workmen was too high. + +(4). That stringent measures ought to be adopted in order to prevent +gold thefts, and that the law for the total prohibition of drink to +native labourers ought to be more strictly enforced, and that there +ought to be a more stringent application of the Pass Law (under which +the traffic of the native labourers was regulated). + +(5). With the object of carrying out the measures specified in Section +4, the Commission recommended that an Advisory Board should be nominated +for the Witwatersrand gold fields for the purpose of advising the +Government as to the enforcement of the said regulations. + +[Sidenote: Results of the Commission.] + +To what extent was effect given to these recommendations? + +[Sidenote: Dynamite.] + +1. As far as dynamite is concerned, it appeared that there was no chance +of contesting the concession in the law courts with any success. Nor did +the Volksraad or the Government feel justified in cancelling, without +the consent of the owners, a contract which had been solemnly entered +into, and upon which enormous sums of money had been expended. The +Mining Industry was naturally eager for cancellation, even without +adequate compensation; but the public were not at that time aware of a +fact which was made public some months later, namely, that the De Beers +Corporation intended to erect a dynamite manufactory, and that this +agitation of the Capitalists was intended to obtain for themselves the +control of this great source of income. People, however, knew that the +Messrs. Chamberlain were interested in the English ammunition and +dynamite house of Kynoch, but they hesitate to assume that the Colonial +Secretary was actuated in his Transvaal policy by considerations of +private financial interest. + +The Government and Volksraad of the South African Republic adopted the +wiser plan of lowering the price of dynamite to such an extent as to +make it about equal to the local European price plus a protective tariff +of 20s. per case. + +It may here be remarked that Mr. Chamberlain, knowing how unpopular the +Dynamite Concession was in the South African Republic, intimated to the +Government of the South African Republic, in a very threatening manner, +that the Concession was in conflict with the London Convention. + +The answer of the Government to this communication was so crushing that +Mr. Chamberlain did not again return to the subject. In this he was, no +doubt, also actuated by the fact that the most renowned English and +European jurists had advised that the concession was in no sense a +breach of the Convention. This, however, only became known later, and it +is merely referred to now so as to show that no stone was left unturned +in order to find a means of humiliating the South African Republic. + +[Sidenote: The Netherlands Railway Company.] + +2. With regard to the Netherlands South African Railway Company, it +would appear that the Capitalists have altered their opinion, and now +think that the administration of the Company is as good as can +reasonably be expected, and that expropriation is now unnecessary. +Perhaps, from their point of view, it would be better to buy up the +shares of the Company, and thus become themselves masters, instead of +the Government, of this source of income. + +Respecting the Railway tariff, it is fair to assume that the cause of +dissatisfaction has disappeared, for no complaints are now heard since +the tariff was lowered in accordance with the recommendations of the +Commission. + +[Sidenote: Reduction of import duties] + +This change in the tariff, together with the abolition of duties on +nearly all necessaries of life have made a difference of about £700,000 +in the income of the State during the last year. It will be admitted +that this is an enormous item in comparison with the total income of +the South African Republic. The above tends to show how anxious the +Government of the South African Republic has been to remove all +grievances as soon as it was proved that they actually existed. + +[Sidenote: Liquor, Pass, and Gold Thefts Laws.] + +3. As regards the administration of the Liquor Law, the Pass Law, and +the Law dealing with Gold thefts, neither the Government nor the +Volksraad felt at liberty to adopt the recommendation as to constituting +an Advisory Board on the Witwatersrand. They decided to go deeper to the +roots of the evil, and so altered the administration of the Laws that +the evidences of dissatisfaction have disappeared. Indeed, no one ever +hears of gold thefts now, and the representative bodies of the mining +industry have repeatedly expressed their satisfaction with the +administration of the Pass Law, and especially with that of the Liquor +Law. + +[Sidenote: The Liquor Law.] + +In this very Liquor Law we have a test of a good administration. From +the very nature of the drink question it is one of the most difficult +laws that a Government can be called upon to administer, and the measure +of success which has attended the efforts of the Government and its +officials proves conclusively that the charges of incompetency so +frequently brought against the Government of the South African Republic +were devoid of truth, and were only intended to slander and to injure +the Republic. A combined meeting of the Chamber of Mines, the Chamber of +Commerce, and the Association of Mine Managers--the three strongest and +most representative bodies on the Witwatersrand Gold Fields--passed the +following resolutions,[40] which speak for themselves:-- + + 1. This combined Meeting, representing the Chamber of Mines, the + Chamber of Commerce, and the Mine Managers' Association, desires + to express once more its decided approval of the present Liquor + Law, and is of opinion that prohibition is not only beneficial to + the Natives in their own interest, but is absolutely necessary + for the Mining Industry, with a view of maintaining the + efficiency of labour. + + 2. This Meeting wishes to express its appreciation of the efforts + made to suppress the Illicit Liquor Trade by the Detective + Department of this Republic since it has been placed under the + administration of the State Attorney, and is of opinion that the + success which has crowned these efforts fully disproves the + contention that the Liquor Law is impracticable. + +The first resolution was carried by an overwhelming majority, and the +second unanimously. + +Compare this declaration of the representatives of the Mining and +Commercial interests of the Witwatersrand with the allegation repeated +by Mr. Chamberlain in his great "grievance" dispatch of the 10th May, +1899[41]--that the Liquor Law had never been strictly enforced, but that +this law was simply evaded, and that the Natives at the mines were +supplied with drink in large quantities. + +When Mr. Chamberlain wrote these words they were absolutely untrue, and, +like all his grievances, are of an imaginary character. + +The results have clearly shown that the Government was quite correct in +its conclusion that it was better to alter the administration of the +laws complained of, than to adopt a principle (the advisory board), the +consequences and eventual outcome of which no one was able to foresee. + +[Sidenote: The South African League.] + +The agitation in connection with the report of the Industrial Commission +was followed by a great calm. If it had not been that the handling of +the Swazie difficulty by the British Government gave colour to +suspicion, one might have thought that there was no cloud upon the +horizon. To a superficial observer, the two Governments seemed to be on +the best and most friendly footing, and some of us actually began to +think that the era of the fraternal co-operation of the two races in +South Africa had actually dawned, and that the cursed Raid and its +harvest of race hatred and division would be forgotten. Certain +circumstances, however, indicated clearly that the enemy was occupied in +a supreme effort to cause matters to culminate in a crisis. + +The South African League, a political organisation which sprang up out +of, and owed its origin to, the race hatred which the Jameson Raid had +called into being, and at the head of which Mr. Rhodes himself stands (a +fact which places Capitalistic influence in a very clear light), began +towards the latter part of last year to agitate against the Government +in the most unheard-of way. + +The individuals who stood at the head of this institution in +Johannesburg were such that very little attention was paid to the +League. It was, however, soon clearly shown that not only was the +movement strongly assisted by the Capitalists, and strongly supported +all along the mines, but that there was a close relationship in a +mysterious way with Cape Town and London. The events of the last few +months have brought this out very clearly. Meetings were arranged, +memorials to Her Majesty about grievances were drawn up, and an active +propaganda was preached in the Press; this all proved in a convincing +way that a carefully planned campaign had been organised against the +Republic. + +As the Government of the South African Republic has set forth the trend +of the agitation as well as the connection of the British Government +with it in an official despatch, it is desirable to quote the language +itself:--[42] "But this Government wishes to go further. Even in regard +to those Uitlanders who are British subjects it is a small minority +which, under the pretext of imaginary grievances, promotes a secret +propaganda of race hatred, and uses the Republic as a basis for +fomenting a revolutionary movement against this Government. Ministers of +Her Majesty have so trenchantly expressed the truth about this minority +that this Government wishes to quote the very words of these Ministers, +with the object of bringing the actual truth to the knowledge of Her +Majesty's Government, as well as to that of the whole world, and not for +the purpose of making groundless accusations." + +"The following words are those of the Ministers of the Cape Colony, who +are well acquainted with local conditions, and fully qualified to +arrive at a conclusion":-- + +"In the opinion of Ministers the persistent action, both beyond and +within this Colony, of the political body styling itself the South +African League in endeavouring to foment and excite, not to smooth and +allay ill-will between the two principal European races inhabiting South +Africa, is well illustrated by these resolutions, the exaggerated and +aggravated terms of which disclose the spirit which informs and inspires +them." + +"His Excellency's Ministers are one in their earnest desire to do all in +their power to aid and further a policy of peaceful progress throughout +South Africa, and they cannot but regard it as an unwise propagandism, +hostile to the true interests of the Empire, including this Colony as an +integral part, that every possible occasion should be seized by the +League and its promoters for an attempt to magnify into greater events +minor incidents, when occurring in the South African Republic, with a +prospect thereby of making racial antagonism more acute, or of rendering +less smooth the relations between Her Majesty's Government or the +Government of this Colony and that Republic." + +"Race hatred is, however, not so intense in South Africa as to enable a +body with this propaganda, aiming at revolutionary objects, to obtain +much influence in this part of the world; and one continually asks +oneself the question--'How is it that a body, so insignificant both in +regard to its principles and its membership, enjoys such a large measure +of influence?' The answer is that this body depends upon the protection +and the support of Her Majesty's Government in England, and that both +its members and its organs in the Press openly boast of the influence +they exert over the policy of Her Majesty's Government. This Government +would ignore such assertions; but when it finds that the ideas and the +shibboleths of the South African League are continually echoed in the +speeches of members of Her Majesty's Government, when it finds that blue +books are compiled chiefly from documents prepared by officials of the +South African League, as well as from reports and leading articles +containing 'malignant lies' taken from the press organs of that +organisation, thereby receiving an official character, then this +Government can well understand why so many of Her Majesty's right-minded +subjects in this part of the world have obtained the impression that the +policy advocated by the South African League is supported by Her +Majesty's Government, and is thus calculated to contribute to the +welfare and blessing of the British Empire." + +"If this mistaken impression could be removed, and if it could be +announced as a fact that the South African League, as far as its actions +in the South African Republic are concerned, is only an organisation +having as its object the fomentation of strife and disorder and the +destruction of the independence of the Country, then it would very soon +lose its influence, and the strained relations existing between the two +Governments would quickly disappear. The Africander population of this +country would not then be under the apprehension that the interests of +the British Empire _imperatively demand_ that the Republic should be +done away with, and its people be either _enslaved or exterminated_. +Both sections of the white inhabitants of South Africa would then return +to the fraternal co-operation and fusion which was beginning to manifest +itself when the treacherous conspiracy at the end of 1895 awakened the +passions on both sides." + +As a result of the continual agitation of the South African League, +three occurrences were selected and elevated by Mr. Chamberlain into +culminating instances of the Uitlander grievances. To give the world a +clear insight into the nature of the grievances in general, extracts are +given from the official accounts both of the British and the Republican +account of these occurrences. There were three--the "Lombard affair," +with reference to the maltreatment of coloured British subjects at +Johannesburg; the "Edgar case," in connection with the shooting of an +English subject by a police official; and the "Amphitheatre occurrence," +in regard to a disorderly meeting of the South African League. + +[Sidenote: _a._ The Lombard Incident.] + +With regard to the "Lombard incident," Mr. Chamberlain says:--[43] "As +an instance of such arbitrary action the recent maltreatment of coloured +British subjects by Field Cornet Lombard may be cited. This official +entered the houses of various coloured persons without a warrant at +night, dragged them from their beds, and arrested them for being without +a pass. The persons so arrested were treated with much cruelty, and it +is even alleged that one woman was prematurely confined, and a child +subsequently died from the consequences of the fright and exposure. Men +were beaten and kicked by the orders of the Field Cornet, who appears to +have exercised his authority with the most cowardly brutality. The +Government of the Republic, being pressed to take action, suspended the +Field Cornet, and an enquiry was held, at which he and the police denied +most of the allegations of violence; but the other facts were not +disputed, and no independent evidence was called for the defence. The +Government have since reinstated Lombard. + +"Unfortunately this case is by no means unparalleled. Other British +subjects, including several from St. Helena and Mauritius, have been +arbitrarily arrested, and some of them have been fined, without having +been heard in their own defence, under a law which does not even profess +to have any application to persons from those Colonies. + +"However long-suffering Her Majesty's Government may be in their anxious +desire to remain on friendly terms with the South African Republic, it +must be evident that a continuance of incidents of this kind, followed +by no redress, may well become intolerable." + +The answer of the Government of the South African Republic was as +follows:--[44] "With reference to the Lombard case, this Government +wishes to point out that no complaint was lodged with any official in +this Republic for a full month after the illtreatment of Cape coloured +people was alleged to have taken place, and that neither the Government +nor the public was aware that anything had taken place. The whole case +was so insignificant that some of the people who were alleged to have +been illtreated declared, under oath, at a later period before a court +of investigation that they would never have made any complaint on their +own initiative. What happened, however? + +"About a month after the occurrence the South African League came to +hear of it; some of its officials sent round to collect evidence from +the parties who were alleged to have been illtreated, and some sworn +declarations were obtained by the help of Her Majesty's Vice-Consul at +Johannesburg (between whom and this League a continual and conspicuous +co-operation has existed). Even then no charge was lodged against the +implicated officials with the judicial authorities of the country, but +the case was put in the hands of the Acting British Agent at Pretoria. + +"When the allegations were brought under the notice of this Government, +they at once appointed a commission of enquiry, consisting of three +members, namely, Landdrost Van der Berg, of Johannesburg, Mr. Andries +Stockenstrom, barrister-at-law, of the Middle Temple, head of the +Criminal Section of the State Attorney's Department, and Mr. Van der +Merwe, Mining Commissioner, of Johannesburg; gentlemen against whose +ability and impartiality the Uitlander population of the Republic have +never harboured the slightest suspicion, and with whose appointment the +Acting British Agent also expressed his entire satisfaction. The +instructions given to those officials were to thoroughly investigate the +whole case, and to report the result to the Government; and they +fulfilled these instructions by sitting for days at a time, carefully +hearing and sifting the evidence of both sides. Every right-minded +person readily acknowledges that far greater weight ought to be attached +to the finding of this Commission than to the declarations of the +complainants, who contradicted one another in nearly every particular, +and who caused the whole enquiry to degenerate into a farce." + +"According to the report, nothing was proved as to the so-called +illtreatment; the special instances of alleged illtreatment turned out +to be purely imaginary; but it was clearly proved and found that the +complainants had acted contrary to law, and the Commission only +expressed disapproval of the fact that the arrests and the investigation +had taken place at night, and without a proper warrant. It fills this +Government with all the greater regret to observe that Her Majesty's +Government bases its charges on _ex parte_, groundless, and, in many +respects, false declarations of complainants who have been set in motion +by political hatred, and that it silently ignores the report of the +Commission." + +[Sidenote: _b._ The Edgar Case.] + +Mr. Chamberlain represented the Edgar case in the following way:--[45] +"But perhaps the most striking recent instance of arbitrary action by +officials, and of the support of such action by the Courts, is the +well-known Edgar case. The effect of the verdict of the jury, warmly +endorsed by the Judge, is that four policemen breaking into a man's +house at night without a warrant, on the mere statement of one person, +which subsequently turned out to be untrue, that the man had committed a +crime, are justified in killing him there and then because, according to +their own account, he hits one of them with a stick. If this is +justification, then almost any form of resistance to the police is +justification for the immediate killing of the person resisting, who may +be perfectly innocent of any offence. This would be an alarming doctrine +anywhere. It is peculiarly alarming when applied to a city like +Johannesburg, where a strong force of police armed with revolvers have +to deal with a large alien unarmed population, whose language in many +cases they do not understand. The emphatic affirmation of such a +doctrine by Judge and jury in the Edgar case cannot but increase the +general feeling of insecurity amongst the Uitlander population, and the +sense of injustice under which they labour. It may be pointed out that +the allegation that Edgar assaulted the police was emphatically denied +by his wife and others, and that the trial was conducted in a way that +would be considered quite irregular in this country, the witnesses for +the defence being called by the prosecution, and thereby escaping +cross-examination." + +The answer of the Government of the South African Republic was:--[46] +"The Edgar case is referred to by your Government as the most striking +recent instance of arbitrary action by officials, and of the support of +such action by the Courts," and this case is quoted as a conclusive +test of the alleged judicial maladministration of this Republic; it +will, therefore, be of interest to pause for a moment and consider it. +What are the true facts? + +"A certain Foster, 'an Englishman,' was assaulted and felled to the +ground, without any lawful cause, by a man named Edgar during the night +of the 18th December, 1898; he lay on the ground as if dead, and +ultimately died in the hospital. Edgar escaped to his room, and some +police came on the scene, attracted by the screams of the bystanders. +Amongst the police was one named Jones. When they saw the man who had +been assaulted lying as if dead, they went to Edgar's apartment in order +to arrest him as a criminal (he had, indeed, rendered himself liable for +manslaughter, and apparently for murder). As he was caught in the very +act, the police officers were, according to the Laws, not only of this +Republic, but of all South Africa and of the United Kingdom of Great +Britain and Ireland, justified in breaking open the door in order to +arrest the culprit. While doing so, Edgar, with a dangerous weapon, +struck Jones a severe blow. Under the stress of necessity the latter +shot Edgar, from the effects of which he died. The question is not if +Jones was justified in taking this extreme step, for the State Attorney +of the Republic had already given effect to his opinion that this was a +case for the jury by prosecuting him for manslaughter. The question is +solely whether any jury in any country in the world would have found a +man guilty of any crime under the circumstances set forth, and whether, +if they did not find him guilty, the fact of their doing so would have +been stamped and branded as a flagrant and remarkable instance of the +maladministration of Justice. + +"This Government is convinced that the English judicial administration +affords numberless instances where the facts are as strong as in this +case, and it cannot see why an occurrence which could happen in any part +of the world would be especially thrown in their teeth in the form of an +accusation. + +"This Government does not wish to pass over in silence the censure which +has been passed by Her Majesty's Government on the Public Prosecutor of +Johannesburg, by whom the prosecution of this case was conducted; the +fact that being of pure English blood, that he received his legal +training in London, that he is generally respected by the Uitlander +population on account of his ability, impartiality, and general +character, will naturally not be of any weight with Her Majesty's +Government against the facts of his action in calling witnesses for the +prosecution who were intended for the defence, and thus rendering an +imaginary cross-examination abortive. + +"This Government only wishes to point out that the fact that the Edgar +case is the strongest which Her Majesty's Government has been able to +quote against the administration of Justice in this Republic affords the +strongest and most eloquent proof possible that, taking it in general, +the administration of Justice on the gold fields of this Republic not +only compares favourably with that on other and similar gold fields, but +even with that of old and settled countries. + +"The untrue representations of this occurrence in the Press prove +conclusively that the newspapers of the Witwatersrand, the +atrocity-mongering tactics of which constitute a share of the organised +campaign against the Republic and its Government, have been compelled to +resort to mendacious criticisms on imaginary instances of +maladministration, which were often simply invented. Where the Press is +forced to adopt such methods, the true grievances must of necessity be +unreal." + +[Sidenote: _c._ The Amphitheatre occurence.] + +I now give Mr. Chamberlain's accusations about The the Amphitheatre +occurrence:--[47] "Some light upon the extent to which the police can be +trusted to perform their delicate duties with fairness and discretion is +thrown by the events referred to by the petitioners, which took place at +a meeting called by British subjects for the purpose of discussing their +grievances, and held on the 14th of January in the Amphitheatre of +Johannesburg. The Government were previously apprised of the objects of +the meeting, and their assent obtained, though this was not legally +necessary for a meeting in an inclosed place. The organisers of the +meeting state that they were informed by the State Secretary and the +State Attorney that anyone who committed acts of violence or used +seditious language would be held responsible, and in proof of the +peaceful objects of the meeting, those who attended went entirely +unarmed, by which it is understood that they did not even carry sticks. +So little was any disturbance apprehended that ladies were invited to +attend, and did attend. Yet, in the result, sworn affidavits of +witnesses of different nationalities agree in the statement that the +meeting was broken up almost immediately after its opening, and many of +the persons attending it were violently assaulted by organised bands of +hostile demonstrators, acting under the instigation and guidance of +persons in Government employ, without any attempt at interference on the +part of the police, and even in some cases with their assistance or +loudly expressed sympathy. + +"The Government of the South African Republic has been asked to +institute an inquiry into these disgraceful proceedings, but the request +has been met with a flat refusal." + +This accusation was answered in the following manner:--[48] "The +Amphitheatre occurrence is used by Her Majesty's Government to show how +incapable the police of the Witwatersrand are to fulfil their duties and +to preserve order. The League meeting was held at the so-called +Amphitheatre at Johannesburg, with the knowledge of the State Secretary +and State Attorney, and the accusation is that in spite of that fact the +uproar which arose at that meeting was not quelled by the police. The +following are the true facts:--Mr. Wybergh and another, both in the +service of the South African League, informed the State Secretary and +the State Attorney that they intended to call this meeting in the +Amphitheatre, and asked permission to do so. They were informed that no +permission from the authorities was necessary, and that as long as the +meeting did not give rise to irregularities or disturbances of the +peace, they would be acting entirely within their rights. Their +attention was then drawn to the fact that owing to the action and the +propaganda of the South African League, this body had become extremely +unpopular with a large section of the inhabitants of Johannesburg, and +that in all probability a disturbance of the peace would take place if a +sufficient body of the police were not present to preserve order. To +this these gentlemen answered that the police were in very bad odour +since the Edgar case, that the meeting would be a very quiet one, and +that the presence of the police would contribute or give rise to +disorder, and that they would on those grounds rather have no police at +all. + +"The State Secretary and State Attorney thereupon communicated with the +head officials of the police at Johannesburg, with the result that the +latter also thought that it would be better not to have any considerable +number of police at the meeting. The Government accordingly, on the +advice of these officials of the League as well as their own police +officials, gave instructions that the police should remain away from +this meeting; they did this in perfect good faith, and with the object +of letting the League have its say without let or hindrance. The +proposed meeting was, however, advertised far and wide. As the feeling +amongst a section of the Witwatersrand population was exceedingly bitter +against the League, a considerable number of the opponents of that body +also attended the meeting. The few police who were present were +powerless to quell the disorder, and when the police came on the scene +in force some few minutes after the commencement of the uproar, the +meeting was already broken up. Taken by itself, this occurrence would +not be of much importance, as it is an isolated instance as far as the +gold fields of this Republic are concerned, and even in the best +organised and best ordered communities irregularities like the above +occasionally take place. + +"The gravity of the matter, however, lies in the unjust accusation of +Her Majesty's Government--that the meeting was broken up by officials of +this Republic, and that the Government had curtly refused to institute +an enquiry. + +"This Government would not have refused to investigate the matter if any +complaints had been lodged with it, or at any of the local Courts, and +this has been clearly stated in its reply to Her Majesty's request for +an investigation. + +"This Government objects strongly to the systematic way in which 'the +local authorities are ignored, and the continual complaints which are +lodged with the Representatives of Her Majesty about matters which ought +to be decided by the Courts of this Republic. Instead, however, of +complaining to Her Majesty's Government after all other reasonable means +of redress have been vainly invoked, they continually make themselves +guilty of ignoring and treating with contempt the local Courts and +authorities by continually making all sorts of ridiculous and _ex parte_ +complaints to Her Majesty's Government in the first instance; Her +Majesty's Government is also thereby placed in the equivocal and +undesirable position of intermeddling in the internal affairs of this +Republic, which is in conflict with the London Convention. Had the +complaints been lodged with this Government, or with the proper +officials or Courts, the facts could have been very easily arrived at, +and it would have been proved that the few officials who were present at +the meeting as a section of the public had done their best to prevent +the irregularities, and that some of them had been hurt in their +endeavours to preserve order. Instead of expressing their disapproval of +such complaints, and referring the petitioners to the local Courts, Her +Majesty's Government accepts those complaints, and gives them an +official character by forwarding them for the information of this +Government, and by publishing them in blue books for the information of +the world. + +"Her Majesty's Government will readily acknowledge that there is no +State in the world with any sense of dignity, however weak and +insignificant it may be, which can regard such matters with an +indifferent eye; and when the relations of the two Governments are +strained, then the mainspring must be looked for in this action of its +subjects, which is not disapproved of by Her Majesty's Government, and +not in imaginary or trumped-up grievances." + +I have now examined the principal financial and administrative +grievances of the English Uitlanders. I say English Uitlanders +advisedly, because complaints are seldom or ever heard from other +nationalities, either directly or by means of diplomatic +representations. + +Can it be contended with the slightest shadow of right and fairness that +these grievances afford a reason for intervention? What crimes have +been committed here against humanity or the law of nations? Do not the +recorded grievances and abuses find a parallel in occurrences which are +taking place every day in the most civilised countries? One can with +perfect justice apply to the present circumstances the language which +the Russian Government used in stigmatising the illegal intervention of +the British Government in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of +Naples[49]:-- + +"We would understand that, as a consequence of friendly forethought, one +Government should give advice to another in a benevolent spirit; that +such advice might even assume the character of exhortation; but we +believe that to be the furthest limit allowable. Less than ever can it +now be allowed in Europe to forget that sovereigns are equal among +themselves, and that it is not the extent of territory, but the sacred +character of the rights of each, which regulates the relations that +exist between them. To endeavour to obtain from the King of Naples +concessions as regards the internal government of his States by threats, +or by a menacing demonstration, is a violent usurpation of his +authorities, an attempt to govern in his stead; it is an open +declaration of the right of the strong over the weak." + +In spite of all its hypocritical accusations, the British Government is +perfectly well aware that, notwithstanding the unparalleled difficulties +with which the Government and the Legislature have had to contend, the +administration of the South African Republic is on a sound basis, and +can, indeed, be favourably compared with that of other countries in a +similar position. + +It knows full well that the grievances which are used, by means of blue +books, to stir up and excite the altruistic and humane feelings of the +British public are for the most part imaginary, and that even if they +were perfectly genuine, they nevertheless afford no ground for a +justifiable interference in the internal affairs of the Republic. It is +therefore necessary to have recourse to "Constitutional means" of +another description. + +[Sidenote: Equal political rights.] + +The third and last "Constitutional" method which Mr. Chamberlain has had +recourse to in order to forcibly intermeddle in the internal affairs of +the South African Republic is the claim of equal rights for all the +white inhabitants of the South African Republic. In this claim he has +also followed the inspiration of Mr. Rhodes, for after the Jameson Raid +Mr. Rhodes was prepared with a new programme for the "progressive +policy" of South Africa, and made use of the formula "Equal rights for +all white people south of the Zambesi." Mr. Rhodes altered this cry +afterwards, with an eye to the coloured vote in the Cape Colony, to +"Equal rights for all civilised persons south of the Zambesi." + +In due time the echo resounded from Downing Street "Equal political +rights for all persons in the South African Republic." This formula may +be either desirable or undesirable as a political aspiration in South +Africa. But it is somewhat strange that Mr. Chamberlain should be one of +the leaders of the party in England which has strenuously opposed the +policy of manhood suffrage. In our case, however, Mr. Chamberlain does +not confine himself to friendly advice, but he _demands_ the franchise +for all Uitlanders. + +The South African Republic already possesses a franchise law, according +to which every person is entitled to the full franchise after a seven +years' residence in the Republic. But Mr. Chamberlain goes much further, +and claims a far more extensive franchise. On what grounds does he base +his claim? + +[Sidenote: The Royal Commission.] + +He appeals to the discussions which formed a prelude to the Convention +of 1881. In the discussions, however, mention is only made of burgher +rights or civil rights, with reference to which all possible equality +has continuously existed since the Sand River Convention. To safeguard +the equality of those civil as distinguished from political rights, Art. +12 of the Pretoria Convention provides "all persons (Her Majesty's loyal +subjects) will have full liberty to reside in the country with the +enjoyment, of all civil rights, and protection for their persons and +property." + +The period of the franchise was increased in 1882 from one year to five +years, without, however, any protest from Her Majesty's Government, and +in 1884 it was provided in the new Convention of that year in the most +express and clear way possible that:-- + + (_Art. XIV_.).--All persons, other than natives, conforming + themselves to the laws of the South African Republic (_a_) will + have full liberty with their families, to enter, travel, or + reside in any part of the South African Republic; (_b_), they + will be entitled to hire or possess houses, manufactories, + warehouses, shops, and premises; (_c_), they may carry on their + commerce either in person or by any agents whom they may think + fit to employ; (_d_), they will not be subject, in respect of + their persons or property, or in respect of their commerce or + industry, to any taxes, whether general or local, other than + those which are or may be imposed upon citizens of the said + Republic. + +In this way all white Uitlanders were guaranteed in their rights of free +movement, ownership, and possession of property, trade, and commerce, +and equal taxation with the burghers. There is no mention of political +rights, nor has there ever been before this year--1899. The Government +of the South African Republic would be acting strictly in terms of the +Convention if it informed Mr. Chamberlain that it alone has to determine +upon the Franchise, as being a question of a purely internal nature; and +further, that in claiming the right in terms of that Convention to force +the Government to adopt a particular Franchise Law Mr. Chamberlain is +the party who is violating the Convention. + +[Sidenote: The Bloemfontein Conference.] + +The Government of the South African Republic, however, took up a higher +position; the State President went to Bloemfontein for the purpose of +discussing even internal affairs in a friendly spirit with the High +Commissioner--_inter alia_--the question of the franchise, as he was +actuated by the wish to consolidate and promote the peace of South +Africa. [50] Sir Alfred Milner said there: "If the question could be +settled upon a broad and firm basis, the tension would disappear and +everything come right in time." He has done his best latterly to prove +that he did not say or mean anything of the kind, that the franchise +question was only one of the burning internal matters in which Her +Majesty's Government interested itself, and that a favourable +understanding about the franchise would in no way pave the way to an +agreement as to the other points of difference. + +[Sidenote: Sir Alfred Milner's attitude.] + +The attitude of Sir Alfred Milner in this and other questions is, +however, of such a nature that it is better to say nothing about his +conduct, but to leave him to the judgment of public opinion and history. +No agreement being possible between the parties, President Kruger left +Bloemfontein and amended the Franchise Law in such a way that the Orange +Free State, the Africanders of Cape Colony, and even Mr. Schreiner, +Premier of the Cape Colony, publicly signified their approval of the +amendments which had been made. + +[Sidenote: The joint Commission of Enquiry.] + +Mr. Chamberlain now discarded the appearance of friendliness, and began +to adopt a menacing tone in his communications to the Government of the +South African Republic. He proposed that the question as to whether the +new Franchise Law was satisfactory or not should be discussed by a Joint +Commission. + +In the meanwhile, owing to informal conversations between the State +Attorney and the British Government, there seemed to be a reasonable +prospect of a speedy and satisfactory settlement.[51] The British +Government, on being sounded by its agent, announced that if a five +years' franchise, unhampered by complicated conditions, and with a +quarter representation for the gold fields, were conceded, it would be +prepared to consider the conditions, upon which the proposal depended, +on their merits, and would not consider such a proposal as a refusal to +accept the Joint Enquiry. The conditions were that (_a_) no further +interference should take place; (_b_), that the claim of suzerainty +should drop; and (_c_) that further disputes should be settled by +Arbitration. As soon, however, as the proposal was formally made the +British Government refused to accept the condition with regard to the +dropping of the suzerainty claim, notwithstanding the fact that the High +Commissioner had declared in an official dispatch that the suzerainty +controversy appeared to him to be etymological and not political.[52] +Shortly afterwards the British Government made what was practically the +same proposal, but _without_ the condition as to the dropping of the +suzerainty claim. + +[Sidenote: Bad faith of the British Government.] + +As the Government of the South African Republic attached a vital +importance to this condition, in view maintaining its international +status, it refused to accept the proposal in this form; it, however, now +reverted to the invitation for a joint enquiry, which it agreed to +accept, but the British Government replied that it was too late, and +that as a matter of fact it no longer adhered to the invitation. + +Here we see in the clearest light-- + +(1). That, although the High Commissioner had stated that the suzerainty +was only a question of etymological importance, that although the +British Government had never been able to refute the arguments advanced +by the South African Republic as to the abolition of the suzerainty in +1884, the British Government was nevertheless determined not to abandon +its pretension, and is now prepared to make war in South Africa over +this point. + +(2). That the British Government invites the South African Republic to a +joint enquiry, and, when this invitation, which had never been +withdrawn, is accepted, the acceptance is refused with every mark of +contempt. + +Is there any instance in the history of civilised diplomacy of such +trickery and such callous jugglery with the highest interests of South +Africa? + +Can anyone wonder that South Africa has lost all confidence in British +statesmanship? + +The British name has been sullied in this part of the world by many +perfidious actions, but of a truth I cannot instance any more despicable +and repellent incidents than those which have marked the course of +events during the last few months. + +And the consequence of this trickery will be written with the blood and +the tears of thousands of innocent people. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 33: Dispatches of 12th August, 1896; 21st August, 1896; 17th +February, 1897. C. 8423 and C. 8721.] + +[Footnote 34: Dispatches of the 6th March, 1897. C. 8423.] + +[Footnote 35: Dispatch, 7th May, 1897. No. 3, C. 8721.] + +[Footnote 36: Dispatch, October, 1897. No. 7, C. 8721.] + +[Footnote 37: Dispatch, 16th April, 1898. No. 4, C. 9507.] + +[Footnote 38: Dispatch. C. 9507. Page 33.] + +[Footnote 39: Dispatch, 17th March, 1899. C. 9507.] + +[Footnote 40: 17th August, 1899.] + +[Footnote 41: Dispatch, 10th May, 1899. No. 83, C. 9345.] + +[Footnote 42: Dispatch of the Transvaal Government, 26th September, +1899. Appendix C.] + +[Footnote 43: Dispatch, 10th May, 1899. Blue Book, C. 9345. Page 229.] + +[Footnote 44: Dispatch. Appendix C.] + +[Footnote 45: Dispatch, 10th May, 1899. C. 9345. Page 229.] + +[Footnote 46: Appendix C.] + +[Footnote 47: Dispatch, 10th May, 1899. Blue Book, C. 9345. Page 229.] + +[Footnote 48: Appendix C.] + +[Footnote 49: _Life of Prince Consort_, Vol. III., page 510.] + +[Footnote 50: Blue Book, C. 9404.] + +[Footnote 51: Blue Book, C. 9530.] + +[Footnote 52: Blue Book, C. 9507. Page 6.] + + + + +CONCLUSION. + + +I have now reviewed all the facts connected with the history of our +oppression and persecution during the past hundred years. The +allegations I have made are not invented, but are based upon the +statements of the most reliable witnesses, nearly all of them of British +nationality; they are facts that have been declared incontestable before +the tribunal of history. As far as the more recent occurrences since +1898 are concerned, I may state that I have had personal knowledge of +all the negociations and questions at issue above referred to, and I can +only declare that I have confined myself to facts; these will stand out +in a much clearer light when the curtain is raised and the events of the +last two years in this sorely afflicted part of the world are revealed. + +In this awful turning point in the history of South Africa, on the eve +of the conflict which threatens to exterminate our people, it behoves us +to speak the truth in what may be, perchance, our last message to the +world. Even if we are exterminated the truth will triumph through us +over our conquerors, and will sterilise and paralyse all their efforts +until they too disappear in the night of oblivion. + +Up to the present our people have remained silent; we have been spat +upon by the enemy, slandered, harried, and treated with every possible +mark of disdain and contempt. But our people, with a dignity which +reminds the world of a greater and more painful example of suffering, +have borne in silence the taunts and derision of their opponents; +indeed, they elected out of a sense of duty to remedy the faults and +abuses which had crept into their public administration during moments +of relaxed vigilance. But even this was ascribed to weakness and +cowardice. Latterly our people have been represented by influential +statesmen and on hundreds of platforms in England as incompetent, +uncivilised, dishonourable, untrustworthy, corrupt, bloodthirsty, +treacherous, etc., etc., so that not only the British public, but nearly +the whole world, began to believe that we stood on the same level as the +wild beasts. In the face of these taunts and this provocation our people +still remained silent. We were forced to learn from formal blue books +issued by Her Majesty's Government and from dispatches of Her Majesty's +High Commissioner in South Africa that our unscrupulous State +Government, and our unjust, unprincipled, and disorderly administration, +was a continual festering sore, which, like a pestilential vapour, +defiled the moral and political atmosphere of South Africa. We remained +silent. We were accused in innumerable newspapers of all sorts of +misdeeds against civilisation and humanity; crimes were imputed to us, +the bare narration of which was sufficient to cause the hair to rise +with horror. If the reading public believe a hundredth part of the +enormities which have been laid at the door of our people and +Government, they must be irresistibly forced to the conclusion that this +Republic is a den of thieves and a sink of iniquity, a people, in fact, +the very existence of which is a blot upon humanity, and a nuisance to +mankind. Of the enormous sums which we are alleged to have spent out of +the Secret Service Fund in order to purchase the good opinion of the +world there has been no practical result or evidence, for the breath of +slander went on steadily increasing with the violence of a hurricane. +But our people remained silent, partly out of stupidity, partly out of a +feeling of despairing helplessness, and partly because, being a pastoral +people, they read no newspapers, and were thus unaware of the way in +which the feeling of the whole world was being prejudiced against them +by the efforts of malignant hate. + +The practical effect has been that our case has been lost by default +before the tribunal of public opinion. That is why I feel compelled to +state the facts which have characterised the attitude of the British +towards us during the Nineteenth century. Naboth's title to his vineyard +must be cancelled. The easiest way of securing that object, according to +the tortuous methods of British diplomacy, was to prove that Naboth was +a scoundrel and Ahab an angel. The facts which have marked Ahab's career +have been stated. I shall now proceed to draw my conclusions, which I +submit must appeal irresistibly to every impartial and right-minded +person. + +During this century there have been three periods which have been +characterised by different attitudes of the British Government towards +us. The first began in 1806, and lasted until the middle of the century. +During this period the chief feature of British policy was one of utter +contempt, and the general trend of British feeling in regard to our +unfortunate people can be summarised by the phrase, "The stupid and +dirty Dutch." But the hypocritical ingenuity of British policy was +perfectly competent to express this contempt in accents which harmonised +with the loftiest sentiments then prevailing. The wave of sentimental +philanthropy then passing over the civilised world was utilised by the +British Government in order to represent the Boers to the world as +oppressors of poor peace-loving natives, who were also men and brethren +eminently capable of receiving religion and civilisation. + +It may seem inexplicable that the Power which stood up boldly at the +Treaty of Utrecht as the shameless champion of negro slavery was the +very one which was celebrated in South Africa for its morbid love of the +natives; the explanation, however, is that it was not so much love for +the native that underlay the apparent negrophilistic policy as hatred +and contempt of the Boer. As a result of this hatred of the Boer, +disguised under the veneer of philanthropy in regard to the aborigines, +the natives were employed as police against us; they were provided with +arms and ammunition to be used against us; they were incited to fight +us, and, wherever it was possible, they murdered and plundered us. In +fact, our people were forced to bid farewell to the Cape Colony and all +that was near and dear to them, and seek a shelter in the unknown +wilderness of the North. + +As an ultimate result of this hatred, our people had to pursue their +pilgrimage of martyrdom throughout South Africa, until every portion of +that unhappy country has been painted red with the blood, not so much +of men capable of resistance as with that of our murdered and +defenceless women and children. + +The second period lasted until the year 1881. The fundamental principle +then underlying British policy was no longer one of unqualified hatred. +Results had already proved that hatred was powerless to subdue the +Africander; it had, on the other hand, contributed largely to the +consolidation of Africanderdom and to the fact that they spread over the +whole of South Africa, thus forming the predominant nationality almost +everywhere. In a moment of disinterestedness or absent-minded dejection +England had concluded treaties with the Boers in 1852 and 1854, by which +they were guaranteed in the undisturbed possession of certain wild and +apparently worthless tracts of territory. + +The fundamental sentiment which governed the policy of the second period +was a feeling of regret at having made this mistake, coupled with the +firm determination to set aside its results. These wild and useless +tracts, which had been guaranteed to the Boers, appeared to be very +valuable after the Boers had rescued them from barbarism, and opened +them up for civilisation. It was felt that they ought to gleam amongst +the jewels of Her Majesty's Crown, notwithstanding the obstacle in the +treaties that had been concluded with the Boers. This was the concealed +intention. As far as the means were concerned--they were, from the very +exigency of inborn hypocrisy, partly revealed and partly concealed; the +one differing from the other, as light from darkness. The secret means +consisted in arming the Kaffir tribes against us in the most incredible +manner, and in inciting them to attack us in violation of solemn +treaties and promises. If this policy succeeded the real objects and +means could be suppressed, and England could then come forward and pose +openly as the champion of peace and order, and as the guardian angel of +civilisation in this part of the world. The Republics could then be +annexed under cover of these plausible pretexts. This policy failed as +far as the Orange Free State was concerned, because the brave burghers +of the neighbouring Republic succeeded, after great difficulty, in +overcoming Moshesh, notwithstanding the fact that their arms and +ammunition had been illegally stopped by the British Government. England +was compelled in that case to confine itself to the protection of its +"Basuto" tools. The British, however, succeeded in preventing the Boers +from reaping the legitimate fruits of their victory, and in annexing the +Diamond Fields--a flagrantly illegal act. + +As far as the South African Republic is concerned, it was unfortunate +that the burghers were not vigilant enough to foresee and prevent the +crafty policy of the enemy. As the Transvaal Boers had subdued the most +powerful Kaffir tribes, they never dreamt that the insignificant Kaffir +wars in which they had been involved through English intrigue would have +been seized as a pretext to annex their country to the British Crown. +They had been remiss in not putting their full force into the field so +as to bring these little wars to a speedy conclusion. And so the Magato +and Socoecoeni campaigns were conducted in a protracted and half-hearted +way, much to the satisfaction of Sir Theophilus Shepstone, and those +who were at his back. + +The Annexation was brought about. It was announced that the extension of +Her Majesty's sway and protection over the South African Republic could +alone secure unity of purpose and trade, as well as open out a prospect +of peace and prosperity. In these words of Shepstone's proclamation we +see in all its repulsive nakedness the hypocrisy which openly +masqueraded in the guise of the disinterested and pitiful Samaritan, +while its true and secret object was to inflict a fatal wound upon the +burgher Republic. + +The third period of our history is characterised by the amalgamation of +the old and well-known policy of fraud and violence with the new forces +of Capitalism, which had developed so powerfully owing to the mineral +riches of the South African Republic. Our existence as a people and as a +State is now threatened by an unparalleled combination of forces. +Arrayed against us we find numerical strength, the public opinion of the +United Kingdom thirsting and shouting for blood and revenge, the +world-wide and cosmopolitan power of Capitalism, and all the forces +which underlie the lust of robbery and the spirit of plunder. Our lot +has of late become more and more perilous. The cordon of beasts of +plunder and birds of prey has been narrowed and drawn closer and closer +around this poor doomed people during the last ten years. As the wounded +antelope awaits the coming of the lion, the jackal, and the vulture, so +do our poor people all over South Africa contemplate the approach of the +foe, encircled as they are by the forces of hatred and revenge, and by +the stratagems and covetousness of their enemies. Every sea in the +world is being furrowed by the ships which are conveying British troops +from every corner of the globe in order to smash this little handful of +people. Even Xerxes, with his millions against little Greece, does not +afford a stranger spectacle to the wonder and astonishment of mankind +than this gentle and kind-hearted Mother of Nations, as, wrapped in all +the panoply of her might, riches, and exalted traditions, she approaches +the little child grovelling in the dust with a sharpened knife in her +hand. This is no War--it is an attempt at Infanticide. + +And as the brain of the onlooker reels, and as his thoughts fade away +into uneasy slumbers, there arises before him in a dream the distant +prospect of Bantu children playing amongst the gardens and ruins of the +sunny south around thousands of graves in which the descendants of the +European heroes of Faith and Freedom lie sleeping. + +For the marauding hordes of the Bantu are once more roving where +European dwellings used to stand. And when the question is asked--why +all this has happened? Why the heroic children of an heroic race, to +which civilisation owes its most priceless blessings, should lie +murdered there in that distant quarter of the globe? An invisible spirit +of mockery answers, "Civilisation is a failure; the Caucasian is played +out!" and the dreamer awakens with the echo of the word "Gold! gold! +gold!" in his ears. + +The orchids of Birmingham are yellow. The traditions of the greatest +people on earth are tarnished and have become yellow. + +The laurels which Britannia's legions hope to win in South Africa are +sere and yellow. + +But the sky which stretches its banner over South Africa remains blue. +The justice to which Piet Retief appeals when our fathers said farewell +to the Cape Colony, and to which Joachim Prinsloo called aloud in the +Volksraad of Natal when it was annexed by England; the justice to which +the burghers of the Transvaal entrusted their case at Paarde Kraal in +1880, remains immutable, and is like a rock against which the yeasty +billows of British diplomacy dissolve in foam. + +It proceeds according to eternal laws, unmoved by human pride and +ambition. As the Greek poet of old said, it permits the tyrant, in his +boundless self-esteem, to climb higher and higher and to gain greater +honour and might until he arrives at the appointed height, and then +falls down into the infinite depths. + +Africanders, I ask you but to do as Leonidas did with his 300 men when +they advanced unflinchingly at Thermopylæ against Xerxes and his +myriads, and do not be disturbed by such men as Milner, Rhodes, and +Chamberlain, or even by the British Empire itself, but cling fast to the +God of our forefathers, and to the Righteousness which is sometimes slow +in acting, but which never slumbers nor forgets. Our forefathers did not +pale before the terrors of the Spanish Inquisition, but entered upon the +great struggle for Freedom and Right against even the mighty Philip, +unmindful of the consequences. + +Nor could the rack and the persecuting bands of Louis XIV. tame or +subdue the spirit of our fathers. Neither Alva nor Richelieu were able +to compass the triumph of tyranny over the innate sentiment of Freedom +and Independence in our forefathers. Nor will a Chamberlain be more +fortunate in effecting the triumph of Capitalism, with its lust for +power, over us. + +If it is ordained that we, insignificant as we are, should be the first +among all peoples to begin the struggle against the new-world tyranny of +Capitalism, then we are ready to do so, even if that tyranny is +reinforced by the power of Jingoism. + +May the hope which glowed in our hearts during 1880, and which buoyed us +up during that struggle, burn on steadily! May it prove a beacon of +light in our path, invincibly moving onwards through blood and through +tears, until it leads us to a real Union of South Africa. + +As in 1880, we now submit our cause with perfect confidence to the whole +world. Whether the result be Victory or Death, Liberty will assuredly +rise in South Africa like the sun from out the mists of the morning, +just as Freedom dawned over the United States of America a little more +than a century ago. Then from the Zambesi to Simon's Bay it will be + + "AFRICA FOR THE AFRICANDER." + + + + +APPENDICES + + + + +APPENDIX A. + +LORD DERBY'S DISPATCH ON THE CONVENTION OF 1884. + + + _To_ MESSRS. KRUGER, DU TOIT, AND SMIT. + DOWNING STREET, + 15 _February_, 1884. + +GENTLEMEN, + +I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th +inst., in which you intimate your readiness to accept the arrangement +proposed by me at our recent interview, whereby the debt of the +Transvaal State to Her Majesty's Government would be reduced by +£127,000. I will not delay to recommend this proposal to the +consideration of Her Majesty's Government. + +I have considered the representations and suggestions made in the fourth +and following paragraphs of your letter, and I do not think it would now +be practicable to carry out the arrangements which you propose for the +settlement of the questions referred to. Her Majesty's Government are +willing, however, that the 20th Article of the Convention of Pretoria +shall be retained in the new Convention, with such verbal alterations as +are requisite, and I am glad to understand that this course will meet +your views. + +When I had the pleasure of receiving you here on the 8th inst. we +discussed the other principal questions which, in addition to those of +the boundary and the debt, you had submitted to me in previous +correspondence, and I explained to you generally the nature and extent +of the concessions which Her Majesty's Government would be able to make +in regard to them. You were satisfied with these explanations, as far as +they were put before you; and the progress which has been made appears +to me to render it convenient that I should now transmit for your +perusal a draft of the new Convention which Her Majesty's Government +propose in substitution for the Convention of Pretoria. In this draft +the Articles of the Convention of Pretoria, which will be no longer in +force, have been printed alongside of the proposed new Articles, and +where an Article is retained and altered, the alterations have been +shown in order to explain clearly the changes which will be made. You +will find that in the draft, and the map which accompanies it, the +conclusions which have been arrived at in the course of our +communications have been closely adhered to and accurately expressed, +and I trust that you will experience no difficulty in understanding and +agreeing to each of its provisions. If, however, there should be any +point as to which you are doubtful, it may be convenient that you should +again meet me here and receive such further explanations as may be +desirable. + +It does not appear to me to be necessary that I should refer in detail +to each Article of the draft. You will observe that in the preamble and +throughout the Convention the wish of your Government that the +designation "South African Republic" should be substituted for +"Transvaal State" has been complied with. In the first Article the +extension of the Western boundary is precisely defined as agreed to. By +the omission of those Articles of the Convention of Pretoria which +assigned to Her Majesty and to the British Resident certain specific +powers and functions connected with the internal government and the +foreign relations of the Transvaal State your Government will be left +free to govern the country without interference, and to conduct its +diplomatic intercourse and shape its foreign policy subject only to the +requirement embodied in the fourth Article of the new draft--that any +treaty with a foreign State shall not have effect without the approval +of the Queen. + +There are other provisions in the draft which have not been the subject +of discussion with you; they are for the most part a renewal of those +declarations made on behalf of the Transvaal State in the Convention of +Pretoria, which it is desirable (as I trust you will agree in thinking) +to maintain as an assurance to all parties that there will be no +withdrawal of those securities for liberty and equal treatment which +your State has always professed itself ready to afford. I would, +however, refer more specifically to the 19th Article of the draft, in +which it is proposed that in consideration of the discontinuance of all +direct interference by this country in the government and control of the +natives within the Transvaal, it should be formally declared that your +Government will adopt and carry out the assurances which, with their +assent and approval, were given to those natives by Her Majesty's +Commissioners. + +I trust that I may soon hear from you that there is no obstacle to my +informing Her Majesty's Government that the Draft Convention can be +adopted. + +I have, etc., + +DERBY. + + +A CONVENTION CONCLUDED BETWEEN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, &C., &C., AND THE +SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC. + +NOTE.--_The words and paragraphs bracketed or printed in italics are +proposed to be inserted, those within a black line are proposed to be +omitted._ + +[**Transcriber's Note: Words to be omitted are surrounded with '='s.**] + +Her Majesty's Commissioners for the settlement of the Transvaal +Territory, duly appointed as such by a Commission passed under the Royal +Sign Manual and Signet, bearing date the 5th of April 1881, do hereby +undertake and guarantee, on behalf of Her Majesty, that from and after +the 8th day of August 1881, complete self-government, subject to the +suzerainty of Her Majesty, Her Heir and Successors, will be accorded to +the inhabitants of the Transvaal Territory, upon the following terms and +conditions, and subject to the following reservations and limitations:-- + +Whereas the Government of the Transvaal State, through its Delegates, +consisting of Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, President of the said +State. Stephanus Johannes Du Toit, Superintendent of Education; Nicholas +Jacobus Smit, a member of the Volksraad, have represented to the Queen +that the Convention signed at Pretoria on the 3rd day of August, 1881, +and ratified by the Volksraad of the said State on the 20th October, +1881, contains certain provisions which are inconvenient, and imposes +burdens and obligations from which the said State is desirous to be +relieved; and that the south-western boundaries fixed by the said +Convention should be amended, with a view to promote the peace and good +order of the said state, and of the countries adjacent thereto; and +whereas Her Majesty the Queen, &c., &c., has been pleased to take the +said representations into consideration. Now, therefore, Her Majesty has +been pleased to direct, and it is hereby declared that the following +articles of a new Convention--shall when ratified by the Volksraad of +the South African Republic, be substituted for the Articles embodied in +the Convention of 3rd August, 1881; which latter, pending such +ratification, shall continue in full force and effect. + +Signed at =Pretoria= _London_ this =3rd day of August 1881,= + + =HERCULES ROBINSON,= + =President and High Commissioner= + =EVELYN WOOD, Major General,= + =Officer Administering the Government= + =J.H. de VILLIERS.= + +We, the undersigned, Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, =Martinus Wessel +Pretorius=, and =Petrus Jacobus Joubert=, as =representatives delegates= +of the =Transvaal Burghers=, _South African Republic_, do hereby agree +to all the above conditions, reservations, and limitations, =under which +self government has been restored to the inhabitants of the Transvaal +Territory, subject to the enzerainty of Her Majesty, Her Heirs and +Successsors, and we agree to accept the Government of the said +Territory, with all rights and obligations thereto appertaining, on the +8th day of August 1881,= and we =promise and= undertake that this +Convention shall be ratified by a =newly elected= Volksraad of the +=Transvaal State= _South African Republic_ within =three= _six_ months +from this date. + +Signed at =Pretoria,= _London_, this =3rd day of August 1881= + + =S.J.P. KRUEGER= + =M.W. PRETORIUS= + =P.J. JOUBERT= + + + + +APPENDIX B. (TRANSLATION). + +THE ANNEXATION OF THE DIAMOND FIELDS. + + +In his speech at the opening of the Cape Parliament on the 18th April, +1872, Sir Henry Barkly said:-- + +"The Sovereignty of Her Majesty was therefore proclaimed and brought +into operation with the _full consent of the diggers_, and the +Government has since been carefully and efficiently administered, +notwithstanding considerable difficulties." + +The _Diamond News_ of the 1st May, 1872, says, in referring to this +speech:-- + +"Of the three short paragraphs which immediately concern us, the first +is one of self-congratulation--the diggers and other inhabitants of +Griqualand accept the British Government with heartfelt satisfaction. +Sir Henry says nothing of the unaccountable and daily increasing +dissatisfaction with that Government, and perhaps he knows nothing of +it, as it would be an act of suicide for the Commissioners, which they +would not be guilty of, to report about the prevailing feelings." + +On the 30th May, 1872, the _Diamond Fields_ said:-- + +"There can be no doubt that the population of the Diamond Fields are +strongly opposed to annexation to the Cape Colony. + +"If anything like a plebiscite could be taken, the votes against being +put under the Cape Government would be in the proportion of nine to one +... even the Free State Government would get two votes to one if the +Cape Town Government were the only other candidate." + +In December, 1871, scarcely a month after the dispersion of the Free +State authorities and the constitution of Sir Henry Barkly's junta, +lynch law broke out. Lawlessness and general insecurity prevailed +everywhere (see _Diamond News_, 17th January, 20th March, 17th July, +1872). + +One reads in the _Diggers' Gazette_ of the 26th April, 1872:-- + +"No one would wish to ask for a continuation of the existing state of +affairs. Only entirely mischievous people could wish for the +continuation of such a failure as our Commissioners of British rule have +brought about on these Fields. We have formerly expressed ourselves +openly about this matter, and our local contemporaries have done the +same." + +The following remarks were made in the _Diamond News_ of the 16th +December, 1871:-- + +"A description of Du Toit'span by night lately appeared in the _Diamond +News_ as it used to be under the admittedly unsatisfactory Free State +police, and, by way of contrast, as it now is, after the withdrawal of +that police. The comparison is not flattering to the strength of mind or +administrative capability of our present rulers, and a comparison of +Free State administration with Cape administration would in no way be +more favourable to the latter. + +"The British Government, so highly prized, which would put everything to +rights and would do so much for the diggers, has brought the camps back +to their original position of having to protect themselves." + +In the _Diamond News_ of the 10th July, 1872 (eight months after the +constitution of Sir Henry Barkly's rule), the following criticisms +appear:-- + +"Robberies are becoming so frequent that if we were only to relate the +particulars of those that have been brought to our notice we would +require more space than our limits will allow. Innumerable petty thefts +are passed by without punishment. This is certainly a charming state of +affairs! And the question naturally arises--how long will this continue? +Thieves, black and white, experienced and dangerous, and yet no night +police to stop their illegal actions! Shall we get no night police, or +must the scoundrels, who are poisoning our camps continually, enjoy the +immunity and freedom which they now appear to have?" + +On the 26th July lynch law and revolt broke out afresh in an extensive +way at New Rush, the principal diggings. The _Diggers' Gazette_ made the +following remarks about this:-- + +"As long as Judge Lynch remains free to hold his court and to levy his +punishments, for so long can the whole framework and machinery of lawful +authority just as well cease to exist. + +"Authority cannot maintain its claim to be respected as long as persons +suffering under the sense of having been injured take the law into their +own hands, solely because of the proved incapability of those in +authority to protect them where their interests mostly need protection. + +"Day after day, and night after night, the one or other part of the camp +is entertained by the edifying spectacle of natives being thrashed, +tents being burnt, and white people surrounded by ferocious crowds who +can scarcely be kept back from carrying out their desire for vengeance +by a small truncheon and a thick thong. + +"We do not wish to justify this state of affairs, but we cannot shut our +eyes to the injustice which almost makes it a necessity. No magistrate, +however exceptional, counts against the absence of such laws, +discipline, and police as our circumstances demand, and through want of +which there is no other prospect than that terrorism which arises out of +a blind struggle against anarchy." + +The _Diamond News_, in its issue of 20th July, 1872, says:-- + +"The copious news in our columns, and the reports of meetings, as well +as the scenes which take place every night at mass meetings in this time +of excitement, uproar and confusion, take up nearly all our principal +columns. We heartily wish that the fire may be speedily got under, or +else it is very much to be feared that the end will be dreadfully +injurious to the safety and welfare of the innocent." + +On the 19th July, 1872, a very large meeting of diggers was held at the +Market Square, New Rush, when the following resolution, among others, +was unanimously passed:-- + +"As this meeting is of opinion that, with a view to the prevailing +disturbances in this camp, the Commissioners ought at once, with the +Diggers' Committee, to make such amendments in the existing +unsatisfactory state of the law as will as far as possible prevent the +thefts of diamonds by native labourers, and their purchase by +unprincipled dealers, and will also make such alterations in the law so +as to promote the general welfare." + +In the Cape Parliament, commencing the 5th June, 1872, Mr. Merriman +said:-- + +"The Fields ... were annexed and a form of government was introduced +there which could not be more ludicrous. A sort of irresponsible +Commission (the Rovers junta) was established, in which the members +could not agree, and were not responsible to anybody; he could imagine +nothing more ridiculous or which worked worse. The Orange Free State had +given the people a sort of representation, but the first act of our +Government was to abolish all the Commissions, and the result was that +the people were burdened with an irresponsible body. + +"The Orange Free State had appointed a responsible official ... who was +efficient ... while we had established a court twenty miles away from +the most populated part; whereby grinding expenses had been entailed on +those who sought justice, just as if it was the only object of the +British Government to pile up heavy law costs." + +Mr. Knight said: "One of the chief reasons why he was against Annexation +was that nine-tenths of the population on the fields would hold up +their hands to get rid of the present Government because they felt that +they were far better off before they were annexed." + +Mr. Buchanan declared: "He himself, when he visited the Diamond Fields, +had wandered from camp to camp, and from the one sorting table to the +other, and had talked with the diggers in order to acquaint himself as +to their feelings about various matters, and he had obtained the +conviction that there was a great deal of feeling against the British +Government." + +In the subsequent debate in the Cape Parliament Mr. J.H. Brown said, in +regard to Mr. Orpen's motion: "That the diggers look with the greatest +contempt on the Government which was there now, and that this Government +was quite as much hated as it deserved to be."--(_Diggers' Gazette_, +12th July, 1872). + +In the _Diamond News_ of the 8th October, 1872, one reads:-- + +"Newspaper after newspaper comes out, and those who have a claim upon +land look eagerly to see 'what is happening about the land?' and all the +information the newspaper gives is that David Arnot, Esq., claims half +the country, and that Francis Orpen, Esq., the Surveyor, has decided +that £30 must be paid before the case of any claimant can be taken into +consideration. It is Arnot and Orpen and land; and land and Orpen and +Arnot, week after week. They appear to be made one for the other, and +for nothing and nobody else. + +"Half a newspaper is filled with lists of claims of the said David, and +it becomes daily clearer and clearer that the great head chief of +Griqualand West cannot be Mr. Waterboer, but must be David +Arnot--because all the claims and all the kopjes have been provided for, +and all are for Mr. Arnot and nobody else. + +"The impression is everywhere that British protection is invoked not for +British interests, nor for the interests of Britons working on the +fields here, but for the sake of two gentlemen who hold the reins with +far more power than ought to be given to anyone who is entrusted with +the administration of this country. + +"Who has ever heard of a Government which binds itself to give the +surveyorship of a new country to one man only? Mr. Francis Orpen is +decidedly a first-class man in his profession ... but that does not +justify any Government in agreeing that he, and he only, is to keep the +survey of this territory entirely in his own hands. Everyone knows what +that must lead to." + + + + +APPENDIX C. + +THE REPLY TO MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S DISPATCH ON GRIEVANCES. + +DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, PRETORIA. + +_26th September_, 1899. + + +SIR, + +The Government of the South African Republic has the honour to +acknowledge the receipt of a copy of a certain dispatch dated 10th May, +1899, addressed to His Excellency the High Commissioner by the Secretary +of State for the Colonies, in consequence of a petition sent to Her +Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. 21,684 signatures appear +on this petition, and are said to have been affixed thereto by an +equivalent number of British subjects resident at Johannesburg, in this +Republic. + +This Government notes that Her Majesty's Government have thought fit, on +the grounds of the information already in their possession, to make +investigation into the subject matter of the aforesaid petition, and, as +a result of such investigation, to express to this Government their +views on the administration of the internal affairs of this Republic, +which said views they have at the same time communicated to the +memorialists as an answer to their petition. + +This Government may be permitted to point out that the Convention of +London of 1884, entered into between this Republic and the Government of +Her Britannic Majesty, guarantees to the South African Republic full and +free internal administration without any interference from anyone +whatever. As Lord Derby notifies in his dispatch of the 15th February, +1884:-- + +"Your Government will be left free to govern the country without +interference, and to conduct its diplomatic intercourse, and shape its +foreign policy, subject only to the requirements embodied in the fourth +article of the new draft--that any treaty with a foreign State shall not +have effect without the approval of the Queen." + +In his despatch of the 4th February, 1896, the Colonial Secretary, Mr. +Chamberlain, states:-- + +"In the next place, it is necessary that I should state clearly and +unequivocally what is the position which Her Majesty's Government claim +to hold toward the Government of the South African Republic. Since the +Convention of 1884, Her Majesty's Government recognised the South +African Republic as a free and independent Government as regards all its +internal affairs not touched by the Convention." + +In a telegram, also from Mr. Chamberlain, dated 26th March, 1896, the +same statement is substantially made, viz.:--"Her Majesty's Government +do not claim any rights under the Conventions to prescribe particular +internal reforms which should be made in South African Republic." + +This Government has always felt it a solemn duty for the Republic to +adhere strictly to the Convention of 1884 in its entirety; at the same +time, it has been consistent in protesting in the most forcible manner +against any interference or intermeddling with the internal affairs of +the Republic, and against the discussion or treatment of these affairs +with or by any other than the Republic itself, and it can discover no +reasons now which would either justify such interference or exempt it +from the accusation of being a violation of the Convention of London. + +This Government feels convinced that Her Majesty's Government would not +favourably entertain a request from British subjects for intervention +because the said British subjects are unwilling (as was agreed between +this Republic and Her Majesty's Government in the Convention of London) +to conform themselves to the laws of the land and to respect the legal +institutions and customs of the South African Republic, and because they +feel aggrieved that the laws are not altered in accordance with their +demands. + +The friendly relations so highly prized by this Government which have +existed between this Republic and the United Kingdom, the other party to +the Convention of London, have always been a safe guarantee to this +Government against such a breach of the Convention on the part of Her +Majesty's Government, and it greatly deplores the fact that Her +Majesty's Government has now decided to act in conflict with the +Convention of London by busying itself with the imaginary grievances of +the Uitlanders, and making representations thereanent to this +Government. Against such action this Government feels that it must +earnestly and emphatically protest, and the Right Hon. Mr. Chamberlain +could not take it amiss if this Government were to pay no further +attention to the charges against its administration contained in the +petition, or if they declined to discuss further the views of Her +Majesty's Government about these charges. + +This Government has, however, on more than one occasion, notified to Her +Majesty's Government that it will attach great value to any suggestions +which may be tendered in the interests of British subjects, and it will +certainly lend a very willing ear to any friendly advice or hints which +may be given by Her Majesty's Government as being the representative of +a Power which, with this Republic and the Orange Free State, protects +and fosters the paramount interests of South Africa. + +His Honour the State President was animated by these sentiments when he +accepted the courteous invitation of His Honour President Steyn to +proceed to Bloemfontein in order to confer with Your Excellency about +matters which are an equal source of interest to this Republic and Her +Majesty's Government. These friendly sentiments now prompt it to take +the liberty of drawing serious attention to the fact that Her Majesty's +Government certainly appear to be supplied with insufficient and +incorrect data about facts and occurrences from which erroneous ideas +and conclusions are drawn, so that, although desirous of avoiding +subjects the discussion of which would be contrary to the Convention, +this Government nevertheless feels that it ought to convey to Her +Majesty's Government the true position of affairs, and that it ought to +point out how the latter is misled, the condition of affairs as depicted +in the dispatch under reply being in all respects exaggerated, and in +many instances entirely untrue. + +In the first place, this Government wishes to point out that, so far +from the petition which gave rise to the despatch under reply having +been signed by 21,684 British subjects, it appears indeed that it was +signed by very few people in the South African Republic--leaving aside +all mention of British subjects. This has been substantiated in many +cases by sworn declarations, many of which were handed to His Excellency +the High Commissioner during the Conference at Bloemfontein, and this +Government feels that it may flatter itself that the British Government, +after having examined these documents, will share with this Government +the view that this memorial is in itself a matter of very slight +importance, even although it may contain the signatures of a certain +number of British subjects who hold the opinion that they are entitled +to a change in the form of Government because, in violation of the +Convention entered into between this Republic and Her Majesty's +Government, they will not conform themselves to the laws of the land, +but claim alterations therein at their own caprice. + +This Government is all the more convinced that this memorial is of no +great moment, and that it certainly does not express the feelings of all +the so-called Uitlanders, because another memorial has been received by +it from about 23,000 inhabitants of this Republic, nearly all +Uitlanders, and amongst whom are several British subjects. The High +Commissioner was informed that the signatures to this memorial were +obtained in a perfectly _bona fide_ way, and this information was +supported by sworn affidavits. The purport of this memorial bore +evidence to the fact that the thousands of Uitlanders who signed it were +satisfied with the administration and the Government of this Republic, +and did not share the views of the memorialists to Her Britannic Majesty +in respect of what the latter considered to be legitimate grievances. + +This Government may further be permitted to point out that although the +Uitlander population may have co-operated in effecting an increase in +the revenues of the State, principally, as His Excellency has been +informed, in custom dues, prospecting licences, railway receipts, etc., +so that the revenue in 1898 amounted to £3,983,360, the fact must not be +lost sight of, on the other hand, that gold to the value of +_£20,000,000_ was exported from the State during the same year 1898, +almost entirely by the Uitlanders. + +At the same time, it must not be forgotten that although the, chief item +in custom dues is collected on goods which are imported at Johannesburg, +yet these goods are not entirely used or consumed by the Uitlanders, for +a considerable quantity is sent over the whole Republic by the wholesale +merchants to the retail dealers who do business with the burghers in the +villages and the country, so that much of what is imported into +Johannesburg is destined for consumption by the original burgher of the +Republic. + +With regard to the contention that the mining industry is more heavily +taxed than in any other country, and that the cost of the necessaries of +life is higher, this Government desires to remark that this contention +is entirely contradicted by facts and statistics. The value of goods +imported into the South African Republic during 1898 amounted to +£9,996,575, and the custom duties levied thereon to £1,058,224, or 10.6 +per cent. Under the Customs Union of the adjacent British Colonies the +import duties amounted to 15 per cent, of the value of the goods, a +comparison which yields a difference of nearly 50 per cent. in favour of +the Republic. When the matter is examined in detail the case is even +stronger. In the Colonies certain articles, such as bread stuffs, are +subject to a special duty of 2s., say about 30 per cent, of the value, +in corn, and 40 per cent. in meal. In this Republic the duty on both the +foregoing articles is 7-1/2 per cent.; butter is especially taxed at 3d. +per pound, or 30 per cent., under the Customs Union, while in the +Republic it is subject only to the 7-1/2 _ad valorem_ duty. Coffee and +other necessaries of life, on being compared, would show a similar +difference, and this Government therefore trusts that Her Majesty's +Government will exonerate it when it points out the incorrectness and +unreliability of the information supplied to the Secretary of State, on +which he bases his conclusion that the cost of living is unusually high +in consequence of the taxation levied by the State; that such is not the +case will be at once shown by a comparison with the taxation of the +neighbouring Colonies. + +The character of the financial administration must have been erroneously +represented to Her Majesty's Government if it was simply stated that +defalcations to an amount of £18,590 had taken place. It would _ex +facie_ appear from such a statement that the above defalcations had +taken place during the past year; as a matter of fact, the Inspection +Department, which has only recently been called into existence, reported +over financial matters covering the years 1884 to 1896. + +It is unfair to characterise all deficiencies as defalcations, for from +the nature of the case a deficiency does not always constitute a +defalcation. The report specified the sub-divisions of monies which had +yet to be accounted for. The first item in such deficiencies amounted +originally to £12,000, and of this £6,000 was afterwards collected, and +the balance was only brought forward; another item of _£10,808 11s._ was +brought forward in its entirety, but £3,000 of this was eventually +collected and accounted for, while continual efforts were made to secure +the balance. Many items not brought forward were collected long before +and accounted for, while during the inspection of last year it was found +that a sum of £800 yet remained to be paid in out of the deficiencies, +which balance has been accounted for. + +The contention that advances to officials amounting to _£2,398,506 16s. +8d._ have remained unaccounted for is also absolutely incorrect; and the +endeavour to pass this circumstance off as constituting defalcations on +the part of officials bears ample witness to the strong desire to +mislead which has actuated the informants of Her Majesty's Government. + +Any person who is even superficially acquainted with financial +administration will readily admit that this is due to a system of +accounting which was followed until recently by Her Majesty's +Government, and which obtains in some British Colonies, in Natal, for +instance, at the present moment. + +This system may deserve condemnation; it does not, however, necessarily +follow that because the advances may not be speedily accounted for they +have been embezzled, and it does not appear either from the report of +the Inspector of Offices, or from the debates of the Volksraad, that +such accusations were made. But in addition to this a sum of at least +£1,968,306 is included in the aforesaid total of £2,398,506 16s. 8d. +(but which is not comprised in the customary advances), such as Orphan +Chamber £80,000, Indigent Burghers £150,000, Postal Orders £60,000, +various loans to School Committees, Sanitary Boards, and for Waterworks, +Hospitals, Committees, monies placed at interest in Europe, provisional +loans to Railway Companies, purchases of food stuffs and mules in time +of famine, and many others. + +Items, too, of considerable importance appear in the advances, although +they have really been accounted for up to within a pound or two, because +for one reason or another it has not been possible to write off the +exact total, the amounts still to be accounted for having dwindled to a +very insignificant figure. + +The contention that during 1896 a sum of £191,837 was paid out of the +Secret Service Money is also absolutely unfounded, for in that amount a +sum of £158,337 was included which was used for special Government +Works, as was expressly stated in a foot-note on page 44 of the +Estimates for 1897. The Secret Service Fund for that year (1896) did not +amount to more than £33,500. This faulty information, supplied to Her +Majesty's Government, is apparently taken from the said Estimates, it +would seem with the fixed determination to ignore the explanatory +foot-note on page 44. + +It is incorrect to state that the system of granting concessions remains +in full force. Where the Right Hon. the Secretary of State in his +despatch refers to industrial concessions, this Government may remark +that these are privileges granted in order to stimulate and protect +local industry, and the contention that these concessions will develop +into practical monopolies is not supported by any evidence; results will +show that misleading information has been given here as well. + +With regard to the question of education which has been dealt with in +the dispatch of the Right Hon. the Colonial Secretary, this Government +wishes to point out that the amount expended on education during the +year 1898 was £226,219 4s. 8d. In the former year it was less. Of this +amount £36,503 17s. 2d. was devoted to Education on the Gold Fields (for +State as well as for subsidized schools). As the number of scholars +under Act 15, 1896, as well as that of the teachers, have considerably +increased, the amount during the current year will probably be +_£53,000_. The conditions on which this money is given are certainly not +such as to exclude the children of Uitlanders from its benefits. +According to Volksraad Resolution of 1st June, 1892 (and amendments), +schools where a foreign language was the medium of instruction were +entitled to a subsidy of 20s. per pupil per quarter for the lower +standard, and 25s. for the middle standard, provided that certain +requirements as to knowledge of the official language of the country +were complied with. These requirements are a standard lower than that +for children of burghers in the country, who are taught in schools +governed by Law No. 8 of 1892. + +Few, if any, Uitlanders avail themselves of this offer; the few who have +done so are now satisfied with it, and continue to enjoy the privileges +of the resolution, although it was only renewed in 1898 for those +schools which made a _bona fide_ use of it. Law No. 15, 1896, made +provision for the children of poor parents and strangers on the +proclaimed gold fields entirely at State expense, and 13 schools have +been established by this law--with 51 teachers and about 1,500 +scholars--at Barberton, Pilgrims' Rest, Kaapsche Hoop, Johannesburg (5, +viz., 1 in von Brandis Street, 1 at Braamfontein, 1 at Union Ground, 1 +at Vredesdorp, and 1 in Market Street), Maraisburg, Krugersdorp, +Randfontein, Klerksdorp, and Nigel. In addition to these, preparations +are being made for State schools at the City and Suburban, +Bertramstownship, Johannesburg, and at Roodepoort (Krugersdorp). + +Out of the above-named 13 schools, English is the medium of instruction +in four, and of the remaining nine English is the medium for the +children of English-speaking parents, and Dutch for those of +Dutch-speaking parents. In these nine schools a little more time is +devoted to learning Dutch in each standard than was the case in the +former standard, so that equality in both languages is reached at the +5th standard. + +Altogether there are 27 Dutch Africander or Hollander teachers, and 24 +teachers of English origin in these 13 schools. The Dutch Africander or +Hollander teachers are obliged to possess a thorough knowledge of +English, and have either to pass an examination or produce a certificate +to that effect. + +The object of the system of education in this Republic is to ensure in +the first place the foundation of general knowledge. Law No. 8, 1892, +provides this for the children of the original Boer population in their +mother tongue, in which the necessary schoolbooks must be written, with +this understanding, however, that in the 3rd standard three hours, and +in the higher ones four hours, per week out of the 25 must be devoted to +education in a foreign language. + +With regard to the schools formed under the above-mentioned Resolution, +teaching is carried on through the medium of a foreign language, but at +least 5 hours per week must be devoted to the study of the official +language of the country. + +Of the 13 schools formed under Law 15 of 1896, the children of strangers +are instructed in their own language, while the number of hours for +instruction in and by means of Dutch is increased in each standard. + +According to a Resolution of the First Volksraad, dated the 8th August, +1898, Article 731, a certain number of the School Board members required +by Article I of Law 15 of 1896 have to be nominated and chosen by the +Executive Council out of enfranchised persons (Article 2, Law 8, 1893) +proposed by the fathers of the school children, on the understanding +that the persons so chosen shall constitute less than half of the whole +School Board, and further, that the persons so proposed shall always be +double the number of the people actually nominated. The above facts +clearly prove, according to the opinion of this Government, that Her +Majesty's Government has also been misled in respect to the matter of +education. It is clear that one-fourth of the whole educational vote has +been devoted to the gold fields, so that the children of Uitlander +residents can make use of it; that proper provision is made for +education in the mother tongue whatever it may be, while at the same +time compulsory education of the language of the country is also +provided for. That both by the Resolution of the 1st June, 1892, as well +as by the Law 15 of 1896, more has actually been done for the Uitlanders +than for the original inhabitants, and that more time is given to the +mother tongue of the children in the schools on the gold fields of this +Republic than in any country in the world, and that here again +information of a misleading character must have been given to His +Excellency and the British Government. + +Law No. 15, 1896, and the schools thereby established have been +defended by Englishmen in various newspapers. (See the _S.A. News_, 10th +May, 1899; _The Star_, 22nd March, 1899; _Manchester Guardian_, etc.). + +With reference to the Municipality of Johannesburg, this Government +desires to remark that in accordance with the promise made in 1896, the +grant of Municipal Administration was made to the inhabitants of +Johannesburg by which the control of that town and its suburbs was +conferred upon them. + +Her Majesty's Government seem to think that this Municipality does not +answer its purpose, in the first place because half of the members must +be naturalized burghers (not fully enfranchised burghers as the dispatch +under reply erroneously contends), and in the second place because the +financial powers of the town council are restricted. + +With regard to the first objection, it is impossible that this should be +a great grievance, because a residence of two years in the Republic is +sufficient for naturalisation; as a matter of fact, more than the +necessary half of the members are burghers; this shows conclusively that +the requirement of burghership is in no sense an obstacle. The objection +as to the restriction of the financial powers of the council is not +conclusive, because there is no Municipality in the world the financial +powers of which are not restricted by the law under which they are +created, and the restrictions in the case of the town council of +Johannesburg are the usual ones in such cases. + +The Advisory Board recommended by the Industrial Commission would have +proved inefficient because the laws with the administration of which +that body would have had to concern itself can be carried out in a +better and more efficient way by an official like the State Attorney, +who has almost unlimited power and means of doing so. This is exactly +what has happened. All complaints with regard to gold thefts have +actually disappeared; one no longer hears of complaints as to the +operation of the pass law; while latterly, as Her Majesty's Government +must be well aware, the Chamber of Mines and other bodies of the +Witwatersrand have repeatedly expressed their satisfaction with the +stringent way in which the liquor law has been upheld. No local body, +however well informed, would have been able to do what the State +Attorney has done in this matter, and that is sufficient justification +of the action of both Government and Volksraad in refusing to establish +such an Advisory Board. + +The Government now passes on to the discussion of the administration of +justice, of which so much is made in the dispatch under reply. + +With regard to these allegations, this Government perceives that much +importance is attached in the dispatch to the so-called Lombard +incident, the so-called Edgar case, and the so-called Amphitheatre +occurrence. + +A brief consideration of the facts referring to these three matters will +show how unfounded are the accusations of Her Majesty's Government. + +With reference to the Lombard incident, this Government wishes to point +out that no complaint was lodged with any official in this Republic for +a full month after the illtreatment of Cape coloured people was alleged +to have taken place, and that neither the Government nor the public was +aware that anything had taken place. The whole case was so insignificant +that some of the people who were alleged to have been illtreated +declared under oath at a later period before a court of investigation +that they would never have made any complaint on their own initiative. +What happened, however? + +About a month after the occurrence the South African League came to hear +of it; some of its officials sent round to collect evidence from the +parties who were alleged to have been illtreated, and some sworn +declarations were obtained by the help of Her Majesty's Vice-Consul at +Johannesburg (between whom and this League a continual and conspicuous +co-operation has existed). Even then no charge was lodged against the +implicated officials with the judicial authorities of the country, but +the case was put in the hands of the Acting British Agent at Pretoria. + +When the allegations were brought under the notice of this Government, +they at once appointed a commission of enquiry consisting of three +members, namely, Landdrost Van der Berg, of Johannesburg, Mr Andries +Stockenstrom, barrister-at-law of the Middle Temple, head of the +Criminal Section of the State Attorney's Department, and Mr. Van der +Merwe, mining commissioner, of Johannesburg; gentlemen against whose +ability and impartiality the Uitlander population of the Republic have +never harboured the slightest suspicion, and with whose appointment the +Acting British Agent also expressed his entire satisfaction. The +instructions given to these officials were to thoroughly investigate the +whole case, and to report the result to the Government; and they +fulfilled these instructions by sitting for days at a time, and +carefully hearing and sifting the evidence of both sides. Every +right-minded person readily acknowledges that far greater weight ought +to be attached to the finding of this Commission than to the +declarations of the complainants, who contradicted one another in nearly +every particular, and who caused the whole enquiry to degenerate into a +farce. + +According to the report, nothing was proved as to the so-called +illtreatment; the special instances of alleged illtreatment turned out +to be purely imaginary; it was clearly proved and found that the +complainants had acted contrary to Law, and the Commission only +expressed disapproval of the fact that the arrests and the investigation +had taken place at night, and without a proper warrant. It fills this +Government with all the greater regret to observe that Her Majesty's +Government bases its charges on _ex parte_, groundless, and in many +respects false declarations of complainants who have been set in motion +by political hatred, and that it silently ignores the report of the +Commission. + +The Amphitheatre occurrence is used by Her Majesty's Government to show +how incapable the police of the Witwatersrand are to fulfil their duties +and to preserve order. The League meeting was held at the so-called +Amphitheatre at Johannesburg, with the knowledge of the State Secretary +and State Attorney, and the accusation is that in spite of that fact, +the uproar which arose at that meeting was not quelled by the police. +The following are the true facts:--Mr. Wybergh and another, both in the +service of the South African League, informed the State Secretary and +the State Attorney that they intended to call this meeting in the +Amphitheatre, and asked permission to do so; they were informed that no +permission from the authorities was necessary, and that as long as the +meeting did not give rise to irregularities or disturbances of the +peace, they would be acting entirely within their rights. Their +attention was then drawn to the fact that owing to the action and the +propaganda of the South African League, this body had become extremely +unpopular with a large section of the inhabitants of Johannesburg, and +that in all probability a disturbance of the peace would take place if a +sufficient body of the police were not present to preserve order. To +this these gentlemen answered that the police were in very bad odour +since the Edgar case, that the meeting would be a very quiet one, and +that the presence of the police would contribute, or give rise to, +disorder, and that they would on those grounds rather have no police at +all. The State Secretary and State Attorney thereupon communicated with +the head officials of the police at Johannesburg, with the result that +the latter also thought that it would be better not to have any +considerable number of police at the meeting. The Government +accordingly, on the advice of these officials of the League as well as +their own police officials, gave instructions that the police should +remain away from the meeting; they did this in perfect good faith, and +with the object of letting the League have its say without let or +hindrance. The proposed meeting was however advertised far and wide. As +the feeling amongst a section of the Witwatersrand population was +exceedingly bitter against the League, a considerable number of the +opponents of that body also attended the meeting. The few police who +were present were powerless to quell the disorder, and when the police +came on the scene in force some few minutes after the commencement of +the uproar, the meeting was already broken up. Taken by itself, this +occurrence would not be of much importance, as it is an isolated +instance as far as the gold fields of this Republic are concerned, and +even in the best organised and best ordered communities irregularities +like the above occasionally take place. + +The gravity of the matter, however, lies in the unjust accusation of Her +Majesty's Government--that the meeting was broken up by officials of +this Republic, and that the Government had curtly refused to institute +an enquiry. + +This Government would not have refused to investigate the matter if any +complaints had been lodged with it, or at any of the local Courts, and +this has been clearly stated in its reply to Her Majesty's request for +an investigation. + +The Government objects strongly to the systematic way in which the local +authorities are ignored, and the continual complaints which are lodged +with the Representatives of Her Majesty about matters which ought to be +decided by the Courts of this Republic. Instead, however, of complaining +to Her Majesty's Government after all other reasonable means of redress +have been vainly invoked, they continually make themselves guilty of +ignoring and treating with contempt the local Courts and authorities, by +continually making all sorts of ridiculous and _ex parte_ complaints to +Her Majesty's Government in the first instance; Her Majesty's Government +is also thereby placed in the equivocal and undesirable position of +intermeddling in the internal affairs of this Republic, which is in +conflict with the London Convention. Had the complaints been lodged with +this Government, or with the proper officials or Courts, the facts could +have been very easily arrived at, and it would have been proved that +the few officials who were present at the meeting as a section of the +public had done their best to prevent the irregularities, and that some +of them had been hurt in their endeavours to preserve order. + +Instead of expressing their disapproval of such complaints, and +referring the petitioners to the local Courts, Her Majesty's Government +accepts those complaints, and gives them an official character by +forwarding them for the information of this Government, and by +publishing them in blue books for the information of the world. + +Her Majesty's Government will readily acknowledge that there is no State +in the world with any sense of dignity, however weak and insignificant +it may be, which can regard such matters with an indifferent eye; and +when the relations of the two Governments are strained, then the +mainspring must be looked for in this action of its subjects, which is +not disapproved of by Her Majesty's Government, and not in imaginary or +trumped-up grievances. + +The Edgar case is referred to by your Government as "the most striking +recent instance of arbitrary action by officials, and of the support of +such action by the Courts," and this case is quoted as a conclusive test +of the alleged judicial maladministration of this Republic; it will +therefore be of interest to pause for a moment and consider it. What are +the true facts? + +A certain Foster, "an Englishman," was assaulted and felled to the +ground, without any lawful cause, by a man named Edgar during the night +of the 18th December, 1898; he lay on the ground as if dead, and +ultimately died in the hospital. Edgar escaped to his room, and some +police came on the scene, attracted by the screams of the bystanders. +Amongst the police was one named Jones. When they saw the man who had +been assaulted lying as if dead, they went to Edgar's apartments in +order to arrest him as a criminal (he had indeed rendered himself liable +for manslaughter, and apparently for murder). As he was caught in the +very act, the police officers were, according to the Laws not only of +this Republic, but of all South Africa and of the United Kingdom of +Great Britain and Ireland, justified in breaking open the door in order +to arrest the culprit. While doing so, Edgar, with a dangerous weapon, +struck Jones a severe blow. Under the stress of necessity the latter +shot Edgar, from the effects of which he died. The question is not if +Jones was justified in taking this extreme step, for the State Attorney +of the Republic had already given effect to his opinion that this was a +case for the jury by prosecuting him for manslaughter. The question is +solely whether any jury in any country in the world would have found a +man guilty of any crime under the circumstances set forth, and whether, +if they did not find him guilty, the fact of their doing so would have +been stamped and branded as a flagrant and remarkable instance of the +maladministration of justice. + +This Government is convinced that the English Judicial administration +affords numberless instances where the facts are as strong as in this +case, and it cannot see why an occurrence which could happen in any part +of the world should be especially thrown in their teeth in the form of +an accusation. + +This Government does not wish to pass over in silence the censure which +has been passed by Her Majesty's Government on the Public Prosecutor of +Johannesburg, by whom the prosecution of this case was conducted; the +fact that he is of pure English blood, that he received his legal +training in London, that he is generally respected by the Uitlander +population on account of his ability, impartiality, and general +character, will naturally not be of any weight with Her Majesty's +Government against the facts of his action in calling witnesses for the +prosecution who were intended for the defence, and thus rendering an +imaginary cross-examination abortive. + +This Government only wishes to point out that the fact that the Edgar +case is the strongest which Her Majesty's Government has been able to +quote against the administration of justice in this Republic affords the +strongest and most eloquent proof possible that, taking it in general, +the administration of justice on the gold fields of this Republic not +only compares favourably with that on other and similar gold fields, but +even with that of old and settled countries. + +The untrue representations of this occurrence in the Press prove +conclusively that the newspapers of the Witwatersrand, the +atrocity-mongering tactics of which constitute a share of the organised +campaign against the Republic and its Government, have been compelled to +resort to mendacious criticisms on imaginary instances of +maladministration which were often simply invented. Where the Press is +forced to adopt such methods, the true grievances must of necessity be +unreal. + +Her Majesty's Government now proceeds to discuss certain laws of this +Republic, with the object of showing that the Uitlander population is +also oppressed by the legislature of this country, the Press Law, the +Aliens Expulsion Law, and Law No. 1 of 1897 being especially instanced. +But it can also be proved that the population of the gold fields have no +solid grounds of complaint in regard to the laws in question. + +Respecting the existing Press Laws, No. 26 of 1896, and No. 14 of 1898, +it is necessary to remark that no printer, issuer, or editor of a +newspaper can be prosecuted unless he has made himself guilty of +criminal libel, so that the principle of the Grondwet of 1858 has in +this respect been rigidly adhered to. Her Majesty's Government will at +once see that these laws cannot in any way bear harshly upon the writing +public, a fact which is clearly borne out by the way in which the +newspapers of this country are edited. Nowhere else in the world has the +liberty of the Press so degenerated into license. No newspaper in any +country in the world would for one moment dare to speak of the +Government, the Legislature, and authorities of the country as the +_Star_, the _Transvaal Leader_, and similar newspapers do every day in +this Republic. + +The imaginary nature of these grievances is not dispelled by the fact +that the power is vested in the State President of prohibiting either +entirely or provisionally the circulation of any printed matter which is +contrary to good morals or public order, because the very same Supreme +Court, which in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government only exists at +the mercy of this Government, has pronounced that it has no power to +prohibit the circulation of any newspaper; the freedom of the regular +Press thus remains as unrestricted as under the old Grondwet. + +As a matter of fact, any person who has any practical experience of the +Press of this Republic will regard the accusation as ridiculous, and as +evincing an entire ignorance of the true facts. This power has not been +exercised by the Judges on many occasions, but only once, and in that +instance the High Court annulled the decision. + +With regard to the Aliens Expulsion Law, this, like the Press Law, ought +to be estimated according to its spirit and operation. Since this law +has come into force the State President has only on one occasion made +use of the power vested in him of expelling an undesirable individual, +and his action was endorsed by the approval of the Press and the public +of the country. As similar laws exist in nearly every civilised country +in the world, it is difficult to see why such a law in this Republic +should prove so objectionable in the eyes of Her Majesty's Government. + +With regard to Law No. 1 of 1897, and the dismissal of Chief Justice +Kotze by virtue of its provisions, this Government can only state that +it was with the bitterest regret that it felt itself compelled, in +consequence of the arbitrary action of the said Chief Justice, to take +comprehensive measures in order to prevent absolute constitutional and +judicial disorder and chaos. It was an instance where a Chief Justice in +conflict with a law existing for, at least, forty years, and in direct +contradiction of his own decisions, suddenly adopted and applied a new +principle, which affected the legality of the laws of the Republic, and +produced real constitutional chaos. Would not any other Government under +similar circumstances have done exactly what this Republic did, namely, +pass a special law in this unusual case, in order to remove the +exceptional difficulties? + +This law was only applicable to this particular instance, and became +inoperative immediately after its application; and this Government +cannot understand how suspicion can therefore fall upon the impartial +administration of Justice in this Republic. If the Government had +acquiesced in the position taken up by the late Chief Justice, then all +titles dependent upon Volksraad resolutions would have been called in +question, which would not only have dealt a heavy blow to existing +rights, but also have plunged the administration of Justice in great +uncertainty and doubt. + +By this law the Judges, instead of being brought under the influence of +the Executive Council, were really placed in the same constitutional +position as any Judge in the Supreme Court of England, who is unable to +question the validity of any law. + +This Government has now traversed the various contentions of Her +Majesty's Government, which have been submitted in order to prove that +the policy of this Government, with regard to the Uitlander population +and the administration of the laws, especially on the gold fields, are +the causes of the strained relationship at present existing between the +two Governments. + +This Government believes that this explanation and answer will clearly +show that these causes are in no way sufficient to have resulted in the +aforesaid tension. It is of opinion that the source of evil must be +sought for elsewhere, and it trusts that Her Majesty's Government will +not take it in bad part if it now proceeds to explain what the real root +of the evil is from its point of view; and in the first place it remarks +as a very noticeable and prominent fact that although there are +thousands of subjects of other Powers in Johannesburg, there are few +complaints heard from them or from their Governments about the so-called +grievances of the Uitlanders. If these grievances existed in reality, +and if they pressed equally on all so-called Uitlanders (and Her +Majesty's Government does not contend that in this respect a difference +is made between British subjects and subjects of other Powers), how does +it happen that the complaints always come from British subjects, and +that the subjects of other Powers, as a rule, express their sympathy +with this Government and promise it their support? + +But this Government wishes to go further. Even in regard to those +Uitlanders who are British subjects, it is a small minority which, under +the pretext of imaginary grievances, promotes a secret propaganda of +race hatred, and uses the Republic as a base for fomenting a +revolutionary movement against this Government. Ministers of Her Majesty +have so trenchantly expressed the truth about this minority that this +Government wishes to quote the very words of these Ministers with the +object of bringing the actual truth to the knowledge of Her Majesty's +Government, as well as to that of the whole world, and not for the +purpose of making groundless accusations. + +The following words are those of the Ministers of the Cape Colony, who +are well acquainted with local conditions and fully qualified to arrive +at a conclusion:-- + +"In the opinion of Ministers the persistent action, both beyond and +within this Colony, of the political body styling itself the South +African League in endeavouring to foment and excite, not to smooth and +allay, ill-will between the two principal European races inhabiting +South Africa is well illustrated by these resolutions, the exaggerated +and aggravated terms of which disclose the spirit which informs and +inspires them. + +"His Excellency's Ministers are one in their earnest desire to do all in +their power to aid and further a policy of peaceful progress throughout +South Africa, and they cannot but regard it as an unwise propagandism, +hostile to the true interests of the Empire, including this Colony as an +integral part, that every possible occasion should be seized by the +League and its promoters for an attempt to magnify into greater events +minor incidents when occurring in the South African Republic, with a +prospect thereby of making racial antagonism more acute, or of +rendering less smooth the relations between Her Majesty's Government or +the Government of this Colony and that Republic." + +Race hatred is, however, not so intense in South Africa as to enable a +body with this propaganda, aiming at revolutionary objects, to obtain +much influence in this part of the world; and one continually asks +oneself the question--"How is it that a body so insignificant, both in +regard to its principles and its membership, enjoys such a large measure +of influence?" The answer is that this body depends upon the protection +and the support of Her Majesty's Government in England, and that both +its members and its organs in the Press openly boast of the influence +they exercise over the policy of Her Majesty's Government. This +Government would ignore such assertions, but when it finds that the +ideas and the shibboleths of the South African League are continually +echoed in the speeches of members of H.M. Government, when it finds that +blue books are compiled chiefly from documents prepared by officials of +the South African League, as well as from reports and leading articles +containing "malignant lies" taken from the Press organs of that +organisation, thereby receiving an official character, then this +Government can well understand why so many of Her Majesty's right-minded +subjects in this part of the world have obtained the impression that the +policy advocated by the South African League is supported by Her +Majesty's Government, and is thus calculated to contribute to the +welfare and blessing of the British Empire. + +If this mistaken impression could be removed, and if it could be +announced as a fact that the South African League, as far as its actions +in the South African Republic are concerned, is only an organisation +having as its object the fomentation of strife and disorder and the +destruction of the independence of the country, then it would very soon +lose its influence, and the strained relations existing between the two +Governments would quickly disappear. The Africander population of this +country would not then be under the apprehension that the interests of +the British Empire imperatively demand that the Republic should be done +away with and its people be either _enslaved_ or _exterminated_. Both +sections of the white inhabitants of South Africa would then return to +the fraternal co-operation and fusion which was beginning to manifest +itself when the treacherous conspiracy at the end of 1895 awakened the +passions on both sides. + + + + +APPENDIX D. + +THE FINAL DISPATCH OF MR. STATE SECRETARY REITZ. + +ENCLOSURE. + + + DEPARTMENT FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, + GOVERNMENT OFFICE, + PRETORIA, + _3rd March_, 1899. + +Sir, + +Acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 11th inst. _re_ the +meeting of the South African League held in the Amphitheatre at +Johannesburg on the 14th January, 1899, I have the honour to communicate +the following to you. + +The complaint that the Government, or its duly authorised officials, +have acted with partiality in this matter is entirely devoid of truth, +and this Government regrets that such an unfounded and insulting +accusation should have been made nearly a month after the occurrence in +question. + +Messrs. Dodd and Webb have been duly arrested and committed for trial on +account of what took place on the 24th December, 1898, upon sworn +affidavits which left nothing else for the proper officials to do but to +prosecute. + +With reference to the Amphitheatre occurrence, not a single British +subject has lodged a sworn complaint against anybody with the proper +officials, so that it can hardly be expected that this Government should +now take any steps against the alleged disturbers of the peace. + +Regarding the accusation that officials of this Government have +contributed to the instigation of uproar on the said occasion, this +Government can only state that no complaints have been made to it or the +proper authorities, either from British subjects or from subjects of +other Powers, so that this Government, to its regret, can do nothing in +this matter. In case, however, of such complaints being lodged with the +proper authorities, the Courts of the country are open to them. + + I have the honour to be, Sir, + Your obedient servant, + F.W. REITZ, + _State Secretary._ + +_To_ THE HON. CUNYNGHAME GREENE, C.B., + +_British Agent, Pretoria._ + + + + +APPENDIX E. + +CONVENTIONS BETWEEN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THE TRANSVAAL OR SOUTH +AFRICAN REPUBLIC. + + +SAND RIVER CONVENTION, 1852. + +Minutes of a meeting held in the place of Mr. P.A. Venter, Sand River, +on Friday, the sixteenth day of January, 1852, between Major W. Hogge +and C.M. Owen, Esq., Her Majesty's Assistant Commissioners, for the +settling and adjusting of the affairs of the eastern and north-eastern +boundaries of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope on the one part, and +the following deputation from the emigrant farmers residing north of the +Vaal River: + + A.W.J. PRETORIUS, Commandant-General. + H.S. LOMBARD, Landdrost. + W.F. JOUBERT, Commandant-General. + G.J. KRUGER, Commandant. + J.N. GROBBELAAR, Raadslid. + P.E. SCHOLTZ. + P.G. WOLMARANS, Ouderling. + J.A. VAN ASWEGAN, Veld-cornet. + F.J. BOTES, do. + N.J.S. BASSON, do. + J.P. FURSTENBERG, do. + J.P. PRETORIUS. + J.H. GROBBELAAR. + J.M. LEHMAN. + P. SCHUTTE. + J.C. KLOPPERS: on the other part. + +The Assistant Commissioners guarantee in the fullest manner, on the part +of the British Government, to the emigrant farmers beyond the Vaal River +the right to maintain their own affairs, and to govern themselves +according to their own laws without any interference on the part of the +British Government, and that no encroachment shall be made by the said +Government on the territory beyond to the north of the Vaal River, with +the further assurance that the warmest wish of the British Government is +to promote peace, free trade, and friendly intercourse with the +emigrant farmers now inhabiting or who hereafter may inhabit that +country, it being understood that this system of non-interference is +binding upon both parties. + +Should any misunderstanding hereafter arise as to the true meaning of +the words "the Vaal River," this question in so far as regards the line +from the source of that river over the Drakenberg shall be settled and +adjusted by Commissioners chosen by both parties. + +Her Majesty's Assistant Commissioners hereby disclaim all alliances +whatever and with whomsoever of the coloured nations to the north of the +Vaal River. + +It is agreed that no slavery is or shall be permitted or practised in +the country to the north of the Vaal River by the emigrant farmers. + +Mutual facilities and liberties shall be afforded to traders and +travellers on both sides of the Vaal River, it being understood that +every waggon containing ammunition and firearms coming from the south +side of the Vaal River shall produce a certificate signed by a British +magistrate or other functionary duly authorised to grant such, and which +shall state the quantities of such articles contained in said waggon to +the nearest magistrate north of the Vaal River, who shall act in the +case as the regulations of the emigrant farmers direct. It is agreed +that no objection shall be made by any British authority against the +emigrant Boers purchasing their supplies of ammunition in any of the +British Colonies and possessions of South Africa, it being mutually +understood that all trade in ammunition with the native tribes is +prohibited both by the British Government and the emigrant farmers on +both sides of the Vaal River. + +It is agreed that so far as possible all criminals and other guilty +parties who may fly from justice either way across the Vaal River shall +be mutually delivered up if such should be required, and that the +British courts as well as those of the emigrant farmers shall be +mutually open to each other for all legitimate processes, and that +summonses for witnesses sent either way across the Vaal River shall be +backed by the magistrates, on each side of the same respectively, to +compel the attendance of such witnesses when required. + +It is agreed that certificates of marriage issued by the proper +authorities of the emigrant farmers shall be held valid and sufficient +to entitle children of such marriages to receive portions accruing to +them in any British Colony or possession in South Africa. + +It is agreed that any and every person now in possession of land, and +residing in British territory, shall have free right and power to sell +his said property and remove unmolested across the Vaal River, and _vice +versâ_, it being distinctly understood that this arrangement does not +comprehend criminals or debtors, without providing for the payment of +their just and lawful debts. + +This done and signed at Sand River aforesaid, this 17th day of January, +1852. + + (Signed) A.W.J. PRETORIUS, Comdt.-General. + H.S. LOMBARD, Landdrost. + W.F. JOUBERT, Commandant-General. + G.J. KRUGER, Commandant. + W.I. HOGGE, Assistant Commissioner. + C. MOSTYN OWEN, Assistant Commissioner. + J.N. GROBBELAAR, R.L. + P.E. SCHOLTZ. + P.G. WOLMARANS, Ouderling. + J.A. VAN ASWEGAN, Veld Cornet. + F.J. BOTES. + N.J.S. BASSON, Veld Cornet. + J.P. FURSTENBERG, Veld Cornet. + J.P. PRETORIUS. + J.H. GROBBELAAR. + J.M. LEHMAN. + P. SCHUTTE. + J.C. KLOPPERS. + In presence of-- + (Signed) JOHN BURNET, + Clerk to the Civil Commissioner of Winburg. + (Signed) J.H. VISAGIE, Secretary. + + * * * * * + +CONVENTION OF PRETORIA, 1881. + +Preamble. Her Majesty's Commissioners for the Settlement of the +Transvaal territory, duly appointed as such by a Commission passed under +the Royal Sign Manual and Signet, bearing date the 5th of April, 1881, +do hereby undertake and guarantee on behalf of Her Majesty that, from +and after the 8th day of August, 1881, complete self-government, subject +to the suzerainty of Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, will be +accorded to the inhabitants of the Transvaal territory, upon the +following terms and conditions, and subject to the following +reservations and limitations:-- + +Article I. The said territory, to be hereinafter called the Transvaal +State, will embrace the land lying between the following boundaries, to +wit: [here follow three pages in print defining boundaries.] + +Article 2. Her Majesty reserves to herself, her heirs and +successors--(_a_), the right from time to time to appoint a British +Resident in and for the said State, with such duties and functions as +are hereinafter defined; (_b_), the right to move troops through the +said State in time of war, or in case of the apprehension of immediate +war between the Suzerain Power and any Foreign State or Native Tribe in +South Africa; and (_c_) the control of the external relations of the +said State, including the conclusion of treaties and the conduct of +diplomatic intercourse with Foreign Powers, such intercourse to be +carried on through Her Majesty's diplomatic and consular officers +abroad. + +Article 3. Until altered by the Volksraad, or other competent authority, +all laws, whether passed before or after the Annexation of the Transvaal +territory to Her Majesty's dominions, shall, except in so far as they +are inconsistent with or repugnant to the provisions of this Convention, +be and remain in force in the said State in so far as they shall be +applicable thereto, provided that no future enactment especially +affecting the interest of natives shall have any force or effect in the +said State, without the consent of Her Majesty, her heirs and +successors, first had and obtained and signified to the Government of +the said State through the British Resident, provided further that in no +case will the repeal or amendment of any laws enacted since the +Annexation have a retrospective effect, so as to invalidate any acts +done or liabilities incurred by virtue of such laws. + +Article 4. On the 8th day of August, 1881, the Government of the said +State, together with all rights and obligations thereto appertaining, +and all State property taken over at the time of Annexation, save and +except munitions of war, will be handed over to Messrs. Stephanus +Johannes Paulus Kruger, Martinus Wessel Pretorius, and Petrus Jacobus +Joubert, or the survivor or survivors of them, who will forthwith cause +a Volksraad to be elected and convened, and the Volksraad, thus elected +and convened, will decide as to the further administration of the +Government of the said State. + +Article 5. All sentences passed upon persons who may be convicted of +offences contrary to the rules of civilised warfare committed during the +recent hostilities will be duly carried out, and no alteration or +mitigation of such sentences will be made or allowed by the Government +of the Transvaal State without Her Majesty's consent conveyed through +the British Resident. In case there shall be any prisoners in any of the +gaols of the Transvaal State whose respective sentences of imprisonment +have been remitted in part by Her Majesty's Administrator or other +officer administering the Government, such remission will be recognised +and acted upon by the future Government of the said State. + +Article 6. Her Majesty's Government will make due compensation for all +losses or damage sustained by reason of such acts as are in the 8th +Article hereinafter specified, which may have been committed by Her +Majesty's forces during the recent hostilities, except for such losses +or damage as may already have been compensated for; and the Government +of the Transvaal State will make due compensation for all losses or +damage sustained by reason of such acts as are in the 8th Article +hereinafter specified, which may have been committed by the people who +were in arms against Her Majesty during the recent hostilities, except +for such losses or damages as may already have been compensated for. + +Article 7. The decision of all claims for compensation, as in the last +preceding article mentioned, will be referred to a Sub-Commission, +consisting of the Honourable George Hudson, the Honourable Jacobus +Petrus de Wet, and the Honourable John Gilbert Kotze. In case one or +more of such Sub-Commissioners shall be unable or unwilling to act the +remaining Sub-Commissioner or Sub-Commissioners will, after consultation +with the Government of the Transvaal State, submit for the approval of +Her Majesty's High Commissioner the names of one or more persons to be +appointed by them to fill the place or places thus vacated. The decision +of the said Sub-Commissioners, or of a majority of them, will be final. +The said Sub-Commissioners will enter upon and perform their duties with +all convenient speed. They will, before taking evidence or ordering +evidence to be taken in respect of any claim, decide whether such claim +can be entertained at all under the rules laid down in the next +succeeding Article. In regard to claims which can be so entertained the +Sub-Commissioners will, in the first instance, afford every facility for +an amicable arrangement as to the amount payable in respect of any +claim, and only in cases in which there is no reasonable ground for +believing that an immediate amicable arrangement can be arrived at will +they take evidence or order evidence to be taken. For the purpose of +taking evidence and reporting thereon, the Sub-Commissioners may appoint +Deputies, who will, without delay, submit records of the evidence and +their reports to the Sub-Commissioners. The Sub-Commissioners will +arrange their sittings and the sittings of their Deputies in such a +manner as to afford the earliest convenience to the parties concerned +and their witnesses. In no case will costs be allowed to either side, +other than the actual and reasonable expenses of witnesses whose +evidence is certified by the Sub-Commissioners to have been necessary. +Interest will not run on the amount of any claim, except as is +hereinafter provided for. The said Sub-Commissioners will forthwith, +after deciding upon any claim, announce their decision to the Government +against which the award is made and to the claimant. The amount of +remuneration payable to the Sub-Commissioners and their Deputies will be +determined by the High Commissioners. After all the claims have been +decided upon, the British Government and the Government of the Transvaal +State will pay proportionate shares of the said remuneration and of the +expenses of the Sub-Commissioners and their Deputies, according to the +amount awarded against them respectively. + +Article 8. For the purpose of distinguishing claims to be accepted from +those to be rejected, the Sub-Commissioners will be guided by the +following rules, viz.:--Compensation will be allowed for losses or +damage sustained by reason of the following acts committed during the +recent hostilities, viz., (_a_), commandering, seizure, confiscation, or +destruction of property, or damage done to property; (_b_), violence +done or threats used by persons in arms. In regard to acts under (_a_), +compensation will be allowed for direct losses only. In regard to acts +falling under (_b_), compensation will be allowed for actual losses of +property, or actual injury to the same proved to have been caused by its +enforced abandonment. No claims for indirect losses, except such as are +in this Article specially provided for, will be entertained. No claims +which have been handed in to the Secretary of the Royal Commission after +the 1st day of July, 1881, will be entertained, unless the +Sub-Commissioners shall be satisfied that the delay was reasonable. When +claims for loss of property are considered, the Sub-Commissioners will +require distinct proof of the existence of the property, and that it +neither has reverted nor will revert to the claimant. + +Article 9. The Government of the Transvaal State will pay and satisfy +the amount of every claim awarded against it within one month after the +Sub-Commissioners shall have notified their decision to the said +Government, and in default of such payment the said Government will pay +interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum from the date of such +default; but Her Majesty's Government may at any time before such +payment pay the amount, with interest, if any, to the claimant in +satisfaction of his claim, and may add the sum thus paid to any debt +which may be due by the Transvaal State to Her Majesty's Government, as +hereinafter provided for. + +Article 10. The Transvaal State will be liable for the balance of the +debts for which the South African Republic was liable at the date of +Annexation, to wit, the sum of £48,000 in respect of the Cape Commercial +Bank Loan, and £85,667 in respect to the Railway Loan, together with the +amount due on 8th August, 1881, on account of the Orphan Chamber Debt, +which now stands at £22,200, which debts will be a first charge upon the +revenues of the State. The Transvaal State will, moreover, be liable for +the lawful expenditure lawfully incurred for the necessary expenses of +the Province since the Annexation, to wit, the sum of £265,000, which +debt, together with such debts as may be incurred by virtue of the 9th +Article, will be second charge upon the revenues of the State. + +Article 11. The debts due as aforesaid by the Transvaal State to Her +Majesty's Government will bear interest at the rate of three and a-half +per cent., and any portion of such debt as may remain unpaid at the +expiration of twelve months from the 8th August, 1881, shall be +repayable by a payment for interest and sinking fund of six pounds and +ninepence per cent, per annum, which will extinguish the debt in +twenty-five years. The said payment of six pounds and ninepence per £100 +shall be payable half yearly in British currency on the 8th February and +8th August in each year. Provided always that the Transvaal State shall +pay in reduction of the said debt the sum of £100,000 within twelve +months of the 8th August, 1881, and shall be at liberty at the close of +any half year to pay off the whole or any portion of the outstanding +debt. + +Article 12. All persons holding property in the said State on the 8th +day of August, 1881, will continue after the said date to enjoy the +rights of property which they have enjoyed since the Annexation. No +person who has remained loyal to Her Majesty during the recent +hostilities shall suffer any molestation by reason of his loyalty, or be +liable to any criminal prosecution or civil action for any part taken in +connexion with such hostilities, and all such persons will have full +liberty to reside in the country, with enjoyment of all civil rights, +and protection for their persons and property. + +Article 13. Natives will be allowed to acquire land, but the grant or +transfer of such land will, in every case, be made to and registered in +the name of the Native Location Commission, hereinafter mentioned, in +trust for such natives. + +Article 14. Natives will be allowed to move as freely within the country +as may be consistent with the requirements of public order, and to leave +it for the purpose of seeking employment elsewhere or for other lawful +purposes, subject always to the pass laws of the said State, as amended +by the Legislature of the Province, or as may hereafter be enacted under +the provisions of the Third Article of this Convention. + +Article 15. There will continue to be complete freedom of religion and +protection from molestation for all denominations, provided the same be +not inconsistent with morality and good order, and no disability shall +attach to any person in regard to rights of property by reason of the +religious opinions which he holds. + +Article 16. The provisions of the Fourth Article of the Sand River +Convention are hereby re-affirmed, and no slavery or apprenticeship +partaking of slavery will be tolerated by the Government of the said +State. + +Article 17. The British Resident will receive from the Government of the +Transvaal State such assistance and support as can by law be given to +him for the due discharge of his functions; he will also receive every +assistance for the proper care and preservation of the graves of such of +Her Majesty's forces as have died in the Transvaal, and if need be, for +the expropriation of land for the purpose. + +Article 18. The following will be the duties and functions of the +British Resident:-- + +Sub-section 1. He will perform duties and functions analogous to those +discharged by a Charge d'Affaires and Consul-General. + +Sub-section 2. In regard to natives within the Transvaal State he will +(_a_) report to the High Commissioner, as representative of the +Suzerain, as to the working and observance of the provisions of this +Convention; (_b_), report to the Transvaal authorities any cases of +ill-treatment of natives or attempts to incite natives to rebellion that +may come to his knowledge; (_c_), use his influence with the natives in +favour of law and order; and (_d_), generally perform such other duties +as are by this Convention entrusted to him, and take such steps for the +protection of the person and property of natives as are consistent with +the laws of the land. + +Sub-section 3. In regard to natives not residing in the Transvaal (_a_) +he will report to the High Commissioner and the Transvaal Government any +encroachments reported to him as having been made by Transvaal residents +upon the land of such natives, and in case of disagreement between the +Transvaal Government and the British Resident as to whether an +encroachment has been made, the decision of the Suzerain will be final; +(_b_) the British Resident will be the medium of communication with +native chiefs outside the Transvaal, and, subject to the approval of the +High Commissioner, as representing the Suzerain, he will control the +conclusion of treaties with them; and (_c_) he will arbitrate upon every +dispute with Transvaal residents and natives outside the Transvaal (as +to acts committed beyond the boundaries of the Transvaal) which may be +referred to him by the parties interested. + +Sub-section 4. In regard to communications with foreign powers, the +Transvaal Government will correspond with Her Majesty's Government +through the British Resident and the High Commissioner. + +Article 19. The Government of the Transvaal State will strictly adhere +to the boundaries defined in the First Article of this Convention, and +will do its utmost to prevent any of its inhabitants from making any +encroachment upon lands beyond the said State. The Royal Commission will +forthwith appoint a person who will beacon off the boundary line between +Ramatlabama and the point where such line first touches Griqualand West +boundary, midway between the Vaal and Hart Rivers; the person so +appointed will be instructed to make an arrangement between the owners +of the farms Grootfontein and Valleifontein on the one hand, and the +Barolong authorities on the other, by which a fair share of the water +supply of the said farms shall be allowed to flow undisturbed to the +said Barolongs. + +Article 20. All grants or titles issued at any time by the Transvaal +Government in respect of land outside the boundary of Transvaal State, +as defined, Article 1, shall be considered invalid and of no effect, +except in so far as any such grant or title relates to land that falls +within the boundary of the Transvaal State, and all persons holding any +such grant so considered invalid and of no effect will receive from the +Government of the Transvaal State such compensation either in land or in +money as the Volksraad shall determine. In all cases in which any +native chiefs or other authorities outside the said boundaries have +received any adequate consideration from the Government of the former +South African Republic for land excluded from the Transvaal by the First +Article of this Convention, or where permanent improvements have been +made on the land, the British Resident will, subject to the approval of +the High Commissioner, use his influence to recover from the native +authorities fair compensation for the loss of the land thus excluded, +and of the permanent improvement thereon. + +Article 21. Forthwith, after the taking effect of this Convention, a +Native Location Commission will be constituted, consisting of the +President, or in his absence the Vice-President, of the State, or some +one deputed by him, the Resident, or some one deputed by him, and a +third person to be agreed upon by the President or the Vice-President, +as the case may be, and the Resident, and such Commission will be a +standing body for the performance of the duties hereinafter mentioned. + +Article 22. The Native Location Commission will reserve to the native +tribes of the State such locations as they may be fairly and equitably +entitled to, due regard being had to the actual occupation of such +tribes. The Native Location Commission will clearly define the +boundaries of such locations, and for that purpose will, in every +instance, first of all ascertain the wishes of the parties interested in +such land. In case land already granted in individual titles shall be +required for the purpose of any location, the owners will receive such +compensation either in other land or in money as the Volksraad shall +determine. After the boundaries of any location have been fixed, no +fresh grant of land within such location will be made, nor will the +boundaries be altered without the consent of the Location Commission. No +fresh grants of land will be made in the districts of Waterberg, +Zoutpansberg, and Lydenburg until the locations in the said districts +respectively shall have been defined by the said Commission. + +Article 23. If not released before the taking effect of this Convention, +Sikukuni, and those of his followers who have been imprisoned with him, +will be forthwith released, and the boundaries of his location will be +defined by the Native Location Commission in the manner indicated in the +last preceding Article. + +Article 24. The independence of the Swazies within the boundary line of +Swaziland, as indicated in the First Article of this Convention, will be +fully recognised. + +Article 25. No other or higher duties will be imposed on the +importation into the Transvaal State of any article, the produce or +manufacture of the dominions and possessions of Her Majesty, from +whatever place arriving, than are or may be payable on the like article, +the produce or manufacture of any other country, nor will any +prohibition be maintained or imposed on the importation of any article, +the produce or manufacture of the dominions and possessions of Her +Majesty, which shall not equally extend to the importation of the like +articles, being the produce or manufacture of any other country. + +Article 26. All persons other than natives conforming themselves to the +laws of the Transvaal State (_a_) will have full liberty with their +families to enter, travel, or reside in any part of the Transvaal State; +(_b_) they will be entitled to hire or possess houses, manufactures, +warehouses, shops, and premises; (_c_) they may carry on their commerce +either in person or by any agents whom they may think to employ; (_d_) +they will not be subject in respect of their persons or property, or in +respect of their commerce or industry, to any taxes, whether general or +local, other than those which are or may be imposed upon Transvaal +citizens. + +Article 27. All inhabitants of the Transvaal shall have free access to +the Courts of Justice for the protection and defence of their rights. + +Article 28. All persons other than natives who established their +domicile in the Transvaal between the 12th day of April, 1877, and the +date when this Convention conies into effect, and who shall within +twelve months after such last-mentioned date have their names registered +by the British Resident, shall be exempt from all compulsory military +service whatever. The Resident shall notify such registration to the +Government of the Transvaal State. + +Article 29. Provision shall hereafter be made by a separate instrument +for the mutual extradition of criminals, and also for the surrender of +deserters from Her Majesty's forces. + +Article 30. All debts contracted since the Annexation will be payable in +the same currency in which they may have been contracted; all +uncancelled postage and other revenue stamps issued by the Government +since the Annexation will remain valid, and will be accepted at their +present value by the future Government of the State; all licenses duly +issued since the Annexation will remain in force during the period for +which they may have been issued. + +Article 31. No grants of land which may have been made, and no transfer +of mortgage which may have been passed since the Annexation, will be +invalidated by reason merely of their having been made or passed since +that date. All transfers to the British Secretary for Native Affairs in +trust for natives will remain in force, the Native Location Commission +taking the place of such Secretary for Native Affairs. + +Article 32. This Convention will be ratified by a newly-elected +Volksraad within the period of three months after its execution, and in +default of such ratification this Convention shall be null and void. + +Article 33. Forthwith, after the ratification of this Convention, as in +the last preceding Article mentioned, all British troops in Transvaal +territory will leave the same, and the mutual delivery of munitions of +war will be carried out. + +Articles end. Here will follow signatures of Royal Commissioners; then +the following, to precede signatures of triumvirate. + +We, the undersigned, Stephanus Johannes Paulus Krugen Martinus Wessel +Pretorius, and Petrus Jacobus Joubert, as representatives of the +Transvaal Burghers, do hereby agree to all the above conditions, +reservations, and limitations under which self-government has been +restored to the inhabitants of the Transvaal territory, subject to the +suzerainty of Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, and we agree to +accept the Government of the said territory, with all rights and +obligations thereto appertaining, on the 8th day of August; and we +promise and undertake that this Convention shall be ratified by a +newly-elected Volksraad of the Transvaal State within three months from +this date. + + * * * * * + + +LONDON CONVENTION, 1884. + +A CONVENTION BETWEEN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF +GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC. + +Whereas the Government of the Transvaal State, through its Delegates, +consisting of Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, President of the said +State, Stephanus Jacobus Du Toit, Superintendent of Education, and +Nicholas Jacobus Smit, a member of the Volksraad, have represented that +the Convention signed at Pretoria on the 3rd day of August, 1881, and +ratified by the Volksraad of the said State on the 25th October, 1881, +contains certain provisions which are inconvenient, and imposes burdens +and obligations from which the said State is desirous to be relieved, +and that the south-western boundaries fixed by the said Convention +should be amended, with a view to promote the peace and good order of +the said State, and of the countries adjacent thereto; and whereas Her +Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland has +been pleased to take the said representations into consideration: Now, +therefore, Her Majesty has been pleased to direct, and it is hereby +declared, that the following articles of a new Convention, signed on +behalf of Her Majesty by Her Majesty's High Commissioner in South +Africa, the Right Honourable Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson, Knight +Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint +George, Governor of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, and on behalf +of the Transvaal State (which shall hereinafter be called the South +African Republic) by the above-named Delegates, Stephanus Johannes +Paulus Kruger, Stephanos Jacobus Du Toit, and Nicholas Jacobus Smit, +shall, when ratified by the Volksraad of the South African Republic, be +substituted for the articles embodied in the Convention of 3rd August, +1881; which latter, pending such ratification, shall continue in full +force and effect. + +Article 1. The Territory of the South African Republic will embrace the +land lying between the following boundaries, to wit:-- + +Beginning from the point where the north-eastern boundary line of +Griqualand meets the Vaal River, up the course of the Vaal River to the +point of junction with it of the Klip River; thence up the course of the +Klip River to the point of junction with it of the stream called +Gansvlei; thence up the Gansvlei stream to its source in the +Drakensberg; thence to a beacon in the boundary of Natal, situated +immediately opposite and close to the source of the Gansvlei stream; +thence in a north-easterly direction along the ridge of the Drakensberg, +dividing the waters flowing into the Gansvlei stream from the waters +flowing into the sources of the Buffalo, to a beacon on a point where +this mountain ceases to be a continuous chain; thence to a beacon on a +plain to the north-east of the last described beacon; thence to the +nearest source of a small stream called "Division Stream"; thence down +this division stream, which forms the southern boundary of the farm +Sandfontein, the property of Messrs. Meek, to its junction with the +Coldstream; thence down the Coldstream to its junction with the Buffalo +or Umzinyati River; thence down the course of the Buffalo River to the +junction with it of the Blood River; thence up the course of the Blood +River to the junction with it of Lyn Spruit or Dudusi; thence up the +Dudusi to its source; thence 80 yards to Bea. I., situated on a spur of +the N'Qaba-Ka-hawana Mountains; thence 80 yards to the N'Sonto River; +thence down the N'Sonto River to its junction with the White Umvulozi +River; thence up the White Umvulozi River to a white rock where it +rises; thence 800 yards to Kambula Hill (Bea. II.); thence to the source +of the Pemvana River, where the road from Kambula Camp to Burgers' Lager +crosses; thence down the Pemvana River to its junction with the Bivana +River; thence down the Bivana River to its junction with the Pongolo +River; thence down the Pongolo River to where it passes through the +Libombo Range; thence along the summits of the Libombo Range to the +northern point of the N'Yawos Hill in that range (Bea. XVI.); thence to +the northern peak of the Inkwakweni Hills (Bea. XV.); thence to Sefunda, +a rocky knoll detached from and to the north-east end of the White +Koppies, and to the south of the Musana River (Bea. XIV.); thence to a +point on the slope near the crest of Matanjeni, which is the name given +to the south-eastern portion of the Mahamba Hills (Bea. XIII.); thence +to the N'gwangwana, a double-pointed hill (one point is bare, the other +wooded, the beacon being on the former) on the left bank of the Assegai +River and upstream of the Dadusa Spruit (Bea. XII.); thence to the +southern point of Bendita, a rocky knoll in a plain between the Little +Hlozane and Assegaai Rivers (Bea. XI.); thence to the highest point of +Suluka Hill, round the eastern slopes of which flows the Little Hlozane, +also called Ludaka or Mudspruit (Bea. X.); thence to the beacon known as +"Viljoen's," or N'Duko Hill; thence to a point north-east of Derby +House, known as Magwazidili's Beacon; thence to the Igaba, a small knoll +on the Ungwempisi River, also called "Joubert's Beacon," and known to +the natives as "Piet's Beacon" (Bea. IX.); thence to the highest point +of the N'Dhlovudwalili or Houtbosch, a hill on the northern bank of the +Umqwempisi River (Bea. VIII.); thence to a beacon on the only +flat-topped rock, about 10 feet high and about 30 yards in circumference +at its base, situated on the south side of the Lamsamane range of hills, +and overlooking the valley of the great Usuto River, this rock being 45 +yards north of the road from Camden and Lake Banagher to the forests on +the Usuto River (sometimes called Sandhlanas Beacon) (Bea. VII.); thence +to the Gulungwana or Ibubulundi, four smooth bare hills, the highest in +that neighbourhood, situated to the south of the Umtuli River (Bea. +VI.); thence to a flat-topped rock, 8 feet high, on the crest of the +Busuku, a low rocky range south-west of the Impulazi River (Bea. V.); +thence to a low bare hill on the north-east of and overlooking the +Impulazi River, to the south of it being a tributary of the Impulazi, +with a considerable waterfall, and the road from the river passing 200 +yards to the north-west of the beacon (Bea. IV.); thence to the highest +point of the Mapumula range, the watershed of the Little Usuto River on +the north, and the Umpulazi River on the south, the hill, the top of +which is a bare rock, falling abruptly towards the Little Usuto (Bea. +III.); thence to the western point of a double-pointed rocky hill, +precipitous on all sides, called Makwana, its top being a bare rock +(Bea. II.); thence to the top of a rugged hill of considerable height +falling abruptly to the Komati River, this hill being the northern +extremity of the Isilotwani range, and separated from the highest peak +of the range Inkomokazi (a sharp cone) by a deep neck (Bea. I.). (On a +ridge in the straight line between Beacons I. and II. is an intermediate +beacon). From Beacon I. the boundary runs to a hill across the Komati +River, and thence along the crest of the range of hills known as the +Makongwa, which runs north-east and south-west, to Kamhlubano Peak; +thence in a straight line to Mananga, a point in the Libombo Range, and +thence to the nearest point in the Portuguese frontier on the Libombo +Range; thence along the summits of the Libombo Range to the middle of +the poort where the Komati River passes through it, called the lowest +Komati Poort; thence in a north by easterly direction to Pokioens Kop, +situated on the north side of the Olifant's River, where it passes +through the ridges; thence about north north-west to the nearest point +of Serra di Chicundo; and thence to the junction of the Pafori River +with the Limpopo or Crocodile River; thence up the course of the Limpopo +River to the point where the Marique River falls into it. Thence up the +course of the Marique River to "Derde Poort," where it passes through a +low range of hills, called Sikwane, a beacon (No. 10) being erected on +the spur of said range near to and westward of the banks of the river; +thence in a straight line through this beacon to a beacon (No. 9) +erected on the top of the same range, about 1,700 yards distant from +beacon No. 10; thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 8) erected on +the highest point of an isolated hill called Dikgagong, or "Wildebeest +Kop," situated south-eastward of and about 3-1/3 miles distant from a +high hill called Moripe; thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 7) +erected on the summit of an isolated hill or "koppie" forming the +eastern extremity of the range of hills called Moshweu, situated to the +northward of and about two miles distant from a large isolated hill +called Chukudu-Chochwa; thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 6) +erected on the summit of a hill forming part of the same range, Moshweu; +thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 5) erected on the summit of a +pointed hill in the same range; thence in a straight line to a beacon +(No. 4) erected on the summit of the western extremity of the same +range; thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 3) erected on the +summit of the northern extremity of a low, bushy hill, or "koppie," near +to and eastward of the Notwane River; thence in a straight line to the +junction of the stream called Metsi-Mash wane with the Notwane River +(No. 2); thence up the course of the Notwane River to Sengoma, being the +Poort where the river passes through the Dwarsberg Range; thence, as +described in the Award given by Lieutenant-Governor Keate, dated October +17, 1871, by Pitlanganyane (narrow place), Deboaganka or Schaapkuil, +Sibatoul (bare place), and Maclase to Ramatlabama, a pool on a spruit +north of the Molopo River. From Ramatlabama the boundary shall run to +the summit of an isolated hill, called Leganka; thence in a straight +line, passing north-east of a Native Station, near "Buurman's Drift," on +the Molopo River, to that point on the road from Mosiega to the old +drift, where a road turns out through the Native Station to the new +drift below; thence to "Buurman's Old Drift"; thence in a straight line +to a marked and isolated clump of trees near to and north-west of the +dwelling-house of C. Austin, a tenant on the farm "Vleifontein," No. +117; thence in a straight line to the north-western corner beacon of the +farm "Mooimeisjesfontein," No. 30; thence along the western line of the +said farm "Mooimeisjesfontein," and in prolongation thereof, as far as +the road leading from "Ludik's Drift," on the Molopo River, past the +homestead of "Mooimeisjesfontein" towards the Salt Pans near Harts +River; thence along the said road, crossing the direct road from +Polfontein to Sehuba, and until the direct road from Polfontein to +Lotlakane or Pietfontein is reached; thence along the southern edge of +the last-named road towards Lotlakane until the first garden grounds of +that station is reached; thence in a south-westerly direction, skirting +Lotlakane, so as to leave it and all its garden ground in native +territory, until the road from Lotlakane to Kunana is reached; thence +along the east side, and clear of that road towards Kunana, until the +garden grounds of that station are reached; thence, skirting Kunana, so +as to include it and all its garden ground, but no more, in the +Transvaal, until the road from Kunana to Mamusa is reached; thence along +the eastern side and clear of the road towards Mamusa, until a road +turns out towards Taungs; thence along the eastern side and clear of the +road towards Taungs, till the line of the district known as "Stellaland" +is reached, about 11 miles from Taungs; thence along the line of the +district Stellaland to the Harts River, about 24 miles below Mamusa; +thence across Harts River to the junction of the roads from Monthe and +Phokwane; thence along the western side and clear of the nearest road +towards "Koppie Enkel," an isolated hill about 36 miles from Mamusa, and +about 18 miles north of Christiana, and to the summit of the said hill; +thence in a straight line to that point on the north-east boundary of +Griqualand West as beaconed by Mr. Surveyor Ford, where two farms, +registered as Nos. 72 and 75, do meet, about midway between the Vaal and +Harts Rivers, measured along the said boundary of Griqualand West; +thence to the first point where the north-east boundary of Griqualand +West meets the Vaal River. + +Article 2. The Government of the South African Republic will strictly +adhere to the boundaries defined in the first Article of this +Convention, and will do its utmost to prevent any of its inhabitants +from making any encroachments upon lands beyond the said boundaries. The +Government of the South African Republic will appoint Commissioners upon +the eastern and western borders whose duty it will be strictly to guard +against irregularities and all trespassing over the boundaries. Her +Majesty's Government will, if necessary, appoint Commissioners in the +native territories outside the eastern and western borders of the South +African Republic to maintain order and prevent encroachments. + +Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the South African +Republic will each appoint a person to proceed together to beacon off +the amended south-west boundary as described in Article 1 of this +Convention; and the President of the Orange Free State shall be +requested to appoint a referee to whom the said persons shall refer any +questions on which they may disagree respecting the interpretation of +the said Article, and the decision of such referee thereon shall be +final. The arrangement already made, under the terms of Article 19 of +the Convention of Pretoria of the 3rd August, 1881, between the owners +of the farms Grootfontein and Valleifontein on the one hand, and the +Barolong authorities on the other, by which a fair share of the water +supply of the said farms shall be allowed to flow undisturbed to the +said Barolongs, shall continue in force. + +Article 3. If a British officer is appointed to reside at Pretoria or +elsewhere within the South African Republic to discharge functions +analagous to those of a Consular officer he will receive the protection +and assistance of the Republic. + +Article 4. The South African Republic will conclude no treaty or +engagement with any State or nation other than the Orange Free State, +nor with any native tribe to the eastward or westward of the Republic, +until the same has been approved by Her Majesty the Queen. + +Such approval shall be considered to have been granted if Her Majesty's +Government shall not, within six months after receiving a copy of such +treaty (which shall be delivered to them immediately upon its +completion), have notified that the conclusion of such treaty is in +conflict with the interests of Great Britain or of any of Her Majesty's +possessions in South Africa. + +Article 5. The South African Republic will be liable for any balance +which may still remain due of the debts for which it was liable at the +date of Annexation, to wit, the Cape Commercial Bank Loan, the Railway +Loan, and the Orphan Chamber Debt, which debts will be a first charge +upon the revenues of the Republic. The South African Republic will +moreover be liable to Her Majesty's Government for £250,000, which will +be a second charge upon the revenues of the Republic. + +Article 6. The debt due as aforesaid by the South African Republic to +Her Majesty's Government will bear interest at the rate of three and +a-half per cent, from the date of the ratification of this Convention, +and shall be repayable by a payment for interest and Sinking Fund of six +pounds and ninepence per £100 per annum, which will extinguish the debt +in twenty-five years. The said payment of six pounds and ninepence per +£100 shall be payable half-yearly, in British currency, at the close of +each half year from the date of such ratification: Provided always that +the South African Republic shall be at liberty at the close of any half +year to pay off the whole or any portion of the outstanding debt. + +Interest at the rate of three and a-half per cent, on the debt as +standing under the Convention of Pretoria shall, as heretofore, be paid +to the date of the ratification of this Convention. + +Article 7. All persons who held property in the Transvaal on the 8th day +of August, 1881, and still hold the same, will continue to enjoy the +rights of property which they have enjoyed since the 12th April, 1877. +No person who has remained loyal to Her Majesty during the late +hostilities shall suffer any molestation by reason of his loyalty; or be +liable to any criminal prosecution or civil action for any part taken in +connexion with such hostilities; and all such persons will have full +liberty to reside in the country, with enjoyment of all civil rights, +and protection for their persons and property. + +Article 8. The South African Republic renews the declaration made in the +Sand River Convention, and in the Convention of Pretoria, that no +slavery or apprenticeship partaking of slavery will be tolerated by the +Government of the said Republic. + +Article 9. There will continue to be complete freedom of religion and +protection from molestation for all denominations, provided the same be +not inconsistent with morality and good order; and no disability shall +attach to any person in regard to rights of property by reason of the +religious opinions which he holds. + +Article 10. The British Officer appointed to reside in the South African +Republic will receive every assistance from the Government of the said +Republic in making due provision for the proper care and preservation of +the graves of such of Her Majesty's Forces as have died in the +Transvaal; and if need be, for the appropriation of land for the +purpose. + +Article 11. All grants or titles issued at any time by the Transvaal +Government in respect of land outside the boundary of the South African +Republic, as defined in Article I, shall be considered invalid and of no +effect, except in so far as any such grant or title relates to land that +falls within the boundary of the South African Republic; and all persons +holding any such grant so considered invalid and of no effect will +receive from the Government of the South African Republic such +compensation, either in land or in money, as the Volksraad shall +determine. In all cases in which any Native Chiefs or other authorities +outside the said boundaries have received any adequate consideration +from the Government of the South African Republic for land excluded from +the Transvaal by the first Article of this Convention, or where +permanent improvements have been made on the land, the High Commissioner +will recover from the native authorities fair compensation for the loss +of the land thus excluded, or of the permanent improvements thereon. + +Article 12. The independence of the Swazis, within the boundary line of +Swaziland, as indicated in the first Article of this Convention, will be +fully recognised. + +Article 13. Except in pursuance of any treaty or engagement made as +provided in Article 4 of this Convention, no other or higher duties +shall be imposed on the importation into the South African Republic of +any article coming from any part of Her Majesty's dominions than are or +may be imposed on the like article coming from any other place or +country; nor will any prohibition be maintained or imposed on the +importation into the South African Republic of any article coming from +any part of Her Majesty's dominions, which shall not equally extend to +the like article coming from any other place or country. And in like +manner the same treatment shall be given to any article coming to Great +Britain from the South African Republic as to the like article coming +from any other place or country. + +These provisions do not preclude the consideration of special +arrangements as to import duties and commercial relations between the +South African Republic and any of Her Majesty's colonies or possessions. + +Article 14. All persons, other than natives, conforming themselves to +the laws of the South African Republic (_a_) will have full liberty, +with their families, to enter, travel, or reside in any part of the +South African Republic; (_b_), they will be entitled to hire or possess +houses, manufactories, warehouses, shops, and premises; (_c_) they may +carry on their commerce either in person or by any agents whom they may +think fit to employ; (_d_), they will not be subject, in respect of +their persons or property, or in respect of their commerce or industry, +to any taxes, whether general or local, other than those which are or +may be imposed upon citizens of the said Republic. + +Article 15. All persons, other than natives, who established their +domicile in the Transvaal between the 12th day of April, 1877, and the +8th August, 1881, and who within twelve months after such last-mentioned +date have had their names registered by the British Resident, shall be +exempt from all compulsory military service whatever. + +Article 16. Provision shall hereafter be made by a separate instrument +for the mutual extradition of criminals, and also for the surrender of +deserters from Her Majesty's Forces. + +Article 17. All debts contracted between the 12th April, 1877, and the +8th August, 1881, will be payable in the same currency in which they may +have been contracted. + +Article 18. No grants of land which may have been made, and no transfers +or mortgages which may have been passed between the 12th April, 1877, +and the 8th August, 1881, will be invalidated by reason merely of their +having been made or passed between such dates. + +All transfers to the British Secretary for Native Affairs in trust for +natives will remain in force, an officer of the South African Republic +taking the place of such Secretary for Native Affairs. + +Article 19. The Government of the South African Republic will engage +faithfully to fulfil the assurances given, in accordance with the laws +of the South African Republic, to the natives at the Pretoria Pitso by +the Royal Commission in the presence of the Triumvirate and with their +entire assent (1), as to the freedom of the natives to buy or otherwise +acquire land under certain conditions; (2), as to the appointment of a +commission to mark out native locations; (3), as to the access of the +natives to the courts of law; and (4) as to their being allowed to move +freely within the country, or to leave it for any legal purpose, under a +pass system. + +Article 20. This Convention will be ratified by a Volksraad of the South +African Republic within the period of six months after its execution, +and in default of such ratification this Convention shall be null and +void. + +Signed in duplicate in London this 27th day of February, 1884. + + (Signed) HERCULES ROBINSON. + (Signed) S.J.P. KRUGER. + (Signed) S.J. DU TOIT. + (Signed) M.J. SMIT. + + + + +INDEX. + + +Aberdeen Ministry, 24 + +Africanderdom in S. Africa, + see under South Africa, Cape Colony, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal + +Aliwal Convention, 20 + +Amphitheatre Occurrence, 70, 77-81 + +Arbitration Proposals, see under Transvaal + + +Barkly, Sir H., 26 + +Basutos and the Orange Free State, 17, 20, 23, 94 + +Bloemfontein Conference, 85 + +Boers in S. Africa, + see under South Africa, Cape Colony, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal + +Bulwer, Sir H.E.G., Governor of Natal, 28 + + +Cape Colony: + The Africander Spirit of Liberty, 4 + England's Native Policy, 5 + Slachter's Nek, 6 + Emancipation of the Slaves, 7 + Lord Glenelg's Policy, 8 + The Dutch Language, 9 + The Great Boer Trek into Natal, 1836, 10-13 + Piet Reliefs Manifesto, 11 + Victory of the Africander Party, 51 + +Capitalistic Jingoism, 37-88 + +Carnarvon, Fourth Earl of, 26, 29 + +Cathcart, Sir George, 19, 24, 25 + +Chamberlain, Joseph, + Colonial Secretary, 46 + His Attitude to the Transvaal, 57-88 + Quoted, 54, 70, 73, 77 + +Cloete, Commissioner, 14 + +Colenso, Bishop, quoted, 27, 30 + +Cunynghame, Gen. Sir A., 21, 26 + + +Derby, Fifteenth Earl of, and the Transvaal Convention, 34-36, 57, 59, 101 + +Diamond Fields, 19, 20, 25-26, 39-40, 41, 94 + +Dingaan, Zulu Chief, 13 + +Dunn, John, and the Supply of Rifles to Zulus, 31 + +Dynamite Concession, 61, 62-63 + + +Edgar Case, 70, 73-77 + + +Faure, Rev. D.P., 34, 60 + +Firearms supplied to Natives, 26, 31 + +Franchise Question, see under Transvaal + +Frere, Sir Bartle, + Governor, 26-31 + Quoted, 27, 30, 31 + +Froude, J.A., quoted, 8, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24 + + +Gladstone, W.E., and the Transvaal, 27, 29, 32 + +Glenelg, Lord, and His Policy in S. Africa, 9 + +Goldfields of the Transvaal, 37-48, 60, 61, 64 + +Grey, Earl, referred to, 12, 18, 24 + + +Hogge, Commissioner, 24 + + +Import Duties, 61, 63 + + +Jameson Raid, 46-48, 49 + +Jingoism and Capital, 37-88 + + +Kaffir Aid against Boers, 17, 31 + +Keate, Governor, 26, 29 + +Kimberley and the Diamond Fields, 19, 20, 105 + +Kynoch & Co., Messrs., 62 + + +Liquor Law, 61, 64-65 + +Loch, Sir Henry, and the Transvaal, 45-46 + +Lombard Affair, 70-73 + +London Convention, 34, 56, 58, 101, 128 + + +Malabele and the Transvaal, 23 + +Milner, Sir Alfred, + His Attitude to the Transvaal, 52, 86-88 + Quoted, 85 + +Missionaries in S. Africa, 6 + +Moffat, Dr., 26 + +Molesworth, Sir Wm., referred to, 12, 24 + +Moselikatse, Matabele Chief, 23 + +Moshesh, Basuto Chief, 17, 23, 94 + + +Napier, Sir George, quoted, 14 + +Naples, Kingdom of,--British Intervention, 82 + +Natal: + The Boer Trek into Natal, 1836, 10-13 + British Military Occupation, 13 + The Founding of Natal, 13-16 + British Annexation, 14 + Protest of Natal, 14 + Sufferings of the Boers, 15 + + +Oliphant, Mr., Cape Attorney-General, 10 + +Orange Free State: + Fight at Boomplaats, 17 + British Annexation, 17 + Collision with Moshesh, Basuto Chief, 17, 23, + Andries Pretorius, Boer Leader, 15, 17-18, 23 +The Republic restored, 18-19 + The Basutos and the Free State, 20 + Diamond Fields, 19, 20, 105 + The Treaty of Aliwal, 20 + British Breaches of the Convention, 20-22 + +Our Land quoted, 49 + +Owen, Commissioner, 24 + + +Panda, King of Zululand, 27 + +Phillips, Lionel, quoted, 44, 45 + +Pottinger, Governor, 15 + +Pretoria Convention, 33, 56, 58, 84, 128 + +Pretorius, Andries, + His Mission to Governor Pottinger, 15, 17-18 + Commandant-General of the Transvaal, 23-24 + His Proposals for Peace, 24 + +Pretorius, Martinus, President of the Transvaal, 25 + + +Rensburg Trek, 12 + +Relief, Fiet, + His Manifesto, 11 + Murder of Relief and His Party, 13 + +Rhodes, Cecil J., and the Transvaal, 41-48, 83 + +Rhodesia and Its Mines, 60 + +Ripon, Marquis of, 54 + +Rosmead, Lord, 59 + + +Sand River Convention, 24-26, 128 + +Schreiner, Olive, quoted, 38 + +Secoecoeni, Zulu Chief, 27, 30 + +Shepstone, Sir T., and His Transvaal Policy, 26-31, 95 + +Slavery at the Cape, 7 + +Smith, Sir Harry, + Quoted, 15 + His Policy, 17-18, 24 + +South Africa (see also Cape Colony, Natal, Zululand, Transvaal) + The Alternative of Africanderdom, 2 + Africa for the Africander, 98 + +South African League, 66-81 + +South African Republic, see Transvaal + +Stanley, Lord, 14 + +Stockenstrom, Lieut.-Gov., 10 + +Suzerainty, see under Transvaal + +Swazi Allies of the British, 30 + + +Transvaal: + The Matabeles and the Transvaal, 23 + Fight at Vechtkop, 23 + Andries Pretorius and the British Government, 23-24 + The Sand River Convention, 24-26, 128 + British Breaches of the Convention, 26, 29 + Diamond Fields, 26, 39-40, 41 + Sale of Guns to Natives, 26 + British Annexation, 26-31, 95 + Boer Protest, 29 + The Zulus and the Transvaal, 27-31 + The War of Freedom, 32 + Annexation cancelled, 32 + The Pretoria Convention, 33, 35, 128 + The London Convention, 34, 35, 101, 128 + The Suzerainty, 34-36 + The "South African Republic," 34 + The Goldfields, 37-48, 60 + The National Union Movement, 44 + Sir Henry Loch's Indiscretion, 45-46 + The Conspiracy and the Jameson Raid, 46-48, 49 + National Sentiment, 49 + The Cry of Disloyalty, 51 + The Transvaal to be humiliated, 51 + The Suzerainty Question revived, 52 _et seq._ + Appeal for Arbitration, 53-60 + Uitlander Grievances, 60-61, 70-88 + Reply to Mr. Chamberlain, 109 + The Industrial Commission, 61 + The Dynamite Concession, 61, 62-63 + The Netherlands Railway Co., 61, 63 + Import Duties, 61, 63 + Liquor Law, 61, 64-65 + Gold Thefts, 61, 64 + The South African League, 66-81 + The Lombard Affair, 70-73 + The Edgar Case, 70, 73-77 + The Amphitheatre Occurrence, 70, 77-81 + Equal Political Rights, 83 + The Franchise, 84-85, 86 + Bloemfontein Conference, 85 + Attitude of Sir Alfred Milner, 52, 86 + Bad Faith of the British Government, 87-88 + Final Dispatch of State Secretary Reitz, 127 + Conclusion, 89-98 + +Trek into Natal in 1836, 10-13 + +Trichardt Trek, 12, 23 + + +Uitlanders, see under Transvaal + +Umbeline, Zulu Chief, 28 + + +Warden, Major, 18 + +Waterboer, (Chief), 26 + +Wolseley, Lord, quoted, 27 + + +Zululand and the Zulus: + Dingaan and the Boer Trek into Natal, 3 + Secoecoeni, Zulu Chief, 27, 30 + The Zulus and the Transvaal, 27-28 + The Zulu War, 28 + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Century of Wrong, by F. 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W. Reitz + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Century of Wrong + +Author: F. W. Reitz + +Release Date: February 25, 2005 [EBook #15175] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CENTURY OF WRONG *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Garrett Alley, and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + + +<h1>A CENTURY OF WRONG</h1> + +<h3>ISSUED BY</h3> + +<h2>F.W. REITZ</h2> + +<p class="center"><i>State Secretary of the South African Republic</i></p> + +<p class="center">WITH PREFACE BY</p> + +<p class="center">W.T. STEAD</p> + +<p class="center">"Audi Alteram Partem"</p> + +<p class="center">LONDON:</p> + +<p class="center">"REVIEW OF REVIEWS" OFFICE, MOWBRAY HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, W.C. +<br /><br /></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>CONTENTS<a name="Page_-19" id="Page_-19" /></h2> + +<div class="centered"><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="7" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr><th> </th><th align="right">Page</th></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#PREFACE">PREFACE.</a> <i>By W.T. Stead</i>.</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_-17">vii.</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION</a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#THE_CAPE_OF_GOOD_HOPE">THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE</a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_4">4</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#THE_FOUNDING_OF_NATAL">THE FOUNDING OF NATAL</a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#THE_ORANGE_FREE_STATE">THE ORANGE FREE STATE</a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#THE_SOUTH_AFRICAN_REPUBLIC">THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC</a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#CONVENTIONS_OF_1881_AND_1884">THE CONVENTIONS OF 1881 AND 1884</a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#CAPITALISTIC_JINGOISM">CAPITALISTIC JINGOISM—FIRST PERIOD</a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#CAPITALISTIC_JINGOISM2">CAPITALISTIC JINGOISM—SECOND PERIOD</a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_49">49</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#CONCLUSION">CONCLUSION</a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_89">89</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#APPENDIX_A">APPENDIX A.</a>—Lord Derby's Dispatch on Convention of 1884</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#APPENDIX_B">APPENDIX B.</a>—The Annexation of the Diamond Fields</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#APPENDIX_C">APPENDIX C.</a>—The Reply to Mr. Chamberlain's Dispatch on Grievances</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#APPENDIX_D">APPENDIX D.</a>—The Final Dispatch of Mr. State Secretary Reitz</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#APPENDIX_E">APPENDIX E.</a>—The Text of the Conventions, 1852, 1881, and 1884</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_128">128</a></td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#INDEX">INDEX</a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_149">149</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE" /><a name="Page_-17" id="Page_-17" />PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p>"In this awful turning point of the history of South Africa, on the eve +of the conflict which threatens to exterminate our people, it behoves us +to speak the truth in what may be, perchance, our last message to the +world."</p> + +<p>Such is the <i>raison d'être</i> of this book. It is issued by State +Secretary Reitz as the official exposition of the case of the Boer +against the Briton. I regard it as not merely a duty but an honour to be +permitted to bring it before the attention of my countrymen.</p> + +<p>Rightly or wrongly the British Government has sat in judgment upon the +South African Republic, rightly or wrongly it has condemned it to death. +And now, before the executioner can carry out the sentence, the accused +is entitled to claim the right to speak freely—it may be for the last +time—to say why, in his opinion, the sentence should not be executed. A +liberty which the English law accords as an unquestioned right to the +foulest murderer cannot be denied to the South African Republic. It is +on that ground that I have felt bound to afford the spokesman of our +Dutch brethren in South Africa the opportunity of stating their case in +his own way in the hearing of the Empire.</p> + +<p>Despite the diligently propagated legend of a Reptile press fed by Dr.<a name="Page_-16" id="Page_-16" /> +Leyds for the purpose of perverting public opinion, it is indisputable +that so far as this country is concerned Mr. Reitz is quite correct in +saying that the case of the Transvaal "has been lost by default before +the tribunal of public opinion."</p> + +<p>It is idle to point, in reply to this, to the statements that have +appeared in the press of the Continent. These pleadings were not +addressed to the tribunal that was trying the case. In the British press +the case of the Transvaal was never presented by any accredited counsel +for the defence. Those of us who have in these late months been +compelled by the instinct of justice to protest against the campaign of +misrepresentation organised for the purpose of destroying the South +African Republic were in many cases so far from authorised exponents of +the South African Dutch that some of them—among whom I may be reckoned +for one—were regarded with such suspicion that it was most difficult +for us to obtain even the most necessary information from the +representatives of the Government at Pretoria. Nor was this suspicion +without cause—so far at least as I was concerned.</p> + +<p>For nearly a quarter of a century it might almost have been contended +that I was one of the leading counsel for the prosecution. First as the +friend and advocate of the Rev. John Mackenzie, then as the friend and +supporter of Mr. Cecil Rhodes, and latterly as the former colleague and +upholder of Sir Alfred Milner, it had been my lot constantly, in season +and out of season, to defend the cause of the progressive <a name="Page_-15" id="Page_-15" />Briton +against the Conservative Boer, and especially to advocate the Cause of +the Reformers and Uitlanders against the old Tory Administration of +President Kruger. By agitation, by pressure, and even, if need be, in +the last resort by legitimate insurrection, I had always been ready to +seek the establishment of a progressive Liberal Administration in +Pretoria. And I have at least the small consolation of knowing that if +any of the movements which I defended had succeeded, the present crisis +would never have arisen, and the independence of the South African +Republic would have been established on an unassailable basis. But with +such a record it is obvious that I was almost the last man in the Empire +who could be regarded as an authorised exponent of the case of the +Boers.</p> + +<p>That in these last months I have been forced to protest against the +attempt to stifle their independence is due to a very simple cause. To +seek to reform the Transvaal, even by the rough and ready means of a +legitimate revolution, is one thing. To conspire to stifle the Republic +in order to add its territory to the Empire is a very different thing. +The difference may be illustrated by an instance in our own history. +Several years ago I wrote a popular history of the House of Lords, in +which I showed, at least to my own satisfaction, that for fifty years +our "pig-headed oligarchs"—to borrow a phrase much in favour with the +War Party—had inflicted infinite mischief upon the United Kingdom by +the way in which they had abused their power to thwart the will of the +elected representatives of the people. I am firmly of opinion that our +hereditary Chamber has done a thousand times more injury to the subjects +of the Queen <a name="Page_-14" id="Page_-14" />than President Kruger has ever inflicted upon the +aggrieved Uitlanders. I look forward with a certain grim satisfaction to +assisting, in the near future, in a semi-revolutionary agitation against +the Peers, in which some of our most potent arguments will be those +which the War Party has employed to inflame public sentiment against the +Boers. But, notwithstanding all this, if a conspiracy of Invincibles +were to be formed for the purpose of ending the House of Lords by +assassinating its members, or by blowing up the Gilded Chamber and all +its occupants with dynamite, I should protest against such an outrage as +vehemently as I have protested against the more heinous crime that is +now in course of perpetration in South Africa. And the very vehemence +with which I had in times past pleaded the cause of the People against +the Peers would intensify the earnestness with which I would endeavour +to avert the exploitation of a legitimate desire to end the Second +Chamber by the unscrupulous conspirators of assassination and of +dynamite. Hence it is that I seize every opportunity afforded me of +enabling the doomed Dutch to plead their case before the tribunal which +has condemned them, virtually unheard.</p> + +<p>In introducing <i>A Century of Wrong</i> to the British public, I carefully +disassociate myself from assuming any responsibility for all or any of +the statements which it contains. My <i>imprimatur</i> was not sought, nor is +it extended to the history contained in <i>A Century of Wrong</i>, excepting +in so far as relates to its authenticity as an exposition of what our +brothers the Boers think of the way in which we have dealt with them for +the last hundred years.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_-13" id="Page_-13" />That is much more important than the endorsement by any Englishman as +to the historical accuracy of the statements which it contains. For what +every judicial tribunal desires, first of all, is to hear witnesses at +first hand. Hitherto the British public has chiefly been condemned to +second-hand testimony. In the pages of <i>A Century of Wrong</i> it will, at +least, have an opportunity of hearing the Dutch of South Africa speak +for themselves.</p> + +<p>There is no question as to the qualifications of Mr. F.W. Reitz to speak +on behalf of the Dutch Africander. Although at this moment State +Secretary for President Kruger, he was for nearly ten years Chief +Justice and then President of the Orange Free State, and he began his +life in the Cape Colony. The family is of German origin, but his +ancestors migrated to Holland in the seventeenth century and became +Dutch. His grandfather emigrated from Holland to the Cape, and founded +one of the Africander families. His father was a sheep farmer; one of +his uncles was a lieutenant in the British Navy.</p> + +<p>Mr. Reitz is now in his fifty-sixth year, and received a good English +education. After graduating at the South African College he came to the +United Kingdom, and finished his studies at Edinburgh University, and +afterwards at the Inner Temple, where he was called to the Bar in 1868. +He then returned to the Cape, and, after practising as a barrister in +the Cape courts for six years, was appointed Chief Justice of the Orange +Free State, a post which he held for fifteen years. He was then elected +and re-elected as President of the Orange Free State. In 1893 he paid a +lengthy visit to Europe <a name="Page_-12" id="Page_-12" />and to the United Kingdom. After Dr. Leyds was +appointed to his present post as foreign representative of the South +African Republic, Mr. Reitz was appointed State Secretary, and all the +negotiations between the Transvaal and Great Britain passed through his +hands.</p> + +<p>Mr. Reitz's narrative is not one calculated to minister to our national +self-conceit, but it is none the worse on that account. Of those who +minister to our vanity we have enough and to spare, with results not +altogether desirable. In the long controversy between the Boers and the +missionaries Mr. Reitz takes, as might be expected, the view of his own +people.</p> + +<p>An English lady in South Africa writing to the <i>British Weekly</i> of +December 21st, in reply to the statement of the Rev. Dr. Stewart, makes +some observations on this feud between the Boers and the missionaries, +which it may be well to bear in mind in discussing this question. The +lady ("I.M.") says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Dr. Stewart naturally starts from the mission question. I speak + as the daughter of one of the greatest mission supporters that + South Africa has ever known when I say that the earliest + missionaries who came to this country were to a very large extent + themselves the cause of all the Boer opposition which they may + have had to encounter. When they arrived, they found the Boers at + about the same stage of enlightenment with regard to missions as + the English themselves had been in the time of Carey. And yet, in + spite of prejudice and ignorance, every Boer of any standing was + practically doing mission work himself, for when, according to + unfailing custom, the "Books" were brought out morning and + evening for family worship, the slaves were never allowed to be + absent, but had to come and receive instruction with the rest of + the family. But the tone and methods which the missionaries + adopted were such as could not fail to arouse the aversion of the + farmers, their great idea being that the coloured races, <a name="Page_-11" id="Page_-11" />utter + savages as yet, should be placed upon complete equality with + their superiors. At Earl's Court we have recently seen something + of how easily the natives are spoilt, and they were certainly not + better in those days. When, however, the Boers showed that they + disapproved of all this, the natives were immediately taught to + regard them as their oppressors, and were encouraged to + insubordination to their masters, and the ill-effects of this + policy on the part of the missionaries has reached further than + can be told. May I ask was this the tone that St. Paul adopted in + his mission work among the oppressed slaves of his day?... It is + not those who do <i>not</i> know the Boers, like Dr. Stewart, but + those who know them best, like Dr. Andrew Murray, who are not + only enamoured of their simple lives, but who know also that with + all their disadvantages and their positive faults they are still + a people whose rule of life is the Bible, whose God is the God of + Israel, and who as a nation have never swerved from the covenant + with that God entered into by their fathers, the Huguenots of + France and the heroes of the Netherlands.</p></div> + +<p>Upon this phase of the controversy there is no necessity to dwell at +present, beyond remarking that those who are at present most disposed to +take up what may be regarded as the missionary side should not forget +that they are preparing a rod for their own backs. The Aborigines +Protection Society has long had a quarrel with the Boers, but if our +Imperialists are going to adopt the platform of Exeter Hall they will +very soon find themselves in serious disagreement with Mr. Cecil Rhodes +and other Imperialist heroes of the hour. That the Dutch in South Africa +have treated the blacks as the English in other colonies have treated +the aborigines is probably true, despite all that Mr. Reitz can say on +their behalf. But, whereas in Tasmania and the Australian Colonies the +black fellows are exterminated by the advancing Briton, the immediate +result of the advent of the <a name="Page_-10" id="Page_-10" />Dutch into the Transvaal has been to +increase the number of natives from 70,000 to 700,000, without including +those who were attracted by the gold mines. In dealing with native races +all white men have the pride of their colour and the arrogance of power. +The Boers, no doubt, have many sins lying at their door, but it does not +do for the pot to call the kettle black, and so far as South Africa is +concerned, the difference between the Dutch and British attitudes toward +the native races is more due to the influence of Exeter Hall and the +sentiment which it represents than to any practical difference between +English and Dutch Colonists as to the status of the coloured man. The +English under Exeter Hall have undoubtedly a higher ideal as to the +theoretical equality of men of all races; but on the spot the arrogance +of colour is often asserted as offensively by the Briton as by the Boer. +The difference between the two is, in short, that the Boer has adjusted +his practice to his belief, whereas we believe what we do not practice. +That the black population of the Transvaal is conscious of being treated +with exceeding brutality by the Boers is disproved by the fact that for +months past all the women and children of the two Republics have been +left at the absolute mercy of the natives in the midst of whom they +live.</p> + +<p>The English reader will naturally turn with more interest to Mr. Reitz's +narrative of recent negotiations than to his observations upon the +hundred years of history which he says have taught the Dutch that there +is no justice to be looked for at the hands of a British Government. The +advocates of the war will <a name="Page_-9" id="Page_-9" />be delighted to find that Mr. Reitz asserts +in the most uncompromising terms the right of the Transvaal to be +regarded as an Independent Sovereign International State. However +unpleasant this may be to Downing Street, the war has compelled the +Government to recognise the fact. When it began we were haughtily told +that there would be no declaration of war, nor would the Republics be +recognised as belligerents. The war had not lasted a month before this +vainglorious boast was falsified, and we were compelled to recognise the +Transvaal as a belligerent State. It is almost incredible that even Sir +William Harcourt should have fallen into the snare set for him by Mr. +Chamberlain in this matter. The contention that the Transvaal cannot be +an Independent Sovereign State because Article 4 of the Convention of +1884 required that all treaties with foreign Powers should be submitted +for assent to England may afford a technical plea for assuming that it +was not an Independent Sovereign International State. But, as Mr. Reitz +points out, no one questions the fact that Belgium is an International +Independent Sovereign State, although the exercise of her sovereignty is +limited by an international obligation to maintain neutrality. A still +stronger instance as proving the fact that the status of a sovereign +State is not affected by the limitation of the exercise of its +sovereignty is afforded by the limitation imposed by the Treaty of Paris +on the sovereign right of the Russian Empire to maintain a fleet in the +Black Sea. To forbid the Tsar to put an ironclad on the sea which washes +his southern coast was a far more drastic limitation of the inalienable +rights of an Independent International <a name="Page_-8" id="Page_-8" />Sovereign State than the +provision that treaties affecting the interests of another Power should +be subject to the veto of that Power, but no one has protested that +Russia has lost her international status on account of the limitation +imposed by the Treaty of Paris. In like manner Mr. Reitz argues that the +Transvaal, being free to conduct its diplomacy, and to make war, can +fairly claim to be a Sovereign International State. The assertion of +this fact serves as an Ithuriel's spear to bring into clear relief the +significance of the revival by Mr. Chamberlain of the Suzerainty of +1881. Upon this point Mr. Reitz gives us a plain straightforward +narrative, the justice and accuracy of which will not be denied by +anyone who, like Sir Edward Clarke, takes the trouble to read the +official dispatches.</p> + +<p>I turn with more interest to Mr. Reitz's narrative of the precise +differences of opinion which led to the breaking-off of negotiations +between the two Governments. Mr. Chamberlain, it will be remembered, +said in his dispatch he had accepted nine-tenths of the conditions laid +down by the Boers if the five years' franchise was to be conceded. What +the tenth was which was not accepted Mr. Chamberlain has never told us, +excepting that it was "a matter of form" which was "not worth a war." +Readers of Mr. Reitz's narrative will see that in the opinion of the +Boers the sticking point was the question of suzerainty. If Mr. +Chamberlain would have endorsed Sir Alfred Milner's declaration, and +have said, as his High Commissioner did, that the question about +suzerainty was etymological rather than political, and that he would say +no more about it, following Lord Derby's policy and <a name="Page_-7" id="Page_-7" />abstaining from +using a word which was liable to be misunderstood, there would have been +no war. So far as Mr. Reitz's authority goes we are justified in saying +that the war was brought about by the persistence of Mr. Chamberlain in +reviving the claim of suzerainty which had been expressly surrendered in +1884, and which from 1884 to 1897 had never been asserted by any British +Government.</p> + +<p>Another point of great importance is the reference which Mr. Reitz makes +to the Raid. On this point he speaks with much greater moderation than +many English critics of the Government. Lord Loch will be interested in +reading Mr. Reitz's account of the way in which his visit to Pretoria +was regarded by the Transvaal Government. It shows that it was his visit +which first alarmed the Boers, and compelled them to contemplate the +possibility of having to defend their independence with arms. But it was +not until after the Jameson Raid that they began arming in earnest. As +there is so much controversy upon this subject, it may be well to quote +here the figures from the Budget of the Transvaal Government, showing +the expenditure before and after the Raid.</p> + +<pre> + Public Special Sundry + Military. Works. Payments. Services. Total. + £ £ £ £ £ +1889 75,523 300,071 58,737 171,088 605,419 +1890 42,999 507,579 58,160 133,701 742,439 +1891 117,927 492,094 52,486 76,494 739,001 +1892 29,739 361,670 40,276 93,410 528,095 +1893 19,340 200,106 148,981 132,132 500,559 +1894<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1" /><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> 28,158 260,962 75,859 163,547 521,526 +1895<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2" /><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> 87,308 353,724 205,335 838,877 1,485,244 +1896 495,618 701,022 682,008 128,724 2,007,372<br /> +1897 396,384 1,012,686 248,864 135,345 1,793,279<br /> +1898<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3" /><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> 163,451 383,033 157,519 100,874 804,877 +</pre> + +<p><a name="Page_-6" id="Page_-6" />Of the Raid itself Mr. Reitz speaks as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The secret conspiracy of the Capitalists and Jingoes to overthrow + the South African Republic began now to gain ground with great + rapidity, for just at this critical period Mr. Chamberlain became + Secretary of State for the Colonies. In the secret correspondence + of the conspirators, reference is continually made to the + Colonial Office in a manner which, taken in connection with later + revelations and with a successful suppression of the truth, has + deepened the impression over the whole world that the Colonial + Office was privy to, if not an accomplice in, the villainous + attack on the South African Republic.</p> + +<p> Nor has the world forgotten how, at the urgent instance of the + Africander party in the Cape Colony, an investigation into the + causes of the conflict was held in Westminster; how that + investigation degenerated into a low attack upon the Government + of the deeply maligned and deeply injured South African Republic, + and how at the last moment, when the truth was on the point of + being revealed, and the conspiracy traced to its fountain head in + the British Cabinet, the Commission decided all of a sudden not + to make certain compromising documents public.</p> + +<p> Here we see to what a depth the old great traditions of British + Constitutionalism had sunk under the influence of the + ever-increasing and all-absorbing lust of gold, and in the hands + of a sharp-witted wholesale dealer, who, like Cleon of old, has + constituted himself a statesman.</p></div> + +<p>When Mr. Reitz wrote his book he did not know that immediately after the +Raid the British Government began to accumulate information, and to +prepare for the war with the Republic which is now in progress. The +reason why Mr. Reitz did not refer to this in <i>A Century of Wrong</i> was +because documents proving its existence had not fallen into the hands of +the Transvaal Government until after the retreat from Glencoe. Major +White and his brother officers who were concerned in the Raid were much +chaffed for the incredible simplicity with which he allowed a private +memorandum as to preparations for the Raid to fall into the hands of the +Boers. His <a name="Page_-5" id="Page_-5" />indiscretion has been thrown entirely into the shade by the +simplicity which allowed War Office documents of the most secret and +compromising nature to fall into the hands of the Boers, showing that +preparations for the present war began immediately after the defeat of +the Raid. The special correspondent of Reuter with the Boers telegraphed +from Glencoe on October 28th as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The papers captured at Dundee Camp from the British unveil a + thoroughly worked out scheme to attack the independence of both + Republics as far back as 1896, notwithstanding constant + assurances of amity towards the Free State.</p> + +<p> Among these papers there are portfolios of military sketches of + various routes of invasion from Natal into the Transvaal and Free + State, prepared by Major Grant, Captain Melvill, and Captain Gale + immediately after the Jameson Raid.</p> + +<p> A further portfolio marked secret styled "Reconnaissance Reports + of Lines of Advance through the Free State" was prepared by + Captain Wolley, on the Intelligence Division of the War Office, + in 1897, and is accompanied by a special memorandum, signed by + Sir Redvers Buller, to keep it secret.</p> + +<p> Besides these there are specially executed maps of the Transvaal + and Free State, showing all the natural features, also a further + secret Report of Communications in Natal north of Ladysmith, + including a memorandum of the road controlling Lang's Nek + position.</p> + +<p> Further, there is a short Military Report on the Transvaal, + printed in India in August last, which was found most + interesting. The white population is given at 288,000, of whom + the Outlanders number 80,000, and of the Outlanders 30,000 are + given as of British descent—which figures the authorities regard + as much nearer the truth than Mr. Chamberlain's statements made + in the House of Commons.</p> + +<p> One report estimates that 4,000 Cape and Natal Colonists would + side with the Republics in case of war, and that the small + armament of the Transvaal consists of 62,950 rifles, and that the + Boers would prove not so mobile or such good marksmen as in the + War of Independence.</p> + +<p> Further, the British did not think much of the Johannesburg and + Pretoria forts.</p> + +<p> A further secret Report styled "Military Notes on the Dutch + <a name="Page_-4" id="Page_-4" />Republics of South Africa," and numbers of other papers, not yet + examined, were also found, and are to be forwarded to Pretoria.</p> + +<p> The Free State burghers are now more than ever convinced that it + was the right policy for them to fight along with the Transvaal, + and they say, since they have seen the reports, that they will + fight with, if possible, more determination than ever.</p></div> + +<p>It may be contended, no doubt, upon our part that these private reports +were none other than those which every Government receives from its +military attachés, but it must be admitted that their discovery at the +present moment is most inopportune for those who wish to persuade the +Free State that they can rely upon the assertions of Great Britain that +no design was made upon their independence. If at this moment the +portfolios of a German Staff Officer were to fall into the hands of an +English correspondent, and detailed plans for invading England were to +be published in all the newspapers as having been drawn up by German +officers told off for that purpose, it would not altogether tend to +reassure us as to the good intentions of our Imperial neighbour. How +much more serious must be the publication of these documents seized at +Dundee upon a people which is actually at war.</p> + +<p>The concluding chapter of Mr. Reitz's eloquent impeachment of the +conduct of Great Britain in South Africa is devoted to a delineation of +what he calls Capitalistic Jingoism. It is probable that a great many +who will read with scant sympathy his narrative of the grievances of his +countrymen in the earlier part, of the century will revel in the +invective which he hurls against Mr. Rhodes and the Capitalists of the +Rand. If happier times return to South Africa, Mr. <a name="Page_-3" id="Page_-3" />Reitz may yet find +the mistake he has made in confounding Mr. Rhodes with the mere +dividend-earning crew, who brought about this war in order to diminish +the cost of crushing gold by five or six shillings a ton. In the +realisation of the ideal of Africa for the Africanders Mr. Rhodes might +be more helpful to Mr. Reitz and the Dutch of South Africa than any +other living man. Whether it is possible for them to forget and forgive +the future alone will show. But at present it seems rather as if Mr. +Reitz sees nothing between Africanderism and Capitalistic Jingoism but +war to the death.</p> + +<p>Mr. Reitz breaks off his narrative at the point immediately before the +Ultimatum. Those curious politicians who begin their survey of the war +from the launching of that declaration will, therefore, find nothing in +<i>A Century of Wrong</i> to interest them. But those who take a fresh and +intelligent view of a long and complicated historical controversy will +welcome the authoritative exposition of the causes which, in the opinion +of the authors of the Ultimatum, justified, and, indeed, necessitated +that decisive step. To what Mr. Reitz has said it is only necessary to +add one fact.</p> + +<p>The Ultimatum was dated October 9th. It was the natural response to the +menace with which the British Government had favoured them three days +previous, when on October 6th they issued the formal notice calling out +the Reserves for the avowed object of making war upon the South African +Republic.</p> + +<p>Whether they were right or wrong, it is impossible to withhold a tribute +of admiration and sympathy <a name="Page_-2" id="Page_-2" />for the little States which confront the +onslaughts of their Imperial foe with such heroic fortitude and serene +courage. As Dr. Max Nordau remarks in the <i>North American Review</i> for +December:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The fact that a tiny people faces death without hesitation to + defend its independence against an enemy fabulously superior in + number, or to die in the attempt, presents an aspect of moral + beauty which no soul, attuned to higher things, will disregard. + Even friends and admirers of England—yea, even the English + themselves—strongly sense the pathos in the situation of the + Dutch Boers, who feel convinced that they are fighting for their + national existence, and agree that it equals the pathos of + Leonidas, William Tell, and Kosciusko.</p></div> + +<p>Over and above all else the note in the State Secretary's appeal which +will vibrate most loudly in the British heart is that in which he +appeals to his countrymen to cling fast to the God of their forefathers, +and to the righteousness which is sometimes slow in acting, but which +never slumbers or forgets. "It proceeds according to eternal laws, +unmoved by human pride and ambition. As the Greek poet of old said, it +permits the tyrant, in his boundless self-esteem, to climb higher and +higher, and to gain greater honour and might, until he arrives at the +appointed height, and then falls down into the infinite depths."</p> + +<p>Who is there who remembers the boastings of the British press at the +outbreak of the war can read without awe the denunciations of the Hebrew +seers against the nations and empires who in arrogance and pride forgot +the Lord their God?</p> + +<p>"Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord God of +Hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee. And the +most proud <a name="Page_-1" id="Page_-1" />shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up."</p> + +<p>This, after all, is the great issue which underlies everything. Is there +or is there not in the affairs of men a Providence which the ancients +pictured as the slow-footed Nemesis, but which we moderns have somewhat +learned to disregard? "If right and wrong, in this God's world of ours, +are linked with higher Powers," is the great question which the devout +soul, whether warrior or saint, has ever answered in one way. When in +this country a leading exponent of popular Liberalism declares that +"morally we can never win, but that physically we must and shall," we +begin to realise how necessary is the chastisement which has fallen upon +us for our sins. If this interpretation of the situation be even +approximately correct, the further we go the worse we shall fare. It is +vain for us to kick against the pricks.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">W.T. STEAD.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>January 1st, 1900.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1" /><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> 1894.—Year of Lord Loch's visit (in June) to Pretoria.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2" /><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> 1895.—Conspiracy, culminating in the Raid.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3" /><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> 1898.—First nine months.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="A_CENTURY_OF_WRONG" id="A_CENTURY_OF_WRONG" /><a name="Page_0" id="Page_0" /><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1" />A CENTURY OF WRONG.</h2> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION" />INTRODUCTION.</h2> + + +<p>BROTHER AFRICANDERS!</p> + +<p>Once more in the annals of our bloodstained history has the day dawned +when we are forced to grasp our weapons in order to resume the struggle +for liberty and existence, entrusting our national cause to that +Providence which has guided our people throughout South Africa in such a +miraculous way.</p> + +<p>The struggle of now nearly a century, which began when a foreign rule +was forced upon the people of the Cape of Good Hope, hastens to an end; +we are approaching the last act in that great drama which is so +momentous for all South Africa; we have reached a stage when it will be +decided whether the sacrifices which both our fathers and we ourselves +have made in the cause of freedom have been offered in vain, whether the +blood of our race, with which every part of South Africa has been, as it +were, consecrated, has been shed in vain; and whether by the grace of +God the last stone will now be built into the edifice which our fathers +began with so much toil and so much sorrow.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2" />The alternative of Africanderdom.</div> + +<p>The hour has struck which will decide whether South Africa, in jealously +guarding its liberty, will enter upon a new phase of its history, or +whether our existence as a people will come to an end, whether we shall +be exterminated in the deadly struggle for that liberty which we have +prized above all earthly treasures, and whether South Africa will be +dominated by capitalists without conscience, acting in the name and +under the protection of an unjust and hated Government 7,000 miles away +from here.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The necessity of historical retrospect.</div> + +<p>In this hour it behoves us to cast a glance back at the history of this +great struggle. We do so not to justify ourselves, because liberty, for +which we have sacrificed everything, has justified us and screened our +faults and failings, but we do so in order that we may be, as it were, +sanctified and prepared for the conflict which lies before us, bearing +in mind what our people have done and suffered by the help of God. In +this way we may be enabled to continue the work of our fathers, and +possibly to complete it. Their deeds of heroism in adventures with Bantu +and Briton shine forth like guiding stars through the history of the +past, in order to point out the way for posterity to reach that goal for +which our sorely tried people have made such great sacrifices, and for +which they have undergone so many vicissitudes.</p> + +<p>The historical survey will, moreover, aid in bringing into stronger +relief those naked truths to which the tribunal of impartial history +will assuredly testify hereafter, in adjudging the case between +ourselves and our enemy. And the questions which present themselves for +solution in the approaching conflict have their origin deep in the +<a name="Page_3" id="Page_3" />history of the past; it is only by the light of that history that it +becomes possible to discern and appreciate the drifting straws which +float on the currents of to-day. By its light we are more clearly +enabled to comprehend the truth, to which our people appeal as a final +justification for embarking upon the war now so close at hand.</p> + +<p>History will show convincingly that the pleas of humanity, civilisation, +and equal rights, upon which the British Government bases its actions, +are nothing else but the recrudescence of that spirit of annexation and +plunder which has at all times characterised its dealings with our +people.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_CAPE_OF_GOOD_HOPE" id="THE_CAPE_OF_GOOD_HOPE" /><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4" />THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.</h2> + + +<p>The cause for which we are about to take up arms is the same, though in +somewhat different form, as that for which so many of our forefathers +underwent the most painful experiences centuries ago, when they +abandoned house and fatherland to settle at the Cape of Good Hope, to +enjoy there that freedom of conscience which was denied them in the land +of their birth. In the beautiful valleys lying between the blue +mountains of the Cape of Good Hope they planted the seed-germ of +liberty, which sprang up and has since developed with such startling +rapidity into the giant tree of to-day—a tree which not only covers a +considerable area in this part of the world, but will yet, in God's good +time, we feel convinced, stretch out its leafy branches over the whole +of South Africa. In spite of the oppressive bonds of the East India +Company, the young settlement, containing the noblest blood of old +Europe as well as its most exalted aspirations, grew so powerfully that +in 1806, when the Colony passed into the hands of England, a strong +national sentiment and a spirit of liberty had already been developed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Africander spirit of liberty</div> + +<p>As is forcibly expressed in an old document dating from the most +renowned period of our history, there grew out of the two stocks of +Hollanders and French Huguenots "a united people, one in religion, +united <a name="Page_5" id="Page_5" />in peaceful reverence for the law, but with a feeling of liberty +and independence equal to the wide expanse of territory which they had +rescued as a labour of love from the wilderness of nature, or from its +still wilder aboriginal inhabitants." When the Dutch Government made way +for that of Great Britain in 1806, and, still more, when that change was +sealed in 1814 by a transaction in which the Prince of Orange sold the +Cape to Great Britain for £6,000,000 against the wish and will of the +inhabitants, the little settlement entered upon a new phase of its +history, a phase, indeed, in which its people were destined by their +heroic struggle for justice, to enlist a world-wide sympathy on their +behalf.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">England's native policy.</div> + +<p>Notwithstanding the wild surroundings and the innumerable savage tribes +in the background, the young Africander nation had been welded into a +white aristocracy, proudly conscious of having maintained its +superiority notwithstanding its arduous struggles. It was this sentiment +of just pride which the British Government well understood how to wound +in its most sensitive part by favouring the natives as against the +Africanders. So, for example, the Africander Boers were forced to look +with pained eyes on the scenes of their farms and property devastated by +the natives without being in a position to defend themselves, because +the British Government had even deprived them of their ammunition. In +the same way the liberty-loving Africander burgher was coerced by a +police composed of Hottentots, the lowest and most despicable class of +the aborigines, whom the Africanders justly placed on a far lower social +level than that of their own Malay slaves.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6" />Slachter's Nek.</div> + +<p>No wonder that in 1815 a number of the Boers were driven into rebellion, +a rebellion which found an awful ending in the horrible occurrence of +the 9th of March, 1816, when six of the Boers were half hung up in the +most inhuman way in the compulsory presence of their wives and children. +Their death was truly horrible, for the gallows broke down before the +end came; but they were again hoisted up in the agony of dying, and +strangled to death in the murderous tragedy of Slachter's Nek. Whatever +opinions have been formed of this occurrence in other respects, it was +at Slachter's Nek that the first bloodstained beacon was erected which +marks the boundary between Boer and Briton in South Africa, and the eyes +of posterity still glance back shudderingly through the long vista of +years at that tragedy of horror.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The missionaries.</div> + +<p>This was, however, but the beginning. Under the cloak of religion +British administration continued to display its hate against our people +and nationality, and to conceal its self-seeking aims under cover of the +most exalted principles. The aid of religion was invoked to reinforce +the policy of oppression in order to deal a deeper and more fatal blow +to our self-respect. Emissaries of the London Missionary Society +slandered the Boers, and accused them of the most inhuman cruelties to +the natives. These libellous stories, endorsed as they were by the +British Government, found a ready ear amongst the English, and the +result was that under the pressure of powerful philanthropic opinion in +England our unfortunate people were more bitterly persecuted than ever, +and were finally compelled to defend <a name="Page_7" id="Page_7" />themselves in courts of law +against the coarsest accusations and insults. But they emerged from the +ordeal triumphantly, and the records of the criminal courts of the Cape +Colony bear indisputable witness to the fact that there were no people +amongst the slave-owning classes of the world more humane than the +Africander Boers. Their treatment of the natives was based on the theory +that natives ought not to be considered as mature and fully developed +people, but that they were in reality children who had to be won over to +civilisation by just and rigid discipline; they hold the same +convictions on this subject to-day, and the enlightened opinion of the +civilised world is inclining more and more to the same conclusion. But +the fact that their case was a good one, and that it was triumphantly +decided in their favour in the law courts, did not serve to diminish, +but rather tended to sharpen, the feeling of injustice with which they +had been treated.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Emancipation of the slaves.</div> + +<p>A livelier sense of wrong was quickened by the way in which the +emancipation of the slaves—in itself an excellent measure—was carried +out in the case of the Boers.</p> + +<p>Our forefathers had become owners of slaves chiefly imported in English +ships and sold to us by Englishmen. The British Government decided to +abolish slavery. We had no objection to this, provided we received +adequate compensation.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4" /><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> Our slaves had been valued by British +officials at three millions, but of the twenty millions voted by the +Imperial Government for compensation, only one and <a name="Page_8" id="Page_8" />a quarter millions +was destined for South Africa; and this sum was payable in London. It +was impossible for us to go there, so we were forced to sell our rights +to middlemen and agents for a mere song; and many of our people were so +overwhelmed by the difficulties placed in their way that they took no +steps whatever to receive their share of the compensation.</p> + +<p>Greyheads and widows who had lived in ease and comfort went down +poverty-stricken to the grave, and gradually the hard fact was borne in +upon us that there was no such thing as Justice for us in England.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Slavery at the Cape.</div> + +<p>Froude, the English historian, hits the right nail on the head when he +says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5" /><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> "Slavery at the Cape had been rather domestic than predial; the + scandals of the West India plantations were unknown among them.</p> + +<p> Because the Dutch are a deliberate and slow people, not given to + enthusiasm for new ideas, they fell into disgrace with us, where + they have ever since remained. The unfavourable impression of + them became a tradition of the English Press, and, unfortunately, + of the Colonial Office. We had treated them unfairly as well as + unwisely, and we never forgive those whom we have injured."</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">The Glenelg policy.</div> + +<p><a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6" /><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> But this was not all. When the English obtained possession of the +Cape Colony by convention, the Fish River formed the eastern boundary. +The Kaffirs raided the Colony from time to time, but especially in 1834, +when they murdered, plundered, and outraged the helpless Colonists in an +awful <a name="Page_9" id="Page_9" />and almost indescribable manner. The Governor was ultimately +prevailed upon to free the strip of territory beyond the Fish River from +the raids of the Kaffirs, and this was done by the aid of the Boers. But +Lord Glenelg, the Colonial Secretary, reversed this policy and restored +the whole territory to the natives. He maligned the Boers in even more +forcible terms than the emissaries of the London Missionary Society, and +openly favoured the Kaffirs, placing them on a higher pedestal than the +Boers. The latter had succeeded in rescuing their cattle from the +Kaffirs, but were forced to look on passively while the very same +cattle, with the owner's brand marks plainly visible, were sold by +public auction to defray the cost of the commando. It was useless to +hope for justice from Englishmen. There was no security for life and +property under the flag of a Government which openly elected to uphold +Wrong. The high-minded descendants of the proudest and most stubborn +peoples of Europe had to bend the knee before a Government which united +a commercial policy of crying injustice with a veneer of simulated +philanthropy.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Dutch language.</div> + +<p>But it was not only in regard to the Natives that the Boers were +oppressed and their rights violated. When the Cape was transferred to +England in 1806, their language was guaranteed to the Dutch inhabitants. +This guarantee was, however, soon to meet the same fate as the treaties +and conventions which were concluded by England with our people at later +periods.</p> + +<p>The violator of treaties fulfilled its obligation by <a name="Page_10" id="Page_10" />decreeing in 1825 +that all documents were for the future to be written in English. +Petitions in the language of the country and complaints about bitter +grievances were not even acknowledged. The Boers were excluded from the +juries because their knowledge of English was too faulty, and their +causes and actions had to be determined by Englishmen, with whom they +had nothing in common.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Great Trek.</div> + +<p>After twenty years' experience of British administration it had become +abundantly clear to the Boers that there was no prospect of peace and +prosperity before them, for their elementary rights had been violated, +and they could only expect oppression. They were without adequate +guarantees of protection, and their position had become intolerable in +the Cape Colony.</p> + +<p>They decided to sell home, farm, and all that remained over from the +depredations of the Kaffirs, and to trek away from British rule. The +Colony was at this time bounded on the north by the Orange River.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Legality of the Trek.</div> + +<p><a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7" /><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> At first, Lieutenant-Governor +Stockenstrom was consulted; but he was of opinion that there was no law +which could prevent the Boers from leaving the Colony and settling +elsewhere. Even if such a statute existed, it would be tyrannical, as +well as impossible, to enforce it.</p> + +<p>The Cape Attorney-General, Mr. Oliphant, expressed the same opinion, +adding that it was clear that the emigrants were determined to go into +<a name="Page_11" id="Page_11" />another country, and not to consider themselves British subjects any +longer. The same thing was happening daily in the emigration from +England to North America, and the British Government was and would +remain powerless to stop the evil.</p> + +<p>The territory to the north of the Orange River and to the east of the +Drakensberg lay outside the sphere of British influence or authority, +and was, as far as was then known, inhabited by savages; but the Boers +decided to brave the perils of the wilderness and to negotiate with the +savages for the possession of a tract of country, and so form an +independent community rather than remain any longer under British rule.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Manifesto of Piet Retief.</div> + +<p>In the words of Piet Retief, when he left Grahamstown:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>We despair of saving the Colony from those evils which threaten + it by the turbulent and dishonest conduct of vagrants who are + allowed to infest the country in every part; nor do we see any + prospect of peace or happiness for our children in a country thus + distracted by internal commotions.</p> + +<p> We complain of the severe losses which we have been forced to + sustain by the emancipation of our slaves, and the vexatious laws + which have been enacted respecting them.</p> + +<p> We complain of the continual system of plunder which we have for + years endured from the Kaffirs and other coloured classes, and + particularly by the last invasion of the Colony, which has + desolated the frontier district and ruined most of the + inhabitants.</p> + +<p> We complain of the unjustifiable odium which has been cast upon + us by interested and dishonest persons, under the name of + religion, whose testimony is believed in England to the exclusion + of all evidence in our favour; and we can foresee, as the result + of this prejudice, nothing but the total ruin of the country.</p> + +<p> We quit this Colony under the full assurance that the English + Government has nothing more to require of us, and will allow us + to govern ourselves without its interference in future.</p> + +<p> <a name="Page_12" id="Page_12" />We are now leaving the fruitful land of our birth, in which we + have suffered enormous losses and continual vexation, and are + about to enter a strange and dangerous territory; but we go with + a firm reliance on an all-seeing, just, and merciful God, whom we + shall always fear and humbly endeavour to obey.</p> + +<p> In the name of all who leave this Colony with me.</p> + +<p> P. RETIEF.</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">The English in pursuit.</div> + +<p>We journeyed then with our fathers beyond the Orange River into the +unknown north, as free men and subjects of no sovereign upon earth. Then +began what the English Member of Parliament, Sir William Molesworth, +termed a strange sort of pursuit. The trekking Boer followed by the +British Colonial Office was indeed the strangest pursuit ever witnessed +on earth. <a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8" /><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> The British Parliament even passed a law in 1836 to impose +punishments beyond their jurisdiction up to the 25th degree south, and +when we trekked further north, Lord Grey threatened to extend this +unrighteous law to the Equator. It may be remarked that in this law it +was specially enacted that no sovereignty or overlordship was to be +considered as established thereby over the territory in question.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Trichardt Trek.</div> + +<p>The first trek was that of Trichardt and the Van Rensburgs. They went to +the north, but the Van Rensburgs were massacred in the most horrible way +by the Kaffirs, and Trichardt's party reached Delagoa Bay after +indescribable sufferings in a poverty-stricken condition, only to die +there of malarial fever.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4" /><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Theal, <i>History of the Boers</i>, page 64.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5" /><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> <i>Oceana</i>, page 34.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6" /><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Theal, page 62.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7" /><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Theal, 102.—Cachet.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8" /><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> 6 & 7, William IV., ch. 57.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_FOUNDING_OF_NATAL" id="THE_FOUNDING_OF_NATAL" /><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13" />THE FOUNDING OF NATAL.</h2> + + +<div class="sidenote">Murder of Piet Retief.</div> + +<p>The second trek was equally unfortunate. Piet Retief had duly paid for +and obtained possession from Dingaan, chief of the Zulus, of that tract +of territory now known as Natal, the latter, incited by some Englishmen, +treacherously murdered him and his party on the 6th February, 1838; 66 +Boers and 30 of their followers perished. The Great Trek thus lost its +most courageous and noble-minded leader. <a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9" /><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> Dingaan then sent two of +his armies, and they overcame the women and children and the aged at +Boesmans River (Blaauw-krantz), where the village of Weenen now stands; +282 white people and 252 servants were massacred.</p> + +<p>Towards the end of the year we entered the land of this criminal with a +small commando of 464 men, and on the 16th December, 1838—since known +as "Dingaan's Day," the proudest in our history—we overthrew the +military might of the Zulus, consisting of 10,000 warriors, and burnt +Dingaan's chief kraal.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">No extension of British territory.</div> + +<p><a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10" /><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> After that we settled down peaceably in Natal, and established a +new Republic. The territory had been purchased with our money and +baptised with our blood. But the Republic was not permitted to remain in +peace for long. The Colonial Office was in pursuit. The Government first +of all decided upon a military <a name="Page_14" id="Page_14" />occupation of Natal, for, as Governor +Napier wrote to Lord Russell on the 22nd June, 1840, "it was apparently +the fixed determination of Her Majesty's Government not to extend Her +Colonial possessions in this quarter of the Globe." The only object of +the military occupation was to crush the Boers, as the Governor, Sir +George Napier, undisguisedly admitted in his despatch to Lord Glenelg, +of the 16th January, 1838. The Boers were to be prevented from obtaining +ammunition, and to be forbidden to establish an independent Republic. By +these means he hoped to put a stop to the emigration. Lord Stanley +instructed Governor Napier on the 10th April, 1842, to cut the emigrant +Boers off from all communication, and to inform them that the British +Government would assist the savages against them, and would treat them +as rebels.</p> + +<p>Twice we successfully withstood the military occupation; more English +perished while in flight from drowning than fell by our bullets.</p> + +<p>Commissioner Cloete was sent later to annex the young Republic as a +reward for having redeemed it for civilisation.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Protest of Natal</div> + +<p><a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11" /><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> Annexation, however, only took place under strong protest. On the +21st February, 1842, the Volksraad of Maritzburg, under the chairmanship +of Joachim Prinsloo, addressed the following letter to Governor +Napier:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>We know that there is a God, who is the Ruler of heaven and + earth, and who has power, and is willing to protect the <a name="Page_15" id="Page_15" />injured, + though weaker, against oppressors. In Him we put our trust, and + in the justice of our cause; and should it be His will that total + destruction be brought upon us, our wives and children, and + everything we possess, we will with due submission acknowledge to + have deserved from Him, but not from men. We are aware of the + power of Great Britain, and it is not our object to defy that + power; but at the same time we cannot allow that might instead of + right shall triumph, without having employed all our means to + oppose it.</p></div> + +<div class="sidenote">The Boer women</div> + +<p><a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12" /><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> The Boer women of Maritzburg informed the British Commissioner +that, sooner than subject themselves again to British sway, they would +walk barefoot over the Drakensberg to freedom or to death. <a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13" /><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> And they +were true to their word, as the following incident proves. Andries +Pretorius, our brave leader, had ridden through to Grahamstown, hundreds +of miles distant, in order to represent the true facts of our case to +Governor Pottinger. He was unsuccessful, for he was obliged to return +without a hearing from the Governor, who excused himself under the +pretext that he had no time to receive Pretorius. When the latter +reached the Drakensberg, on his return, he found nearly the whole +population trekking over the mountains away from Natal and away from +British sway. His wife was lying ill in the waggon, and his daughter had +been severely hurt by the oxen which she was forced to lead.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Suffering in Natal</div> + +<p>Sir Harry Smith, who succeeded Pottinger, thus described the condition +of the emigrant Boers:—"They were exposed to a state of misery which he +had never before seen equalled, except in Massena's <a name="Page_16" id="Page_16" />invasion of +Portugal. The scene was truly heart-rending."</p> + +<p>This is what we had to suffer at the hands of the British Government in +connection with Natal.</p> + +<p>We trekked back over the Drakensberg to the Free State, where some +remained, but others wandered northwards over the Vaal River.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9" /><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Theal, pages 104—130.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10" /><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Theal, 169.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11" /><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Theal, 155.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12" /><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Theal, 179.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13" /><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Theal, 244.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_ORANGE_FREE_STATE" id="THE_ORANGE_FREE_STATE" /><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17" />THE ORANGE FREE STATE.</h2> + + +<div class="sidenote">Boomplaats</div> + +<p><a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14" /><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> Giving effect to Law 6 and 7, William IV., ch. 57, the English +appointed a Resident in the Free State. Pretorius, however, gave him 48 +hours' notice to quit the Republic. Thereupon Sir Harry Smith mobilised +an army, chiefly consisting of blacks, against us white people, and +fought us at Boomplaats, on the 29th August, 1848. After an obstinate +struggle a Boer named Thomas Dreyer was caught by the blacks of Smith's +army, and to the shame of English reputation, was killed by the English +Governor for no other crime than that he was once, though years before, +a British subject, and had now dared to fight against Her Majesty's +Flag.</p> + +<p>Another murder and deed of shame in South Africa's account with England!</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Annexation of the Orange Free State</div> + +<p>In the meantime Sir Harry Smith had annexed the Free State as the +"Orange River Sovereignty," on the pretext that four-fifths of the +inhabitants favoured British dominion, and were only intimidated by the +power of Pretorius from manifesting their wishes.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Moshesh</div> + +<p>But the British Resident soon came into collision with Moshesh, the +great and crafty head chieftain of the Basutos.</p> + +<p>The Boers were called up to assist, but only 75 responded out of the +1,000 who were called up. The <a name="Page_18" id="Page_18" />English had then to eat the leek. The +Resident informed his Government that the fate of the Orange River +Sovereignty depended upon Andries Pretorius, the very man on whose head +Sir Harry Smith had put a price of £2,000. Earl Grey censured and +abandoned both Sir Harry Smith and the Resident, Major Warden, saying in +his despatch to the Governor dated 15th December, 1851, that the British +Government had annexed the country on the understanding that the +inhabitants had generally desired it. But if they would not support the +British Government, which had only been established in their interests, +and if they wished to be freed from that authority, there was no longer +any use in continuing it.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Orange Sovereignty once more a Republic.</div> + +<p>The Governor was clearly given to understand by the British Government +that there was in future to be no interference in any of the wars which +might take place between the different tribes and the inhabitants of +independent states beyond the Colonial boundaries, no matter how +sanguinary such wars might happen to be.</p> + +<p>In other words, as Froude says, <a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15" /><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> "In 1852 we had discovered that wars +with the Natives and wars with the Dutch were expensive and useless, +that sending troops out and killing thousands of Natives was an odd way +of protecting them. We resolved then to keep within our own territories, +to meddle no more beyond the Orange River, and to leave the Dutch and +the Natives to settle their differences among themselves."</p> + +<p>And again: <a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16" /><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> "<a name="Page_19" id="Page_19" />Grown sick at last of enterprises which led neither to +honour nor peace, we resolved, in 1852, to leave Boers, Kaffirs, +Basutos, and Zulus to themselves, and make the Orange River the boundary +of British responsibilities. We made formal treaties with the two Dutch +States, binding ourselves to interfere no more between them and the +Natives, and to leave them either to establish themselves as a barrier +between ourselves and the interior of Africa, or to sink, as was +considered most likely, in an unequal struggle with warlike tribes, by +whom they were infinitely outnumbered."</p> + +<p>The administration of the Free State cost the British taxpayer too much. +There was an idea, too, that if enough rope were given to the Boer he +would hang himself.</p> + +<p>A new Governor, Sir George Cathcart, was sent out with two Special +Commissioners to give effect to the new policy. A new Treaty between +England and the Free State was signed, by which full independence was +guaranteed to the Republic, the British Government undertaking at the +same time not to interfere with any of the Native tribes north of the +Orange River.</p> + +<p>As Cathcart remarked in his letters—the Sovereignty bubble had burst, +and the silly Sovereignty farce was played out.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Diamond Fields</div> + +<p><a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17" /><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> It must not be forgotten that as long as the Free State was English +territory it was supposed to include that strip of ground now known as +Kimberley and the <a name="Page_20" id="Page_20" />Diamond Fields; English title deeds had been issued +during the Orange River Sovereignty in respect of the ground in +question, which was considered to belong to the Sovereignty, and to be +under the jurisdiction of one of the Sovereignty Magistrates. At the +reestablishment of the Free State it consequently became a part of the +Orange Free State.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Basutos.</div> + +<p>Not fifteen years had elapsed since the Convention between England and +the Free State before it was broken by the English. It had been solemnly +stipulated that England would not interfere in Native affairs north of +the Orange River. The Basutos had murdered the Freestaters, plundered +them, ravished their wives, and committed endless acts of violence. +After a bitter struggle of three years, the Freestaters had succeeded in +inflicting a well-merited chastisement on the Basutos, when the British +intervened in 1869 in favour of the Natives, notwithstanding the fact +that they had reiterated their declaration of non-interference in the +Aliwal Convention.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Diamond Fields.</div> + +<p><a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18" /><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> To return to the Diamond Fields, as Froude remarks: "The ink on the +Treaty of Aliwal was scarcely dry when diamonds were discovered in large +quantities in a district which we had ourselves treated as part of the +Orange Territory." Instead of honestly saying that the British +Government relied on its superior strength, and on this ground demanded +the territory in question, which contained the richest diamond fields in +the world, it hypocritically pretended that the real reason of its +depriving the Free State of the Diamond Fields was that they belonged to +a <a name="Page_21" id="Page_21" />Native, notwithstanding the fact that this contention was falsified +by the judgment of the English Courts. <a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19" /><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> "There was a notion also," +says Froude, "that the finest diamond mine in the world ought not to be +lost to the British Empire."</p> + +<p>The ground was thereupon taken from the Boers, and "from that day no +Boer in South Africa has been able to trust to English promises."</p> + +<p>Later, when Brand went to England, the British Government acknowledged +its guilt and paid £90,000 for the richest diamond fields in the world, +a sum which scarcely represents the daily output of the mines.</p> + +<p>But notwithstanding the Free State Convention, notwithstanding the +renewed promises of the Aliwal Convention<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20" /><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a>—the Free State was forced +to suffer a third breach of the Convention at the hands of the English. +Ten thousand rifles were imported into Kimberley through the Cape +Colony, and sold there to the natives who encircled and menaced the two +Dutch Republics.<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21" /><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> General Sir Arthur Cunynghame, the British +Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, admits that 400,000 guns were sold +to Kaffirs during his term of office. Protests from the Transvaal and +the Free State were of no avail.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22" /><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> And when the Free State in the +exercise of its just rights stopped waggons laden with guns on their way +through its territory, it was forced to pay compensation to the British +Government.</p> + +<p>"<a name="Page_22" id="Page_22" />The Free State," says the historian Froude, "paid the money, but paid +it under protest, with an old-fashioned appeal to the God of +Righteousness, whom, strange to say, they believed to be a reality."</p> + +<p>It seems thus that there is no place for the God of Righteousness in +English policy.</p> + +<p>So far we have considered our Exodus from the Cape Colony, and the way +in which we were deprived of Natal and the Free State by England. Now +for the case of the Transvaal.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14" /><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Theal, 256-64. Hofstede.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15" /><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> <i>Oceana</i>, page 31.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16" /><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> <i>Oceana</i>, page 36.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17" /><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> Froude, <i>Oceana</i>. Hofstede.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18" /><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> <i>Oceana</i>, page 41.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19" /><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> <i>Oceana</i>, page 40.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20" /><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> <i>Oceana</i>, page 42.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21" /><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Cunynghame, page XI.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22" /><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> <i>Oceana</i>, page 42.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="THE_SOUTH_AFRICAN_REPUBLIC" id="THE_SOUTH_AFRICAN_REPUBLIC" /><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23" />THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC.</h2> + + +<p>The disastrous fate of the Trichardt Trek has already been told. The +Trichardts found the Transvaal overrun by the warriors of Moselikatse, +the King of the Matabele and father of Lobengula. The other tribes of +the Transvaal were his "dogs," according to the Kaffir term.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Moselikatse.</div> + +<p>As soon as he heard of the approach of the emigrant Boers he sent out an +army to exterminate them. This army succeeded in cutting off and +murdering one or two stragglers, but it was defeated at Vechtkop by the +small laager of Sarel Celliers, where the Boer women distinguished +themselves by deeds of striking heroism.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterwards the emigrant Boers journeyed across the Vaal River, +and after two battles drove Moselikatse and his hordes across the +Limpopo right into what is now Matabeleland. Andries Pretorius had come +into the Transvaal after the Annexation of Natal, and lived there +quietly, notwithstanding the price which had been put on his head after +Boomplaats. The British Resident in the Free State, which at this time +still belonged to England, was compelled to admit in a letter to the +English Governor that the fate of the Free State depended upon the +selfsame Pretorius. It was owing to his influence that Moshesh had not +killed off the English soldiers. People had decided in England—to quote +Froude <a name="Page_24" id="Page_24" />once more—to abandon the Africanders and the Kaffirs beyond the +borders to their fate, in the hope that the Kaffirs would exterminate +the Africanders.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Sand River Convention.</div> + +<p>According to Molesworth, the English member of Parliament, the Colonial +Office was delighted when the Governor received a letter in 1851 from +Andries Pretorius, Commandant-General of the Transvaal Boers, in which +he offered on behalf of his people to enter into negotiations with the +British Government for a Treaty of Peace and Friendship. <a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23" /><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> The price +put on his head was promptly cancelled, and when Sir Harry Smith was +recalled in disgrace, Governor Cathcart was sent out to recognise the +independence of the Boers. The Aberdeen Ministry declared through its +representative in the House of Commons that they regretted having +crossed the Orange River, as the Boers were hostile to British rule, and +that Lord Grey had permitted it out of deference to the views of Sir +Harry Smith, against his own better judgment and convictions. This +policy was almost unanimously endorsed by the House of Commons.</p> + +<p>The proposal of Pretorius was then accepted, and two Assistant +Commissioners, Hogge and Owen, were sent out with Governor Cathcart, and +met the Boer representatives at Sand River, a meeting which resulted in +the Sand River Convention, respectively signed by both the contracting +parties.</p> + +<p>In this Convention, as in the later Free State Treaty, the Transvaal +Boers were guaranteed in the fullest way against interference or +hindrance on the <a name="Page_25" id="Page_25" />part of Great Britain, either in regard to themselves +or the natives, to whom it was mutually agreed that the sale of firearms +and ammunition should be strictly forbidden. The British Commissioners +reported that the recognition of the independence of the Transvaal Boers +would secure great advantages, as it would ensure their friendship and +prevent any union with Moshesh. It would also be a guarantee against +slavery, and would provide for the extradition of criminals. <a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24" /><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> On the +13th May, 1852, great satisfaction was expressed by the Governor, Sir +George Cathcart, in his proclamation that one of the first acts of his +administration was to approve and fully confirm the Sand River +Convention. On the 24th June, 1852, the Colonial Secretary also +signified his approval of the Convention.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Recognition of the South African Republic by Foreign Powers.</div> + +<p>The Republic was now in possession of a Convention, which from the +nature of its provisions seemed to promise a peaceful future. In +addition to Great Britain it was recognised in Holland, France, Germany, +Belgium, and especially in the United States of America. The American +Secretary of State at Washington, writing to President Pretorius on the +19th November, 1870, said:—"That his Government, while heartily +acknowledging the Sovereignty of the Transvaal Republic, would be ready +to take any steps which might be deemed necessary for that purpose."</p> + +<p>But no reliance could be placed on England's word, even though it was +embodied in a Convention duly signed and ratified, for when the Diamond +Fields <a name="Page_26" id="Page_26" />were discovered, barely seventeen years later, England claimed a +portion of Transvaal territory next to that part which had already been +wrested from the Free State. Arbitration was decided upon. As the +Arbitrators could not agree, the Umpire, Governor Keate, gave judgment +against the Transvaal. Thereupon it appeared that the English Arbitrator +had bought 12,000 morgen (of the ground in dispute) from the Native +Chief Waterboer for a mere song, and also that Governor Keate had +accepted Waterboer as a British subject, which was contrary to the +Convention. Even Dr. Moffat, who was no friend of the Boers, entered a +protest in a letter to the <i>Times</i>, on the ground that the territory in +question had all along been the property of the Transvaal.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sale of guns to Natives.</div> + +<p>But this was only one of the breaches of the Convention. When the +400,000 guns, about which Cunynghame and Moodie testify, were sold to +the Kaffirs, the Transvaal lodged a strong protest in 1872 with the Cape +High Commissioner. Their only satisfaction was an insolent reply from +Sir Henry Barkly.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Annexation of the Transvaal.</div> + +<p>As a crowning act in these deeds of shame came the Annexation of the +Transvaal by Shepstone on the 12th April, 1877. Sir Bartle Frere was +sent out as Governor to Cape Town by Lord Carnarvon to carry out the +confederation policy of the latter. Shepstone was also sent to the +Transvaal to annex that State, in case the consent of the Volksraad or +that of the majority of the inhabitants could be obtained. The Volksraad +protested against the Annexation. The President protested. Out of a +possible 8,000 burghers, 6,800 protested. But all in vain.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27" />Bishop Colenso declared that: <a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25" /><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> "The sly and underhand way in which +the Transvaal has been annexed appears to be unworthy of the English +name."</p> + +<p>The Free State recorded its deepest regret at the Annexation.</p> + +<p>Even Gladstone, in expressing his regret, admitted that England had in +the Transvaal acted in such a way as to use the free subjects of a +kingdom to oppress the free subjects of a Republic, and to compel them +to accept a citizenship which they did not wish to have.</p> + +<p>But it was all of no avail.</p> + +<p>Sir Garnet Wolseley declared: "As long as the sun shines the Transvaal +will remain British Territory." He also stated that the Vaal River would +flow backwards to its source over the Drakensberg before England would +give up the Transvaal.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Pretexts for the Annexation.</div> + +<p>Shepstone's chief pretexts for the Annexation were that the Transvaal +could not subdue Secoecoeni, and that the Zulus threatened to overpower +the Transvaal. As far as Secoecoeni is concerned, he had shortly before +sued for peace, and the Transvaal Republic had fined him 2,000 head of +cattle. With regard to the Zulus, the threatened danger was never felt +by the Republic. Four hundred burghers had crushed the Zulu power in +1838, and the burghers had crowned Panda, Cetewayo's father, in 1840.</p> + +<p>Sir Bartle Frere acknowledged in a letter to Sir Robert Herbert dated +12th January, 1879, that he could not understand how it was that the +Zulus had left Natal unmolested for so long, until he found out <a name="Page_28" id="Page_28" />that +the Zulus had been thoroughly subdued by the Boers during Dingaan's +time. Just before the Annexation a small patrol of Boers had pursued the +Chief Umbeline into the very heart of Zululand. But Bishop Colenso +points out clearly what a fraudulent stalking horse the Zulu difficulty +was. There had been a dispute of some years standing between the +Transvaal and the Zulus about a strip of territory along the border, +which had been claimed and occupied by the Boers since 1869. The +question was referred to Shepstone before the Annexation, while he was +still in Natal, and he gave a direct decision against the Boers, and in +favour of the Zulus. There was thus no cause on that account for the +fear of a Zulu attack upon the Transvaal. But scarcely had Shepstone +become administrator of the Transvaal when he declared the ground in +dispute to be British territory, and discovered that there was the +strongest evidence for the contention of the Boers that the Zulus had no +right to the ground. Bulwer, the Governor of Natal, appointed a Boundary +Commission, which decided in favour of the Zulus, but Shepstone +vehemently opposed their verdict, and Bartle Frere and the High +Commissioner (Wolseley) followed him blindly.<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26" /><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> The result was that +England sent an ultimatum to the Zulus, and the Zulu War took place, +which lowered the prestige of England among the Natives of South Africa.</p> + +<p>It will thus be seen that Shepstone's two chief reasons for the +Annexation were devoid of foundation.</p> + +<p>It was naturally difficult for the Secretary of State to justify his +instructions that the Annexation of the <a name="Page_29" id="Page_29" />Transvaal was only to take +place in case a majority of the inhabitants favoured such a course, in +face of the fact that 6,800 out of 8,000 burghers had protested against +it.</p> + +<p>But both Shepstone and Lord Carnarvon declared without a shadow of proof +that the signatures of the protesting petitions were obtained under +threats of violence. The case, indeed, was exactly the reverse. When the +meeting was held at Pretoria to sign this petition, Shepstone caused the +cannons to be pointed at the assemblage. As if this were not enough, he +issued a menacing proclamation against the signing of the petition.</p> + +<p>When these pretexts were thus disposed of, they relied on the fact that +the Annexation was a <i>fait accompli</i>.</p> + +<p>Delegates were sent to England to protest against the Annexation, but +Lord Carnarvon told them that he would only be misleading them if he +held out any hope of restitution. Gladstone afterwards endorsed this by +saying that he could not advise the Queen to withdraw her Sovereignty +from the Transvaal.</p> + +<p>When it was represented that the Annexation was a deliberate breach of +the Sand River Convention, Sir Bartle Frere replied, in 1879, that if +they wished to go back to the Sand River Convention, they might just as +well go back to the Creation!</p> + +<p>It is necessary here not to lose sight of the fact that the ground, +which according to the Keate award in 1870 had been declared to lie +beyond the borders of the Republic, was now included by Shepstone as +being a part of the Transvaal.</p> + +<p>There were, however, other matters which under <a name="Page_30" id="Page_30" />Republican +administration were branded as wrong, but which under English rule were +perfectly right. In the Secoecoeni War under the Republic the British +High Commissioner had protested against the use of the Swazies and +Volunteers by the Republic in conducting the campaign.</p> + +<p>Under British administration the war was carried on at first by regulars +only, but when these were defeated by the Kaffirs, an army of Swazies, +as well as Volunteers, was collected. The number of the former can be +gathered from the fact that 500 Swazies were killed. The atrocities +committed by these Swazi allies of the English on the people of +Secoecoeni's tribe were truly awful.</p> + +<p>Bishop Colenso, who condemned this incident, said, with regard to the +results of the Annexation of the Republic, that the Zululand difficulty, +as well as that with Secoecoeni, was the direct consequence of the +unfortunate Annexation of the Transvaal, which would not have happened +if we had not taken possession of the country like a lot of freebooters, +partly by "trickery," partly by "bullying." Elsewhere he said: "And in +this way we annexed the Transvaal, and that act brought as its Nemesis +the Zulu difficulty."</p> + +<p>That the British Government had all along considered the Zulus as a +means of annihilating the Transvaal when a favourable opportunity +occurred, is clear from a letter which the High Commissioner, Sir Bartle +Frere, wrote to General Ponsonby, in which he says:—<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27" /><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> "That while +the Boer Republic was a rival and <a name="Page_31" id="Page_31" />semi-hostile power, it was a Natal +weakness rather to pet the Zulus as one might a tame wolf who only +devoured one's neighbours' sheep. We always remonstrated, but rather +feebly, and now that both flocks belong to us, we are rather embarrassed +in stopping the wolfs ravages."</p> + +<p>And again in a letter to Sir Robert Herbert:—<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28" /><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> "The Boers were +aggressive, the English were not; and were well inclined to help the +Zulus against the Boers. I have been shocked to find how very close to +the wind the predecessors of the present Government here have sailed in +supporting the Zulus against Boer aggression. Mr. John Dunn, still a +salaried official of this Government, thinking himself bound to explain +his own share in supplying rifles to the Zulus in consequence of the +revelations in a late trial of a Durban gun-runner, avows that he did so +with the knowledge, if not the consent, and at the suggestion of (naming +a high Colonial official) in Natal. There can be no doubt that Natal +sympathy was strongly with the Zulus as against the Boers, and, what is +worse, is so still."</p> + +<p>Under such circumstances did the Annexation take place. The English did +not scruple to make use of Kaffir aid against the Boers, as at +Boomplaats, and it was brought home in every possible way to the British +Nation that a great wrong had been committed here; but even the High +Commissioner, though he heard the words issue from our bleeding hearts, +wished that he had brought some artillery in order to disperse us, and +misrepresented us beyond measure.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32" />Full of hope we said to ourselves if only the Queen of England and the +English people knew that in the Transvaal a people were being oppressed, +they would never suffer it.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The War of Freedom.</div> + +<p>But we had now to admit that it was of no use appealing to England, +because there was no one to hear us. Trusting in the Almighty God of +righteousness and justice, we armed ourselves for an apparently hopeless +struggle in the firm conviction that whether we conquered or whether we +died, the sun of freedom in South Africa would arise out of the morning +mists. With God's all-powerful aid we gained the victory, and for a time +at least it seemed as if our liberty was secure.</p> + +<p>At Bronkorst Spruit, at Laing's Nek, at Ingogo, and at Majuba, God gave +us victory, although in each case the British troopers outnumbered us, +and were more powerfully armed than ourselves.</p> + +<p>After these victories had given new force to our arguments, the British +Government, under the leadership of Gladstone, a man whom we shall never +forget, decided to cancel the Annexation, and to restore to us our +violated rights.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23" /><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Molesworth.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24" /><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Theal, 305.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25" /><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> 30th April, 1877, Letter to the Rev. La Touche.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26" /><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Martineau, <i>The Transvaal Trouble</i>, page 76.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27" /><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Martineau, <i>The Transvaal Trouble</i>, page 69.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28" /><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> <i>The Transvaal Trouble</i>, page 76.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONVENTIONS_OF_1881_AND_1884" id="CONVENTIONS_OF_1881_AND_1884" /><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33" />CONVENTIONS OF 1881 AND 1884.</h2> + + +<div class="sidenote">Pretoria Convention.</div> + +<p>An ordinary person would have thought that the only upright way of +carrying a policy of restitution into effect would have been for the +British Government to have returned to the provisions of the Sand River +Convention. If the Annexation was wrong in itself—without taking the +Boer victories into consideration—then it ought to have been abolished +with all its consequences, and there ought to have been a <i>restitutio in +integrum</i> of that Republic; that is to say, the Boers ought to have been +placed in exactly the same position as they were in before the +Annexation. But what happened? With a magnanimity which the English +press and English orators are never tired of vaunting, they gave us back +our country, but the violation of the Sand River Convention remained +unredressed. Instead of a sovereign freedom, we obtained free internal +administration, subject to the suzerain power of Her Majesty over the +Republic. This occurred by virtue of the Convention of Pretoria, the +preamble of which bestowed self-government on the Transvaal State with +the express reservation of suzerainty. The articles of that Convention +endeavoured to establish a <i>modus vivendi</i> between such self-government +and the aforesaid suzerainty. Under this bi-lateral arrangement the +Republic was governed for three years by two heterogeneous +principles—that of representative self-government, <a name="Page_34" id="Page_34" />and that +represented by the British Agent. This system was naturally unworkable; +it was also clear that the arrangement of 1881 was not to be considered +as final.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The London Convention.</div> + +<p>The suzerainty was above all an absurdity which was not possible to +reconcile with practical efficacy. So with the approval of the British +Government a Deputation went to London in 1883, in order to get the +status of the Republic altered, and to substitute a new Convention for +that of Pretoria. The Deputation proposed to return to the position as +laid down by the Sand River Convention, and that was in fact the only +upright and statesmanlike arrangement possible. But according to the +evidence of one of the witnesses on the British side, the Rev. D.P. +Faure, the Ministry suffered from a very unwholesome dread of +Parliament; so it would not agree to this, and submitted a counter +proposal (see Appendix A.), which eventually was accepted by the +Deputation, and the conditions of which are to-day of the greatest +importance to us.</p> + +<p>This Draft was constructed out of the Pretoria Convention with such +alterations as were designed to make it acceptable to the Deputation. +The preamble under which complete self-government, subject to the +suzerainty, was granted to the Republic was deliberately erased by Lord +Derby, then Secretary of State for the Colonies, so that the suzerainty +naturally lapsed when the Draft was eventually accepted. In order to +make it perfectly clear that the status of the Republic was put upon +another basis, the title "Transvaal State" was altered to that of the +"South African Republic." All articles in the Pretoria Convention which +gave the British Government any authority in <a name="Page_35" id="Page_35" />the internal affairs of +this Republic were done away with. As far as foreign affairs were +concerned, a great and far-reaching change was made. It was stipulated +in Article 2 of the Pretoria Convention that "Her Majesty reserves to +herself, her heirs and successors (<i>a</i>), the right from time to time to +appoint a British Resident in and for the said State, with such duties +and functions as are hereinafter defined; (<i>b</i>), the right to move +troops through the said State in time of war or in case of the +apprehension of immediate war between the Suzerain Power and any Foreign +State or Native tribe in South Africa; and (<i>c</i>) the control of the +external relations of the said State, including the conclusion of +treaties and the conduct of diplomatic intercourse with Foreign Powers, +such intercourse to be carried on through Her Majesty's diplomatic and +consular officers abroad."</p> + +<p>This was superseded by Article 4 of the Convention of London, which was +to the following effect:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The South African Republic will conclude no treaty or engagement + with any State or Nation other than the Orange Free State, nor + with any Native tribe to the eastward or westward of the + Republic, until the same has been approved by Her Majesty the + Queen.</p> + +<p> "Such approval shall be considered to have been granted if Her + Majesty's Government shall not, within six months after receiving + a copy of such treaty (which shall be delivered to them + immediately upon its completion), have notified that the + conclusion of such treaty is in conflict with the interests of + Great Britain, or any of Her Majesty's possessions in South + Africa."</p></div> + +<p><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36" />The right of the British Government to exercise control over all our +foreign relations, and to conduct all our diplomatic negotiations +through its own Agent, was thus replaced by the far more slender right +of approving or disapproving of our treaties and conventions <i>after they +were completed</i>, and then only when it affected the interests of Great +Britain or Her Majesty's possessions in South Africa.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Status of the Republic.</div> + +<p>It was this Article 4 which gave an appearance of truth (and an +appearance only) to Lord Derby's declaration in the House of Lords that +although he had omitted the term of suzerainty, the substance thereof +remained. It would have been more correct to have said that owing to the +lapse of suzerainty the South African Republic no longer fell under the +head of a semi-suzerain State, but that it had become a free, +independent, sovereign international State, the sovereignty of which was +only limited by the restriction contained in Article 4 of the +Convention. Sovereignty need not of necessity be absolute. Belgium is a +sovereign international State, although it is bound to observe a +condition of permanent neutrality. The South African Republic falls +undoubtedly under this category of States, the sovereignty of which is +limited in one or other defined direction. But the fact of its +sovereignty is nevertheless irrefutable. It will be pointed out later +how this position, which is undoubtedly the correct one, has been +consistently upheld by the Government of the South African Republic, but +it is necessary now to revert to the historical development.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CAPITALISTIC_JINGOISM" id="CAPITALISTIC_JINGOISM" /><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37" />CAPITALISTIC JINGOISM.</h2> + +<p class="center">FIRST PERIOD.</p> + + +<div class="sidenote">The gold fields.</div> + +<p>In 1886 gold was discovered in great quantities and in different parts +of the South African Republic, and with that discovery our people +entered upon a new phase of their history. The South African Republic +was to develope within a few years from a condition of great poverty +into a rich and prosperous State, a country calculated in every respect +to awaken and inflame the greed of the Capitalistic speculator. Within a +few years the South African Republic was ranked among the first +gold-producing countries of the world. The bare veldt of hitherto was +overspread with large townships inhabited by a speculative and bustling +class brought together from all corners of the earth. The Boers, who had +hitherto followed pastoral and hunting pursuits, were now called upon to +fulfil one of the most difficult tasks in the world, namely, the +management of a complicated administration, and the government of a +large digging population, which had sprung up suddenly under the most +extraordinary circumstances. And how have they acquitted themselves of +the task? We quote the following from a brilliant pamphlet by Olive +Schreiner, who possesses a deeper insight into the true condition of +affairs in South Africa than has <a name="Page_38" id="Page_38" />been vouchsafed to any other writer on +the same subject:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29" /><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> "We put it to all generous and just spirits, whether of statesmen + or thinkers, whether the little Republic does not deserve our + sympathy, which wise minds give to all who have to deal with new + and complex problems, where the past experience of humanity has + not marked out a path—and whether, if we touch the subject at + all, it is not necessary that it should be in that large + impartial, truth-seeking spirit in which humanity demands we + should approach all great social difficulties and questions?"</p> + +<p> "It is sometimes said that when one stands looking down from the + edge of this hill at the great mining camp of Johannesburg + stretching beneath, with its heaps of white sand and <i>débris</i> + mountain high, its mining chimneys belching forth smoke, with its + seventy thousand Kaffirs and its eighty thousand men and women, + white or coloured, of all nationalities, gathered here in the + space of a few years on the spot where, fifteen years ago, the + Boer's son guided his sheep to the water and the Boer's wife sat + alone at evening at the house door to watch the sunset, we are + looking upon one of the most wonderful spectacles on earth. And + it is wonderful; but as we look at it the thought always arises + within us of something more wonderful yet—the marvellous manner + in which a little nation of simple folk, living in peace in the + land they loved, far from the rush of cities and the concourse of + men, have risen to the difficulties of their condition; how they, + without <a name="Page_39" id="Page_39" />instruction in statecraft or traditionary rules of + policy, have risen to face their great difficulties, and have + sincerely endeavoured to meet them in a large spirit, and have + largely succeeded. Nothing but that curious and wonderful + instinct for statecraft and the organisation and arrangement of + new social conditions which seem inherent as a gift of the blood + to all those peoples who took their rise in the little deltas on + the north-east of the Continent of Europe where the English and + Dutch peoples alike took their rise could have made it possible. + We do not say that the Transvaal Republic has among its guides + and rulers a Solon or a Lycurgus, but it has to-day, among the + men guiding its destiny, men of brave and earnest spirit, who are + seeking manfully and profoundly to deal with the great problems + before them in a wide spirit of humanity and justice. And we do + again repeat that the strong sympathy of all earnest and + thoughtful minds, not only in Africa, but in England, should be + with them."</p></div> + +<p>If one compares the gold fields of the Witwatersrand with those of other +countries, it is certain that the former can claim to be the best +governed mining area in the world. This is the almost unanimous verdict +of people who have had a lengthy experience of the gold fields of +California, Australia, and Klondyke.</p> + +<p>As far as South Africa is concerned, it is only necessary to instance +the diamond fields of Griqualand West when they were directly +administered by the British Government. They then afforded a continual +spectacle of rebellion, rioting, and indescribable uncertainty of, and +danger to, life and property.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40" />In Appendix B. are certain extracts from the evidence of eye witnesses +as to the chaos which characterised the condition of the diamond fields +when under British rule—a condition which differs from that of the +Witwatersrand gold fields as night from day. Reference will be made +later on to the administration of the gold fields of the South African +Republic. For the present it is necessary to glance at certain forces +which had been developed on the diamond fields of the Cape Colony, and +which have introduced a new factor of overwhelming importance into the +South African situation.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Capitalism.</div> + +<p>The development of British policy in South Africa had hitherto been +influenced at different times, and in a greater or less degree, by the +spirit of Jingoism, and by that zeal for Annexation which is so +characteristic of the trading instincts of the race. It was, however, a +policy that had been conducted in other respects on continuous lines, +and it might be justified by the argument that it was necessary in the +interests of the Empire. But Capitalism was the new factor which was +about to play such an important <i>rôle</i> in the history of South Africa. +The natural differences in men find their highest expression in the +varieties of influence which one man exercises over another; this +influence can either be of a religious, moral, political, or purely +material nature. Material influence generally takes the form of money, +or the financial nexus, as an English writer has termed it. An unusual +combination of this form of influence leads to Capitalism just as an +unusual combination of political influence leads to tyranny, and an +unusual <a name="Page_41" id="Page_41" />combination of religious influence to hierarchical despotism. +Capitalism is the modern peril which threatens to become as dangerous to +mankind as the political tyranny of the old Eastern world and the +religious despotism of the Middle Ages were in their respective eras.</p> + +<p>In a part of the world so rich in minerals of all descriptions as the +Transvaal, it is natural that Capitalism should play a considerable +<i>rôle</i>. Unfortunately, in South Africa it has from the very first +attempted to go far beyond its legitimate scope; it has endeavoured to +gain political power, and to make all other forms of government and +influence subservient to its own ends. The measure of its success can be +clearly gauged by the fact that all South Africa is standing to-day on +the brink of a great precipice, and may be hurled into the abyss before +the ink on these pages is dry.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Mr. Cecil Rhodes</div> + +<p>The spirit of Capitalism found its incarnation in Mr. Cecil Rhodes, who +was able to amalgamate the pressing and conflicting interests of the +Diamond Fields into the one great Corporation of which he is the head.</p> + +<p>Although he probably had no exceptional aptitude for politics, he was +irresistibly drawn towards them by the stress of his interests. By means +of his financial influence, together with a double allowance of +elasticity of conscience, he succeeded so far as to become Prime +Minister of the Cape Colony, and was powerfully and solidly supported by +the Africander party. The Africanders believed in him because they were +really and deeply imbued with the necessity of the co-operation and +fusion of the two white races in <a name="Page_42" id="Page_42" />South Africa, and he, as a loyal +Englishman, but fully possessing the confidence of Colonial +Africanderdom, seemed to them just the very person to realise their +ideal.</p> + +<p>To a careful observer the alliance between Africanderdom and Capitalism +was bound to lead to a rupture sooner or later. Deeply rooted and pure +national sentiment as well as burning conviction form the basis of +Africander Policy, and it was obvious that in the long run it would be +discovered that this policy could never be made subservient to purely +financial interests.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Jingoism.</div> + +<p>But there was another factor. There was that debased form of patriotism +called Jingoism. It is a form of party politics without solid +convictions or real beliefs, which puffs itself out with big words, and +with the froth of high-sounding ideas and principles. It is a policy, +nevertheless, which appeals most strongly to the instincts of +self-interest and to the illegal appropriation of other people's +property. It revels in the lust of boasting, so deeply ingrained in +human nature. In a word, it is a policy which is in direct opposition to +the true spirit of religion, to the altruistic ideals of humanity, and +to that sentiment of humility and moderation which is the natural basis +of all morality.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Alliance between Capitalism and Jingoism.</div> + +<p>Here, indeed, were the elements of an enduring alliance—an alliance +between Capitalism, with its great material influence, but barren of any +one single exalted idea or principle on the one hand, and Jingoism, +sterile, empty, soulless, but with a rich stock-in-trade of bombastic +ideas and principles, prompted by the most selfish aspirations, on the +other hand.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43" />The one was eminently calculated to form the complement of the other, +thus creating a natural alliance which is rapidly becoming a menace, all +the world over, to the best and most enduring interests of humanity.</p> + +<p>This Capitalistic Jingoism is the tree from which it is the lot of our +unfortunate South Africa to gather such bitter fruit to-day.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rhodes, with that treacherous duplicity which is an enduring +characteristic of British policy in South Africa, co-operated publicly, +and in the closest relationship, with the Colonial Africanders, while he +was secretly fomenting a conspiracy with Jingoism against the Cape +Africanders and the South African Republics. He already had the +Africanders in the Cape Colony under his sway; his aim was now to gain +the same influence in the South African Republic, with its rich gold +mines—not so much, perhaps, for himself personally as for Capitalism, +with which his interests were so closely identified. In case of success, +he would obtain his personal aim, and Capitalism would be absolutely +despotic in South Africa. With an eye to this end he, with other +Capitalists, began in 1892 to foment a political agitation in +Johannesburg against the Republic. In a place like Johannesburg, where +drink is consumed in great quantities, and where the high altitude and +the stress of business all tend to keep people's spirits in a constant +state of excitability, it was easy enough, with the aid of money, to +bring about a state of political ferment in a very short time, +especially as just that measure of grievances existed to give a colour +of truth to the imaginary ones.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44" />The National Union.</div> + +<p>Under these conditions the National Union movement originated in 1892. +Its adherents were entirely composed of the creatures and parasites of +the Capitalists, with a few honest fools and enthusiasts who naturally +did not think deeply enough to discern the aim and the trend of this +hypocritical movement.</p> + +<p>The Capitalists at this time certainly kept well in the background, in +order that the movement might have the appearance of being a popular +one. The Capitalists of Johannesburg were, however, a theatrical lot, +and the desire to play a prominent <i>rôle</i> was too intense to be +suppressed for any length of time, so that after the lapse of a couple +of years they naturally took the leading part in the <i>opera bouffe</i> +agitation which followed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Corruption of the Capitalists.</div> + +<p>They began, by means of the lowest and most repulsive methods, to +undermine the Boer policy in order to gain the mastery of the mining +legislation and administration. They had persuaded themselves and the +rest of the world that the Boers were as a body corrupt and tainted, so +they armed themselves, with the power of money in order to overthrow +them.</p> + +<p>Lionel Phillips wrote in this spirit on the 16th June, 1894, to Beit in +London:—<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30" /><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> "I may here say that, as you of course know, I have no +desire for political rights, and believe as a whole that the community +is not ambitious in this respect. The bewaarplaatsen question will, I +think, be settled in our favour, but at a cost of about £25,000. It is +proposed to spend a good deal of money in order <a name="Page_45" id="Page_45" />to secure a better +Raad, but it must be remembered that the spending of money on elections +has, by recent legislation, been made a criminal offence, and the matter +will have to be carefully handled."</p> + +<p>On the 15th July, 1894, he wrote again to the same +correspondent:—<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31" /><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> "Our trump card is a fund of £10—15,000 to improve +the Raad. Unfortunately the companies have no secret service fund. I +must divine away. We don't want to shell out ourselves."</p> + +<p>Here we catch a glimpse behind the scenes, and we observe how the +Capitalists in 1894 had already endeavoured to lower and vitiate our +public life by methods which did not even recoil before the criminal law +of the land, to say nothing of elementary morality.</p> + +<p>And did they succeed? Were the people and the Volksraad as corrupt as +they thought, and as they still endeavour to make the world believe? +Their failure is the best and most complete answer to this calumny.</p> + +<p>If corruption on a large scale, however, failed to ensure the triumph of +Capitalism over the community, the other trump card of Jingoism still +remained. The pulse of the High Commissioner was felt by Mr. Lionel +Phillips, and what was the answer of Sir Henry Loch, Her Majesty's +representative in South Africa? We extract from the same secret letter +book from which we have already quoted the following letter, dated 1st +July, addressed to Wernher, a member of the influential firm of Wernher, +Beit & Co.:—</p> + +<div class="sidenote">(Sir) Henry Loch's indiscretion.</div> + +<p><a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32" /><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> "Sir Henry Loch (with whom I had two long private interviews alone) +asked me some very pointed <a name="Page_46" id="Page_46" />questions, such as what arms we had in +Johannesburg, whether the population could hold the place for six days +until help could arrive, etc., etc., and stated plainly that if there +had been three thousand rifles and ammunition here he would certainly +have come over."</p> + +<p>And so on in the same strain. Sir Henry Loch endorsed the truth of these +statements two years later by boasting openly in the House of Lords +about his plans for organising a raid into the South African Republic.</p> + +<p>And all this happened while he (Sir Henry Loch) was the guest of our +Government, and engaged in friendly negotiations about the interests of +British subjects. To what a depth had British Policy in South Africa +already degenerated. Within two years, however, a deeper abyss was to +open.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The conspiracy.</div> + +<p>The secret conspiracy of the Capitalists and Jingoes to overthrow the +South African Republic began now to gain ground with great rapidity, for +just at this critical period Mr. Chamberlain became Secretary of State +for the Colonies. In the secret correspondence of the conspirators, +reference is continually made to the Colonial Office in a manner which, +taken in connection with later revelations and with a successful +suppression of the truth, has deepened the impression over the whole +world that the Colonial Office was privy to, if not an accomplice in, +the villainous attack on the South African Republic.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Jameson Raid</div> + +<p>It is unnecessary to dwell at length on the Jameson Raid; the world has +not yet forgotten how the Administrators of a British province, carrying +out a conspiracy headed by the Prime Minister of the Cape <a name="Page_47" id="Page_47" />Colony, +attacked the South African Republic with an armed band in order to +assist the Capitalist revolution of Johannesburg in overthrowing the +Boer Government; how this raid and this revolution were upset by the +vigilance of the Boers; how Jameson and his filibusters were handed over +to England to stand their trial—although the Boers had the power and +the right to shoot them down as robbers; how the whole gang of +Johannesburg Capitalists pleaded guilty to treason and sedition; how, +instead of confiscating all their property, and thus dealing a death +blow to Capitalistic influence in South Africa, the Government dealt +most leniently with them (an act of magnanimity which was rewarded by +their aiding and abetting a still more dangerous agitation three years +later).</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Parliamentary Commission.</div> + +<p>Nor has the world forgotten how, at the urgent instance of the +Africander party in the Cape Colony, an investigation into the causes of +the conflict was held in Westminster; how that investigation degenerated +into a low attack upon the Government of the sorely maligned and deeply +injured South African Republic, and how at the last moment, when the +truth was on the point of being revealed, and the conspiracy traced to +its fountain head in the British Cabinet, the Commission decided all of +a sudden not to make certain compromising documents public.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">"Constitutional means."</div> + +<p>Here we see to what a depth the old great traditions of British +Constitutionalism had sunk under the influence of the ever-increasing +and all-absorbing lust of gold, and in the hands of a sharp-witted +wholesale dealer, who, like Cleon of old, has <a name="Page_48" id="Page_48" />constituted himself a +statesman. Treachery and violence not having been able to attain their +objects, "Constitutional means" were to be invoked (as Mr. Rhodes openly +boasted before the aforesaid Commission), so as to make Capitalistic +Jingoism master of the situation in South Africa.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29" /><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Olive Schreiner, <i>Words in Season</i>, page 62.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30" /><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Transvaal Green Book No. 1 of 1896.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31" /><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Transvaal Green Book No. 1 of 1896.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32" /><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Transvaal Green Book No. 1 of 1896.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CAPITALISTIC_JINGOISM2" id="CAPITALISTIC_JINGOISM2" /><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49" />CAPITALISTIC JINGOISM.</h2> + +<p class="center">SECOND PERIOD.</p> + + +<div class="sidenote">National sentiment in South Africa kindled by the Jameson +Raid.</div> + +<p>The foregoing sketch has shown how deeply our people felt and resented +the wrong that was done to them. It was to be expected that such a +treacherous attack on the Republics, emanating from their own leader, +would awaken the Africanders even in the remotest districts, and would +bring fresh energy into the arena of politics. To give an instance of +the measure of the feeling which had been quickened by the raid, a short +extract is given below from an article published in the organ of the +Africander party, <i>Our Land</i>, a few months after the Raid, an article +which undoubtedly expressed the feeling of Africanders:—</p> + +<p>"Has not Providence over-ruled and guided the painful course of events +in South Africa since the beginning of this year (1896)? Who can doubt +it?</p> + +<p>"The stab which was intended to paralyse Africanderdom once and for all +in the Republics has sent an electric thrill direct to the national +heart. Africanderdom has awakened to a sense of earnestness and +consciousness which we have not observed since the heroic war for +Liberty in 1881. From the Limpopo as far as Cape Town the Second Majuba +has given birth to a new inspiration and a new movement amongst our +people in South Africa. A new feeling has rushed in huge billows over +South <a name="Page_50" id="Page_50" />Africa. The flaccid and cowardly Imperialism, that had already +begun to dilute and weaken our national blood, gradually turned aside +before the new current which permeated our people. Many who, tired of +the slow development of the national idea, had resigned themselves to +Imperialism now paused and asked themselves what Imperialism had +produced in South Africa? Bitterness and race hatred it is true! Since +the days of Sir Harry Smith and Theophilus Shepstone and Bartle Frere to +the days of Leander Jameson and Cecil Rhodes, Imperialism in South +Africa has gone hand in hand with bloodshed and fraud. However wholesome +the effects of Imperialism may be elsewhere, its continual tendency in +this country during all these years has been nothing else but an attempt +to force our national life and national character into foreign grooves; +and to seal this pressure with blood and tears.... This is truly a +critical moment in the existence of Africanderdom all over South Africa. +Now or never! Now or never the foundation of a wide-embracing +nationalism must be laid. The Iron is red hot, and the time for forging +is at hand....</p> + +<p>... The partition wall has disappeared. Let us stand manfully by one +another. The danger has not yet disappeared; on the contrary, never has +the necessity for a policy of a Colonial and Republican Union been +greater; now the psychological moment has arrived; now our people have +awakened all over South Africa; a new glow illuminates our hearts; let +us now lay the foundation stone of a real United South Africa on the +soil of a pure and <i>all-comprehensive national sentiment</i>."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51" />Such language caused the Jingoes to shudder—not because it was +disloyal, because that it certainly was <i>not</i>, but because it proved +that the Jameson Raid had suddenly awakened the Africanders, and that +owing to this defeat of the Jingoes a vista of further and greater +defeats widened out in the future. The Colonial Africanders would +certainly have to be reckoned with, in case an annexation policy were +followed with regard to the Republics.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Victory of the Africander Party in the Cape Parliament.</div> + +<p>For some time the Jingoes cherished the hope that they would gain the +majority in the Cape Parliament under an amended Redistribution Act. The +General Election of 1898 took place, with the result that the Africander +party obtained a small majority, and later, under a Redistribution Act +forced upon them by the Jingoes, the majority of the former was +considerably increased.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The cry of disloyalty</div> + +<p>Instead of honestly admitting that the Africander victory was the +natural result of the Jameson Raid, the Jingoes began, not only in South +Africa, but also in England, to shout that the rule and supremacy of +England in South Africa was menaced.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Transvaal must be humiliated.</div> + +<p>They contended that South Africa would be lost to England unless +energetic intervention took place without delay, and that this menace to +English rule was due to the Republican propaganda which the South +African Republic had set in motion. That as long as the South African +Republic refused to humiliate itself before British authority, but on +the contrary kept its youthful head on high with national pride, other +parts of South Africa would be inclined to follow its example, and there +would thus be no certainty for British supremacy in this quarter of the +<a name="Page_52" id="Page_52" />globe. The South African Republic would have to be humiliated and to be +crushed into the dust; the Africanders in other parts of South Africa +would then abandon their alleged hope of a more extensive Republican +South Africa.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The necessity for constitutional means.</div> + +<p>But how was this humiliation to be brought about, and how, above all, +was it to be brought about by those "Constitutional means," which, since +the failure of the conspiracy, had become a <i>sine qua non</i>?</p> + +<p>The new Governor of the Cape Colony and High Commissioner of South +Africa, who had enjoyed the distinction of a brilliant university +career, who had learnt humility and moderation at the feet of Mr. W.T. +Stead, and who had learnt by his experience with the fellaheen in Egypt +how to govern the descendants of the Huguenots and the "Beggars of the +Sea," would know very well how to evolve "Constitutional means" in order +to humiliate the South African Republic, and to crush it into the dust.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The suzerainty.</div> + +<p>There was at any rate the burning question of suzerainty, which the +South African Republic had unconsciously and innocently raised in the +following way:—</p> + +<p>After the Jameson Raid the Volksraad had passed certain laws with a view +of removing some of the causes of that movement, as, for example, the +law by which dangerous individuals could be expelled from the State, and +the law by which paupers and people suffering from contagious diseases +could be prevented from entering the Republic.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33" /><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> These laws were +<a name="Page_53" id="Page_53" />declared to be in conflict with Article XIV. of the London Convention. +Violations of Article IV. were also said to have taken place in regard +to certain extradition and other treaties, which had been concluded +between the South African Republic and Foreign Powers.<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34" /><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> On the 7th +May, 1897, the Government of the South African Republic dispatched a +very important reply to these accusations, in which, after fully stating +the reasons why the Government differed from Her Majesty's Government, +an appeal was made for arbitration as being the most suitable method of +settling the dispute.</p> + +<p>This appeal was couched in the following language:</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The appeal for Arbitration.</div> + +<p><a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35" /><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> "While it respects the opinion of Her British Majesty's Government, +it takes the liberty, with full confidence in the correctness of its own +views, to propose to Her British Majesty's Government the principle of +Arbitration, with which the honourable the First Volksraad agreed, in +the hope that it will be taken in the conciliatory spirit in which it is +made. It considers that it has every reason for this proposal, the more +so because the principle of Arbitration is already laid down in that +Convention in the only case in which, according to its opinion at the +time, a difference could be foreseen, to wit, with regard to Article I.; +because it has already been proposed by Her British Majesty's +Government, and accepted by this Government with regard to the +difference in respect of Article 14 of <a name="Page_54" id="Page_54" />the Convention arising in the +matter of the so-called Coolie question, which was settled by +Arbitration; because the Right Honourable the Secretary of State, Mr. +Chamberlain, himself, in his letter of the 4th September, 1895, to His +Excellency the High Commissioner at Cape Town, favours this principle in +the same question, where he says: 'After 1886, as time went on, the +manner in which the law was interpreted and was worked, or was proposed +to be worked, gave rise to complaints on the part of the British +Government, and as it seemed impossible to come to an agreement by means +of correspondence, the Marquis of Ripon took what is the approved course +in such cases, of proposing to the South African Republic that the +dispute should be referred to Arbitration. This was agreed to ...,' +because the principle of Arbitration in matters such as this appears to +the Government to be the most impartial, just, and most satisfactory way +out of the existing difficulty, and, lastly, because one of the parties +to a Convention, according to all principles of reasonableness, cannot +expect that his interpretation will be respected by the other party as +the only valid and correct one. And although this Government is firmly +convinced that a just and impartial decision might be obtained even +better in South Africa than anywhere else, it wishes, in view of the +conflicting elements, interests, and aspirations which are now apparent +in South Africa, and in order to avoid even the appearance that it would +be able or desire to exercise influence in order to obtain a decision +favourable to it, to propose that the President of the Swiss Bondstate, +who may be reckoned upon as standing altogether outside <a name="Page_55" id="Page_55" />the question, +and to feel sympathy or antipathy neither for the one party nor for the +other, be requested to point out a competent jurist, as has already +often been done in respect of international disputes. The Government +would have no objection that the Arbitration be subject to a limitation +of time, and gives the assurance now already that it will willingly +subject itself to any decision if such should, contrary to its +expectation, be given against it. The Government repeats the well-meant +wish that this proposal may find favour with Her British Majesty's +Government; and inasmuch as the allegations of breaches of the +Convention find entrance now even in South Africa, and bring and keep +the feelings more and more in a state of suspense, this Government will +be pleased if it can learn the decision of Her British Majesty's +Government as soon as possible."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">England refuses to arbitrate on ground of suzerainty.</div> + +<p>To this the British Government replied that according to the Convention +of 1884, taken in conjunction with the preamble of the Convention of +1881, the South African Republic was under the suzerainty of Her +Majesty, and that it was incompatible with the subordinate position of +the South African Republic to submit to Arbitration any matters in +dispute as to the construction of the Convention between it and the +suzerain Power.</p> + +<p>In order to avoid any misunderstanding as to this very remarkable +document, the exact wording of the British dispatch is +given:—<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36" /><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> "Finally, the Government <a name="Page_56" id="Page_56" />of the South African Republic +propose that all points in dispute between Her Majesty's Government and +themselves relating to the Convention should be referred to Arbitration, +the Arbitrator to be nominated by the President of the Swiss Republic. +In making this proposal the Government of the South African Republic +appear to have overlooked the distinction between the Conventions of +1881 and 1884 and an ordinary treaty between two independent Powers, +questions arising upon which may properly be the subject of Arbitration. +By the Pretoria Convention of 1881 Her Majesty, as Sovereign of the +Transvaal Territory, accorded to the inhabitants of that territory +complete self-government, subject to the suzerainty of Her Majesty, her +heirs, and successors, upon certain terms and conditions, and subject to +certain reservations and limitations set forth in 33 articles; and by +the London Convention of 1884, Her Majesty, while maintaining the +preamble of the earlier instrument, directed and declared that certain +other articles embodied therein should be substituted for the articles +embodied in the Convention of 1881. The articles of the Convention of +1881 were accepted by the Volksraad of the Transvaal State, and those of +the Convention of 1884 by the Volksraad of the South African Republic. +Under these Conventions, therefore, Her Majesty holds towards the South +African Republic the relation of a <i>suzerain</i> who has accorded to the +people of that Republic self-government upon certain conditions, <i>and it +would be incompatible with that position to submit to Arbitration the +construction of the conditions on which she accorded self-government to +the Republic</i>."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57" />Reply of the Transvaal Government.</div> + +<p><a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37" /><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> In its celebrated reply of the 16th April, 1898, the Government of +the South African Republic proved with unanswerable force that the +preamble of the Convention of 1881 had been abolished, that Lord Derby +had himself in 1884 proposed a draft Convention, in which the preamble +was erased (see Appendix B.), and that by the ultimate acceptance of +that proposal, the suzerainty had ceased to exist.</p> + +<p>On this account, as well as for other reasons, it contended that as no +suzerainty existed between the two countries, the objection to +Arbitration as a means of settling disputes would disappear, and the +Government reiterated their appeal to have such differences or disputes +disposed of by Arbitration.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The object of the suzerainty dispute.</div> + +<p>Naturally this was exactly what Mr. Chamberlain did not want. He was +opposed to Arbitration dispute, because it would have probably led to +the humiliation of the British and not of the Boer Government. The +suzerainty question was introduced in the meanwhile as a "Constitutional +Proposal," which might be used for the purpose of humiliating the South +African Republic.</p> + +<p>In his answer to the arguments put forward by the South African +Republic,<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38" /><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> Mr. Chamberlain could only persist in repeating his +contention that suzerainty still existed, and did not even attempt to +refute the statement that Lord Derby had himself erased the preamble of +the Convention of 1881. It was clearly his opinion that Lord Derby had, +through stupidity and thoughtlessness, abandoned the suzerainty in +<a name="Page_58" id="Page_58" />1884, just as Lord Russell had abandoned the idea of obtaining the +South African Republic in 1852, so that he would now, just as Shepstone +in 1877, have to try and disconcert the Republic by a display of force +and inflexible determination, so as not to be deprived of these +eminently "Constitutional means."</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Transvaal a sovereign international state.</div> + +<p><a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39" /><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> His arguments in this dispatch, that both the suzerainty of Her +Majesty and the right of the South African Republic to self-government +were dependent upon the preamble of the Pretoria Convention, and that if +the preamble were null and void, not only would the suzerainty but also +the right to self-government disappear, were clearly designed to +intimidate the South African Republic; but in other respects the +argument was perfectly correct. Accordingly the Government of the South +African Republic replied that it did not base its claim to +self-government on the preamble of the Convention of 1881, nor on the +Convention of 1884 (for no mention is made of self-government in that +document), but simply on the ground of its being a sovereign +international state.</p> + +<p>In other words, it contended that the Convention of London implied that +the South African Republic was a sovereign international state, and that +it was therefore superfluous in that Convention to specify or define its +rights. Into this answer, which is not only juridically and historically +correct, but which rests on the basis of common sense, the astute High +Commissioner was able to read a menace to Her Majesty's Government, +although the Government of the Republic distinctly stated in that reply +that it adhered to the <a name="Page_59" id="Page_59" />Convention of London, an assurance which it had +already made hundreds of times.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Justice of the Transvaal contention.</div> + +<p>This is the whole history of the suzerainty dispute between the two +Governments. The South African Republic had asked for arbitration on +certain questions, and England, with Mr. Chamberlain as spokesman, had +refused, because a suzerain Power could not be expected to settle +disputes with its vassal by means of arbitration. So that according to +the new principles of International Law, based on the "screw" ethics of +Birmingham, it was to be judge and jury in its own disputes with other +people.</p> + +<p>The position taken up by our Government in this remarkable controversy +is substantiated by the actions of Lord Derby during the negotiations +about the Conventions, as well as by the following telegram, which he +sent to the High Commissioner for communication to the two Republics:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot">HIGH COMMISSIONER, CAPE TOWN. + +<p> <i>To</i> BRITISH RESIDENT, PRETORIA.</p> + +<p> Please inform Transvaal Government that I have received the + following from the Secretary of State:—27th February. Convention + signed to-day. New south-western boundary as proposed, following + trade road. British Protectorate country outside Transvaal + established with delegates' consent. They promise to appoint + Border Commissioner inside Transvaal, co-operate with ours + outside; Mackenzie—British Resident. Debt reduced to quarter + million. Same complete internal independence in Transvaal as in + Orange Free State. Conduct and control diplomatic intercourse + Foreign Governments conceded. Queen's final approval treaties + reserved. Delegates appear well satisfied and cordial feeling two + Governments. You may make the above known.</p></div> + +<p>This Convention is also substantiated by the express declarations of +Lord Rosmead and the Rev. <a name="Page_60" id="Page_60" />D.P. Faure to the effect that it was clearly +understood, at the time the London Convention was concluded, that the +suzerainty was abolished. It is unnecessary to add anything about the +evidence of the Members of the Transvaal Deputation. The suzerainty has +thus not the slightest shadow of existence; and yet, as will be proved, +Mr. Chamberlain is prepared to go to war with the South African Republic +over this question, a war which will, according to his intentions, +result in Annexation.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Uitlander grievances and Capitalistic agitation.</div> + +<p>While the two Governments were occupied with this question the +Capitalists were not idle. They were busy fanning the flame in another +direction. It was not only a fact that Rhodesia was an unexpected +failure, but it had proved far richer in native wars than in payable +gold mines. The Capitalist groups possessing the greatest interests in +the Witwatersrand gold mines were also the most deeply interested in +Rhodesia, and it naturally occurred to them that their Transvaal mines +ought also to bear the burden of their unprofitable investments in +Rhodesia—an adjustment which would, however, necessitate the +amalgamation of the two countries, especially when the interests of the +shareholders were considered.</p> + +<p>In order to attain this object a continual agitation was kept up at +Johannesburg, so that English shareholders living far away should be +prepared for the day when the Annexation would take place on +Constitutional lines.</p> + +<p>The argument which was calculated to impress these European shareholders +was that the administration of the South African Republic had created a +<a name="Page_61" id="Page_61" />situation which was most prejudicial to the financial interests of the +mining industry. Viewed from this standpoint the Uitlander grievances +were an inexhaustibly rich and payable mine.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The industrial Commission.</div> + +<p>This agitation first of all emanated directly from the Capitalists, and +had assumed such proportions in 1897 that the Government decided to +appoint a Commission of officials and mining magnates in order to +enquire searchingly into the alleged financial grievances. As far as the +Government was concerned, the chief findings of the Commission were:—</p> + +<p>(1). That the price of dynamite (85 shillings per case of 50lbs.) was +too high under the existing concession, and that a diminution in price +was desirable either by cancellation of the concession, or by testing +the legality of the concession in the High Court.</p> + +<p>(2). That the tariffs of the Netherlands Railway Company for the +carriage of coal and other articles were too high, and that it was +necessary to expropriate the railway.</p> + +<p>(3). That the import duties on necessaries of life were too high, and +that the cost of living in Johannesburg for workmen was too high.</p> + +<p>(4). That stringent measures ought to be adopted in order to prevent +gold thefts, and that the law for the total prohibition of drink to +native labourers ought to be more strictly enforced, and that there +ought to be a more stringent application of the Pass Law (under which +the traffic of the native labourers was regulated).</p> + +<p>(5). With the object of carrying out the measures specified in Section +4, the Commission recommended that an Advisory Board should be nominated +for the <a name="Page_62" id="Page_62" />Witwatersrand gold fields for the purpose of advising the +Government as to the enforcement of the said regulations.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Results of the Commission.</div> + +<p>To what extent was effect given to these recommendations?</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Dynamite.</div> + +<p>1. As far as dynamite is concerned, it appeared that there was no chance +of contesting the concession in the law courts with any success. Nor did +the Volksraad or the Government feel justified in cancelling, without +the consent of the owners, a contract which had been solemnly entered +into, and upon which enormous sums of money had been expended. The +Mining Industry was naturally eager for cancellation, even without +adequate compensation; but the public were not at that time aware of a +fact which was made public some months later, namely, that the De Beers +Corporation intended to erect a dynamite manufactory, and that this +agitation of the Capitalists was intended to obtain for themselves the +control of this great source of income. People, however, knew that the +Messrs. Chamberlain were interested in the English ammunition and +dynamite house of Kynoch, but they hesitate to assume that the Colonial +Secretary was actuated in his Transvaal policy by considerations of +private financial interest.</p> + +<p>The Government and Volksraad of the South African Republic adopted the +wiser plan of lowering the price of dynamite to such an extent as to +make it about equal to the local European price plus a protective tariff +of 20s. per case.</p> + +<p>It may here be remarked that Mr. Chamberlain, knowing how unpopular the +Dynamite Concession <a name="Page_63" id="Page_63" />was in the South African Republic, intimated to the +Government of the South African Republic, in a very threatening manner, +that the Concession was in conflict with the London Convention.</p> + +<p>The answer of the Government to this communication was so crushing that +Mr. Chamberlain did not again return to the subject. In this he was, no +doubt, also actuated by the fact that the most renowned English and +European jurists had advised that the concession was in no sense a +breach of the Convention. This, however, only became known later, and it +is merely referred to now so as to show that no stone was left unturned +in order to find a means of humiliating the South African Republic.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Netherlands Railway Company.</div> + +<p>2. With regard to the Netherlands South African Railway Company, it +would appear that the Capitalists have altered their opinion, and now +think that the administration of the Company is as good as can +reasonably be expected, and that expropriation is now unnecessary. +Perhaps, from their point of view, it would be better to buy up the +shares of the Company, and thus become themselves masters, instead of +the Government, of this source of income.</p> + +<p>Respecting the Railway tariff, it is fair to assume that the cause of +dissatisfaction has disappeared, for no complaints are now heard since +the tariff was lowered in accordance with the recommendations of the +Commission.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Reduction of import duties</div> + +<p>This change in the tariff, together with the abolition of duties on +nearly all necessaries of life have made a difference of about £700,000 +in the income of the State during the last year. It will be admitted +that this is an enormous item in comparison with the <a name="Page_64" id="Page_64" />total income of +the South African Republic. The above tends to show how anxious the +Government of the South African Republic has been to remove all +grievances as soon as it was proved that they actually existed.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Liquor, Pass, and Gold Thefts Laws.</div> + +<p>3. As regards the administration of the Liquor Law, the Pass Law, and +the Law dealing with Gold thefts, neither the Government nor the +Volksraad felt at liberty to adopt the recommendation as to constituting +an Advisory Board on the Witwatersrand. They decided to go deeper to the +roots of the evil, and so altered the administration of the Laws that +the evidences of dissatisfaction have disappeared. Indeed, no one ever +hears of gold thefts now, and the representative bodies of the mining +industry have repeatedly expressed their satisfaction with the +administration of the Pass Law, and especially with that of the Liquor +Law.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Liquor Law.</div> + +<p>In this very Liquor Law we have a test of a good administration. From +the very nature of the drink question it is one of the most difficult +laws that a Government can be called upon to administer, and the measure +of success which has attended the efforts of the Government and its +officials proves conclusively that the charges of incompetency so +frequently brought against the Government of the South African Republic +were devoid of truth, and were only intended to slander and to injure +the Republic. A combined meeting of the Chamber of Mines, the Chamber of +Commerce, and the Association of Mine Managers—the three strongest and +most representative bodies on the Witwatersrand Gold Fields—passed <a name="Page_65" id="Page_65" />the +following resolutions,<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40" /><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> which speak for themselves:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>1. This combined Meeting, representing the Chamber of Mines, the + Chamber of Commerce, and the Mine Managers' Association, desires + to express once more its decided approval of the present Liquor + Law, and is of opinion that prohibition is not only beneficial to + the Natives in their own interest, but is absolutely necessary + for the Mining Industry, with a view of maintaining the + efficiency of labour.</p> + +<p> 2. This Meeting wishes to express its appreciation of the efforts + made to suppress the Illicit Liquor Trade by the Detective + Department of this Republic since it has been placed under the + administration of the State Attorney, and is of opinion that the + success which has crowned these efforts fully disproves the + contention that the Liquor Law is impracticable.</p></div> + +<p>The first resolution was carried by an overwhelming majority, and the +second unanimously.</p> + +<p>Compare this declaration of the representatives of the Mining and +Commercial interests of the Witwatersrand with the allegation repeated +by Mr. Chamberlain in his great "grievance" dispatch of the 10th May, +1899<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41" /><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a>—that the Liquor Law had never been strictly enforced, but that +this law was simply evaded, and that the Natives at the mines were +supplied with drink in large quantities.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Chamberlain wrote these words they were absolutely untrue, and, +like all his grievances, are of an imaginary character.</p> + +<p>The results have clearly shown that the Government was quite correct in +its conclusion that it was <a name="Page_66" id="Page_66" />better to alter the administration of the +laws complained of, than to adopt a principle (the advisory board), the +consequences and eventual outcome of which no one was able to foresee.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The South African League.</div> + +<p>The agitation in connection with the report of the Industrial Commission +was followed by a great calm. If it had not been that the handling of +the Swazie difficulty by the British Government gave colour to +suspicion, one might have thought that there was no cloud upon the +horizon. To a superficial observer, the two Governments seemed to be on +the best and most friendly footing, and some of us actually began to +think that the era of the fraternal co-operation of the two races in +South Africa had actually dawned, and that the cursed Raid and its +harvest of race hatred and division would be forgotten. Certain +circumstances, however, indicated clearly that the enemy was occupied in +a supreme effort to cause matters to culminate in a crisis.</p> + +<p>The South African League, a political organisation which sprang up out +of, and owed its origin to, the race hatred which the Jameson Raid had +called into being, and at the head of which Mr. Rhodes himself stands (a +fact which places Capitalistic influence in a very clear light), began +towards the latter part of last year to agitate against the Government +in the most unheard-of way.</p> + +<p>The individuals who stood at the head of this institution in +Johannesburg were such that very little attention was paid to the +League. It was, however, soon clearly shown that not only was the +movement strongly assisted by the Capitalists, and strongly supported +all along the mines, but that there <a name="Page_67" id="Page_67" />was a close relationship in a +mysterious way with Cape Town and London. The events of the last few +months have brought this out very clearly. Meetings were arranged, +memorials to Her Majesty about grievances were drawn up, and an active +propaganda was preached in the Press; this all proved in a convincing +way that a carefully planned campaign had been organised against the +Republic.</p> + +<p>As the Government of the South African Republic has set forth the trend +of the agitation as well as the connection of the British Government +with it in an official despatch, it is desirable to quote the language +itself:—<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42" /><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> "But this Government wishes to go further. Even in regard +to those Uitlanders who are British subjects it is a small minority +which, under the pretext of imaginary grievances, promotes a secret +propaganda of race hatred, and uses the Republic as a basis for +fomenting a revolutionary movement against this Government. Ministers of +Her Majesty have so trenchantly expressed the truth about this minority +that this Government wishes to quote the very words of these Ministers, +with the object of bringing the actual truth to the knowledge of Her +Majesty's Government, as well as to that of the whole world, and not for +the purpose of making groundless accusations."</p> + +<p>"The following words are those of the Ministers of the Cape Colony, who +are well acquainted with local <a name="Page_68" id="Page_68" />conditions, and fully qualified to +arrive at a conclusion":—</p> + +<p>"In the opinion of Ministers the persistent action, both beyond and +within this Colony, of the political body styling itself the South +African League in endeavouring to foment and excite, not to smooth and +allay ill-will between the two principal European races inhabiting South +Africa, is well illustrated by these resolutions, the exaggerated and +aggravated terms of which disclose the spirit which informs and inspires +them."</p> + +<p>"His Excellency's Ministers are one in their earnest desire to do all in +their power to aid and further a policy of peaceful progress throughout +South Africa, and they cannot but regard it as an unwise propagandism, +hostile to the true interests of the Empire, including this Colony as an +integral part, that every possible occasion should be seized by the +League and its promoters for an attempt to magnify into greater events +minor incidents, when occurring in the South African Republic, with a +prospect thereby of making racial antagonism more acute, or of rendering +less smooth the relations between Her Majesty's Government or the +Government of this Colony and that Republic."</p> + +<p>"Race hatred is, however, not so intense in South Africa as to enable a +body with this propaganda, aiming at revolutionary objects, to obtain +much influence in this part of the world; and one continually asks +oneself the question—'How is it that a body, so insignificant both in +regard to its principles and its membership, enjoys such a large measure +of influence?' The answer is that this body depends <a name="Page_69" id="Page_69" />upon the protection +and the support of Her Majesty's Government in England, and that both +its members and its organs in the Press openly boast of the influence +they exert over the policy of Her Majesty's Government. This Government +would ignore such assertions; but when it finds that the ideas and the +shibboleths of the South African League are continually echoed in the +speeches of members of Her Majesty's Government, when it finds that blue +books are compiled chiefly from documents prepared by officials of the +South African League, as well as from reports and leading articles +containing 'malignant lies' taken from the press organs of that +organisation, thereby receiving an official character, then this +Government can well understand why so many of Her Majesty's right-minded +subjects in this part of the world have obtained the impression that the +policy advocated by the South African League is supported by Her +Majesty's Government, and is thus calculated to contribute to the +welfare and blessing of the British Empire."</p> + +<p>"If this mistaken impression could be removed, and if it could be +announced as a fact that the South African League, as far as its actions +in the South African Republic are concerned, is only an organisation +having as its object the fomentation of strife and disorder and the +destruction of the independence of the Country, then it would very soon +lose its influence, and the strained relations existing between the two +Governments would quickly disappear. The Africander population of this +country would not then be under the apprehension that the interests of +the British Empire <i>imperatively demand</i> that the Republic <a name="Page_70" id="Page_70" />should be +done away with, and its people be either <i>enslaved or exterminated</i>. +Both sections of the white inhabitants of South Africa would then return +to the fraternal co-operation and fusion which was beginning to manifest +itself when the treacherous conspiracy at the end of 1895 awakened the +passions on both sides."</p> + +<p>As a result of the continual agitation of the South African League, +three occurrences were selected and elevated by Mr. Chamberlain into +culminating instances of the Uitlander grievances. To give the world a +clear insight into the nature of the grievances in general, extracts are +given from the official accounts both of the British and the Republican +account of these occurrences. There were three—the "Lombard affair," +with reference to the maltreatment of coloured British subjects at +Johannesburg; the "Edgar case," in connection with the shooting of an +English subject by a police official; and the "Amphitheatre occurrence," +in regard to a disorderly meeting of the South African League.</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>a.</i> The Lombard Incident.</div> + +<p>With regard to the "Lombard incident," Mr. Chamberlain says:—<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43" /><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> "As +an instance of such arbitrary action the recent maltreatment of coloured +British subjects by Field Cornet Lombard may be cited. This official +entered the houses of various coloured persons without a warrant at +night, dragged them from their beds, and arrested them for being without +a pass. The persons so arrested were treated with much cruelty, and it +is even alleged that one woman was prematurely <a name="Page_71" id="Page_71" />confined, and a child +subsequently died from the consequences of the fright and exposure. Men +were beaten and kicked by the orders of the Field Cornet, who appears to +have exercised his authority with the most cowardly brutality. The +Government of the Republic, being pressed to take action, suspended the +Field Cornet, and an enquiry was held, at which he and the police denied +most of the allegations of violence; but the other facts were not +disputed, and no independent evidence was called for the defence. The +Government have since reinstated Lombard.</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately this case is by no means unparalleled. Other British +subjects, including several from St. Helena and Mauritius, have been +arbitrarily arrested, and some of them have been fined, without having +been heard in their own defence, under a law which does not even profess +to have any application to persons from those Colonies.</p> + +<p>"However long-suffering Her Majesty's Government may be in their anxious +desire to remain on friendly terms with the South African Republic, it +must be evident that a continuance of incidents of this kind, followed +by no redress, may well become intolerable."</p> + +<p>The answer of the Government of the South African Republic was as +follows:—<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44" /><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> "With reference to the Lombard case, this Government +wishes to point out that no complaint was lodged with any official in +this Republic for a full month after the illtreatment of Cape coloured +people was alleged to have taken place, and that neither the <a name="Page_72" id="Page_72" />Government +nor the public was aware that anything had taken place. The whole case +was so insignificant that some of the people who were alleged to have +been illtreated declared, under oath, at a later period before a court +of investigation that they would never have made any complaint on their +own initiative. What happened, however?</p> + +<p>"About a month after the occurrence the South African League came to +hear of it; some of its officials sent round to collect evidence from +the parties who were alleged to have been illtreated, and some sworn +declarations were obtained by the help of Her Majesty's Vice-Consul at +Johannesburg (between whom and this League a continual and conspicuous +co-operation has existed). Even then no charge was lodged against the +implicated officials with the judicial authorities of the country, but +the case was put in the hands of the Acting British Agent at Pretoria.</p> + +<p>"When the allegations were brought under the notice of this Government, +they at once appointed a commission of enquiry, consisting of three +members, namely, Landdrost Van der Berg, of Johannesburg, Mr. Andries +Stockenstrom, barrister-at-law, of the Middle Temple, head of the +Criminal Section of the State Attorney's Department, and Mr. Van der +Merwe, Mining Commissioner, of Johannesburg; gentlemen against whose +ability and impartiality the Uitlander population of the Republic have +never harboured the slightest suspicion, and with whose appointment the +Acting British Agent also expressed his entire satisfaction. The +instructions given to those officials were to thoroughly investigate the +whole case, and to report the result to the Govern<a name="Page_73" id="Page_73" />ment; and they +fulfilled these instructions by sitting for days at a time, carefully +hearing and sifting the evidence of both sides. Every right-minded +person readily acknowledges that far greater weight ought to be attached +to the finding of this Commission than to the declarations of the +complainants, who contradicted one another in nearly every particular, +and who caused the whole enquiry to degenerate into a farce."</p> + +<p>"According to the report, nothing was proved as to the so-called +illtreatment; the special instances of alleged illtreatment turned out +to be purely imaginary; but it was clearly proved and found that the +complainants had acted contrary to law, and the Commission only +expressed disapproval of the fact that the arrests and the investigation +had taken place at night, and without a proper warrant. It fills this +Government with all the greater regret to observe that Her Majesty's +Government bases its charges on <i>ex parte</i>, groundless, and, in many +respects, false declarations of complainants who have been set in motion +by political hatred, and that it silently ignores the report of the +Commission."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>b.</i> The Edgar Case.</div> + +<p>Mr. Chamberlain represented the Edgar case in the following way:—<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45" /><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> +"But perhaps the most striking recent instance of arbitrary action by +officials, and of the support of such action by the Courts, is the +well-known Edgar case. The effect of the verdict of the jury, warmly +endorsed by the Judge, is that four policemen breaking into a man's +house at night without a <a name="Page_74" id="Page_74" />warrant, on the mere statement of one person, +which subsequently turned out to be untrue, that the man had committed a +crime, are justified in killing him there and then because, according to +their own account, he hits one of them with a stick. If this is +justification, then almost any form of resistance to the police is +justification for the immediate killing of the person resisting, who may +be perfectly innocent of any offence. This would be an alarming doctrine +anywhere. It is peculiarly alarming when applied to a city like +Johannesburg, where a strong force of police armed with revolvers have +to deal with a large alien unarmed population, whose language in many +cases they do not understand. The emphatic affirmation of such a +doctrine by Judge and jury in the Edgar case cannot but increase the +general feeling of insecurity amongst the Uitlander population, and the +sense of injustice under which they labour. It may be pointed out that +the allegation that Edgar assaulted the police was emphatically denied +by his wife and others, and that the trial was conducted in a way that +would be considered quite irregular in this country, the witnesses for +the defence being called by the prosecution, and thereby escaping +cross-examination."</p> + +<p>The answer of the Government of the South African Republic was:—<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46" /><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> +"The Edgar case is referred to by your Government as the most striking +recent instance of arbitrary action by officials, and of the support of +such action by the Courts," and this case is quoted as a <a name="Page_75" id="Page_75" />conclusive +test of the alleged judicial maladministration of this Republic; it +will, therefore, be of interest to pause for a moment and consider it. +What are the true facts?</p> + +<p>"A certain Foster, 'an Englishman,' was assaulted and felled to the +ground, without any lawful cause, by a man named Edgar during the night +of the 18th December, 1898; he lay on the ground as if dead, and +ultimately died in the hospital. Edgar escaped to his room, and some +police came on the scene, attracted by the screams of the bystanders. +Amongst the police was one named Jones. When they saw the man who had +been assaulted lying as if dead, they went to Edgar's apartment in order +to arrest him as a criminal (he had, indeed, rendered himself liable for +manslaughter, and apparently for murder). As he was caught in the very +act, the police officers were, according to the Laws, not only of this +Republic, but of all South Africa and of the United Kingdom of Great +Britain and Ireland, justified in breaking open the door in order to +arrest the culprit. While doing so, Edgar, with a dangerous weapon, +struck Jones a severe blow. Under the stress of necessity the latter +shot Edgar, from the effects of which he died. The question is not if +Jones was justified in taking this extreme step, for the State Attorney +of the Republic had already given effect to his opinion that this was a +case for the jury by prosecuting him for manslaughter. The question is +solely whether any jury in any country in the world would have found a +man guilty of any crime under the circumstances set forth, and whether, +if they did not find him guilty, the fact of their doing <a name="Page_76" id="Page_76" />so would have +been stamped and branded as a flagrant and remarkable instance of the +maladministration of Justice.</p> + +<p>"This Government is convinced that the English judicial administration +affords numberless instances where the facts are as strong as in this +case, and it cannot see why an occurrence which could happen in any part +of the world would be especially thrown in their teeth in the form of an +accusation.</p> + +<p>"This Government does not wish to pass over in silence the censure which +has been passed by Her Majesty's Government on the Public Prosecutor of +Johannesburg, by whom the prosecution of this case was conducted; the +fact that being of pure English blood, that he received his legal +training in London, that he is generally respected by the Uitlander +population on account of his ability, impartiality, and general +character, will naturally not be of any weight with Her Majesty's +Government against the facts of his action in calling witnesses for the +prosecution who were intended for the defence, and thus rendering an +imaginary cross-examination abortive.</p> + +<p>"This Government only wishes to point out that the fact that the Edgar +case is the strongest which Her Majesty's Government has been able to +quote against the administration of Justice in this Republic affords the +strongest and most eloquent proof possible that, taking it in general, +the administration of Justice on the gold fields of this Republic not +only compares favourably with that on other and similar gold fields, but +even with that of old and settled countries.</p> + +<p>"The untrue representations of this occurrence in the Press prove +conclusively that the newspapers of <a name="Page_77" id="Page_77" />the Witwatersrand, the +atrocity-mongering tactics of which constitute a share of the organised +campaign against the Republic and its Government, have been compelled to +resort to mendacious criticisms on imaginary instances of +maladministration, which were often simply invented. Where the Press is +forced to adopt such methods, the true grievances must of necessity be +unreal."</p> + +<div class="sidenote"><i>c.</i> The Amphitheatre occurence.</div> + +<p>I now give Mr. Chamberlain's accusations about The the Amphitheatre +occurrence:—<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47" /><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> "Some light upon the extent to which the police can be +trusted to perform their delicate duties with fairness and discretion is +thrown by the events referred to by the petitioners, which took place at +a meeting called by British subjects for the purpose of discussing their +grievances, and held on the 14th of January in the Amphitheatre of +Johannesburg. The Government were previously apprised of the objects of +the meeting, and their assent obtained, though this was not legally +necessary for a meeting in an inclosed place. The organisers of the +meeting state that they were informed by the State Secretary and the +State Attorney that anyone who committed acts of violence or used +seditious language would be held responsible, and in proof of the +peaceful objects of the meeting, those who attended went entirely +unarmed, by which it is understood that they did not even carry sticks. +So little was any disturbance apprehended that ladies were invited to +attend, and did attend. Yet, in the result, sworn affidavits of +witnesses of different nationalities agree in the statement that the +meeting <a name="Page_78" id="Page_78" />was broken up almost immediately after its opening, and many of +the persons attending it were violently assaulted by organised bands of +hostile demonstrators, acting under the instigation and guidance of +persons in Government employ, without any attempt at interference on the +part of the police, and even in some cases with their assistance or +loudly expressed sympathy.</p> + +<p>"The Government of the South African Republic has been asked to +institute an inquiry into these disgraceful proceedings, but the request +has been met with a flat refusal."</p> + +<p>This accusation was answered in the following manner:—<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48" /><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> "The +Amphitheatre occurrence is used by Her Majesty's Government to show how +incapable the police of the Witwatersrand are to fulfil their duties and +to preserve order. The League meeting was held at the so-called +Amphitheatre at Johannesburg, with the knowledge of the State Secretary +and State Attorney, and the accusation is that in spite of that fact the +uproar which arose at that meeting was not quelled by the police. The +following are the true facts:—Mr. Wybergh and another, both in the +service of the South African League, informed the State Secretary and +the State Attorney that they intended to call this meeting in the +Amphitheatre, and asked permission to do so. They were informed that no +permission from the authorities was necessary, and that as long as the +meeting did not give rise to <a name="Page_79" id="Page_79" />irregularities or disturbances of the +peace, they would be acting entirely within their rights. Their +attention was then drawn to the fact that owing to the action and the +propaganda of the South African League, this body had become extremely +unpopular with a large section of the inhabitants of Johannesburg, and +that in all probability a disturbance of the peace would take place if a +sufficient body of the police were not present to preserve order. To +this these gentlemen answered that the police were in very bad odour +since the Edgar case, that the meeting would be a very quiet one, and +that the presence of the police would contribute or give rise to +disorder, and that they would on those grounds rather have no police at +all.</p> + +<p>"The State Secretary and State Attorney thereupon communicated with the +head officials of the police at Johannesburg, with the result that the +latter also thought that it would be better not to have any considerable +number of police at the meeting. The Government accordingly, on the +advice of these officials of the League as well as their own police +officials, gave instructions that the police should remain away from +this meeting; they did this in perfect good faith, and with the object +of letting the League have its say without let or hindrance. The +proposed meeting was, however, advertised far and wide. As the feeling +amongst a section of the Witwatersrand population was exceedingly bitter +against the League, a considerable number of the opponents of that body +also attended the meeting. The few police who were present were +powerless to quell the disorder, and when the police came on the <a name="Page_80" id="Page_80" />scene +in force some few minutes after the commencement of the uproar, the +meeting was already broken up. Taken by itself, this occurrence would +not be of much importance, as it is an isolated instance as far as the +gold fields of this Republic are concerned, and even in the best +organised and best ordered communities irregularities like the above +occasionally take place.</p> + +<p>"The gravity of the matter, however, lies in the unjust accusation of +Her Majesty's Government—that the meeting was broken up by officials of +this Republic, and that the Government had curtly refused to institute +an enquiry.</p> + +<p>"This Government would not have refused to investigate the matter if any +complaints had been lodged with it, or at any of the local Courts, and +this has been clearly stated in its reply to Her Majesty's request for +an investigation.</p> + +<p>"This Government objects strongly to the systematic way in which 'the +local authorities are ignored, and the continual complaints which are +lodged with the Representatives of Her Majesty about matters which ought +to be decided by the Courts of this Republic. Instead, however, of +complaining to Her Majesty's Government after all other reasonable means +of redress have been vainly invoked, they continually make themselves +guilty of ignoring and treating with contempt the local Courts and +authorities by continually making all sorts of ridiculous and <i>ex parte</i> +complaints to Her Majesty's Government in the first instance; Her +Majesty's Government is also thereby placed in the equivocal and +undesirable position of intermeddling in the internal affairs of <a name="Page_81" id="Page_81" />this +Republic, which is in conflict with the London Convention. Had the +complaints been lodged with this Government, or with the proper +officials or Courts, the facts could have been very easily arrived at, +and it would have been proved that the few officials who were present at +the meeting as a section of the public had done their best to prevent +the irregularities, and that some of them had been hurt in their +endeavours to preserve order. Instead of expressing their disapproval of +such complaints, and referring the petitioners to the local Courts, Her +Majesty's Government accepts those complaints, and gives them an +official character by forwarding them for the information of this +Government, and by publishing them in blue books for the information of +the world.</p> + +<p>"Her Majesty's Government will readily acknowledge that there is no +State in the world with any sense of dignity, however weak and +insignificant it may be, which can regard such matters with an +indifferent eye; and when the relations of the two Governments are +strained, then the mainspring must be looked for in this action of its +subjects, which is not disapproved of by Her Majesty's Government, and +not in imaginary or trumped-up grievances."</p> + +<p>I have now examined the principal financial and administrative +grievances of the English Uitlanders. I say English Uitlanders +advisedly, because complaints are seldom or ever heard from other +nationalities, either directly or by means of diplomatic +representations.</p> + +<p>Can it be contended with the slightest shadow of right and fairness that +these grievances afford a <a name="Page_82" id="Page_82" />reason for intervention? What crimes have +been committed here against humanity or the law of nations? Do not the +recorded grievances and abuses find a parallel in occurrences which are +taking place every day in the most civilised countries? One can with +perfect justice apply to the present circumstances the language which +the Russian Government used in stigmatising the illegal intervention of +the British Government in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of +Naples<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49" /><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a>:—</p> + +<p>"We would understand that, as a consequence of friendly forethought, one +Government should give advice to another in a benevolent spirit; that +such advice might even assume the character of exhortation; but we +believe that to be the furthest limit allowable. Less than ever can it +now be allowed in Europe to forget that sovereigns are equal among +themselves, and that it is not the extent of territory, but the sacred +character of the rights of each, which regulates the relations that +exist between them. To endeavour to obtain from the King of Naples +concessions as regards the internal government of his States by threats, +or by a menacing demonstration, is a violent usurpation of his +authorities, an attempt to govern in his stead; it is an open +declaration of the right of the strong over the weak."</p> + +<p>In spite of all its hypocritical accusations, the British Government is +perfectly well aware that, notwithstanding the unparalleled difficulties +with which the Government and the Legislature have had to contend, the +administration of the South African <a name="Page_83" id="Page_83" />Republic is on a sound basis, and +can, indeed, be favourably compared with that of other countries in a +similar position.</p> + +<p>It knows full well that the grievances which are used, by means of blue +books, to stir up and excite the altruistic and humane feelings of the +British public are for the most part imaginary, and that even if they +were perfectly genuine, they nevertheless afford no ground for a +justifiable interference in the internal affairs of the Republic. It is +therefore necessary to have recourse to "Constitutional means" of +another description.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Equal political rights.</div> + +<p>The third and last "Constitutional" method which Mr. Chamberlain has had +recourse to in order to forcibly intermeddle in the internal affairs of +the South African Republic is the claim of equal rights for all the +white inhabitants of the South African Republic. In this claim he has +also followed the inspiration of Mr. Rhodes, for after the Jameson Raid +Mr. Rhodes was prepared with a new programme for the "progressive +policy" of South Africa, and made use of the formula "Equal rights for +all white people south of the Zambesi." Mr. Rhodes altered this cry +afterwards, with an eye to the coloured vote in the Cape Colony, to +"Equal rights for all civilised persons south of the Zambesi."</p> + +<p>In due time the echo resounded from Downing Street "Equal political +rights for all persons in the South African Republic." This formula may +be either desirable or undesirable as a political aspiration in South +Africa. But it is somewhat strange that Mr. Chamberlain should be one of +the leaders of the party in England which has strenuously opposed the +policy <a name="Page_84" id="Page_84" />of manhood suffrage. In our case, however, Mr. Chamberlain does +not confine himself to friendly advice, but he <i>demands</i> the franchise +for all Uitlanders.</p> + +<p>The South African Republic already possesses a franchise law, according +to which every person is entitled to the full franchise after a seven +years' residence in the Republic. But Mr. Chamberlain goes much further, +and claims a far more extensive franchise. On what grounds does he base +his claim?</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Royal Commission.</div> + +<p>He appeals to the discussions which formed a prelude to the Convention +of 1881. In the discussions, however, mention is only made of burgher +rights or civil rights, with reference to which all possible equality +has continuously existed since the Sand River Convention. To safeguard +the equality of those civil as distinguished from political rights, Art. +12 of the Pretoria Convention provides "all persons (Her Majesty's loyal +subjects) will have full liberty to reside in the country with the +enjoyment, of all civil rights, and protection for their persons and +property."</p> + +<p>The period of the franchise was increased in 1882 from one year to five +years, without, however, any protest from Her Majesty's Government, and +in 1884 it was provided in the new Convention of that year in the most +express and clear way possible that:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>(<i>Art. XIV</i>.).—All persons, other than natives, conforming + themselves to the laws of the South African Republic (<i>a</i>) will + have full liberty with their families, to enter, travel, or + reside in any part of the South African Republic; (<i>b</i>), they + will be entitled to hire or possess houses, manufactories, + warehouses, shops, and premises; (<i>c</i>), they may carry on their + commerce either in person or by any agents whom they may think + fit to employ; (<i>d</i>), they will not be subject, in respect of + their persons or property, or in respect of their commerce or + <a name="Page_85" id="Page_85" />industry, to any taxes, whether general or local, other than + those which are or may be imposed upon citizens of the said + Republic.</p></div> + +<p>In this way all white Uitlanders were guaranteed in their rights of free +movement, ownership, and possession of property, trade, and commerce, +and equal taxation with the burghers. There is no mention of political +rights, nor has there ever been before this year—1899. The Government +of the South African Republic would be acting strictly in terms of the +Convention if it informed Mr. Chamberlain that it alone has to determine +upon the Franchise, as being a question of a purely internal nature; and +further, that in claiming the right in terms of that Convention to force +the Government to adopt a particular Franchise Law Mr. Chamberlain is +the party who is violating the Convention.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The Bloemfontein Conference.</div> + +<p>The Government of the South African Republic, however, took up a higher +position; the State President went to Bloemfontein for the purpose of +discussing even internal affairs in a friendly spirit with the High +Commissioner—<i>inter alia</i>—the question of the franchise, as he was +actuated by the wish to consolidate and promote the peace of South +Africa. <a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50" /><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> Sir Alfred Milner said there: "If the question could be +settled upon a broad and firm basis, the tension would disappear and +everything come right in time." He has done his best latterly to prove +that he did not say or mean anything of the kind, that the franchise +question was only one of the burning internal matters in which Her +Majesty's Government <a name="Page_86" id="Page_86" />interested itself, and that a favourable +understanding about the franchise would in no way pave the way to an +agreement as to the other points of difference.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Sir Alfred Milner's attitude.</div> + +<p>The attitude of Sir Alfred Milner in this and other questions is, +however, of such a nature that it is better to say nothing about his +conduct, but to leave him to the judgment of public opinion and history. +No agreement being possible between the parties, President Kruger left +Bloemfontein and amended the Franchise Law in such a way that the Orange +Free State, the Africanders of Cape Colony, and even Mr. Schreiner, +Premier of the Cape Colony, publicly signified their approval of the +amendments which had been made.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">The joint Commission of Enquiry.</div> + +<p>Mr. Chamberlain now discarded the appearance of friendliness, and began +to adopt a menacing tone in his communications to the Government of the +South African Republic. He proposed that the question as to whether the +new Franchise Law was satisfactory or not should be discussed by a Joint +Commission.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, owing to informal conversations between the State +Attorney and the British Government, there seemed to be a reasonable +prospect of a speedy and satisfactory settlement.<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51" /><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> The British +Government, on being sounded by its agent, announced that if a five +years' franchise, unhampered by complicated conditions, and with a +quarter representation for the gold fields, were conceded, it would be +prepared to consider the conditions, upon which the proposal depended, +on their merits, and would not consider such a proposal as a <a name="Page_87" id="Page_87" />refusal to +accept the Joint Enquiry. The conditions were that (<i>a</i>) no further +interference should take place; (<i>b</i>), that the claim of suzerainty +should drop; and (<i>c</i>) that further disputes should be settled by +Arbitration. As soon, however, as the proposal was formally made the +British Government refused to accept the condition with regard to the +dropping of the suzerainty claim, notwithstanding the fact that the High +Commissioner had declared in an official dispatch that the suzerainty +controversy appeared to him to be etymological and not political.<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52" /><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> +Shortly afterwards the British Government made what was practically the +same proposal, but <i>without</i> the condition as to the dropping of the +suzerainty claim.</p> + +<div class="sidenote">Bad faith of the British Government.</div> + +<p>As the Government of the South African Republic attached a vital +importance to this condition, in view maintaining its international +status, it refused to accept the proposal in this form; it, however, now +reverted to the invitation for a joint enquiry, which it agreed to +accept, but the British Government replied that it was too late, and +that as a matter of fact it no longer adhered to the invitation.</p> + +<p>Here we see in the clearest light—</p> + +<p>(1). That, although the High Commissioner had stated that the suzerainty +was only a question of etymological importance, that although the +British Government had never been able to refute the arguments advanced +by the South African Republic as to the abolition of the suzerainty in +1884, the British Government was nevertheless determined not to <a name="Page_88" id="Page_88" />abandon +its pretension, and is now prepared to make war in South Africa over +this point.</p> + +<p>(2). That the British Government invites the South African Republic to a +joint enquiry, and, when this invitation, which had never been +withdrawn, is accepted, the acceptance is refused with every mark of +contempt.</p> + +<p>Is there any instance in the history of civilised diplomacy of such +trickery and such callous jugglery with the highest interests of South +Africa?</p> + +<p>Can anyone wonder that South Africa has lost all confidence in British +statesmanship?</p> + +<p>The British name has been sullied in this part of the world by many +perfidious actions, but of a truth I cannot instance any more despicable +and repellent incidents than those which have marked the course of +events during the last few months.</p> + +<p>And the consequence of this trickery will be written with the blood and +the tears of thousands of innocent people.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33" /><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Dispatches of 12th August, 1896; 21st August, 1896; 17th +February, 1897. C. 8423 and C. 8721.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34" /><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Dispatches of the 6th March, 1897. C. 8423.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35" /><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Dispatch, 7th May, 1897. No. 3, C. 8721.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36" /><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Dispatch, October, 1897. No. 7, C. 8721.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37" /><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> Dispatch, 16th April, 1898. No. 4, C. 9507.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38" /><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> Dispatch. C. 9507. Page 33.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39" /><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> Dispatch, 17th March, 1899. C. 9507.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40" /><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> 17th August, 1899.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41" /><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> Dispatch, 10th May, 1899. No. 83, C. 9345.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42" /><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Dispatch of the Transvaal Government, 26th September, +1899. Appendix C.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43" /><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Dispatch, 10th May, 1899. Blue Book, C. 9345. Page 229.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44" /><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> Dispatch. Appendix C.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45" /><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Dispatch, 10th May, 1899. C. 9345. Page 229.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46" /><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> Appendix C.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47" /><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> Dispatch, 10th May, 1899. Blue Book, C. 9345. Page 229.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48" /><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Appendix C.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49" /><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> <i>Life of Prince Consort</i>, Vol. III., page 510.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50" /><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> Blue Book, C. 9404.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51" /><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> Blue Book, C. 9530.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52" /><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> Blue Book, C. 9507. Page 6.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONCLUSION" id="CONCLUSION" /><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89" />CONCLUSION.</h2> + + +<p>I have now reviewed all the facts connected with the history of our +oppression and persecution during the past hundred years. The +allegations I have made are not invented, but are based upon the +statements of the most reliable witnesses, nearly all of them of British +nationality; they are facts that have been declared incontestable before +the tribunal of history. As far as the more recent occurrences since +1898 are concerned, I may state that I have had personal knowledge of +all the negociations and questions at issue above referred to, and I can +only declare that I have confined myself to facts; these will stand out +in a much clearer light when the curtain is raised and the events of the +last two years in this sorely afflicted part of the world are revealed.</p> + +<p>In this awful turning point in the history of South Africa, on the eve +of the conflict which threatens to exterminate our people, it behoves us +to speak the truth in what may be, perchance, our last message to the +world. Even if we are exterminated the truth will triumph through us +over our conquerors, and will sterilise and paralyse all their efforts +until they too disappear in the night of oblivion.</p> + +<p>Up to the present our people have remained silent; we have been spat +upon by the enemy, slandered, harried, and treated with every possible +<a name="Page_90" id="Page_90" />mark of disdain and contempt. But our people, with a dignity which +reminds the world of a greater and more painful example of suffering, +have borne in silence the taunts and derision of their opponents; +indeed, they elected out of a sense of duty to remedy the faults and +abuses which had crept into their public administration during moments +of relaxed vigilance. But even this was ascribed to weakness and +cowardice. Latterly our people have been represented by influential +statesmen and on hundreds of platforms in England as incompetent, +uncivilised, dishonourable, untrustworthy, corrupt, bloodthirsty, +treacherous, etc., etc., so that not only the British public, but nearly +the whole world, began to believe that we stood on the same level as the +wild beasts. In the face of these taunts and this provocation our people +still remained silent. We were forced to learn from formal blue books +issued by Her Majesty's Government and from dispatches of Her Majesty's +High Commissioner in South Africa that our unscrupulous State +Government, and our unjust, unprincipled, and disorderly administration, +was a continual festering sore, which, like a pestilential vapour, +defiled the moral and political atmosphere of South Africa. We remained +silent. We were accused in innumerable newspapers of all sorts of +misdeeds against civilisation and humanity; crimes were imputed to us, +the bare narration of which was sufficient to cause the hair to rise +with horror. If the reading public believe a hundredth part of the +enormities which have been laid at the door of our people and +Government, they must be irresistibly forced to the conclusion that this +Republic is a den of thieves and a <a name="Page_91" id="Page_91" />sink of iniquity, a people, in fact, +the very existence of which is a blot upon humanity, and a nuisance to +mankind. Of the enormous sums which we are alleged to have spent out of +the Secret Service Fund in order to purchase the good opinion of the +world there has been no practical result or evidence, for the breath of +slander went on steadily increasing with the violence of a hurricane. +But our people remained silent, partly out of stupidity, partly out of a +feeling of despairing helplessness, and partly because, being a pastoral +people, they read no newspapers, and were thus unaware of the way in +which the feeling of the whole world was being prejudiced against them +by the efforts of malignant hate.</p> + +<p>The practical effect has been that our case has been lost by default +before the tribunal of public opinion. That is why I feel compelled to +state the facts which have characterised the attitude of the British +towards us during the Nineteenth century. Naboth's title to his vineyard +must be cancelled. The easiest way of securing that object, according to +the tortuous methods of British diplomacy, was to prove that Naboth was +a scoundrel and Ahab an angel. The facts which have marked Ahab's career +have been stated. I shall now proceed to draw my conclusions, which I +submit must appeal irresistibly to every impartial and right-minded +person.</p> + +<p>During this century there have been three periods which have been +characterised by different attitudes of the British Government towards +us. The first began in 1806, and lasted until the middle of the century. +During this period the chief feature of British policy was one of utter +contempt, and the <a name="Page_92" id="Page_92" />general trend of British feeling in regard to our +unfortunate people can be summarised by the phrase, "The stupid and +dirty Dutch." But the hypocritical ingenuity of British policy was +perfectly competent to express this contempt in accents which harmonised +with the loftiest sentiments then prevailing. The wave of sentimental +philanthropy then passing over the civilised world was utilised by the +British Government in order to represent the Boers to the world as +oppressors of poor peace-loving natives, who were also men and brethren +eminently capable of receiving religion and civilisation.</p> + +<p>It may seem inexplicable that the Power which stood up boldly at the +Treaty of Utrecht as the shameless champion of negro slavery was the +very one which was celebrated in South Africa for its morbid love of the +natives; the explanation, however, is that it was not so much love for +the native that underlay the apparent negrophilistic policy as hatred +and contempt of the Boer. As a result of this hatred of the Boer, +disguised under the veneer of philanthropy in regard to the aborigines, +the natives were employed as police against us; they were provided with +arms and ammunition to be used against us; they were incited to fight +us, and, wherever it was possible, they murdered and plundered us. In +fact, our people were forced to bid farewell to the Cape Colony and all +that was near and dear to them, and seek a shelter in the unknown +wilderness of the North.</p> + +<p>As an ultimate result of this hatred, our people had to pursue their +pilgrimage of martyrdom throughout South Africa, until every portion of +that unhappy <a name="Page_93" id="Page_93" />country has been painted red with the blood, not so much +of men capable of resistance as with that of our murdered and +defenceless women and children.</p> + +<p>The second period lasted until the year 1881. The fundamental principle +then underlying British policy was no longer one of unqualified hatred. +Results had already proved that hatred was powerless to subdue the +Africander; it had, on the other hand, contributed largely to the +consolidation of Africanderdom and to the fact that they spread over the +whole of South Africa, thus forming the predominant nationality almost +everywhere. In a moment of disinterestedness or absent-minded dejection +England had concluded treaties with the Boers in 1852 and 1854, by which +they were guaranteed in the undisturbed possession of certain wild and +apparently worthless tracts of territory.</p> + +<p>The fundamental sentiment which governed the policy of the second period +was a feeling of regret at having made this mistake, coupled with the +firm determination to set aside its results. These wild and useless +tracts, which had been guaranteed to the Boers, appeared to be very +valuable after the Boers had rescued them from barbarism, and opened +them up for civilisation. It was felt that they ought to gleam amongst +the jewels of Her Majesty's Crown, notwithstanding the obstacle in the +treaties that had been concluded with the Boers. This was the concealed +intention. As far as the means were concerned—they were, from the very +exigency of inborn hypocrisy, partly revealed and partly concealed; the +one differing from the other, as light from darkness. The secret means +consisted in arming the Kaffir <a name="Page_94" id="Page_94" />tribes against us in the most incredible +manner, and in inciting them to attack us in violation of solemn +treaties and promises. If this policy succeeded the real objects and +means could be suppressed, and England could then come forward and pose +openly as the champion of peace and order, and as the guardian angel of +civilisation in this part of the world. The Republics could then be +annexed under cover of these plausible pretexts. This policy failed as +far as the Orange Free State was concerned, because the brave burghers +of the neighbouring Republic succeeded, after great difficulty, in +overcoming Moshesh, notwithstanding the fact that their arms and +ammunition had been illegally stopped by the British Government. England +was compelled in that case to confine itself to the protection of its +"Basuto" tools. The British, however, succeeded in preventing the Boers +from reaping the legitimate fruits of their victory, and in annexing the +Diamond Fields—a flagrantly illegal act.</p> + +<p>As far as the South African Republic is concerned, it was unfortunate +that the burghers were not vigilant enough to foresee and prevent the +crafty policy of the enemy. As the Transvaal Boers had subdued the most +powerful Kaffir tribes, they never dreamt that the insignificant Kaffir +wars in which they had been involved through English intrigue would have +been seized as a pretext to annex their country to the British Crown. +They had been remiss in not putting their full force into the field so +as to bring these little wars to a speedy conclusion. And so the Magato +and Socoecoeni campaigns were conducted in a protracted and half-hearted +way, much to the satisfaction of Sir <a name="Page_95" id="Page_95" />Theophilus Shepstone, and those +who were at his back.</p> + +<p>The Annexation was brought about. It was announced that the extension of +Her Majesty's sway and protection over the South African Republic could +alone secure unity of purpose and trade, as well as open out a prospect +of peace and prosperity. In these words of Shepstone's proclamation we +see in all its repulsive nakedness the hypocrisy which openly +masqueraded in the guise of the disinterested and pitiful Samaritan, +while its true and secret object was to inflict a fatal wound upon the +burgher Republic.</p> + +<p>The third period of our history is characterised by the amalgamation of +the old and well-known policy of fraud and violence with the new forces +of Capitalism, which had developed so powerfully owing to the mineral +riches of the South African Republic. Our existence as a people and as a +State is now threatened by an unparalleled combination of forces. +Arrayed against us we find numerical strength, the public opinion of the +United Kingdom thirsting and shouting for blood and revenge, the +world-wide and cosmopolitan power of Capitalism, and all the forces +which underlie the lust of robbery and the spirit of plunder. Our lot +has of late become more and more perilous. The cordon of beasts of +plunder and birds of prey has been narrowed and drawn closer and closer +around this poor doomed people during the last ten years. As the wounded +antelope awaits the coming of the lion, the jackal, and the vulture, so +do our poor people all over South Africa contemplate the approach of the +foe, encircled as they are by the forces of hatred and revenge, and by +the stratagems <a name="Page_96" id="Page_96" />and covetousness of their enemies. Every sea in the +world is being furrowed by the ships which are conveying British troops +from every corner of the globe in order to smash this little handful of +people. Even Xerxes, with his millions against little Greece, does not +afford a stranger spectacle to the wonder and astonishment of mankind +than this gentle and kind-hearted Mother of Nations, as, wrapped in all +the panoply of her might, riches, and exalted traditions, she approaches +the little child grovelling in the dust with a sharpened knife in her +hand. This is no War—it is an attempt at Infanticide.</p> + +<p>And as the brain of the onlooker reels, and as his thoughts fade away +into uneasy slumbers, there arises before him in a dream the distant +prospect of Bantu children playing amongst the gardens and ruins of the +sunny south around thousands of graves in which the descendants of the +European heroes of Faith and Freedom lie sleeping.</p> + +<p>For the marauding hordes of the Bantu are once more roving where +European dwellings used to stand. And when the question is asked—why +all this has happened? Why the heroic children of an heroic race, to +which civilisation owes its most priceless blessings, should lie +murdered there in that distant quarter of the globe? An invisible spirit +of mockery answers, "Civilisation is a failure; the Caucasian is played +out!" and the dreamer awakens with the echo of the word "Gold! gold! +gold!" in his ears.</p> + +<p>The orchids of Birmingham are yellow. The traditions of the greatest +people on earth are tarnished and have become yellow.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97" />The laurels which Britannia's legions hope to win in South Africa are +sere and yellow.</p> + +<p>But the sky which stretches its banner over South Africa remains blue. +The justice to which Piet Retief appeals when our fathers said farewell +to the Cape Colony, and to which Joachim Prinsloo called aloud in the +Volksraad of Natal when it was annexed by England; the justice to which +the burghers of the Transvaal entrusted their case at Paarde Kraal in +1880, remains immutable, and is like a rock against which the yeasty +billows of British diplomacy dissolve in foam.</p> + +<p>It proceeds according to eternal laws, unmoved by human pride and +ambition. As the Greek poet of old said, it permits the tyrant, in his +boundless self-esteem, to climb higher and higher and to gain greater +honour and might until he arrives at the appointed height, and then +falls down into the infinite depths.</p> + +<p>Africanders, I ask you but to do as Leonidas did with his 300 men when +they advanced unflinchingly at Thermopylæ against Xerxes and his +myriads, and do not be disturbed by such men as Milner, Rhodes, and +Chamberlain, or even by the British Empire itself, but cling fast to the +God of our forefathers, and to the Righteousness which is sometimes slow +in acting, but which never slumbers nor forgets. Our forefathers did not +pale before the terrors of the Spanish Inquisition, but entered upon the +great struggle for Freedom and Right against even the mighty Philip, +unmindful of the consequences.</p> + +<p>Nor could the rack and the persecuting bands of Louis XIV. tame or +subdue the spirit of our fathers. Neither Alva nor Richelieu were able +to compass the <a name="Page_98" id="Page_98" />triumph of tyranny over the innate sentiment of Freedom +and Independence in our forefathers. Nor will a Chamberlain be more +fortunate in effecting the triumph of Capitalism, with its lust for +power, over us.</p> + +<p>If it is ordained that we, insignificant as we are, should be the first +among all peoples to begin the struggle against the new-world tyranny of +Capitalism, then we are ready to do so, even if that tyranny is +reinforced by the power of Jingoism.</p> + +<p>May the hope which glowed in our hearts during 1880, and which buoyed us +up during that struggle, burn on steadily! May it prove a beacon of +light in our path, invincibly moving onwards through blood and through +tears, until it leads us to a real Union of South Africa.</p> + +<p>As in 1880, we now submit our cause with perfect confidence to the whole +world. Whether the result be Victory or Death, Liberty will assuredly +rise in South Africa like the sun from out the mists of the morning, +just as Freedom dawned over the United States of America a little more +than a century ago. Then from the Zambesi to Simon's Bay it will be</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"AFRICA FOR THE AFRICANDER."</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="APPENDICES" id="APPENDICES" /><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99" />APPENDICES</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="APPENDIX_A" id="APPENDIX_A" /><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100" /><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101" />APPENDIX A.</h2> + +<p>LORD DERBY'S DISPATCH ON THE CONVENTION OF 1884.</p> + + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>To</i> MESSRS. KRUGER, DU TOIT, AND SMIT.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">DOWNING STREET,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">15 <i>February</i>, 1884.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>GENTLEMEN,</p> + +<p>I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th +inst., in which you intimate your readiness to accept the arrangement +proposed by me at our recent interview, whereby the debt of the +Transvaal State to Her Majesty's Government would be reduced by +£127,000. I will not delay to recommend this proposal to the +consideration of Her Majesty's Government.</p> + +<p>I have considered the representations and suggestions made in the fourth +and following paragraphs of your letter, and I do not think it would now +be practicable to carry out the arrangements which you propose for the +settlement of the questions referred to. Her Majesty's Government are +willing, however, that the 20th Article of the Convention of Pretoria +shall be retained in the new Convention, with such verbal alterations as +are requisite, and I am glad to understand that this course will meet +your views.</p> + +<p>When I had the pleasure of receiving you here on the 8th inst. we +discussed the other principal questions which, in addition to those of +the boundary and the debt, you had submitted to me in previous +correspondence, and I explained to you generally the nature and extent +of the concessions which Her Majesty's Government would be able to make +in regard to them. You were satisfied with these explanations, as far as +they were put before you; and the progress which has been made appears +to me to render it convenient that I should now transmit for your +perusal a draft of the new Convention which Her Majesty's Government +propose in substitution for the Convention of Pretoria. In this draft +the Articles of the Convention of Pretoria, which will be no longer in +force, have been printed alongside of the proposed new Articles, and +where an Article is retained and altered, the alterations have been +shown in order to explain clearly the changes which will be made. You +will find that in the draft, and the map which accompanies it, the +conclusions which <a name="Page_102" id="Page_102" />have been arrived at in the course of our +communications have been closely adhered to and accurately expressed, +and I trust that you will experience no difficulty in understanding and +agreeing to each of its provisions. If, however, there should be any +point as to which you are doubtful, it may be convenient that you should +again meet me here and receive such further explanations as may be +desirable.</p> + +<p>It does not appear to me to be necessary that I should refer in detail +to each Article of the draft. You will observe that in the preamble and +throughout the Convention the wish of your Government that the +designation "South African Republic" should be substituted for +"Transvaal State" has been complied with. In the first Article the +extension of the Western boundary is precisely defined as agreed to. By +the omission of those Articles of the Convention of Pretoria which +assigned to Her Majesty and to the British Resident certain specific +powers and functions connected with the internal government and the +foreign relations of the Transvaal State your Government will be left +free to govern the country without interference, and to conduct its +diplomatic intercourse and shape its foreign policy subject only to the +requirement embodied in the fourth Article of the new draft—that any +treaty with a foreign State shall not have effect without the approval +of the Queen.</p> + +<p>There are other provisions in the draft which have not been the subject +of discussion with you; they are for the most part a renewal of those +declarations made on behalf of the Transvaal State in the Convention of +Pretoria, which it is desirable (as I trust you will agree in thinking) +to maintain as an assurance to all parties that there will be no +withdrawal of those securities for liberty and equal treatment which +your State has always professed itself ready to afford. I would, +however, refer more specifically to the 19th Article of the draft, in +which it is proposed that in consideration of the discontinuance of all +direct interference by this country in the government and control of the +natives within the Transvaal, it should be formally declared that your +Government will adopt and carry out the assurances which, with their +assent and approval, were given to those natives by Her Majesty's +Commissioners.</p> + +<p>I trust that I may soon hear from you that there is no obstacle to my +informing Her Majesty's Government that the Draft Convention can be +adopted.</p> + +<p>I have, etc.,</p> + +<p>DERBY.</p> + + +<p><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103" />A CONVENTION CONCLUDED BETWEEN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, &C., &C., AND THE +SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC.</p> + +<p>NOTE.—<i>The words and paragraphs bracketed or printed in italics are +proposed to be inserted, those within a black line are proposed to be +omitted.</i></p> + +<p>[**Transcriber's Note: Words to be omitted are surrounded with '='s.**]</p> + +<p>Her Majesty's Commissioners for the settlement of the Transvaal +Territory, duly appointed as such by a Commission passed under the Royal +Sign Manual and Signet, bearing date the 5th of April 1881, do hereby +undertake and guarantee, on behalf of Her Majesty, that from and after +the 8th day of August 1881, complete self-government, subject to the +suzerainty of Her Majesty, Her Heir and Successors, will be accorded to +the inhabitants of the Transvaal Territory, upon the following terms and +conditions, and subject to the following reservations and limitations:—</p> + +<p>Whereas the Government of the Transvaal State, through its Delegates, +consisting of Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, President of the said +State. Stephanus Johannes Du Toit, Superintendent of Education; Nicholas +Jacobus Smit, a member of the Volksraad, have represented to the Queen +that the Convention signed at Pretoria on the 3rd day of August, 1881, +and ratified by the Volksraad of the said State on the 20th October, +1881, contains certain provisions which are inconvenient, and imposes +burdens and obligations from which the said State is desirous to be +relieved; and that the south-western boundaries fixed by the said +Convention should be amended, with a view to promote the peace and good +order of the said state, and of the countries adjacent thereto; and +whereas Her Majesty the Queen, &c., &c., has been pleased to take the +said representations into consideration. Now, therefore, Her Majesty has +been pleased to direct, and it is hereby declared that the following +articles of a new Convention—shall when ratified by the Volksraad of +the South African Republic, be substituted for the Articles embodied in +the Convention of 3rd August, 1881; which latter, pending such +ratification, shall continue in full force and effect.</p> + +<p>Signed at =Pretoria= <i>London</i> this =3rd day of August 1881,=</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">=HERCULES ROBINSON,=</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">=President and High Commissioner=</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">=EVELYN WOOD, Major General,=</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">=Officer Administering the Government=</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">=J.H. de VILLIERS.=</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104" />We, the undersigned, Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, =Martinus Wessel +Pretorius=, and =Petrus Jacobus Joubert=, as =representatives delegates= +of the =Transvaal Burghers=, <i>South African Republic</i>, do hereby agree +to all the above conditions, reservations, and limitations, =under which +self government has been restored to the inhabitants of the Transvaal +Territory, subject to the enzerainty of Her Majesty, Her Heirs and +Successsors, and we agree to accept the Government of the said +Territory, with all rights and obligations thereto appertaining, on the +8th day of August 1881,= and we =promise and= undertake that this +Convention shall be ratified by a =newly elected= Volksraad of the +=Transvaal State= <i>South African Republic</i> within =three= <i>six</i> months +from this date.</p> + +<p>Signed at =Pretoria,= <i>London</i>, this =3rd day of August 1881=</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">=S.J.P. KRUEGER=</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">=M.W. PRETORIUS=</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">=P.J. JOUBERT=</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="APPENDIX_B" id="APPENDIX_B" /><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105" />APPENDIX B. (TRANSLATION).</h2> + +<p>THE ANNEXATION OF THE DIAMOND FIELDS.</p> + + +<p>In his speech at the opening of the Cape Parliament on the 18th April, +1872, Sir Henry Barkly said:—</p> + +<p>"The Sovereignty of Her Majesty was therefore proclaimed and brought +into operation with the <i>full consent of the diggers</i>, and the +Government has since been carefully and efficiently administered, +notwithstanding considerable difficulties."</p> + +<p>The <i>Diamond News</i> of the 1st May, 1872, says, in referring to this +speech:—</p> + +<p>"Of the three short paragraphs which immediately concern us, the first +is one of self-congratulation—the diggers and other inhabitants of +Griqualand accept the British Government with heartfelt satisfaction. +Sir Henry says nothing of the unaccountable and daily increasing +dissatisfaction with that Government, and perhaps he knows nothing of +it, as it would be an act of suicide for the Commissioners, which they +would not be guilty of, to report about the prevailing feelings."</p> + +<p>On the 30th May, 1872, the <i>Diamond Fields</i> said:—</p> + +<p>"There can be no doubt that the population of the Diamond Fields are +strongly opposed to annexation to the Cape Colony.</p> + +<p>"If anything like a plebiscite could be taken, the votes against being +put under the Cape Government would be in the proportion of nine to one +... even the Free State Government would get two votes to one if the +Cape Town Government were the only other candidate."</p> + +<p>In December, 1871, scarcely a month after the dispersion of the Free +State authorities and the constitution of Sir Henry Barkly's junta, +lynch law broke out. Lawlessness and general insecurity prevailed +everywhere (see <i>Diamond News</i>, 17th January, 20th March, 17th July, +1872).</p> + +<p>One reads in the <i>Diggers' Gazette</i> of the 26th April, 1872:—</p> + +<p>"No one would wish to ask for a continuation of the existing state of +affairs. Only entirely mischievous people could wish for the +continuation of such a failure as our Commissioners of British rule have +brought about on these Fields. We have formerly expressed ourselves +openly about this matter, and our local contemporaries have done the +same."</p> + +<p>The following remarks were made in the <i>Diamond News</i> of the 16th +December, 1871:—</p> + +<p>"A description of Du Toit'span by night lately appeared in <a name="Page_106" id="Page_106" />the <i>Diamond +News</i> as it used to be under the admittedly unsatisfactory Free State +police, and, by way of contrast, as it now is, after the withdrawal of +that police. The comparison is not flattering to the strength of mind or +administrative capability of our present rulers, and a comparison of +Free State administration with Cape administration would in no way be +more favourable to the latter.</p> + +<p>"The British Government, so highly prized, which would put everything to +rights and would do so much for the diggers, has brought the camps back +to their original position of having to protect themselves."</p> + +<p>In the <i>Diamond News</i> of the 10th July, 1872 (eight months after the +constitution of Sir Henry Barkly's rule), the following criticisms +appear:—</p> + +<p>"Robberies are becoming so frequent that if we were only to relate the +particulars of those that have been brought to our notice we would +require more space than our limits will allow. Innumerable petty thefts +are passed by without punishment. This is certainly a charming state of +affairs! And the question naturally arises—how long will this continue? +Thieves, black and white, experienced and dangerous, and yet no night +police to stop their illegal actions! Shall we get no night police, or +must the scoundrels, who are poisoning our camps continually, enjoy the +immunity and freedom which they now appear to have?"</p> + +<p>On the 26th July lynch law and revolt broke out afresh in an extensive +way at New Rush, the principal diggings. The <i>Diggers' Gazette</i> made the +following remarks about this:—</p> + +<p>"As long as Judge Lynch remains free to hold his court and to levy his +punishments, for so long can the whole framework and machinery of lawful +authority just as well cease to exist.</p> + +<p>"Authority cannot maintain its claim to be respected as long as persons +suffering under the sense of having been injured take the law into their +own hands, solely because of the proved incapability of those in +authority to protect them where their interests mostly need protection.</p> + +<p>"Day after day, and night after night, the one or other part of the camp +is entertained by the edifying spectacle of natives being thrashed, +tents being burnt, and white people surrounded by ferocious crowds who +can scarcely be kept back from carrying out their desire for vengeance +by a small truncheon and a thick thong.</p> + +<p>"We do not wish to justify this state of affairs, but we cannot shut our +eyes to the injustice which almost makes it a necessity.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107" />No magistrate, however exceptional, counts against the absence of such +laws, discipline, and police as our circumstances demand, and through +want of which there is no other prospect than that terrorism which +arises out of a blind struggle against anarchy."</p> + +<p>The <i>Diamond News</i>, in its issue of 20th July, 1872, says:—</p> + +<p>"The copious news in our columns, and the reports of meetings, as well +as the scenes which take place every night at mass meetings in this time +of excitement, uproar and confusion, take up nearly all our principal +columns. We heartily wish that the fire may be speedily got under, or +else it is very much to be feared that the end will be dreadfully +injurious to the safety and welfare of the innocent."</p> + +<p>On the 19th July, 1872, a very large meeting of diggers was held at the +Market Square, New Rush, when the following resolution, among others, +was unanimously passed:—</p> + +<p>"As this meeting is of opinion that, with a view to the prevailing +disturbances in this camp, the Commissioners ought at once, with the +Diggers' Committee, to make such amendments in the existing +unsatisfactory state of the law as will as far as possible prevent the +thefts of diamonds by native labourers, and their purchase by +unprincipled dealers, and will also make such alterations in the law so +as to promote the general welfare."</p> + +<p>In the Cape Parliament, commencing the 5th June, 1872, Mr. Merriman +said:—</p> + +<p>"The Fields ... were annexed and a form of government was introduced +there which could not be more ludicrous. A sort of irresponsible +Commission (the Rovers junta) was established, in which the members +could not agree, and were not responsible to anybody; he could imagine +nothing more ridiculous or which worked worse. The Orange Free State had +given the people a sort of representation, but the first act of our +Government was to abolish all the Commissions, and the result was that +the people were burdened with an irresponsible body.</p> + +<p>"The Orange Free State had appointed a responsible official ... who was +efficient ... while we had established a court twenty miles away from +the most populated part; whereby grinding expenses had been entailed on +those who sought justice, just as if it was the only object of the +British Government to pile up heavy law costs."</p> + +<p>Mr. Knight said: "One of the chief reasons why he was against Annexation +was that nine-tenths of the population on <a name="Page_108" id="Page_108" />the fields would hold up +their hands to get rid of the present Government because they felt that +they were far better off before they were annexed."</p> + +<p>Mr. Buchanan declared: "He himself, when he visited the Diamond Fields, +had wandered from camp to camp, and from the one sorting table to the +other, and had talked with the diggers in order to acquaint himself as +to their feelings about various matters, and he had obtained the +conviction that there was a great deal of feeling against the British +Government."</p> + +<p>In the subsequent debate in the Cape Parliament Mr. J.H. Brown said, in +regard to Mr. Orpen's motion: "That the diggers look with the greatest +contempt on the Government which was there now, and that this Government +was quite as much hated as it deserved to be."—(<i>Diggers' Gazette</i>, +12th July, 1872).</p> + +<p>In the <i>Diamond News</i> of the 8th October, 1872, one reads:—</p> + +<p>"Newspaper after newspaper comes out, and those who have a claim upon +land look eagerly to see 'what is happening about the land?' and all the +information the newspaper gives is that David Arnot, Esq., claims half +the country, and that Francis Orpen, Esq., the Surveyor, has decided +that £30 must be paid before the case of any claimant can be taken into +consideration. It is Arnot and Orpen and land; and land and Orpen and +Arnot, week after week. They appear to be made one for the other, and +for nothing and nobody else.</p> + +<p>"Half a newspaper is filled with lists of claims of the said David, and +it becomes daily clearer and clearer that the great head chief of +Griqualand West cannot be Mr. Waterboer, but must be David +Arnot—because all the claims and all the kopjes have been provided for, +and all are for Mr. Arnot and nobody else.</p> + +<p>"The impression is everywhere that British protection is invoked not for +British interests, nor for the interests of Britons working on the +fields here, but for the sake of two gentlemen who hold the reins with +far more power than ought to be given to anyone who is entrusted with +the administration of this country.</p> + +<p>"Who has ever heard of a Government which binds itself to give the +surveyorship of a new country to one man only? Mr. Francis Orpen is +decidedly a first-class man in his profession ... but that does not +justify any Government in agreeing that he, and he only, is to keep the +survey of this territory entirely in his own hands. Everyone knows what +that must lead to."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="APPENDIX_C" id="APPENDIX_C" /><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109" />APPENDIX C.</h2> + +<p>THE REPLY TO MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S DISPATCH ON GRIEVANCES.</p> + +<p>DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, PRETORIA.</p> + +<p><i>26th September</i>, 1899.</p> + + +<p>SIR,</p> + +<p>The Government of the South African Republic has the honour to +acknowledge the receipt of a copy of a certain dispatch dated 10th May, +1899, addressed to His Excellency the High Commissioner by the Secretary +of State for the Colonies, in consequence of a petition sent to Her +Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. 21,684 signatures appear +on this petition, and are said to have been affixed thereto by an +equivalent number of British subjects resident at Johannesburg, in this +Republic.</p> + +<p>This Government notes that Her Majesty's Government have thought fit, on +the grounds of the information already in their possession, to make +investigation into the subject matter of the aforesaid petition, and, as +a result of such investigation, to express to this Government their +views on the administration of the internal affairs of this Republic, +which said views they have at the same time communicated to the +memorialists as an answer to their petition.</p> + +<p>This Government may be permitted to point out that the Convention of +London of 1884, entered into between this Republic and the Government of +Her Britannic Majesty, guarantees to the South African Republic full and +free internal administration without any interference from anyone +whatever. As Lord Derby notifies in his dispatch of the 15th February, +1884:—</p> + +<p>"Your Government will be left free to govern the country without +interference, and to conduct its diplomatic intercourse, and shape its +foreign policy, subject only to the requirements embodied in the fourth +article of the new draft—that any treaty with a foreign State shall not +have effect without the approval of the Queen."</p> + +<p>In his despatch of the 4th February, 1896, the Colonial Secretary, Mr. +Chamberlain, states:—</p> + +<p>"In the next place, it is necessary that I should state clearly <a name="Page_110" id="Page_110" />and +unequivocally what is the position which Her Majesty's Government claim +to hold toward the Government of the South African Republic. Since the +Convention of 1884, Her Majesty's Government recognised the South +African Republic as a free and independent Government as regards all its +internal affairs not touched by the Convention."</p> + +<p>In a telegram, also from Mr. Chamberlain, dated 26th March, 1896, the +same statement is substantially made, viz.:—"Her Majesty's Government +do not claim any rights under the Conventions to prescribe particular +internal reforms which should be made in South African Republic."</p> + +<p>This Government has always felt it a solemn duty for the Republic to +adhere strictly to the Convention of 1884 in its entirety; at the same +time, it has been consistent in protesting in the most forcible manner +against any interference or intermeddling with the internal affairs of +the Republic, and against the discussion or treatment of these affairs +with or by any other than the Republic itself, and it can discover no +reasons now which would either justify such interference or exempt it +from the accusation of being a violation of the Convention of London.</p> + +<p>This Government feels convinced that Her Majesty's Government would not +favourably entertain a request from British subjects for intervention +because the said British subjects are unwilling (as was agreed between +this Republic and Her Majesty's Government in the Convention of London) +to conform themselves to the laws of the land and to respect the legal +institutions and customs of the South African Republic, and because they +feel aggrieved that the laws are not altered in accordance with their +demands.</p> + +<p>The friendly relations so highly prized by this Government which have +existed between this Republic and the United Kingdom, the other party to +the Convention of London, have always been a safe guarantee to this +Government against such a breach of the Convention on the part of Her +Majesty's Government, and it greatly deplores the fact that Her +Majesty's Government has now decided to act in conflict with the +Convention of London by busying itself with the imaginary grievances of +the Uitlanders, and making representations thereanent to this +Government. Against such action this Government feels that it must +earnestly and emphatically protest, and the Right Hon. Mr. Chamberlain +could not take it amiss if this Government were to pay no further +attention to the charges against its administration contained in the +petition, <a name="Page_111" id="Page_111" />or if they declined to discuss further the views of Her +Majesty's Government about these charges.</p> + +<p>This Government has, however, on more than one occasion, notified to Her +Majesty's Government that it will attach great value to any suggestions +which may be tendered in the interests of British subjects, and it will +certainly lend a very willing ear to any friendly advice or hints which +may be given by Her Majesty's Government as being the representative of +a Power which, with this Republic and the Orange Free State, protects +and fosters the paramount interests of South Africa.</p> + +<p>His Honour the State President was animated by these sentiments when he +accepted the courteous invitation of His Honour President Steyn to +proceed to Bloemfontein in order to confer with Your Excellency about +matters which are an equal source of interest to this Republic and Her +Majesty's Government. These friendly sentiments now prompt it to take +the liberty of drawing serious attention to the fact that Her Majesty's +Government certainly appear to be supplied with insufficient and +incorrect data about facts and occurrences from which erroneous ideas +and conclusions are drawn, so that, although desirous of avoiding +subjects the discussion of which would be contrary to the Convention, +this Government nevertheless feels that it ought to convey to Her +Majesty's Government the true position of affairs, and that it ought to +point out how the latter is misled, the condition of affairs as depicted +in the dispatch under reply being in all respects exaggerated, and in +many instances entirely untrue.</p> + +<p>In the first place, this Government wishes to point out that, so far +from the petition which gave rise to the despatch under reply having +been signed by 21,684 British subjects, it appears indeed that it was +signed by very few people in the South African Republic—leaving aside +all mention of British subjects. This has been substantiated in many +cases by sworn declarations, many of which were handed to His Excellency +the High Commissioner during the Conference at Bloemfontein, and this +Government feels that it may flatter itself that the British Government, +after having examined these documents, will share with this Government +the view that this memorial is in itself a matter of very slight +importance, even although it may contain the signatures of a certain +number of British subjects who hold the opinion that they are entitled +to a change in the form of Government because, in violation of the +Convention entered into between this Republic and Her Majesty's +Government, they will not <a name="Page_112" id="Page_112" />conform themselves to the laws of the land, +but claim alterations therein at their own caprice.</p> + +<p>This Government is all the more convinced that this memorial is of no +great moment, and that it certainly does not express the feelings of all +the so-called Uitlanders, because another memorial has been received by +it from about 23,000 inhabitants of this Republic, nearly all +Uitlanders, and amongst whom are several British subjects. The High +Commissioner was informed that the signatures to this memorial were +obtained in a perfectly <i>bona fide</i> way, and this information was +supported by sworn affidavits. The purport of this memorial bore +evidence to the fact that the thousands of Uitlanders who signed it were +satisfied with the administration and the Government of this Republic, +and did not share the views of the memorialists to Her Britannic Majesty +in respect of what the latter considered to be legitimate grievances.</p> + +<p>This Government may further be permitted to point out that although the +Uitlander population may have co-operated in effecting an increase in +the revenues of the State, principally, as His Excellency has been +informed, in custom dues, prospecting licences, railway receipts, etc., +so that the revenue in 1898 amounted to £3,983,360, the fact must not be +lost sight of, on the other hand, that gold to the value of +<i>£20,000,000</i> was exported from the State during the same year 1898, +almost entirely by the Uitlanders.</p> + +<p>At the same time, it must not be forgotten that although the, chief item +in custom dues is collected on goods which are imported at Johannesburg, +yet these goods are not entirely used or consumed by the Uitlanders, for +a considerable quantity is sent over the whole Republic by the wholesale +merchants to the retail dealers who do business with the burghers in the +villages and the country, so that much of what is imported into +Johannesburg is destined for consumption by the original burgher of the +Republic.</p> + +<p>With regard to the contention that the mining industry is more heavily +taxed than in any other country, and that the cost of the necessaries of +life is higher, this Government desires to remark that this contention +is entirely contradicted by facts and statistics. The value of goods +imported into the South African Republic during 1898 amounted to +£9,996,575, and the custom duties levied thereon to £1,058,224, or 10.6 +per cent. Under the Customs Union of the adjacent British Colonies the +import duties amounted to 15 per cent, of the value of the <a name="Page_113" id="Page_113" />goods, a +comparison which yields a difference of nearly 50 per cent. in favour of +the Republic. When the matter is examined in detail the case is even +stronger. In the Colonies certain articles, such as bread stuffs, are +subject to a special duty of 2s., say about 30 per cent, of the value, +in corn, and 40 per cent. in meal. In this Republic the duty on both the +foregoing articles is 7-1/2 per cent.; butter is especially taxed at 3d. +per pound, or 30 per cent., under the Customs Union, while in the +Republic it is subject only to the 7-1/2 <i>ad valorem</i> duty. Coffee and +other necessaries of life, on being compared, would show a similar +difference, and this Government therefore trusts that Her Majesty's +Government will exonerate it when it points out the incorrectness and +unreliability of the information supplied to the Secretary of State, on +which he bases his conclusion that the cost of living is unusually high +in consequence of the taxation levied by the State; that such is not the +case will be at once shown by a comparison with the taxation of the +neighbouring Colonies.</p> + +<p>The character of the financial administration must have been erroneously +represented to Her Majesty's Government if it was simply stated that +defalcations to an amount of £18,590 had taken place. It would <i>ex +facie</i> appear from such a statement that the above defalcations had +taken place during the past year; as a matter of fact, the Inspection +Department, which has only recently been called into existence, reported +over financial matters covering the years 1884 to 1896.</p> + +<p>It is unfair to characterise all deficiencies as defalcations, for from +the nature of the case a deficiency does not always constitute a +defalcation. The report specified the sub-divisions of monies which had +yet to be accounted for. The first item in such deficiencies amounted +originally to £12,000, and of this £6,000 was afterwards collected, and +the balance was only brought forward; another item of <i>£10,808 11s.</i> was +brought forward in its entirety, but £3,000 of this was eventually +collected and accounted for, while continual efforts were made to secure +the balance. Many items not brought forward were collected long before +and accounted for, while during the inspection of last year it was found +that a sum of £800 yet remained to be paid in out of the deficiencies, +which balance has been accounted for.</p> + +<p>The contention that advances to officials amounting to <i>£2,398,506 16s. +8d.</i> have remained unaccounted for is also absolutely incorrect; and the +endeavour to pass this circumstance off as constituting defalcations on +the part of officials <a name="Page_114" id="Page_114" />bears ample witness to the strong desire to +mislead which has actuated the informants of Her Majesty's Government.</p> + +<p>Any person who is even superficially acquainted with financial +administration will readily admit that this is due to a system of +accounting which was followed until recently by Her Majesty's +Government, and which obtains in some British Colonies, in Natal, for +instance, at the present moment.</p> + +<p>This system may deserve condemnation; it does not, however, necessarily +follow that because the advances may not be speedily accounted for they +have been embezzled, and it does not appear either from the report of +the Inspector of Offices, or from the debates of the Volksraad, that +such accusations were made. But in addition to this a sum of at least +£1,968,306 is included in the aforesaid total of £2,398,506 16s. 8d. +(but which is not comprised in the customary advances), such as Orphan +Chamber £80,000, Indigent Burghers £150,000, Postal Orders £60,000, +various loans to School Committees, Sanitary Boards, and for Waterworks, +Hospitals, Committees, monies placed at interest in Europe, provisional +loans to Railway Companies, purchases of food stuffs and mules in time +of famine, and many others.</p> + +<p>Items, too, of considerable importance appear in the advances, although +they have really been accounted for up to within a pound or two, because +for one reason or another it has not been possible to write off the +exact total, the amounts still to be accounted for having dwindled to a +very insignificant figure.</p> + +<p>The contention that during 1896 a sum of £191,837 was paid out of the +Secret Service Money is also absolutely unfounded, for in that amount a +sum of £158,337 was included which was used for special Government +Works, as was expressly stated in a foot-note on page 44 of the +Estimates for 1897. The Secret Service Fund for that year (1896) did not +amount to more than £33,500. This faulty information, supplied to Her +Majesty's Government, is apparently taken from the said Estimates, it +would seem with the fixed determination to ignore the explanatory +foot-note on page 44.</p> + +<p>It is incorrect to state that the system of granting concessions remains +in full force. Where the Right Hon. the Secretary of State in his +despatch refers to industrial concessions, this Government may remark +that these are privileges granted in order to stimulate and protect +local industry, and the contention that these concessions will develop +into practical monopolies is not supported by any evidence; results will +show that misleading information has been given here as well.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115" />With regard to the question of education which has been dealt with in +the dispatch of the Right Hon. the Colonial Secretary, this Government +wishes to point out that the amount expended on education during the +year 1898 was £226,219 4s. 8d. In the former year it was less. Of this +amount £36,503 17s. 2d. was devoted to Education on the Gold Fields (for +State as well as for subsidized schools). As the number of scholars +under Act 15, 1896, as well as that of the teachers, have considerably +increased, the amount during the current year will probably be +<i>£53,000</i>. The conditions on which this money is given are certainly not +such as to exclude the children of Uitlanders from its benefits. +According to Volksraad Resolution of 1st June, 1892 (and amendments), +schools where a foreign language was the medium of instruction were +entitled to a subsidy of 20s. per pupil per quarter for the lower +standard, and 25s. for the middle standard, provided that certain +requirements as to knowledge of the official language of the country +were complied with. These requirements are a standard lower than that +for children of burghers in the country, who are taught in schools +governed by Law No. 8 of 1892.</p> + +<p>Few, if any, Uitlanders avail themselves of this offer; the few who have +done so are now satisfied with it, and continue to enjoy the privileges +of the resolution, although it was only renewed in 1898 for those +schools which made a <i>bona fide</i> use of it. Law No. 15, 1896, made +provision for the children of poor parents and strangers on the +proclaimed gold fields entirely at State expense, and 13 schools have +been established by this law—with 51 teachers and about 1,500 +scholars—at Barberton, Pilgrims' Rest, Kaapsche Hoop, Johannesburg (5, +viz., 1 in von Brandis Street, 1 at Braamfontein, 1 at Union Ground, 1 +at Vredesdorp, and 1 in Market Street), Maraisburg, Krugersdorp, +Randfontein, Klerksdorp, and Nigel. In addition to these, preparations +are being made for State schools at the City and Suburban, +Bertramstownship, Johannesburg, and at Roodepoort (Krugersdorp).</p> + +<p>Out of the above-named 13 schools, English is the medium of instruction +in four, and of the remaining nine English is the medium for the +children of English-speaking parents, and Dutch for those of +Dutch-speaking parents. In these nine schools a little more time is +devoted to learning Dutch in each standard than was the case in the +former standard, so that equality in both languages is reached at the +5th standard.</p> + +<p>Altogether there are 27 Dutch Africander or Hollander teachers, and 24 +teachers of English origin in these 13 schools. <a name="Page_116" id="Page_116" />The Dutch Africander or +Hollander teachers are obliged to possess a thorough knowledge of +English, and have either to pass an examination or produce a certificate +to that effect.</p> + +<p>The object of the system of education in this Republic is to ensure in +the first place the foundation of general knowledge. Law No. 8, 1892, +provides this for the children of the original Boer population in their +mother tongue, in which the necessary schoolbooks must be written, with +this understanding, however, that in the 3rd standard three hours, and +in the higher ones four hours, per week out of the 25 must be devoted to +education in a foreign language.</p> + +<p>With regard to the schools formed under the above-mentioned Resolution, +teaching is carried on through the medium of a foreign language, but at +least 5 hours per week must be devoted to the study of the official +language of the country.</p> + +<p>Of the 13 schools formed under Law 15 of 1896, the children of strangers +are instructed in their own language, while the number of hours for +instruction in and by means of Dutch is increased in each standard.</p> + +<p>According to a Resolution of the First Volksraad, dated the 8th August, +1898, Article 731, a certain number of the School Board members required +by Article I of Law 15 of 1896 have to be nominated and chosen by the +Executive Council out of enfranchised persons (Article 2, Law 8, 1893) +proposed by the fathers of the school children, on the understanding +that the persons so chosen shall constitute less than half of the whole +School Board, and further, that the persons so proposed shall always be +double the number of the people actually nominated. The above facts +clearly prove, according to the opinion of this Government, that Her +Majesty's Government has also been misled in respect to the matter of +education. It is clear that one-fourth of the whole educational vote has +been devoted to the gold fields, so that the children of Uitlander +residents can make use of it; that proper provision is made for +education in the mother tongue whatever it may be, while at the same +time compulsory education of the language of the country is also +provided for. That both by the Resolution of the 1st June, 1892, as well +as by the Law 15 of 1896, more has actually been done for the Uitlanders +than for the original inhabitants, and that more time is given to the +mother tongue of the children in the schools on the gold fields of this +Republic than in any country in the world, and that here again +information of a misleading character must have been given to His +Excellency and the British Government.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117" />Law No. 15, 1896, and the schools thereby established have been +defended by Englishmen in various newspapers. (See the <i>S.A. News</i>, 10th +May, 1899; <i>The Star</i>, 22nd March, 1899; <i>Manchester Guardian</i>, etc.).</p> + +<p>With reference to the Municipality of Johannesburg, this Government +desires to remark that in accordance with the promise made in 1896, the +grant of Municipal Administration was made to the inhabitants of +Johannesburg by which the control of that town and its suburbs was +conferred upon them.</p> + +<p>Her Majesty's Government seem to think that this Municipality does not +answer its purpose, in the first place because half of the members must +be naturalized burghers (not fully enfranchised burghers as the dispatch +under reply erroneously contends), and in the second place because the +financial powers of the town council are restricted.</p> + +<p>With regard to the first objection, it is impossible that this should be +a great grievance, because a residence of two years in the Republic is +sufficient for naturalisation; as a matter of fact, more than the +necessary half of the members are burghers; this shows conclusively that +the requirement of burghership is in no sense an obstacle. The objection +as to the restriction of the financial powers of the council is not +conclusive, because there is no Municipality in the world the financial +powers of which are not restricted by the law under which they are +created, and the restrictions in the case of the town council of +Johannesburg are the usual ones in such cases.</p> + +<p>The Advisory Board recommended by the Industrial Commission would have +proved inefficient because the laws with the administration of which +that body would have had to concern itself can be carried out in a +better and more efficient way by an official like the State Attorney, +who has almost unlimited power and means of doing so. This is exactly +what has happened. All complaints with regard to gold thefts have +actually disappeared; one no longer hears of complaints as to the +operation of the pass law; while latterly, as Her Majesty's Government +must be well aware, the Chamber of Mines and other bodies of the +Witwatersrand have repeatedly expressed their satisfaction with the +stringent way in which the liquor law has been upheld. No local body, +however well informed, would have been able to do what the State +Attorney has done in this matter, and that is sufficient justification +of the action of both Government and Volksraad in refusing to establish +such an Advisory Board.</p> + +<p>The Government now passes on to the discussion of the <a name="Page_118" id="Page_118" />administration of +justice, of which so much is made in the dispatch under reply.</p> + +<p>With regard to these allegations, this Government perceives that much +importance is attached in the dispatch to the so-called Lombard +incident, the so-called Edgar case, and the so-called Amphitheatre +occurrence.</p> + +<p>A brief consideration of the facts referring to these three matters will +show how unfounded are the accusations of Her Majesty's Government.</p> + +<p>With reference to the Lombard incident, this Government wishes to point +out that no complaint was lodged with any official in this Republic for +a full month after the illtreatment of Cape coloured people was alleged +to have taken place, and that neither the Government nor the public was +aware that anything had taken place. The whole case was so insignificant +that some of the people who were alleged to have been illtreated +declared under oath at a later period before a court of investigation +that they would never have made any complaint on their own initiative. +What happened, however?</p> + +<p>About a month after the occurrence the South African League came to hear +of it; some of its officials sent round to collect evidence from the +parties who were alleged to have been illtreated, and some sworn +declarations were obtained by the help of Her Majesty's Vice-Consul at +Johannesburg (between whom and this League a continual and conspicuous +co-operation has existed). Even then no charge was lodged against the +implicated officials with the judicial authorities of the country, but +the case was put in the hands of the Acting British Agent at Pretoria.</p> + +<p>When the allegations were brought under the notice of this Government, +they at once appointed a commission of enquiry consisting of three +members, namely, Landdrost Van der Berg, of Johannesburg, Mr Andries +Stockenstrom, barrister-at-law of the Middle Temple, head of the +Criminal Section of the State Attorney's Department, and Mr. Van der +Merwe, mining commissioner, of Johannesburg; gentlemen against whose +ability and impartiality the Uitlander population of the Republic have +never harboured the slightest suspicion, and with whose appointment the +Acting British Agent also expressed his entire satisfaction. The +instructions given to these officials were to thoroughly investigate the +whole case, and to report the result to the Government; and they +fulfilled these instructions by sitting for days at a time, and +carefully hearing and sifting the evidence of both sides. Every +right-minded <a name="Page_119" id="Page_119" />person readily acknowledges that far greater weight ought +to be attached to the finding of this Commission than to the +declarations of the complainants, who contradicted one another in nearly +every particular, and who caused the whole enquiry to degenerate into a +farce.</p> + +<p>According to the report, nothing was proved as to the so-called +illtreatment; the special instances of alleged illtreatment turned out +to be purely imaginary; it was clearly proved and found that the +complainants had acted contrary to Law, and the Commission only +expressed disapproval of the fact that the arrests and the investigation +had taken place at night, and without a proper warrant. It fills this +Government with all the greater regret to observe that Her Majesty's +Government bases its charges on <i>ex parte</i>, groundless, and in many +respects false declarations of complainants who have been set in motion +by political hatred, and that it silently ignores the report of the +Commission.</p> + +<p>The Amphitheatre occurrence is used by Her Majesty's Government to show +how incapable the police of the Witwatersrand are to fulfil their duties +and to preserve order. The League meeting was held at the so-called +Amphitheatre at Johannesburg, with the knowledge of the State Secretary +and State Attorney, and the accusation is that in spite of that fact, +the uproar which arose at that meeting was not quelled by the police. +The following are the true facts:—Mr. Wybergh and another, both in the +service of the South African League, informed the State Secretary and +the State Attorney that they intended to call this meeting in the +Amphitheatre, and asked permission to do so; they were informed that no +permission from the authorities was necessary, and that as long as the +meeting did not give rise to irregularities or disturbances of the +peace, they would be acting entirely within their rights. Their +attention was then drawn to the fact that owing to the action and the +propaganda of the South African League, this body had become extremely +unpopular with a large section of the inhabitants of Johannesburg, and +that in all probability a disturbance of the peace would take place if a +sufficient body of the police were not present to preserve order. To +this these gentlemen answered that the police were in very bad odour +since the Edgar case, that the meeting would be a very quiet one, and +that the presence of the police would contribute, or give rise to, +disorder, and that they would on those grounds rather have no police at +all. The State Secretary and State Attorney thereupon communicated with +the head officials of <a name="Page_120" id="Page_120" />the police at Johannesburg, with the result that +the latter also thought that it would be better not to have any +considerable number of police at the meeting. The Government +accordingly, on the advice of these officials of the League as well as +their own police officials, gave instructions that the police should +remain away from the meeting; they did this in perfect good faith, and +with the object of letting the League have its say without let or +hindrance. The proposed meeting was however advertised far and wide. As +the feeling amongst a section of the Witwatersrand population was +exceedingly bitter against the League, a considerable number of the +opponents of that body also attended the meeting. The few police who +were present were powerless to quell the disorder, and when the police +came on the scene in force some few minutes after the commencement of +the uproar, the meeting was already broken up. Taken by itself, this +occurrence would not be of much importance, as it is an isolated +instance as far as the gold fields of this Republic are concerned, and +even in the best organised and best ordered communities irregularities +like the above occasionally take place.</p> + +<p>The gravity of the matter, however, lies in the unjust accusation of Her +Majesty's Government—that the meeting was broken up by officials of +this Republic, and that the Government had curtly refused to institute +an enquiry.</p> + +<p>This Government would not have refused to investigate the matter if any +complaints had been lodged with it, or at any of the local Courts, and +this has been clearly stated in its reply to Her Majesty's request for +an investigation.</p> + +<p>The Government objects strongly to the systematic way in which the local +authorities are ignored, and the continual complaints which are lodged +with the Representatives of Her Majesty about matters which ought to be +decided by the Courts of this Republic. Instead, however, of complaining +to Her Majesty's Government after all other reasonable means of redress +have been vainly invoked, they continually make themselves guilty of +ignoring and treating with contempt the local Courts and authorities, by +continually making all sorts of ridiculous and <i>ex parte</i> complaints to +Her Majesty's Government in the first instance; Her Majesty's Government +is also thereby placed in the equivocal and undesirable position of +intermeddling in the internal affairs of this Republic, which is in +conflict with the London Convention. Had the complaints been lodged with +this Government, or with the proper officials or Courts, the facts could +have been very easily <a name="Page_121" id="Page_121" />arrived at, and it would have been proved that +the few officials who were present at the meeting as a section of the +public had done their best to prevent the irregularities, and that some +of them had been hurt in their endeavours to preserve order.</p> + +<p>Instead of expressing their disapproval of such complaints, and +referring the petitioners to the local Courts, Her Majesty's Government +accepts those complaints, and gives them an official character by +forwarding them for the information of this Government, and by +publishing them in blue books for the information of the world.</p> + +<p>Her Majesty's Government will readily acknowledge that there is no State +in the world with any sense of dignity, however weak and insignificant +it may be, which can regard such matters with an indifferent eye; and +when the relations of the two Governments are strained, then the +mainspring must be looked for in this action of its subjects, which is +not disapproved of by Her Majesty's Government, and not in imaginary or +trumped-up grievances.</p> + +<p>The Edgar case is referred to by your Government as "the most striking +recent instance of arbitrary action by officials, and of the support of +such action by the Courts," and this case is quoted as a conclusive test +of the alleged judicial maladministration of this Republic; it will +therefore be of interest to pause for a moment and consider it. What are +the true facts?</p> + +<p>A certain Foster, "an Englishman," was assaulted and felled to the +ground, without any lawful cause, by a man named Edgar during the night +of the 18th December, 1898; he lay on the ground as if dead, and +ultimately died in the hospital. Edgar escaped to his room, and some +police came on the scene, attracted by the screams of the bystanders. +Amongst the police was one named Jones. When they saw the man who had +been assaulted lying as if dead, they went to Edgar's apartments in +order to arrest him as a criminal (he had indeed rendered himself liable +for manslaughter, and apparently for murder). As he was caught in the +very act, the police officers were, according to the Laws not only of +this Republic, but of all South Africa and of the United Kingdom of +Great Britain and Ireland, justified in breaking open the door in order +to arrest the culprit. While doing so, Edgar, with a dangerous weapon, +struck Jones a severe blow. Under the stress of necessity the latter +shot Edgar, from the effects of which he died. The question is not if +Jones was justified in taking this extreme step, for the State Attorney +of the Republic had already given <a name="Page_122" id="Page_122" />effect to his opinion that this was a +case for the jury by prosecuting him for manslaughter. The question is +solely whether any jury in any country in the world would have found a +man guilty of any crime under the circumstances set forth, and whether, +if they did not find him guilty, the fact of their doing so would have +been stamped and branded as a flagrant and remarkable instance of the +maladministration of justice.</p> + +<p>This Government is convinced that the English Judicial administration +affords numberless instances where the facts are as strong as in this +case, and it cannot see why an occurrence which could happen in any part +of the world should be especially thrown in their teeth in the form of +an accusation.</p> + +<p>This Government does not wish to pass over in silence the censure which +has been passed by Her Majesty's Government on the Public Prosecutor of +Johannesburg, by whom the prosecution of this case was conducted; the +fact that he is of pure English blood, that he received his legal +training in London, that he is generally respected by the Uitlander +population on account of his ability, impartiality, and general +character, will naturally not be of any weight with Her Majesty's +Government against the facts of his action in calling witnesses for the +prosecution who were intended for the defence, and thus rendering an +imaginary cross-examination abortive.</p> + +<p>This Government only wishes to point out that the fact that the Edgar +case is the strongest which Her Majesty's Government has been able to +quote against the administration of justice in this Republic affords the +strongest and most eloquent proof possible that, taking it in general, +the administration of justice on the gold fields of this Republic not +only compares favourably with that on other and similar gold fields, but +even with that of old and settled countries.</p> + +<p>The untrue representations of this occurrence in the Press prove +conclusively that the newspapers of the Witwatersrand, the +atrocity-mongering tactics of which constitute a share of the organised +campaign against the Republic and its Government, have been compelled to +resort to mendacious criticisms on imaginary instances of +maladministration which were often simply invented. Where the Press is +forced to adopt such methods, the true grievances must of necessity be +unreal.</p> + +<p>Her Majesty's Government now proceeds to discuss certain laws of this +Republic, with the object of showing that the Uitlander population is +also oppressed by the legislature of <a name="Page_123" id="Page_123" />this country, the Press Law, the +Aliens Expulsion Law, and Law No. 1 of 1897 being especially instanced. +But it can also be proved that the population of the gold fields have no +solid grounds of complaint in regard to the laws in question.</p> + +<p>Respecting the existing Press Laws, No. 26 of 1896, and No. 14 of 1898, +it is necessary to remark that no printer, issuer, or editor of a +newspaper can be prosecuted unless he has made himself guilty of +criminal libel, so that the principle of the Grondwet of 1858 has in +this respect been rigidly adhered to. Her Majesty's Government will at +once see that these laws cannot in any way bear harshly upon the writing +public, a fact which is clearly borne out by the way in which the +newspapers of this country are edited. Nowhere else in the world has the +liberty of the Press so degenerated into license. No newspaper in any +country in the world would for one moment dare to speak of the +Government, the Legislature, and authorities of the country as the +<i>Star</i>, the <i>Transvaal Leader</i>, and similar newspapers do every day in +this Republic.</p> + +<p>The imaginary nature of these grievances is not dispelled by the fact +that the power is vested in the State President of prohibiting either +entirely or provisionally the circulation of any printed matter which is +contrary to good morals or public order, because the very same Supreme +Court, which in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government only exists at +the mercy of this Government, has pronounced that it has no power to +prohibit the circulation of any newspaper; the freedom of the regular +Press thus remains as unrestricted as under the old Grondwet.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, any person who has any practical experience of the +Press of this Republic will regard the accusation as ridiculous, and as +evincing an entire ignorance of the true facts. This power has not been +exercised by the Judges on many occasions, but only once, and in that +instance the High Court annulled the decision.</p> + +<p>With regard to the Aliens Expulsion Law, this, like the Press Law, ought +to be estimated according to its spirit and operation. Since this law +has come into force the State President has only on one occasion made +use of the power vested in him of expelling an undesirable individual, +and his action was endorsed by the approval of the Press and the public +of the country. As similar laws exist in nearly every civilised country +in the world, it is difficult to see why such a law in this Republic +should prove so objectionable in the eyes of Her Majesty's Government.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124" />With regard to Law No. 1 of 1897, and the dismissal of Chief Justice +Kotze by virtue of its provisions, this Government can only state that +it was with the bitterest regret that it felt itself compelled, in +consequence of the arbitrary action of the said Chief Justice, to take +comprehensive measures in order to prevent absolute constitutional and +judicial disorder and chaos. It was an instance where a Chief Justice in +conflict with a law existing for, at least, forty years, and in direct +contradiction of his own decisions, suddenly adopted and applied a new +principle, which affected the legality of the laws of the Republic, and +produced real constitutional chaos. Would not any other Government under +similar circumstances have done exactly what this Republic did, namely, +pass a special law in this unusual case, in order to remove the +exceptional difficulties?</p> + +<p>This law was only applicable to this particular instance, and became +inoperative immediately after its application; and this Government +cannot understand how suspicion can therefore fall upon the impartial +administration of Justice in this Republic. If the Government had +acquiesced in the position taken up by the late Chief Justice, then all +titles dependent upon Volksraad resolutions would have been called in +question, which would not only have dealt a heavy blow to existing +rights, but also have plunged the administration of Justice in great +uncertainty and doubt.</p> + +<p>By this law the Judges, instead of being brought under the influence of +the Executive Council, were really placed in the same constitutional +position as any Judge in the Supreme Court of England, who is unable to +question the validity of any law.</p> + +<p>This Government has now traversed the various contentions of Her +Majesty's Government, which have been submitted in order to prove that +the policy of this Government, with regard to the Uitlander population +and the administration of the laws, especially on the gold fields, are +the causes of the strained relationship at present existing between the +two Governments.</p> + +<p>This Government believes that this explanation and answer will clearly +show that these causes are in no way sufficient to have resulted in the +aforesaid tension. It is of opinion that the source of evil must be +sought for elsewhere, and it trusts that Her Majesty's Government will +not take it in bad part if it now proceeds to explain what the real root +of the evil is from its point of view; and in the first place it remarks +<a name="Page_125" id="Page_125" />as a very noticeable and prominent fact that although there are +thousands of subjects of other Powers in Johannesburg, there are few +complaints heard from them or from their Governments about the so-called +grievances of the Uitlanders. If these grievances existed in reality, +and if they pressed equally on all so-called Uitlanders (and Her +Majesty's Government does not contend that in this respect a difference +is made between British subjects and subjects of other Powers), how does +it happen that the complaints always come from British subjects, and +that the subjects of other Powers, as a rule, express their sympathy +with this Government and promise it their support?</p> + +<p>But this Government wishes to go further. Even in regard to those +Uitlanders who are British subjects, it is a small minority which, under +the pretext of imaginary grievances, promotes a secret propaganda of +race hatred, and uses the Republic as a base for fomenting a +revolutionary movement against this Government. Ministers of Her Majesty +have so trenchantly expressed the truth about this minority that this +Government wishes to quote the very words of these Ministers with the +object of bringing the actual truth to the knowledge of Her Majesty's +Government, as well as to that of the whole world, and not for the +purpose of making groundless accusations.</p> + +<p>The following words are those of the Ministers of the Cape Colony, who +are well acquainted with local conditions and fully qualified to arrive +at a conclusion:—</p> + +<p>"In the opinion of Ministers the persistent action, both beyond and +within this Colony, of the political body styling itself the South +African League in endeavouring to foment and excite, not to smooth and +allay, ill-will between the two principal European races inhabiting +South Africa is well illustrated by these resolutions, the exaggerated +and aggravated terms of which disclose the spirit which informs and +inspires them.</p> + +<p>"His Excellency's Ministers are one in their earnest desire to do all in +their power to aid and further a policy of peaceful progress throughout +South Africa, and they cannot but regard it as an unwise propagandism, +hostile to the true interests of the Empire, including this Colony as an +integral part, that every possible occasion should be seized by the +League and its promoters for an attempt to magnify into greater events +minor incidents when occurring in the South African Republic, with a +prospect thereby of making racial antagonism more <a name="Page_126" id="Page_126" />acute, or of +rendering less smooth the relations between Her Majesty's Government or +the Government of this Colony and that Republic."</p> + +<p>Race hatred is, however, not so intense in South Africa as to enable a +body with this propaganda, aiming at revolutionary objects, to obtain +much influence in this part of the world; and one continually asks +oneself the question—"How is it that a body so insignificant, both in +regard to its principles and its membership, enjoys such a large measure +of influence?" The answer is that this body depends upon the protection +and the support of Her Majesty's Government in England, and that both +its members and its organs in the Press openly boast of the influence +they exercise over the policy of Her Majesty's Government. This +Government would ignore such assertions, but when it finds that the +ideas and the shibboleths of the South African League are continually +echoed in the speeches of members of H.M. Government, when it finds that +blue books are compiled chiefly from documents prepared by officials of +the South African League, as well as from reports and leading articles +containing "malignant lies" taken from the Press organs of that +organisation, thereby receiving an official character, then this +Government can well understand why so many of Her Majesty's right-minded +subjects in this part of the world have obtained the impression that the +policy advocated by the South African League is supported by Her +Majesty's Government, and is thus calculated to contribute to the +welfare and blessing of the British Empire.</p> + +<p>If this mistaken impression could be removed, and if it could be +announced as a fact that the South African League, as far as its actions +in the South African Republic are concerned, is only an organisation +having as its object the fomentation of strife and disorder and the +destruction of the independence of the country, then it would very soon +lose its influence, and the strained relations existing between the two +Governments would quickly disappear. The Africander population of this +country would not then be under the apprehension that the interests of +the British Empire imperatively demand that the Republic should be done +away with and its people be either <i>enslaved</i> or <i>exterminated</i>. Both +sections of the white inhabitants of South Africa would then return to +the fraternal co-operation and fusion which was beginning to manifest +itself when the treacherous conspiracy at the end of 1895 awakened the +passions on both sides.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="APPENDIX_D" id="APPENDIX_D" /><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127" />APPENDIX D.</h2> + +<p>THE FINAL DISPATCH OF MR. STATE SECRETARY REITZ.</p> + +<p>ENCLOSURE.</p> + + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">DEPARTMENT FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">GOVERNMENT OFFICE,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">PRETORIA,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>3rd March</i>, 1899.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>Sir,</p> + +<p>Acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 11th inst. <i>re</i> the +meeting of the South African League held in the Amphitheatre at +Johannesburg on the 14th January, 1899, I have the honour to communicate +the following to you.</p> + +<p>The complaint that the Government, or its duly authorised officials, +have acted with partiality in this matter is entirely devoid of truth, +and this Government regrets that such an unfounded and insulting +accusation should have been made nearly a month after the occurrence in +question.</p> + +<p>Messrs. Dodd and Webb have been duly arrested and committed for trial on +account of what took place on the 24th December, 1898, upon sworn +affidavits which left nothing else for the proper officials to do but to +prosecute.</p> + +<p>With reference to the Amphitheatre occurrence, not a single British +subject has lodged a sworn complaint against anybody with the proper +officials, so that it can hardly be expected that this Government should +now take any steps against the alleged disturbers of the peace.</p> + +<p>Regarding the accusation that officials of this Government have +contributed to the instigation of uproar on the said occasion, this +Government can only state that no complaints have been made to it or the +proper authorities, either from British subjects or from subjects of +other Powers, so that this Government, to its regret, can do nothing in +this matter. In case, however, of such complaints being lodged with the +proper authorities, the Courts of the country are open to them.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I have the honour to be, Sir,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Your obedient servant,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">F.W. REITZ,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><i>State Secretary.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p><i>To</i> THE HON. CUNYNGHAME GREENE, C.B.,</p> + +<p><i>British Agent, Pretoria.</i></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="APPENDIX_E" id="APPENDIX_E" /><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128" />APPENDIX E.</h2> + +<p>CONVENTIONS BETWEEN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THE TRANSVAAL OR SOUTH +AFRICAN REPUBLIC.</p> + + +<p>SAND RIVER CONVENTION, 1852.</p> + +<p>Minutes of a meeting held in the place of Mr. P.A. Venter, Sand River, +on Friday, the sixteenth day of January, 1852, between Major W. Hogge +and C.M. Owen, Esq., Her Majesty's Assistant Commissioners, for the +settling and adjusting of the affairs of the eastern and north-eastern +boundaries of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope on the one part, and +the following deputation from the emigrant farmers residing north of the +Vaal River:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A.W.J. PRETORIUS, Commandant-General.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">H.S. LOMBARD, Landdrost.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">W.F. JOUBERT, Commandant-General.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">G.J. KRUGER, Commandant.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">J.N. GROBBELAAR, Raadslid.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">P.E. SCHOLTZ.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">P.G. WOLMARANS, Ouderling.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">J.A. VAN ASWEGAN, Veld-cornet.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">F.J. BOTES, do.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">N.J.S. BASSON, do.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">J.P. FURSTENBERG, do.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">J.P. PRETORIUS.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">J.H. GROBBELAAR.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">J.M. LEHMAN.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">P. SCHUTTE.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">J.C. KLOPPERS: on the other part.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>The Assistant Commissioners guarantee in the fullest manner, on the part +of the British Government, to the emigrant farmers beyond the Vaal River +the right to maintain their own affairs, and to govern themselves +according to their own laws without any interference on the part of the +British Government, and that no encroachment shall be made by the said +Government on the territory beyond to the north of the Vaal River, with +the further assurance that the warmest wish of the British Government is +to promote peace, free trade, <a name="Page_129" id="Page_129" />and friendly intercourse with the +emigrant farmers now inhabiting or who hereafter may inhabit that +country, it being understood that this system of non-interference is +binding upon both parties.</p> + +<p>Should any misunderstanding hereafter arise as to the true meaning of +the words "the Vaal River," this question in so far as regards the line +from the source of that river over the Drakenberg shall be settled and +adjusted by Commissioners chosen by both parties.</p> + +<p>Her Majesty's Assistant Commissioners hereby disclaim all alliances +whatever and with whomsoever of the coloured nations to the north of the +Vaal River.</p> + +<p>It is agreed that no slavery is or shall be permitted or practised in +the country to the north of the Vaal River by the emigrant farmers.</p> + +<p>Mutual facilities and liberties shall be afforded to traders and +travellers on both sides of the Vaal River, it being understood that +every waggon containing ammunition and firearms coming from the south +side of the Vaal River shall produce a certificate signed by a British +magistrate or other functionary duly authorised to grant such, and which +shall state the quantities of such articles contained in said waggon to +the nearest magistrate north of the Vaal River, who shall act in the +case as the regulations of the emigrant farmers direct. It is agreed +that no objection shall be made by any British authority against the +emigrant Boers purchasing their supplies of ammunition in any of the +British Colonies and possessions of South Africa, it being mutually +understood that all trade in ammunition with the native tribes is +prohibited both by the British Government and the emigrant farmers on +both sides of the Vaal River.</p> + +<p>It is agreed that so far as possible all criminals and other guilty +parties who may fly from justice either way across the Vaal River shall +be mutually delivered up if such should be required, and that the +British courts as well as those of the emigrant farmers shall be +mutually open to each other for all legitimate processes, and that +summonses for witnesses sent either way across the Vaal River shall be +backed by the magistrates, on each side of the same respectively, to +compel the attendance of such witnesses when required.</p> + +<p>It is agreed that certificates of marriage issued by the proper +authorities of the emigrant farmers shall be held valid and sufficient +to entitle children of such marriages to receive portions accruing to +them in any British Colony or possession in South Africa.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130" />It is agreed that any and every person now in possession of land, and +residing in British territory, shall have free right and power to sell +his said property and remove unmolested across the Vaal River, and <i>vice +versâ</i>, it being distinctly understood that this arrangement does not +comprehend criminals or debtors, without providing for the payment of +their just and lawful debts.</p> + +<p>This done and signed at Sand River aforesaid, this 17th day of January, +1852.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Signed) A.W.J. PRETORIUS, Comdt.-General.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">H.S. LOMBARD, Landdrost.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">W.F. JOUBERT, Commandant-General.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">G.J. KRUGER, Commandant.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">W.I. HOGGE, Assistant Commissioner.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">C. MOSTYN OWEN, Assistant Commissioner.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">J.N. GROBBELAAR, R.L.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">P.E. SCHOLTZ.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">P.G. WOLMARANS, Ouderling.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">J.A. VAN ASWEGAN, Veld Cornet.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">F.J. BOTES.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">N.J.S. BASSON, Veld Cornet.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">J.P. FURSTENBERG, Veld Cornet.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">J.P. PRETORIUS.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">J.H. GROBBELAAR.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">J.M. LEHMAN.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">P. SCHUTTE.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">J.C. KLOPPERS.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In presence of—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Signed) JOHN BURNET,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Clerk to the Civil Commissioner of Winburg.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Signed) J.H. VISAGIE, Secretary.</span><br /> +</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>CONVENTION OF PRETORIA, 1881.</p> + +<p>Preamble. Her Majesty's Commissioners for the Settlement of the +Transvaal territory, duly appointed as such by a Commission passed under +the Royal Sign Manual and Signet, bearing date the 5th of April, 1881, +do hereby undertake and guarantee on behalf of Her Majesty that, from +and after the 8th day of August, 1881, complete self-government, subject +to the suzerainty of Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, will be +accorded to the inhabitants of the Transvaal territory, upon the +following terms and conditions, and subject to the following +reservations and limitations:—</p> + +<p><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131" />Article I. The said territory, to be hereinafter called the Transvaal +State, will embrace the land lying between the following boundaries, to +wit: [here follow three pages in print defining boundaries.]</p> + +<p>Article 2. Her Majesty reserves to herself, her heirs and +successors—(<i>a</i>), the right from time to time to appoint a British +Resident in and for the said State, with such duties and functions as +are hereinafter defined; (<i>b</i>), the right to move troops through the +said State in time of war, or in case of the apprehension of immediate +war between the Suzerain Power and any Foreign State or Native Tribe in +South Africa; and (<i>c</i>) the control of the external relations of the +said State, including the conclusion of treaties and the conduct of +diplomatic intercourse with Foreign Powers, such intercourse to be +carried on through Her Majesty's diplomatic and consular officers +abroad.</p> + +<p>Article 3. Until altered by the Volksraad, or other competent authority, +all laws, whether passed before or after the Annexation of the Transvaal +territory to Her Majesty's dominions, shall, except in so far as they +are inconsistent with or repugnant to the provisions of this Convention, +be and remain in force in the said State in so far as they shall be +applicable thereto, provided that no future enactment especially +affecting the interest of natives shall have any force or effect in the +said State, without the consent of Her Majesty, her heirs and +successors, first had and obtained and signified to the Government of +the said State through the British Resident, provided further that in no +case will the repeal or amendment of any laws enacted since the +Annexation have a retrospective effect, so as to invalidate any acts +done or liabilities incurred by virtue of such laws.</p> + +<p>Article 4. On the 8th day of August, 1881, the Government of the said +State, together with all rights and obligations thereto appertaining, +and all State property taken over at the time of Annexation, save and +except munitions of war, will be handed over to Messrs. Stephanus +Johannes Paulus Kruger, Martinus Wessel Pretorius, and Petrus Jacobus +Joubert, or the survivor or survivors of them, who will forthwith cause +a Volksraad to be elected and convened, and the Volksraad, thus elected +and convened, will decide as to the further administration of the +Government of the said State.</p> + +<p>Article 5. All sentences passed upon persons who may be convicted of +offences contrary to the rules of civilised warfare committed during the +recent hostilities will be duly carried <a name="Page_132" id="Page_132" />out, and no alteration or +mitigation of such sentences will be made or allowed by the Government +of the Transvaal State without Her Majesty's consent conveyed through +the British Resident. In case there shall be any prisoners in any of the +gaols of the Transvaal State whose respective sentences of imprisonment +have been remitted in part by Her Majesty's Administrator or other +officer administering the Government, such remission will be recognised +and acted upon by the future Government of the said State.</p> + +<p>Article 6. Her Majesty's Government will make due compensation for all +losses or damage sustained by reason of such acts as are in the 8th +Article hereinafter specified, which may have been committed by Her +Majesty's forces during the recent hostilities, except for such losses +or damage as may already have been compensated for; and the Government +of the Transvaal State will make due compensation for all losses or +damage sustained by reason of such acts as are in the 8th Article +hereinafter specified, which may have been committed by the people who +were in arms against Her Majesty during the recent hostilities, except +for such losses or damages as may already have been compensated for.</p> + +<p>Article 7. The decision of all claims for compensation, as in the last +preceding article mentioned, will be referred to a Sub-Commission, +consisting of the Honourable George Hudson, the Honourable Jacobus +Petrus de Wet, and the Honourable John Gilbert Kotze. In case one or +more of such Sub-Commissioners shall be unable or unwilling to act the +remaining Sub-Commissioner or Sub-Commissioners will, after consultation +with the Government of the Transvaal State, submit for the approval of +Her Majesty's High Commissioner the names of one or more persons to be +appointed by them to fill the place or places thus vacated. The decision +of the said Sub-Commissioners, or of a majority of them, will be final. +The said Sub-Commissioners will enter upon and perform their duties with +all convenient speed. They will, before taking evidence or ordering +evidence to be taken in respect of any claim, decide whether such claim +can be entertained at all under the rules laid down in the next +succeeding Article. In regard to claims which can be so entertained the +Sub-Commissioners will, in the first instance, afford every facility for +an amicable arrangement as to the amount payable in respect of any +claim, and only in cases in which there is no reasonable ground for +believing that an immediate amicable arrangement can be arrived at will +they take evidence or order evidence to be taken. For <a name="Page_133" id="Page_133" />the purpose of +taking evidence and reporting thereon, the Sub-Commissioners may appoint +Deputies, who will, without delay, submit records of the evidence and +their reports to the Sub-Commissioners. The Sub-Commissioners will +arrange their sittings and the sittings of their Deputies in such a +manner as to afford the earliest convenience to the parties concerned +and their witnesses. In no case will costs be allowed to either side, +other than the actual and reasonable expenses of witnesses whose +evidence is certified by the Sub-Commissioners to have been necessary. +Interest will not run on the amount of any claim, except as is +hereinafter provided for. The said Sub-Commissioners will forthwith, +after deciding upon any claim, announce their decision to the Government +against which the award is made and to the claimant. The amount of +remuneration payable to the Sub-Commissioners and their Deputies will be +determined by the High Commissioners. After all the claims have been +decided upon, the British Government and the Government of the Transvaal +State will pay proportionate shares of the said remuneration and of the +expenses of the Sub-Commissioners and their Deputies, according to the +amount awarded against them respectively.</p> + +<p>Article 8. For the purpose of distinguishing claims to be accepted from +those to be rejected, the Sub-Commissioners will be guided by the +following rules, viz.:—Compensation will be allowed for losses or +damage sustained by reason of the following acts committed during the +recent hostilities, viz., (<i>a</i>), commandering, seizure, confiscation, or +destruction of property, or damage done to property; (<i>b</i>), violence +done or threats used by persons in arms. In regard to acts under (<i>a</i>), +compensation will be allowed for direct losses only. In regard to acts +falling under (<i>b</i>), compensation will be allowed for actual losses of +property, or actual injury to the same proved to have been caused by its +enforced abandonment. No claims for indirect losses, except such as are +in this Article specially provided for, will be entertained. No claims +which have been handed in to the Secretary of the Royal Commission after +the 1st day of July, 1881, will be entertained, unless the +Sub-Commissioners shall be satisfied that the delay was reasonable. When +claims for loss of property are considered, the Sub-Commissioners will +require distinct proof of the existence of the property, and that it +neither has reverted nor will revert to the claimant.</p> + +<p>Article 9. The Government of the Transvaal State will pay and satisfy +the amount of every claim awarded against it <a name="Page_134" id="Page_134" />within one month after the +Sub-Commissioners shall have notified their decision to the said +Government, and in default of such payment the said Government will pay +interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum from the date of such +default; but Her Majesty's Government may at any time before such +payment pay the amount, with interest, if any, to the claimant in +satisfaction of his claim, and may add the sum thus paid to any debt +which may be due by the Transvaal State to Her Majesty's Government, as +hereinafter provided for.</p> + +<p>Article 10. The Transvaal State will be liable for the balance of the +debts for which the South African Republic was liable at the date of +Annexation, to wit, the sum of £48,000 in respect of the Cape Commercial +Bank Loan, and £85,667 in respect to the Railway Loan, together with the +amount due on 8th August, 1881, on account of the Orphan Chamber Debt, +which now stands at £22,200, which debts will be a first charge upon the +revenues of the State. The Transvaal State will, moreover, be liable for +the lawful expenditure lawfully incurred for the necessary expenses of +the Province since the Annexation, to wit, the sum of £265,000, which +debt, together with such debts as may be incurred by virtue of the 9th +Article, will be second charge upon the revenues of the State.</p> + +<p>Article 11. The debts due as aforesaid by the Transvaal State to Her +Majesty's Government will bear interest at the rate of three and a-half +per cent., and any portion of such debt as may remain unpaid at the +expiration of twelve months from the 8th August, 1881, shall be +repayable by a payment for interest and sinking fund of six pounds and +ninepence per cent, per annum, which will extinguish the debt in +twenty-five years. The said payment of six pounds and ninepence per £100 +shall be payable half yearly in British currency on the 8th February and +8th August in each year. Provided always that the Transvaal State shall +pay in reduction of the said debt the sum of £100,000 within twelve +months of the 8th August, 1881, and shall be at liberty at the close of +any half year to pay off the whole or any portion of the outstanding +debt.</p> + +<p>Article 12. All persons holding property in the said State on the 8th +day of August, 1881, will continue after the said date to enjoy the +rights of property which they have enjoyed since the Annexation. No +person who has remained loyal to Her Majesty during the recent +hostilities shall suffer any molestation by reason of his loyalty, or be +liable to any criminal prosecution or civil action for any part taken in +connexion with such hostilities, and all such persons will have <a name="Page_135" id="Page_135" />full +liberty to reside in the country, with enjoyment of all civil rights, +and protection for their persons and property.</p> + +<p>Article 13. Natives will be allowed to acquire land, but the grant or +transfer of such land will, in every case, be made to and registered in +the name of the Native Location Commission, hereinafter mentioned, in +trust for such natives.</p> + +<p>Article 14. Natives will be allowed to move as freely within the country +as may be consistent with the requirements of public order, and to leave +it for the purpose of seeking employment elsewhere or for other lawful +purposes, subject always to the pass laws of the said State, as amended +by the Legislature of the Province, or as may hereafter be enacted under +the provisions of the Third Article of this Convention.</p> + +<p>Article 15. There will continue to be complete freedom of religion and +protection from molestation for all denominations, provided the same be +not inconsistent with morality and good order, and no disability shall +attach to any person in regard to rights of property by reason of the +religious opinions which he holds.</p> + +<p>Article 16. The provisions of the Fourth Article of the Sand River +Convention are hereby re-affirmed, and no slavery or apprenticeship +partaking of slavery will be tolerated by the Government of the said +State.</p> + +<p>Article 17. The British Resident will receive from the Government of the +Transvaal State such assistance and support as can by law be given to +him for the due discharge of his functions; he will also receive every +assistance for the proper care and preservation of the graves of such of +Her Majesty's forces as have died in the Transvaal, and if need be, for +the expropriation of land for the purpose.</p> + +<p>Article 18. The following will be the duties and functions of the +British Resident:—</p> + +<p>Sub-section 1. He will perform duties and functions analogous to those +discharged by a Charge d'Affaires and Consul-General.</p> + +<p>Sub-section 2. In regard to natives within the Transvaal State he will +(<i>a</i>) report to the High Commissioner, as representative of the +Suzerain, as to the working and observance of the provisions of this +Convention; (<i>b</i>), report to the Transvaal authorities any cases of +ill-treatment of natives or attempts to incite natives to rebellion that +may come to his knowledge; (<i>c</i>), use his influence with the natives in +favour of law and order; and (<i>d</i>), generally perform such other duties +as are by this Convention entrusted to him, and take such steps for the +<a name="Page_136" id="Page_136" />protection of the person and property of natives as are consistent with +the laws of the land.</p> + +<p>Sub-section 3. In regard to natives not residing in the Transvaal (<i>a</i>) +he will report to the High Commissioner and the Transvaal Government any +encroachments reported to him as having been made by Transvaal residents +upon the land of such natives, and in case of disagreement between the +Transvaal Government and the British Resident as to whether an +encroachment has been made, the decision of the Suzerain will be final; +(<i>b</i>) the British Resident will be the medium of communication with +native chiefs outside the Transvaal, and, subject to the approval of the +High Commissioner, as representing the Suzerain, he will control the +conclusion of treaties with them; and (<i>c</i>) he will arbitrate upon every +dispute with Transvaal residents and natives outside the Transvaal (as +to acts committed beyond the boundaries of the Transvaal) which may be +referred to him by the parties interested.</p> + +<p>Sub-section 4. In regard to communications with foreign powers, the +Transvaal Government will correspond with Her Majesty's Government +through the British Resident and the High Commissioner.</p> + +<p>Article 19. The Government of the Transvaal State will strictly adhere +to the boundaries defined in the First Article of this Convention, and +will do its utmost to prevent any of its inhabitants from making any +encroachment upon lands beyond the said State. The Royal Commission will +forthwith appoint a person who will beacon off the boundary line between +Ramatlabama and the point where such line first touches Griqualand West +boundary, midway between the Vaal and Hart Rivers; the person so +appointed will be instructed to make an arrangement between the owners +of the farms Grootfontein and Valleifontein on the one hand, and the +Barolong authorities on the other, by which a fair share of the water +supply of the said farms shall be allowed to flow undisturbed to the +said Barolongs.</p> + +<p>Article 20. All grants or titles issued at any time by the Transvaal +Government in respect of land outside the boundary of Transvaal State, +as defined, Article 1, shall be considered invalid and of no effect, +except in so far as any such grant or title relates to land that falls +within the boundary of the Transvaal State, and all persons holding any +such grant so considered invalid and of no effect will receive from the +Government of the Transvaal State such compensation either in land or in +money as the Volksraad shall determine. In all <a name="Page_137" id="Page_137" />cases in which any +native chiefs or other authorities outside the said boundaries have +received any adequate consideration from the Government of the former +South African Republic for land excluded from the Transvaal by the First +Article of this Convention, or where permanent improvements have been +made on the land, the British Resident will, subject to the approval of +the High Commissioner, use his influence to recover from the native +authorities fair compensation for the loss of the land thus excluded, +and of the permanent improvement thereon.</p> + +<p>Article 21. Forthwith, after the taking effect of this Convention, a +Native Location Commission will be constituted, consisting of the +President, or in his absence the Vice-President, of the State, or some +one deputed by him, the Resident, or some one deputed by him, and a +third person to be agreed upon by the President or the Vice-President, +as the case may be, and the Resident, and such Commission will be a +standing body for the performance of the duties hereinafter mentioned.</p> + +<p>Article 22. The Native Location Commission will reserve to the native +tribes of the State such locations as they may be fairly and equitably +entitled to, due regard being had to the actual occupation of such +tribes. The Native Location Commission will clearly define the +boundaries of such locations, and for that purpose will, in every +instance, first of all ascertain the wishes of the parties interested in +such land. In case land already granted in individual titles shall be +required for the purpose of any location, the owners will receive such +compensation either in other land or in money as the Volksraad shall +determine. After the boundaries of any location have been fixed, no +fresh grant of land within such location will be made, nor will the +boundaries be altered without the consent of the Location Commission. No +fresh grants of land will be made in the districts of Waterberg, +Zoutpansberg, and Lydenburg until the locations in the said districts +respectively shall have been defined by the said Commission.</p> + +<p>Article 23. If not released before the taking effect of this Convention, +Sikukuni, and those of his followers who have been imprisoned with him, +will be forthwith released, and the boundaries of his location will be +defined by the Native Location Commission in the manner indicated in the +last preceding Article.</p> + +<p>Article 24. The independence of the Swazies within the boundary line of +Swaziland, as indicated in the First Article of this Convention, will be +fully recognised.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138" />Article 25. No other or higher duties will be imposed on the +importation into the Transvaal State of any article, the produce or +manufacture of the dominions and possessions of Her Majesty, from +whatever place arriving, than are or may be payable on the like article, +the produce or manufacture of any other country, nor will any +prohibition be maintained or imposed on the importation of any article, +the produce or manufacture of the dominions and possessions of Her +Majesty, which shall not equally extend to the importation of the like +articles, being the produce or manufacture of any other country.</p> + +<p>Article 26. All persons other than natives conforming themselves to the +laws of the Transvaal State (<i>a</i>) will have full liberty with their +families to enter, travel, or reside in any part of the Transvaal State; +(<i>b</i>) they will be entitled to hire or possess houses, manufactures, +warehouses, shops, and premises; (<i>c</i>) they may carry on their commerce +either in person or by any agents whom they may think to employ; (<i>d</i>) +they will not be subject in respect of their persons or property, or in +respect of their commerce or industry, to any taxes, whether general or +local, other than those which are or may be imposed upon Transvaal +citizens.</p> + +<p>Article 27. All inhabitants of the Transvaal shall have free access to +the Courts of Justice for the protection and defence of their rights.</p> + +<p>Article 28. All persons other than natives who established their +domicile in the Transvaal between the 12th day of April, 1877, and the +date when this Convention conies into effect, and who shall within +twelve months after such last-mentioned date have their names registered +by the British Resident, shall be exempt from all compulsory military +service whatever. The Resident shall notify such registration to the +Government of the Transvaal State.</p> + +<p>Article 29. Provision shall hereafter be made by a separate instrument +for the mutual extradition of criminals, and also for the surrender of +deserters from Her Majesty's forces.</p> + +<p>Article 30. All debts contracted since the Annexation will be payable in +the same currency in which they may have been contracted; all +uncancelled postage and other revenue stamps issued by the Government +since the Annexation will remain valid, and will be accepted at their +present value by the future Government of the State; all licenses duly +issued since the Annexation will remain in force during the period for +which they may have been issued.</p> + +<p>Article 31. No grants of land which may have been made, <a name="Page_139" id="Page_139" />and no transfer +of mortgage which may have been passed since the Annexation, will be +invalidated by reason merely of their having been made or passed since +that date. All transfers to the British Secretary for Native Affairs in +trust for natives will remain in force, the Native Location Commission +taking the place of such Secretary for Native Affairs.</p> + +<p>Article 32. This Convention will be ratified by a newly-elected +Volksraad within the period of three months after its execution, and in +default of such ratification this Convention shall be null and void.</p> + +<p>Article 33. Forthwith, after the ratification of this Convention, as in +the last preceding Article mentioned, all British troops in Transvaal +territory will leave the same, and the mutual delivery of munitions of +war will be carried out.</p> + +<p>Articles end. Here will follow signatures of Royal Commissioners; then +the following, to precede signatures of triumvirate.</p> + +<p>We, the undersigned, Stephanus Johannes Paulus Krugen Martinus Wessel +Pretorius, and Petrus Jacobus Joubert, as representatives of the +Transvaal Burghers, do hereby agree to all the above conditions, +reservations, and limitations under which self-government has been +restored to the inhabitants of the Transvaal territory, subject to the +suzerainty of Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, and we agree to +accept the Government of the said territory, with all rights and +obligations thereto appertaining, on the 8th day of August; and we +promise and undertake that this Convention shall be ratified by a +newly-elected Volksraad of the Transvaal State within three months from +this date.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + + +<p>LONDON CONVENTION, 1884.</p> + +<p>A CONVENTION BETWEEN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF +GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC.</p> + +<p>Whereas the Government of the Transvaal State, through its Delegates, +consisting of Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, President of the said +State, Stephanus Jacobus Du Toit, Superintendent of Education, and +Nicholas Jacobus Smit, a member of the Volksraad, have represented that +the Convention signed at Pretoria on the 3rd day of August, 1881, and +ratified by the Volksraad of the said State on the 25th October, 1881, +contains certain provisions which are inconvenient, and <a name="Page_140" id="Page_140" />imposes burdens +and obligations from which the said State is desirous to be relieved, +and that the south-western boundaries fixed by the said Convention +should be amended, with a view to promote the peace and good order of +the said State, and of the countries adjacent thereto; and whereas Her +Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland has +been pleased to take the said representations into consideration: Now, +therefore, Her Majesty has been pleased to direct, and it is hereby +declared, that the following articles of a new Convention, signed on +behalf of Her Majesty by Her Majesty's High Commissioner in South +Africa, the Right Honourable Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson, Knight +Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint +George, Governor of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, and on behalf +of the Transvaal State (which shall hereinafter be called the South +African Republic) by the above-named Delegates, Stephanus Johannes +Paulus Kruger, Stephanos Jacobus Du Toit, and Nicholas Jacobus Smit, +shall, when ratified by the Volksraad of the South African Republic, be +substituted for the articles embodied in the Convention of 3rd August, +1881; which latter, pending such ratification, shall continue in full +force and effect.</p> + +<p>Article 1. The Territory of the South African Republic will embrace the +land lying between the following boundaries, to wit:—</p> + +<p>Beginning from the point where the north-eastern boundary line of +Griqualand meets the Vaal River, up the course of the Vaal River to the +point of junction with it of the Klip River; thence up the course of the +Klip River to the point of junction with it of the stream called +Gansvlei; thence up the Gansvlei stream to its source in the +Drakensberg; thence to a beacon in the boundary of Natal, situated +immediately opposite and close to the source of the Gansvlei stream; +thence in a north-easterly direction along the ridge of the Drakensberg, +dividing the waters flowing into the Gansvlei stream from the waters +flowing into the sources of the Buffalo, to a beacon on a point where +this mountain ceases to be a continuous chain; thence to a beacon on a +plain to the north-east of the last described beacon; thence to the +nearest source of a small stream called "Division Stream"; thence down +this division stream, which forms the southern boundary of the farm +Sandfontein, the property of Messrs. Meek, to its junction with the +Coldstream; thence down the Coldstream to its junction with the Buffalo +or Umzinyati River; thence down the course of the Buffalo <a name="Page_141" id="Page_141" />River to the +junction with it of the Blood River; thence up the course of the Blood +River to the junction with it of Lyn Spruit or Dudusi; thence up the +Dudusi to its source; thence 80 yards to Bea. I., situated on a spur of +the N'Qaba-Ka-hawana Mountains; thence 80 yards to the N'Sonto River; +thence down the N'Sonto River to its junction with the White Umvulozi +River; thence up the White Umvulozi River to a white rock where it +rises; thence 800 yards to Kambula Hill (Bea. II.); thence to the source +of the Pemvana River, where the road from Kambula Camp to Burgers' Lager +crosses; thence down the Pemvana River to its junction with the Bivana +River; thence down the Bivana River to its junction with the Pongolo +River; thence down the Pongolo River to where it passes through the +Libombo Range; thence along the summits of the Libombo Range to the +northern point of the N'Yawos Hill in that range (Bea. XVI.); thence to +the northern peak of the Inkwakweni Hills (Bea. XV.); thence to Sefunda, +a rocky knoll detached from and to the north-east end of the White +Koppies, and to the south of the Musana River (Bea. XIV.); thence to a +point on the slope near the crest of Matanjeni, which is the name given +to the south-eastern portion of the Mahamba Hills (Bea. XIII.); thence +to the N'gwangwana, a double-pointed hill (one point is bare, the other +wooded, the beacon being on the former) on the left bank of the Assegai +River and upstream of the Dadusa Spruit (Bea. XII.); thence to the +southern point of Bendita, a rocky knoll in a plain between the Little +Hlozane and Assegaai Rivers (Bea. XI.); thence to the highest point of +Suluka Hill, round the eastern slopes of which flows the Little Hlozane, +also called Ludaka or Mudspruit (Bea. X.); thence to the beacon known as +"Viljoen's," or N'Duko Hill; thence to a point north-east of Derby +House, known as Magwazidili's Beacon; thence to the Igaba, a small knoll +on the Ungwempisi River, also called "Joubert's Beacon," and known to +the natives as "Piet's Beacon" (Bea. IX.); thence to the highest point +of the N'Dhlovudwalili or Houtbosch, a hill on the northern bank of the +Umqwempisi River (Bea. VIII.); thence to a beacon on the only +flat-topped rock, about 10 feet high and about 30 yards in circumference +at its base, situated on the south side of the Lamsamane range of hills, +and overlooking the valley of the great Usuto River, this rock being 45 +yards north of the road from Camden and Lake Banagher to the forests on +the Usuto River (sometimes called Sandhlanas Beacon) (Bea. VII.); thence +to the Gulungwana or Ibubulundi, <a name="Page_142" id="Page_142" />four smooth bare hills, the highest in +that neighbourhood, situated to the south of the Umtuli River (Bea. +VI.); thence to a flat-topped rock, 8 feet high, on the crest of the +Busuku, a low rocky range south-west of the Impulazi River (Bea. V.); +thence to a low bare hill on the north-east of and overlooking the +Impulazi River, to the south of it being a tributary of the Impulazi, +with a considerable waterfall, and the road from the river passing 200 +yards to the north-west of the beacon (Bea. IV.); thence to the highest +point of the Mapumula range, the watershed of the Little Usuto River on +the north, and the Umpulazi River on the south, the hill, the top of +which is a bare rock, falling abruptly towards the Little Usuto (Bea. +III.); thence to the western point of a double-pointed rocky hill, +precipitous on all sides, called Makwana, its top being a bare rock +(Bea. II.); thence to the top of a rugged hill of considerable height +falling abruptly to the Komati River, this hill being the northern +extremity of the Isilotwani range, and separated from the highest peak +of the range Inkomokazi (a sharp cone) by a deep neck (Bea. I.). (On a +ridge in the straight line between Beacons I. and II. is an intermediate +beacon). From Beacon I. the boundary runs to a hill across the Komati +River, and thence along the crest of the range of hills known as the +Makongwa, which runs north-east and south-west, to Kamhlubano Peak; +thence in a straight line to Mananga, a point in the Libombo Range, and +thence to the nearest point in the Portuguese frontier on the Libombo +Range; thence along the summits of the Libombo Range to the middle of +the poort where the Komati River passes through it, called the lowest +Komati Poort; thence in a north by easterly direction to Pokioens Kop, +situated on the north side of the Olifant's River, where it passes +through the ridges; thence about north north-west to the nearest point +of Serra di Chicundo; and thence to the junction of the Pafori River +with the Limpopo or Crocodile River; thence up the course of the Limpopo +River to the point where the Marique River falls into it. Thence up the +course of the Marique River to "Derde Poort," where it passes through a +low range of hills, called Sikwane, a beacon (No. 10) being erected on +the spur of said range near to and westward of the banks of the river; +thence in a straight line through this beacon to a beacon (No. 9) +erected on the top of the same range, about 1,700 yards distant from +beacon No. 10; thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 8) erected on +the highest point of an isolated hill called <a name="Page_143" id="Page_143" />Dikgagong, or "Wildebeest +Kop," situated south-eastward of and about 3-1/3 miles distant from a +high hill called Moripe; thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 7) +erected on the summit of an isolated hill or "koppie" forming the +eastern extremity of the range of hills called Moshweu, situated to the +northward of and about two miles distant from a large isolated hill +called Chukudu-Chochwa; thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 6) +erected on the summit of a hill forming part of the same range, Moshweu; +thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 5) erected on the summit of a +pointed hill in the same range; thence in a straight line to a beacon +(No. 4) erected on the summit of the western extremity of the same +range; thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 3) erected on the +summit of the northern extremity of a low, bushy hill, or "koppie," near +to and eastward of the Notwane River; thence in a straight line to the +junction of the stream called Metsi-Mash wane with the Notwane River +(No. 2); thence up the course of the Notwane River to Sengoma, being the +Poort where the river passes through the Dwarsberg Range; thence, as +described in the Award given by Lieutenant-Governor Keate, dated October +17, 1871, by Pitlanganyane (narrow place), Deboaganka or Schaapkuil, +Sibatoul (bare place), and Maclase to Ramatlabama, a pool on a spruit +north of the Molopo River. From Ramatlabama the boundary shall run to +the summit of an isolated hill, called Leganka; thence in a straight +line, passing north-east of a Native Station, near "Buurman's Drift," on +the Molopo River, to that point on the road from Mosiega to the old +drift, where a road turns out through the Native Station to the new +drift below; thence to "Buurman's Old Drift"; thence in a straight line +to a marked and isolated clump of trees near to and north-west of the +dwelling-house of C. Austin, a tenant on the farm "Vleifontein," No. +117; thence in a straight line to the north-western corner beacon of the +farm "Mooimeisjesfontein," No. 30; thence along the western line of the +said farm "Mooimeisjesfontein," and in prolongation thereof, as far as +the road leading from "Ludik's Drift," on the Molopo River, past the +homestead of "Mooimeisjesfontein" towards the Salt Pans near Harts +River; thence along the said road, crossing the direct road from +Polfontein to Sehuba, and until the direct road from Polfontein to +Lotlakane or Pietfontein is reached; thence along the southern edge of +the last-named road towards Lotlakane until the first garden grounds of +that station is <a name="Page_144" id="Page_144" />reached; thence in a south-westerly direction, skirting +Lotlakane, so as to leave it and all its garden ground in native +territory, until the road from Lotlakane to Kunana is reached; thence +along the east side, and clear of that road towards Kunana, until the +garden grounds of that station are reached; thence, skirting Kunana, so +as to include it and all its garden ground, but no more, in the +Transvaal, until the road from Kunana to Mamusa is reached; thence along +the eastern side and clear of the road towards Mamusa, until a road +turns out towards Taungs; thence along the eastern side and clear of the +road towards Taungs, till the line of the district known as "Stellaland" +is reached, about 11 miles from Taungs; thence along the line of the +district Stellaland to the Harts River, about 24 miles below Mamusa; +thence across Harts River to the junction of the roads from Monthe and +Phokwane; thence along the western side and clear of the nearest road +towards "Koppie Enkel," an isolated hill about 36 miles from Mamusa, and +about 18 miles north of Christiana, and to the summit of the said hill; +thence in a straight line to that point on the north-east boundary of +Griqualand West as beaconed by Mr. Surveyor Ford, where two farms, +registered as Nos. 72 and 75, do meet, about midway between the Vaal and +Harts Rivers, measured along the said boundary of Griqualand West; +thence to the first point where the north-east boundary of Griqualand +West meets the Vaal River.</p> + +<p>Article 2. The Government of the South African Republic will strictly +adhere to the boundaries defined in the first Article of this +Convention, and will do its utmost to prevent any of its inhabitants +from making any encroachments upon lands beyond the said boundaries. The +Government of the South African Republic will appoint Commissioners upon +the eastern and western borders whose duty it will be strictly to guard +against irregularities and all trespassing over the boundaries. Her +Majesty's Government will, if necessary, appoint Commissioners in the +native territories outside the eastern and western borders of the South +African Republic to maintain order and prevent encroachments.</p> + +<p>Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the South African +Republic will each appoint a person to proceed together to beacon off +the amended south-west boundary as described in Article 1 of this +Convention; and the President of the Orange Free State shall be +requested to appoint a referee to whom the said persons shall refer any +questions on <a name="Page_145" id="Page_145" />which they may disagree respecting the interpretation of +the said Article, and the decision of such referee thereon shall be +final. The arrangement already made, under the terms of Article 19 of +the Convention of Pretoria of the 3rd August, 1881, between the owners +of the farms Grootfontein and Valleifontein on the one hand, and the +Barolong authorities on the other, by which a fair share of the water +supply of the said farms shall be allowed to flow undisturbed to the +said Barolongs, shall continue in force.</p> + +<p>Article 3. If a British officer is appointed to reside at Pretoria or +elsewhere within the South African Republic to discharge functions +analagous to those of a Consular officer he will receive the protection +and assistance of the Republic.</p> + +<p>Article 4. The South African Republic will conclude no treaty or +engagement with any State or nation other than the Orange Free State, +nor with any native tribe to the eastward or westward of the Republic, +until the same has been approved by Her Majesty the Queen.</p> + +<p>Such approval shall be considered to have been granted if Her Majesty's +Government shall not, within six months after receiving a copy of such +treaty (which shall be delivered to them immediately upon its +completion), have notified that the conclusion of such treaty is in +conflict with the interests of Great Britain or of any of Her Majesty's +possessions in South Africa.</p> + +<p>Article 5. The South African Republic will be liable for any balance +which may still remain due of the debts for which it was liable at the +date of Annexation, to wit, the Cape Commercial Bank Loan, the Railway +Loan, and the Orphan Chamber Debt, which debts will be a first charge +upon the revenues of the Republic. The South African Republic will +moreover be liable to Her Majesty's Government for £250,000, which will +be a second charge upon the revenues of the Republic.</p> + +<p>Article 6. The debt due as aforesaid by the South African Republic to +Her Majesty's Government will bear interest at the rate of three and +a-half per cent, from the date of the ratification of this Convention, +and shall be repayable by a payment for interest and Sinking Fund of six +pounds and ninepence per £100 per annum, which will extinguish the debt +in twenty-five years. The said payment of six pounds and ninepence per +£100 shall be payable half-yearly, in British currency, at the close of +each half year from the date of such ratification: Provided always that +the South African Republic shall be at liberty at the close of any half +year to pay off the whole or any portion of the outstanding debt.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146" />Interest at the rate of three and a-half per cent, on the debt as +standing under the Convention of Pretoria shall, as heretofore, be paid +to the date of the ratification of this Convention.</p> + +<p>Article 7. All persons who held property in the Transvaal on the 8th day +of August, 1881, and still hold the same, will continue to enjoy the +rights of property which they have enjoyed since the 12th April, 1877. +No person who has remained loyal to Her Majesty during the late +hostilities shall suffer any molestation by reason of his loyalty; or be +liable to any criminal prosecution or civil action for any part taken in +connexion with such hostilities; and all such persons will have full +liberty to reside in the country, with enjoyment of all civil rights, +and protection for their persons and property.</p> + +<p>Article 8. The South African Republic renews the declaration made in the +Sand River Convention, and in the Convention of Pretoria, that no +slavery or apprenticeship partaking of slavery will be tolerated by the +Government of the said Republic.</p> + +<p>Article 9. There will continue to be complete freedom of religion and +protection from molestation for all denominations, provided the same be +not inconsistent with morality and good order; and no disability shall +attach to any person in regard to rights of property by reason of the +religious opinions which he holds.</p> + +<p>Article 10. The British Officer appointed to reside in the South African +Republic will receive every assistance from the Government of the said +Republic in making due provision for the proper care and preservation of +the graves of such of Her Majesty's Forces as have died in the +Transvaal; and if need be, for the appropriation of land for the +purpose.</p> + +<p>Article 11. All grants or titles issued at any time by the Transvaal +Government in respect of land outside the boundary of the South African +Republic, as defined in Article I, shall be considered invalid and of no +effect, except in so far as any such grant or title relates to land that +falls within the boundary of the South African Republic; and all persons +holding any such grant so considered invalid and of no effect will +receive from the Government of the South African Republic such +compensation, either in land or in money, as the Volksraad shall +determine. In all cases in which any Native Chiefs or other authorities +outside the said boundaries have received any adequate consideration +from the Government of the South African Republic for land excluded from +the Transvaal by the <a name="Page_147" id="Page_147" />first Article of this Convention, or where +permanent improvements have been made on the land, the High Commissioner +will recover from the native authorities fair compensation for the loss +of the land thus excluded, or of the permanent improvements thereon.</p> + +<p>Article 12. The independence of the Swazis, within the boundary line of +Swaziland, as indicated in the first Article of this Convention, will be +fully recognised.</p> + +<p>Article 13. Except in pursuance of any treaty or engagement made as +provided in Article 4 of this Convention, no other or higher duties +shall be imposed on the importation into the South African Republic of +any article coming from any part of Her Majesty's dominions than are or +may be imposed on the like article coming from any other place or +country; nor will any prohibition be maintained or imposed on the +importation into the South African Republic of any article coming from +any part of Her Majesty's dominions, which shall not equally extend to +the like article coming from any other place or country. And in like +manner the same treatment shall be given to any article coming to Great +Britain from the South African Republic as to the like article coming +from any other place or country.</p> + +<p>These provisions do not preclude the consideration of special +arrangements as to import duties and commercial relations between the +South African Republic and any of Her Majesty's colonies or possessions.</p> + +<p>Article 14. All persons, other than natives, conforming themselves to +the laws of the South African Republic (<i>a</i>) will have full liberty, +with their families, to enter, travel, or reside in any part of the +South African Republic; (<i>b</i>), they will be entitled to hire or possess +houses, manufactories, warehouses, shops, and premises; (<i>c</i>) they may +carry on their commerce either in person or by any agents whom they may +think fit to employ; (<i>d</i>), they will not be subject, in respect of +their persons or property, or in respect of their commerce or industry, +to any taxes, whether general or local, other than those which are or +may be imposed upon citizens of the said Republic.</p> + +<p>Article 15. All persons, other than natives, who established their +domicile in the Transvaal between the 12th day of April, 1877, and the +8th August, 1881, and who within twelve months after such last-mentioned +date have had their names registered by the British Resident, shall be +exempt from all compulsory military service whatever.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148" />Article 16. Provision shall hereafter be made by a separate instrument +for the mutual extradition of criminals, and also for the surrender of +deserters from Her Majesty's Forces.</p> + +<p>Article 17. All debts contracted between the 12th April, 1877, and the +8th August, 1881, will be payable in the same currency in which they may +have been contracted.</p> + +<p>Article 18. No grants of land which may have been made, and no transfers +or mortgages which may have been passed between the 12th April, 1877, +and the 8th August, 1881, will be invalidated by reason merely of their +having been made or passed between such dates.</p> + +<p>All transfers to the British Secretary for Native Affairs in trust for +natives will remain in force, an officer of the South African Republic +taking the place of such Secretary for Native Affairs.</p> + +<p>Article 19. The Government of the South African Republic will engage +faithfully to fulfil the assurances given, in accordance with the laws +of the South African Republic, to the natives at the Pretoria Pitso by +the Royal Commission in the presence of the Triumvirate and with their +entire assent (1), as to the freedom of the natives to buy or otherwise +acquire land under certain conditions; (2), as to the appointment of a +commission to mark out native locations; (3), as to the access of the +natives to the courts of law; and (4) as to their being allowed to move +freely within the country, or to leave it for any legal purpose, under a +pass system.</p> + +<p>Article 20. This Convention will be ratified by a Volksraad of the South +African Republic within the period of six months after its execution, +and in default of such ratification this Convention shall be null and +void.</p> + +<p>Signed in duplicate in London this 27th day of February, 1884.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Signed) HERCULES ROBINSON.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Signed) S.J.P. KRUGER.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Signed) S.J. DU TOIT.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">(Signed) M.J. SMIT.</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX" /><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149" />INDEX.</h2> + + +<div> +<ul><li>Aberdeen Ministry, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li> + +<li>Africanderdom in S. Africa, +<ul><li> see under South Africa, Cape Colony, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal</li></ul></li> + +<li>Aliwal Convention, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a></li> + +<li>Amphitheatre Occurrence, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>-<a href='#Page_81'>81</a></li> + +<li>Arbitration Proposals, see under Transvaal</li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Barkly, Sir H., <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></li> + +<li>Basutos and the Orange Free State, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a>, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a></li> + +<li>Bloemfontein Conference, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></li> + +<li>Boers in S. Africa, +<ul><li> see under South Africa, Cape Colony, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal</li></ul></li> + +<li>Bulwer, Sir H.E.G., Governor of Natal, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Cape Colony: +<ul><li> The Africander Spirit of Liberty, <a href='#Page_4'>4</a></li> +<li> England's Native Policy, <a href='#Page_5'>5</a></li> +<li> Slachter's Nek, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a></li> +<li> Emancipation of the Slaves, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></li> +<li> Lord Glenelg's Policy, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a></li> +<li> The Dutch Language, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a></li> +<li> The Great Boer Trek into Natal, 1836, 10-<a href='#Page_13'>13</a></li> +<li> Piet Reliefs Manifesto, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></li> +<li> Victory of the Africander Party, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a></li></ul></li> + +<li>Capitalistic Jingoism, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a>-<a href='#Page_88'>88</a></li> + +<li>Carnarvon, Fourth Earl of, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a>, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a></li> + +<li>Cathcart, Sir George, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a>, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></li> + +<li>Chamberlain, Joseph, +<ul><li> Colonial Secretary, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a></li> +<li> His Attitude to the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a>-<a href='#Page_88'>88</a></li> +<li> Quoted, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a>, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>, <a href='#Page_73'>73</a>, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a></li></ul></li> + +<li>Cloete, Commissioner, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a></li> + +<li>Colenso, Bishop, quoted, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></li> + +<li>Cunynghame, Gen. Sir A., <a href='#Page_21'>21</a>, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Derby, Fifteenth Earl of, and the Transvaal Convention, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>-<a href='#Page_36'>36</a>, <a href='#Page_57'>57</a>, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a>, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a></li> + +<li>Diamond Fields, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a>-<a href='#Page_26'>26</a>, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a>-<a href='#Page_40'>40</a>, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a>, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a></li> + +<li>Dingaan, Zulu Chief, <a href='#Page_13'>13</a></li> + +<li>Dunn, John, and the Supply of Rifles to Zulus, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a></li> + +<li>Dynamite Concession, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a>-<a href='#Page_63'>63</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Edgar Case, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>, <a href='#Page_73'>73</a>-<a href='#Page_77'>77</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Faure, Rev. D.P., <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a></li> + +<li>Firearms supplied to Natives, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a>, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a></li> + +<li>Franchise Question, see under Transvaal</li> + +<li>Frere, Sir Bartle, +<ul><li> Governor, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a>-<a href='#Page_31'>31</a></li> +<li> Quoted, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a>, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a></li></ul></li> + +<li>Froude, J.A., quoted, <a href='#Page_8'>8</a>, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a>, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>, <a href='#Page_21'>21</a>, <a href='#Page_22'>22</a>, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Gladstone, W.E., and the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a>, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a></li> + +<li>Glenelg, Lord, and His Policy in S. Africa, <a href='#Page_9'>9</a></li> + +<li>Goldfields of the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a>-<a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a></li> + +<li>Grey, Earl, referred to, <a href='#Page_12'>12</a>, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a>, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Hogge, Commissioner, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Import Duties, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_63'>63</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Jameson Raid, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>-<a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a></li> + +<li>Jingoism and Capital, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a>-<a href='#Page_88'>88</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Kaffir Aid against Boers, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>, <a href='#Page_31'>31</a></li> + +<li>Keate, Governor, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a>, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a></li> + +<li>Kimberley and the Diamond Fields, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a></li> + +<li>Kynoch & Co., Messrs., <a href='#Page_62'>62</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Liquor Law, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a>-<a href='#Page_65'>65</a></li> + +<li>Loch, Sir Henry, and the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>-<a href='#Page_46'>46</a></li> + +<li>Lombard Affair, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>-<a href='#Page_73'>73</a></li> + +<li>London Convention, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Malabele and the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></li> + +<li>Milner, Sir Alfred, +<ul><li> His Attitude to the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a>, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a>-<a href='#Page_88'>88</a></li> +<li> Quoted, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></li></ul></li> + +<li>Missionaries in S. Africa, <a href='#Page_6'>6</a></li> + +<li>Moffat, Dr., <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></li> + +<li>Molesworth, Sir Wm., referred to, <a href='#Page_12'>12</a>, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li> + +<li>Moselikatse, Matabele Chief, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></li> + +<li>Moshesh, Basuto Chief, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a>, <a href='#Page_94'>94</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Napier, Sir George, quoted, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a></li> + +<li>Naples, Kingdom of,—British Intervention, <a href='#Page_82'>82</a></li> + +<li>Natal: +<ul><li> The Boer Trek into Natal, 1836, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>-<a href='#Page_13'>13</a></li> +<li> British Military Occupation, <a href='#Page_13'>13</a></li> +<li> The Founding of Natal, <a href='#Page_13'>13</a>-<a href='#Page_16'>16</a></li> +<li> British Annexation, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a></li> +<li> Protest of Natal, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a></li> +<li> Sufferings of the Boers, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a></li></ul></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Oliphant, Mr., Cape Attorney-General, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></li> + +<li>Orange Free State: +<ul><li> Fight at Boomplaats, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a></li> +<li> British Annexation, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a></li> +<li> Collision with Moshesh, Basuto Chief, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a>,</li> +<li> Andries Pretorius, Boer Leader, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a>, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>-<a href='#Page_18'>18</a>, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></li> +<li> The Republic restored, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a>-<a href='#Page_19'>19</a></li> +<li> The Basutos and the Free State, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a></li> +<li> Diamond Fields, <a href='#Page_19'>19</a>, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>, <a href='#Page_105'>105</a></li> +<li> The Treaty of Aliwal, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a></li> +<li> British Breaches of the Convention, <a href='#Page_20'>20</a>-<a href='#Page_22'>22</a></li></ul></li> + +<li>Our Land quoted, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a></li> + +<li>Owen, Commissioner, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Panda, King of Zululand, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a></li> + +<li>Phillips, Lionel, quoted, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a>, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a></li> + +<li>Pottinger, Governor, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a></li> + +<li>Pretoria Convention, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_56'>56</a>, <a href='#Page_58'>58</a>, <a href='#Page_84'>84</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></li> + +<li>Pretorius, Andries, +<ul><li> His Mission to Governor Pottinger, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a>, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>-<a href='#Page_18'>18</a></li> +<li> Commandant-General of the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a>-<a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li> +<li> His Proposals for Peace, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li></ul></li> + +<li>Pretorius, Martinus, President of the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_25'>25</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Rensburg Trek, <a href='#Page_12'>12</a></li> + +<li>Relief, Fiet, +<ul><li> His Manifesto, <a href='#Page_11'>11</a></li> +<li> Murder of Relief and His Party, <a href='#Page_13'>13</a></li></ul></li> + +<li>Rhodes, Cecil J., and the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a>-<a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a></li> + +<li>Rhodesia and Its Mines, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a></li> + +<li>Ripon, Marquis of, <a href='#Page_54'>54</a></li> + +<li>Rosmead, Lord, <a href='#Page_59'>59</a></li> + +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Sand River Convention, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a>-<a href='#Page_26'>26</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></li> + +<li>Schreiner, Olive, quoted, <a href='#Page_38'>38</a></li> + +<li>Secoecoeni, Zulu Chief, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></li> + +<li>Shepstone, Sir T., and His Transvaal Policy, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a>-<a href='#Page_31'>31</a>, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a></li> + +<li>Slavery at the Cape, <a href='#Page_7'>7</a></li> + +<li>Smith, Sir Harry, +<ul><li> Quoted, <a href='#Page_15'>15</a></li> +<li> His Policy, <a href='#Page_17'>17</a>-<a href='#Page_18'>18</a>, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li></ul></li> + +<li>South Africa (see also Cape Colony, Natal, Zululand, Transvaal) +<ul><li> The Alternative of Africanderdom, <a href='#Page_2'>2</a></li> +<li> Africa for the Africander, <a href='#Page_98'>98</a></li></ul></li> + +<li>South African League, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a>-<a href='#Page_81'>81</a></li> + +<li>South African Republic, see Transvaal</li> + +<li>Stanley, Lord, <a href='#Page_14'>14</a></li> + +<li>Stockenstrom, Lieut.-Gov., <a href='#Page_10'>10</a></li> + +<li>Suzerainty, see under Transvaal</li> + +<li>Swazi Allies of the British, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></li> +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Transvaal: +<ul><li> The Matabeles and the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></li> +<li> Fight at Vechtkop, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></li> +<li> Andries Pretorius and the British Government, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a>-<a href='#Page_24'>24</a></li> +<li> The Sand River Convention, <a href='#Page_24'>24</a>-<a href='#Page_26'>26</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></li> +<li> British Breaches of the Convention, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a>, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a></li> +<li> Diamond Fields, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a>, <a href='#Page_39'>39</a>-<a href='#Page_40'>40</a>, <a href='#Page_41'>41</a></li> +<li> Sale of Guns to Natives, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></li> +<li> British Annexation, <a href='#Page_26'>26</a>-<a href='#Page_31'>31</a>, <a href='#Page_95'>95</a></li> +<li> Boer Protest, <a href='#Page_29'>29</a></li> +<li> The Zulus and the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>-<a href='#Page_31'>31</a></li> +<li> The War of Freedom, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a></li> +<li> Annexation cancelled, <a href='#Page_32'>32</a></li> +<li> The Pretoria Convention, <a href='#Page_33'>33</a>, <a href='#Page_35'>35</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></li> +<li> The London Convention, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>, <a href='#Page_35'>35</a>, <a href='#Page_101'>101</a>, <a href='#Page_128'>128</a></li> +<li> The Suzerainty, <a href='#Page_34'>34</a>-<a href='#Page_36'>36</a></li> +<li> The "South African Republic," <a href='#Page_34'>34</a></li> +<li> The Goldfields, <a href='#Page_37'>37</a>-<a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a></li> +<li> The National Union Movement, <a href='#Page_44'>44</a></li> +<li> Sir Henry Loch's Indiscretion, <a href='#Page_45'>45</a>-<a href='#Page_46'>46</a></li> +<li> The Conspiracy and the Jameson Raid, <a href='#Page_46'>46</a>-<a href='#Page_48'>48</a>, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a></li> +<li> National Sentiment, <a href='#Page_49'>49</a></li> +<li> The Cry of Disloyalty, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a></li> +<li> The Transvaal to be humiliated, <a href='#Page_51'>51</a></li> +<li> The Suzerainty Question revived, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a> <i>et seq.</i></li> +<li> Appeal for Arbitration, <a href='#Page_53'>53</a>-<a href='#Page_60'>60</a></li> +<li> Uitlander Grievances, <a href='#Page_60'>60</a>-<a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>-<a href='#Page_88'>88</a></li> +<li> Reply to Mr. Chamberlain, <a href='#Page_109'>109</a></li> +<li> The Industrial Commission, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a></li> +<li> The Dynamite Concession, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_62'>62</a>-<a href='#Page_63'>63</a></li> +<li> The Netherlands Railway Co., <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_63'>63</a></li> +<li> Import Duties, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_63'>63</a></li> +<li> Liquor Law, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a>-<a href='#Page_65'>65</a></li> +<li> Gold Thefts, <a href='#Page_61'>61</a>, <a href='#Page_64'>64</a></li> +<li> The South African League, <a href='#Page_66'>66</a>-<a href='#Page_81'>81</a></li> +<li> The Lombard Affair, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>-<a href='#Page_73'>73</a></li> +<li> The Edgar Case, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>, <a href='#Page_73'>73</a>-<a href='#Page_77'>77</a></li> +<li> The Amphitheatre Occurrence, <a href='#Page_70'>70</a>, <a href='#Page_77'>77</a>-<a href='#Page_81'>81</a></li> +<li> Equal Political Rights, <a href='#Page_83'>83</a></li> +<li> The Franchise, <a href='#Page_84'>84</a>-<a href='#Page_85'>85</a>, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a></li> +<li> Bloemfontein Conference, <a href='#Page_85'>85</a></li> +<li> Attitude of Sir Alfred Milner, <a href='#Page_52'>52</a>, <a href='#Page_86'>86</a></li> +<li> Bad Faith of the British Government, <a href='#Page_87'>87</a>-<a href='#Page_88'>88</a></li> +<li> Final Dispatch of State Secretary Reitz, <a href='#Page_127'>127</a></li> +<li> Conclusion, <a href='#Page_89'>89</a>-<a href='#Page_98'>98</a></li></ul></li> + +<li>Trek into Natal in 1836, <a href='#Page_10'>10</a>-<a href='#Page_13'>13</a></li> + +<li>Trichardt Trek, <a href='#Page_12'>12</a>, <a href='#Page_23'>23</a></li> + +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Uitlanders, see under Transvaal</li> + +<li>Umbeline, Zulu Chief, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a></li> + +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Warden, Major, <a href='#Page_18'>18</a></li> + +<li>Waterboer, (Chief), <a href='#Page_26'>26</a></li> + +<li>Wolseley, Lord, quoted, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a></li> + +</ul> +<ul> +<li>Zululand and the Zulus: +<ul><li> Dingaan and the Boer Trek into Natal, <a href='#Page_3'>3</a></li> +<li> Secoecoeni, Zulu Chief, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>, <a href='#Page_30'>30</a></li> +<li> The Zulus and the Transvaal, <a href='#Page_27'>27</a>-<a href='#Page_28'>28</a></li> +<li> The Zulu War, <a href='#Page_28'>28</a></li></ul></li> +</ul> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Century of Wrong, by F. 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Reitz + +Release Date: February 25, 2005 [EBook #15175] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CENTURY OF WRONG *** + + + + +Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Garrett Alley, and the PG Online +Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + +A CENTURY OF WRONG + +ISSUED BY + +F.W. REITZ + +_State Secretary of the South African Republic_ + +WITH PREFACE BY + +W.T. STEAD + +"Audi Alteram Partem" + +LONDON: + +"REVIEW OF REVIEWS" OFFICE, MOWBRAY HOUSE, NORFOLK STREET, W.C. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + PAGE. +PREFACE. _By W.T. Stead_. vii. + +INTRODUCTION 1 + +THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE 4 + +THE FOUNDING OF NATAL 13 + +THE ORANGE FREE STATE 17 + +THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC 23 + +THE CONVENTIONS OF 1881 AND 1884 33 + +CAPITALISTIC JINGOISM--FIRST PERIOD 37 + +CAPITALISTIC JINGOISM--SECOND PERIOD 49 + +CONCLUSION 89 + +APPENDIX A.--Lord Derby's Dispatch on Convention of 1884 101 + B.--The Annexation of the Diamond Fields 105 + C.--The Reply to Mr. Chamberlain's Dispatch on Grievances 109 + D.--The Final Dispatch of Mr. State Secretary Reitz 127 + E.--The Text of the Conventions, 1852, 1881, and 1884 128 + +INDEX 149 + + + + +PREFACE. + + +"In this awful turning point of the history of South Africa, on the eve +of the conflict which threatens to exterminate our people, it behoves us +to speak the truth in what may be, perchance, our last message to the +world." + +Such is the _raison d'etre_ of this book. It is issued by State +Secretary Reitz as the official exposition of the case of the Boer +against the Briton. I regard it as not merely a duty but an honour to be +permitted to bring it before the attention of my countrymen. + +Rightly or wrongly the British Government has sat in judgment upon the +South African Republic, rightly or wrongly it has condemned it to death. +And now, before the executioner can carry out the sentence, the accused +is entitled to claim the right to speak freely--it may be for the last +time--to say why, in his opinion, the sentence should not be executed. A +liberty which the English law accords as an unquestioned right to the +foulest murderer cannot be denied to the South African Republic. It is +on that ground that I have felt bound to afford the spokesman of our +Dutch brethren in South Africa the opportunity of stating their case in +his own way in the hearing of the Empire. + +Despite the diligently propagated legend of a Reptile press fed by Dr. +Leyds for the purpose of perverting public opinion, it is indisputable +that so far as this country is concerned Mr. Reitz is quite correct in +saying that the case of the Transvaal "has been lost by default before +the tribunal of public opinion." + +It is idle to point, in reply to this, to the statements that have +appeared in the press of the Continent. These pleadings were not +addressed to the tribunal that was trying the case. In the British press +the case of the Transvaal was never presented by any accredited counsel +for the defence. Those of us who have in these late months been +compelled by the instinct of justice to protest against the campaign of +misrepresentation organised for the purpose of destroying the South +African Republic were in many cases so far from authorised exponents of +the South African Dutch that some of them--among whom I may be reckoned +for one--were regarded with such suspicion that it was most difficult +for us to obtain even the most necessary information from the +representatives of the Government at Pretoria. Nor was this suspicion +without cause--so far at least as I was concerned. + +For nearly a quarter of a century it might almost have been contended +that I was one of the leading counsel for the prosecution. First as the +friend and advocate of the Rev. John Mackenzie, then as the friend and +supporter of Mr. Cecil Rhodes, and latterly as the former colleague and +upholder of Sir Alfred Milner, it had been my lot constantly, in season +and out of season, to defend the cause of the progressive Briton +against the Conservative Boer, and especially to advocate the Cause of +the Reformers and Uitlanders against the old Tory Administration of +President Kruger. By agitation, by pressure, and even, if need be, in +the last resort by legitimate insurrection, I had always been ready to +seek the establishment of a progressive Liberal Administration in +Pretoria. And I have at least the small consolation of knowing that if +any of the movements which I defended had succeeded, the present crisis +would never have arisen, and the independence of the South African +Republic would have been established on an unassailable basis. But with +such a record it is obvious that I was almost the last man in the Empire +who could be regarded as an authorised exponent of the case of the +Boers. + +That in these last months I have been forced to protest against the +attempt to stifle their independence is due to a very simple cause. To +seek to reform the Transvaal, even by the rough and ready means of a +legitimate revolution, is one thing. To conspire to stifle the Republic +in order to add its territory to the Empire is a very different thing. +The difference may be illustrated by an instance in our own history. +Several years ago I wrote a popular history of the House of Lords, in +which I showed, at least to my own satisfaction, that for fifty years +our "pig-headed oligarchs"--to borrow a phrase much in favour with the +War Party--had inflicted infinite mischief upon the United Kingdom by +the way in which they had abused their power to thwart the will of the +elected representatives of the people. I am firmly of opinion that our +hereditary Chamber has done a thousand times more injury to the subjects +of the Queen than President Kruger has ever inflicted upon the +aggrieved Uitlanders. I look forward with a certain grim satisfaction to +assisting, in the near future, in a semi-revolutionary agitation against +the Peers, in which some of our most potent arguments will be those +which the War Party has employed to inflame public sentiment against the +Boers. But, notwithstanding all this, if a conspiracy of Invincibles +were to be formed for the purpose of ending the House of Lords by +assassinating its members, or by blowing up the Gilded Chamber and all +its occupants with dynamite, I should protest against such an outrage as +vehemently as I have protested against the more heinous crime that is +now in course of perpetration in South Africa. And the very vehemence +with which I had in times past pleaded the cause of the People against +the Peers would intensify the earnestness with which I would endeavour +to avert the exploitation of a legitimate desire to end the Second +Chamber by the unscrupulous conspirators of assassination and of +dynamite. Hence it is that I seize every opportunity afforded me of +enabling the doomed Dutch to plead their case before the tribunal which +has condemned them, virtually unheard. + +In introducing _A Century of Wrong_ to the British public, I carefully +disassociate myself from assuming any responsibility for all or any of +the statements which it contains. My _imprimatur_ was not sought, nor is +it extended to the history contained in _A Century of Wrong_, excepting +in so far as relates to its authenticity as an exposition of what our +brothers the Boers think of the way in which we have dealt with them for +the last hundred years. + +That is much more important than the endorsement by any Englishman as +to the historical accuracy of the statements which it contains. For what +every judicial tribunal desires, first of all, is to hear witnesses at +first hand. Hitherto the British public has chiefly been condemned to +second-hand testimony. In the pages of _A Century of Wrong_ it will, at +least, have an opportunity of hearing the Dutch of South Africa speak +for themselves. + +There is no question as to the qualifications of Mr. F.W. Reitz to speak +on behalf of the Dutch Africander. Although at this moment State +Secretary for President Kruger, he was for nearly ten years Chief +Justice and then President of the Orange Free State, and he began his +life in the Cape Colony. The family is of German origin, but his +ancestors migrated to Holland in the seventeenth century and became +Dutch. His grandfather emigrated from Holland to the Cape, and founded +one of the Africander families. His father was a sheep farmer; one of +his uncles was a lieutenant in the British Navy. + +Mr. Reitz is now in his fifty-sixth year, and received a good English +education. After graduating at the South African College he came to the +United Kingdom, and finished his studies at Edinburgh University, and +afterwards at the Inner Temple, where he was called to the Bar in 1868. +He then returned to the Cape, and, after practising as a barrister in +the Cape courts for six years, was appointed Chief Justice of the Orange +Free State, a post which he held for fifteen years. He was then elected +and re-elected as President of the Orange Free State. In 1893 he paid a +lengthy visit to Europe and to the United Kingdom. After Dr. Leyds was +appointed to his present post as foreign representative of the South +African Republic, Mr. Reitz was appointed State Secretary, and all the +negotiations between the Transvaal and Great Britain passed through his +hands. + +Mr. Reitz's narrative is not one calculated to minister to our national +self-conceit, but it is none the worse on that account. Of those who +minister to our vanity we have enough and to spare, with results not +altogether desirable. In the long controversy between the Boers and the +missionaries Mr. Reitz takes, as might be expected, the view of his own +people. + +An English lady in South Africa writing to the _British Weekly_ of +December 21st, in reply to the statement of the Rev. Dr. Stewart, makes +some observations on this feud between the Boers and the missionaries, +which it may be well to bear in mind in discussing this question. The +lady ("I.M.") says:-- + + Dr. Stewart naturally starts from the mission question. I speak + as the daughter of one of the greatest mission supporters that + South Africa has ever known when I say that the earliest + missionaries who came to this country were to a very large extent + themselves the cause of all the Boer opposition which they may + have had to encounter. When they arrived, they found the Boers at + about the same stage of enlightenment with regard to missions as + the English themselves had been in the time of Carey. And yet, in + spite of prejudice and ignorance, every Boer of any standing was + practically doing mission work himself, for when, according to + unfailing custom, the "Books" were brought out morning and + evening for family worship, the slaves were never allowed to be + absent, but had to come and receive instruction with the rest of + the family. But the tone and methods which the missionaries + adopted were such as could not fail to arouse the aversion of the + farmers, their great idea being that the coloured races, utter + savages as yet, should be placed upon complete equality with + their superiors. At Earl's Court we have recently seen something + of how easily the natives are spoilt, and they were certainly not + better in those days. When, however, the Boers showed that they + disapproved of all this, the natives were immediately taught to + regard them as their oppressors, and were encouraged to + insubordination to their masters, and the ill-effects of this + policy on the part of the missionaries has reached further than + can be told. May I ask was this the tone that St. Paul adopted in + his mission work among the oppressed slaves of his day?... It is + not those who do _not_ know the Boers, like Dr. Stewart, but + those who know them best, like Dr. Andrew Murray, who are not + only enamoured of their simple lives, but who know also that with + all their disadvantages and their positive faults they are still + a people whose rule of life is the Bible, whose God is the God of + Israel, and who as a nation have never swerved from the covenant + with that God entered into by their fathers, the Huguenots of + France and the heroes of the Netherlands. + +Upon this phase of the controversy there is no necessity to dwell at +present, beyond remarking that those who are at present most disposed to +take up what may be regarded as the missionary side should not forget +that they are preparing a rod for their own backs. The Aborigines +Protection Society has long had a quarrel with the Boers, but if our +Imperialists are going to adopt the platform of Exeter Hall they will +very soon find themselves in serious disagreement with Mr. Cecil Rhodes +and other Imperialist heroes of the hour. That the Dutch in South Africa +have treated the blacks as the English in other colonies have treated +the aborigines is probably true, despite all that Mr. Reitz can say on +their behalf. But, whereas in Tasmania and the Australian Colonies the +black fellows are exterminated by the advancing Briton, the immediate +result of the advent of the Dutch into the Transvaal has been to +increase the number of natives from 70,000 to 700,000, without including +those who were attracted by the gold mines. In dealing with native races +all white men have the pride of their colour and the arrogance of power. +The Boers, no doubt, have many sins lying at their door, but it does not +do for the pot to call the kettle black, and so far as South Africa is +concerned, the difference between the Dutch and British attitudes toward +the native races is more due to the influence of Exeter Hall and the +sentiment which it represents than to any practical difference between +English and Dutch Colonists as to the status of the coloured man. The +English under Exeter Hall have undoubtedly a higher ideal as to the +theoretical equality of men of all races; but on the spot the arrogance +of colour is often asserted as offensively by the Briton as by the Boer. +The difference between the two is, in short, that the Boer has adjusted +his practice to his belief, whereas we believe what we do not practice. +That the black population of the Transvaal is conscious of being treated +with exceeding brutality by the Boers is disproved by the fact that for +months past all the women and children of the two Republics have been +left at the absolute mercy of the natives in the midst of whom they +live. + +The English reader will naturally turn with more interest to Mr. Reitz's +narrative of recent negotiations than to his observations upon the +hundred years of history which he says have taught the Dutch that there +is no justice to be looked for at the hands of a British Government. The +advocates of the war will be delighted to find that Mr. Reitz asserts +in the most uncompromising terms the right of the Transvaal to be +regarded as an Independent Sovereign International State. However +unpleasant this may be to Downing Street, the war has compelled the +Government to recognise the fact. When it began we were haughtily told +that there would be no declaration of war, nor would the Republics be +recognised as belligerents. The war had not lasted a month before this +vainglorious boast was falsified, and we were compelled to recognise the +Transvaal as a belligerent State. It is almost incredible that even Sir +William Harcourt should have fallen into the snare set for him by Mr. +Chamberlain in this matter. The contention that the Transvaal cannot be +an Independent Sovereign State because Article 4 of the Convention of +1884 required that all treaties with foreign Powers should be submitted +for assent to England may afford a technical plea for assuming that it +was not an Independent Sovereign International State. But, as Mr. Reitz +points out, no one questions the fact that Belgium is an International +Independent Sovereign State, although the exercise of her sovereignty is +limited by an international obligation to maintain neutrality. A still +stronger instance as proving the fact that the status of a sovereign +State is not affected by the limitation of the exercise of its +sovereignty is afforded by the limitation imposed by the Treaty of Paris +on the sovereign right of the Russian Empire to maintain a fleet in the +Black Sea. To forbid the Tsar to put an ironclad on the sea which washes +his southern coast was a far more drastic limitation of the inalienable +rights of an Independent International Sovereign State than the +provision that treaties affecting the interests of another Power should +be subject to the veto of that Power, but no one has protested that +Russia has lost her international status on account of the limitation +imposed by the Treaty of Paris. In like manner Mr. Reitz argues that the +Transvaal, being free to conduct its diplomacy, and to make war, can +fairly claim to be a Sovereign International State. The assertion of +this fact serves as an Ithuriel's spear to bring into clear relief the +significance of the revival by Mr. Chamberlain of the Suzerainty of +1881. Upon this point Mr. Reitz gives us a plain straightforward +narrative, the justice and accuracy of which will not be denied by +anyone who, like Sir Edward Clarke, takes the trouble to read the +official dispatches. + +I turn with more interest to Mr. Reitz's narrative of the precise +differences of opinion which led to the breaking-off of negotiations +between the two Governments. Mr. Chamberlain, it will be remembered, +said in his dispatch he had accepted nine-tenths of the conditions laid +down by the Boers if the five years' franchise was to be conceded. What +the tenth was which was not accepted Mr. Chamberlain has never told us, +excepting that it was "a matter of form" which was "not worth a war." +Readers of Mr. Reitz's narrative will see that in the opinion of the +Boers the sticking point was the question of suzerainty. If Mr. +Chamberlain would have endorsed Sir Alfred Milner's declaration, and +have said, as his High Commissioner did, that the question about +suzerainty was etymological rather than political, and that he would say +no more about it, following Lord Derby's policy and abstaining from +using a word which was liable to be misunderstood, there would have been +no war. So far as Mr. Reitz's authority goes we are justified in saying +that the war was brought about by the persistence of Mr. Chamberlain in +reviving the claim of suzerainty which had been expressly surrendered in +1884, and which from 1884 to 1897 had never been asserted by any British +Government. + +Another point of great importance is the reference which Mr. Reitz makes +to the Raid. On this point he speaks with much greater moderation than +many English critics of the Government. Lord Loch will be interested in +reading Mr. Reitz's account of the way in which his visit to Pretoria +was regarded by the Transvaal Government. It shows that it was his visit +which first alarmed the Boers, and compelled them to contemplate the +possibility of having to defend their independence with arms. But it was +not until after the Jameson Raid that they began arming in earnest. As +there is so much controversy upon this subject, it may be well to quote +here the figures from the Budget of the Transvaal Government, showing +the expenditure before and after the Raid. + + Public Special Sundry + Military. Works. Payments. Services. Total. + L L L L L +1889 75,523 300,071 58,737 171,088 605,419 +1890 42,999 507,579 58,160 133,701 742,439 +1891 117,927 492,094 52,486 76,494 739,001 +1892 29,739 361,670 40,276 93,410 528,095 +1893 19,340 200,106 148,981 132,132 500,559 +1894[1] 28,158 260,962 75,859 163,547 521,526 +1895[2] 87,308 353,724 205,335 838,877 1,485,244 +1896 495,618 701,022 682,008 128,724 2,007,372 +1897 396,384 1,012,686 248,864 135,345 1,793,279 +1898[3] 163,451 383,033 157,519 100,874 804,877 + +Of the Raid itself Mr. Reitz speaks as follows:-- + + The secret conspiracy of the Capitalists and Jingoes to overthrow + the South African Republic began now to gain ground with great + rapidity, for just at this critical period Mr. Chamberlain became + Secretary of State for the Colonies. In the secret correspondence + of the conspirators, reference is continually made to the + Colonial Office in a manner which, taken in connection with later + revelations and with a successful suppression of the truth, has + deepened the impression over the whole world that the Colonial + Office was privy to, if not an accomplice in, the villainous + attack on the South African Republic. + + Nor has the world forgotten how, at the urgent instance of the + Africander party in the Cape Colony, an investigation into the + causes of the conflict was held in Westminster; how that + investigation degenerated into a low attack upon the Government + of the deeply maligned and deeply injured South African Republic, + and how at the last moment, when the truth was on the point of + being revealed, and the conspiracy traced to its fountain head in + the British Cabinet, the Commission decided all of a sudden not + to make certain compromising documents public. + + Here we see to what a depth the old great traditions of British + Constitutionalism had sunk under the influence of the + ever-increasing and all-absorbing lust of gold, and in the hands + of a sharp-witted wholesale dealer, who, like Cleon of old, has + constituted himself a statesman. + +When Mr. Reitz wrote his book he did not know that immediately after the +Raid the British Government began to accumulate information, and to +prepare for the war with the Republic which is now in progress. The +reason why Mr. Reitz did not refer to this in _A Century of Wrong_ was +because documents proving its existence had not fallen into the hands of +the Transvaal Government until after the retreat from Glencoe. Major +White and his brother officers who were concerned in the Raid were much +chaffed for the incredible simplicity with which he allowed a private +memorandum as to preparations for the Raid to fall into the hands of the +Boers. His indiscretion has been thrown entirely into the shade by the +simplicity which allowed War Office documents of the most secret and +compromising nature to fall into the hands of the Boers, showing that +preparations for the present war began immediately after the defeat of +the Raid. The special correspondent of Reuter with the Boers telegraphed +from Glencoe on October 28th as follows:-- + + The papers captured at Dundee Camp from the British unveil a + thoroughly worked out scheme to attack the independence of both + Republics as far back as 1896, notwithstanding constant + assurances of amity towards the Free State. + + Among these papers there are portfolios of military sketches of + various routes of invasion from Natal into the Transvaal and Free + State, prepared by Major Grant, Captain Melvill, and Captain Gale + immediately after the Jameson Raid. + + A further portfolio marked secret styled "Reconnaissance Reports + of Lines of Advance through the Free State" was prepared by + Captain Wolley, on the Intelligence Division of the War Office, + in 1897, and is accompanied by a special memorandum, signed by + Sir Redvers Buller, to keep it secret. + + Besides these there are specially executed maps of the Transvaal + and Free State, showing all the natural features, also a further + secret Report of Communications in Natal north of Ladysmith, + including a memorandum of the road controlling Lang's Nek + position. + + Further, there is a short Military Report on the Transvaal, + printed in India in August last, which was found most + interesting. The white population is given at 288,000, of whom + the Outlanders number 80,000, and of the Outlanders 30,000 are + given as of British descent--which figures the authorities regard + as much nearer the truth than Mr. Chamberlain's statements made + in the House of Commons. + + One report estimates that 4,000 Cape and Natal Colonists would + side with the Republics in case of war, and that the small + armament of the Transvaal consists of 62,950 rifles, and that the + Boers would prove not so mobile or such good marksmen as in the + War of Independence. + + Further, the British did not think much of the Johannesburg and + Pretoria forts. + + A further secret Report styled "Military Notes on the Dutch + Republics of South Africa," and numbers of other papers, not yet + examined, were also found, and are to be forwarded to Pretoria. + + The Free State burghers are now more than ever convinced that it + was the right policy for them to fight along with the Transvaal, + and they say, since they have seen the reports, that they will + fight with, if possible, more determination than ever. + +It may be contended, no doubt, upon our part that these private reports +were none other than those which every Government receives from its +military attaches, but it must be admitted that their discovery at the +present moment is most inopportune for those who wish to persuade the +Free State that they can rely upon the assertions of Great Britain that +no design was made upon their independence. If at this moment the +portfolios of a German Staff Officer were to fall into the hands of an +English correspondent, and detailed plans for invading England were to +be published in all the newspapers as having been drawn up by German +officers told off for that purpose, it would not altogether tend to +reassure us as to the good intentions of our Imperial neighbour. How +much more serious must be the publication of these documents seized at +Dundee upon a people which is actually at war. + +The concluding chapter of Mr. Reitz's eloquent impeachment of the +conduct of Great Britain in South Africa is devoted to a delineation of +what he calls Capitalistic Jingoism. It is probable that a great many +who will read with scant sympathy his narrative of the grievances of his +countrymen in the earlier part, of the century will revel in the +invective which he hurls against Mr. Rhodes and the Capitalists of the +Rand. If happier times return to South Africa, Mr. Reitz may yet find +the mistake he has made in confounding Mr. Rhodes with the mere +dividend-earning crew, who brought about this war in order to diminish +the cost of crushing gold by five or six shillings a ton. In the +realisation of the ideal of Africa for the Africanders Mr. Rhodes might +be more helpful to Mr. Reitz and the Dutch of South Africa than any +other living man. Whether it is possible for them to forget and forgive +the future alone will show. But at present it seems rather as if Mr. +Reitz sees nothing between Africanderism and Capitalistic Jingoism but +war to the death. + +Mr. Reitz breaks off his narrative at the point immediately before the +Ultimatum. Those curious politicians who begin their survey of the war +from the launching of that declaration will, therefore, find nothing in +_A Century of Wrong_ to interest them. But those who take a fresh and +intelligent view of a long and complicated historical controversy will +welcome the authoritative exposition of the causes which, in the opinion +of the authors of the Ultimatum, justified, and, indeed, necessitated +that decisive step. To what Mr. Reitz has said it is only necessary to +add one fact. + +The Ultimatum was dated October 9th. It was the natural response to the +menace with which the British Government had favoured them three days +previous, when on October 6th they issued the formal notice calling out +the Reserves for the avowed object of making war upon the South African +Republic. + +Whether they were right or wrong, it is impossible to withhold a tribute +of admiration and sympathy for the little States which confront the +onslaughts of their Imperial foe with such heroic fortitude and serene +courage. As Dr. Max Nordau remarks in the _North American Review_ for +December:-- + + The fact that a tiny people faces death without hesitation to + defend its independence against an enemy fabulously superior in + number, or to die in the attempt, presents an aspect of moral + beauty which no soul, attuned to higher things, will disregard. + Even friends and admirers of England--yea, even the English + themselves--strongly sense the pathos in the situation of the + Dutch Boers, who feel convinced that they are fighting for their + national existence, and agree that it equals the pathos of + Leonidas, William Tell, and Kosciusko. + +Over and above all else the note in the State Secretary's appeal which +will vibrate most loudly in the British heart is that in which he +appeals to his countrymen to cling fast to the God of their forefathers, +and to the righteousness which is sometimes slow in acting, but which +never slumbers or forgets. "It proceeds according to eternal laws, +unmoved by human pride and ambition. As the Greek poet of old said, it +permits the tyrant, in his boundless self-esteem, to climb higher and +higher, and to gain greater honour and might, until he arrives at the +appointed height, and then falls down into the infinite depths." + +Who is there who remembers the boastings of the British press at the +outbreak of the war can read without awe the denunciations of the Hebrew +seers against the nations and empires who in arrogance and pride forgot +the Lord their God? + +"Behold, I am against thee, O thou most proud, saith the Lord God of +Hosts: for thy day is come, the time that I will visit thee. And the +most proud shall stumble and fall, and none shall raise him up." + +This, after all, is the great issue which underlies everything. Is there +or is there not in the affairs of men a Providence which the ancients +pictured as the slow-footed Nemesis, but which we moderns have somewhat +learned to disregard? "If right and wrong, in this God's world of ours, +are linked with higher Powers," is the great question which the devout +soul, whether warrior or saint, has ever answered in one way. When in +this country a leading exponent of popular Liberalism declares that +"morally we can never win, but that physically we must and shall," we +begin to realise how necessary is the chastisement which has fallen upon +us for our sins. If this interpretation of the situation be even +approximately correct, the further we go the worse we shall fare. It is +vain for us to kick against the pricks. + + W.T. STEAD. + _January 1st, 1900._ + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: 1894.--Year of Lord Loch's visit (in June) to Pretoria.] + +[Footnote 2: 1895.--Conspiracy, culminating in the Raid.] + +[Footnote 3: 1898.--First nine months.] + + + + +A CENTURY OF WRONG. + + * * * * * + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +BROTHER AFRICANDERS! + +Once more in the annals of our bloodstained history has the day dawned +when we are forced to grasp our weapons in order to resume the struggle +for liberty and existence, entrusting our national cause to that +Providence which has guided our people throughout South Africa in such a +miraculous way. + +The struggle of now nearly a century, which began when a foreign rule +was forced upon the people of the Cape of Good Hope, hastens to an end; +we are approaching the last act in that great drama which is so +momentous for all South Africa; we have reached a stage when it will be +decided whether the sacrifices which both our fathers and we ourselves +have made in the cause of freedom have been offered in vain, whether the +blood of our race, with which every part of South Africa has been, as it +were, consecrated, has been shed in vain; and whether by the grace of +God the last stone will now be built into the edifice which our fathers +began with so much toil and so much sorrow. + +[Sidenote: The alternative of Africanderdom.] + +The hour has struck which will decide whether South Africa, in jealously +guarding its liberty, will enter upon a new phase of its history, or +whether our existence as a people will come to an end, whether we shall +be exterminated in the deadly struggle for that liberty which we have +prized above all earthly treasures, and whether South Africa will be +dominated by capitalists without conscience, acting in the name and +under the protection of an unjust and hated Government 7,000 miles away +from here. + +[Sidenote: The necessity of historical retrospect.] + +In this hour it behoves us to cast a glance back at the history of this +great struggle. We do so not to justify ourselves, because liberty, for +which we have sacrificed everything, has justified us and screened our +faults and failings, but we do so in order that we may be, as it were, +sanctified and prepared for the conflict which lies before us, bearing +in mind what our people have done and suffered by the help of God. In +this way we may be enabled to continue the work of our fathers, and +possibly to complete it. Their deeds of heroism in adventures with Bantu +and Briton shine forth like guiding stars through the history of the +past, in order to point out the way for posterity to reach that goal for +which our sorely tried people have made such great sacrifices, and for +which they have undergone so many vicissitudes. + +The historical survey will, moreover, aid in bringing into stronger +relief those naked truths to which the tribunal of impartial history +will assuredly testify hereafter, in adjudging the case between +ourselves and our enemy. And the questions which present themselves for +solution in the approaching conflict have their origin deep in the +history of the past; it is only by the light of that history that it +becomes possible to discern and appreciate the drifting straws which +float on the currents of to-day. By its light we are more clearly +enabled to comprehend the truth, to which our people appeal as a final +justification for embarking upon the war now so close at hand. + +History will show convincingly that the pleas of humanity, civilisation, +and equal rights, upon which the British Government bases its actions, +are nothing else but the recrudescence of that spirit of annexation and +plunder which has at all times characterised its dealings with our +people. + + + + +THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. + + +The cause for which we are about to take up arms is the same, though in +somewhat different form, as that for which so many of our forefathers +underwent the most painful experiences centuries ago, when they +abandoned house and fatherland to settle at the Cape of Good Hope, to +enjoy there that freedom of conscience which was denied them in the land +of their birth. In the beautiful valleys lying between the blue +mountains of the Cape of Good Hope they planted the seed-germ of +liberty, which sprang up and has since developed with such startling +rapidity into the giant tree of to-day--a tree which not only covers a +considerable area in this part of the world, but will yet, in God's good +time, we feel convinced, stretch out its leafy branches over the whole +of South Africa. In spite of the oppressive bonds of the East India +Company, the young settlement, containing the noblest blood of old +Europe as well as its most exalted aspirations, grew so powerfully that +in 1806, when the Colony passed into the hands of England, a strong +national sentiment and a spirit of liberty had already been developed. + +[Sidenote: The Africander spirit of liberty] + +As is forcibly expressed in an old document dating from the most +renowned period of our history, there grew out of the two stocks of +Hollanders and French Huguenots "a united people, one in religion, +united in peaceful reverence for the law, but with a feeling of liberty +and independence equal to the wide expanse of territory which they had +rescued as a labour of love from the wilderness of nature, or from its +still wilder aboriginal inhabitants." When the Dutch Government made way +for that of Great Britain in 1806, and, still more, when that change was +sealed in 1814 by a transaction in which the Prince of Orange sold the +Cape to Great Britain for L6,000,000 against the wish and will of the +inhabitants, the little settlement entered upon a new phase of its +history, a phase, indeed, in which its people were destined by their +heroic struggle for justice, to enlist a world-wide sympathy on their +behalf. + +[Sidenote: England's native policy.] + +Notwithstanding the wild surroundings and the innumerable savage tribes +in the background, the young Africander nation had been welded into a +white aristocracy, proudly conscious of having maintained its +superiority notwithstanding its arduous struggles. It was this sentiment +of just pride which the British Government well understood how to wound +in its most sensitive part by favouring the natives as against the +Africanders. So, for example, the Africander Boers were forced to look +with pained eyes on the scenes of their farms and property devastated by +the natives without being in a position to defend themselves, because +the British Government had even deprived them of their ammunition. In +the same way the liberty-loving Africander burgher was coerced by a +police composed of Hottentots, the lowest and most despicable class of +the aborigines, whom the Africanders justly placed on a far lower social +level than that of their own Malay slaves. + +[Sidenote: Slachter's Nek.] + +No wonder that in 1815 a number of the Boers were driven into rebellion, +a rebellion which found an awful ending in the horrible occurrence of +the 9th of March, 1816, when six of the Boers were half hung up in the +most inhuman way in the compulsory presence of their wives and children. +Their death was truly horrible, for the gallows broke down before the +end came; but they were again hoisted up in the agony of dying, and +strangled to death in the murderous tragedy of Slachter's Nek. Whatever +opinions have been formed of this occurrence in other respects, it was +at Slachter's Nek that the first bloodstained beacon was erected which +marks the boundary between Boer and Briton in South Africa, and the eyes +of posterity still glance back shudderingly through the long vista of +years at that tragedy of horror. + +[Sidenote: The missionaries.] + +This was, however, but the beginning. Under the cloak of religion +British administration continued to display its hate against our people +and nationality, and to conceal its self-seeking aims under cover of the +most exalted principles. The aid of religion was invoked to reinforce +the policy of oppression in order to deal a deeper and more fatal blow +to our self-respect. Emissaries of the London Missionary Society +slandered the Boers, and accused them of the most inhuman cruelties to +the natives. These libellous stories, endorsed as they were by the +British Government, found a ready ear amongst the English, and the +result was that under the pressure of powerful philanthropic opinion in +England our unfortunate people were more bitterly persecuted than ever, +and were finally compelled to defend themselves in courts of law +against the coarsest accusations and insults. But they emerged from the +ordeal triumphantly, and the records of the criminal courts of the Cape +Colony bear indisputable witness to the fact that there were no people +amongst the slave-owning classes of the world more humane than the +Africander Boers. Their treatment of the natives was based on the theory +that natives ought not to be considered as mature and fully developed +people, but that they were in reality children who had to be won over to +civilisation by just and rigid discipline; they hold the same +convictions on this subject to-day, and the enlightened opinion of the +civilised world is inclining more and more to the same conclusion. But +the fact that their case was a good one, and that it was triumphantly +decided in their favour in the law courts, did not serve to diminish, +but rather tended to sharpen, the feeling of injustice with which they +had been treated. + +[Sidenote: Emancipation of the slaves.] + +A livelier sense of wrong was quickened by the way in which the +emancipation of the slaves--in itself an excellent measure--was carried +out in the case of the Boers. + +Our forefathers had become owners of slaves chiefly imported in English +ships and sold to us by Englishmen. The British Government decided to +abolish slavery. We had no objection to this, provided we received +adequate compensation.[4] Our slaves had been valued by British +officials at three millions, but of the twenty millions voted by the +Imperial Government for compensation, only one and a quarter millions +was destined for South Africa; and this sum was payable in London. It +was impossible for us to go there, so we were forced to sell our rights +to middlemen and agents for a mere song; and many of our people were so +overwhelmed by the difficulties placed in their way that they took no +steps whatever to receive their share of the compensation. + +Greyheads and widows who had lived in ease and comfort went down +poverty-stricken to the grave, and gradually the hard fact was borne in +upon us that there was no such thing as Justice for us in England. + +[Sidenote: Slavery at the Cape.] + +Froude, the English historian, hits the right nail on the head when he +says:-- + + [5] "Slavery at the Cape had been rather domestic than predial; the + scandals of the West India plantations were unknown among them. + + Because the Dutch are a deliberate and slow people, not given to + enthusiasm for new ideas, they fell into disgrace with us, where + they have ever since remained. The unfavourable impression of + them became a tradition of the English Press, and, unfortunately, + of the Colonial Office. We had treated them unfairly as well as + unwisely, and we never forgive those whom we have injured." + +[Sidenote: The Glenelg policy.] + +[6] But this was not all. When the English obtained possession of the +Cape Colony by convention, the Fish River formed the eastern boundary. +The Kaffirs raided the Colony from time to time, but especially in 1834, +when they murdered, plundered, and outraged the helpless Colonists in an +awful and almost indescribable manner. The Governor was ultimately +prevailed upon to free the strip of territory beyond the Fish River from +the raids of the Kaffirs, and this was done by the aid of the Boers. But +Lord Glenelg, the Colonial Secretary, reversed this policy and restored +the whole territory to the natives. He maligned the Boers in even more +forcible terms than the emissaries of the London Missionary Society, and +openly favoured the Kaffirs, placing them on a higher pedestal than the +Boers. The latter had succeeded in rescuing their cattle from the +Kaffirs, but were forced to look on passively while the very same +cattle, with the owner's brand marks plainly visible, were sold by +public auction to defray the cost of the commando. It was useless to +hope for justice from Englishmen. There was no security for life and +property under the flag of a Government which openly elected to uphold +Wrong. The high-minded descendants of the proudest and most stubborn +peoples of Europe had to bend the knee before a Government which united +a commercial policy of crying injustice with a veneer of simulated +philanthropy. + +[Sidenote: The Dutch language.] + +But it was not only in regard to the Natives that the Boers were +oppressed and their rights violated. When the Cape was transferred to +England in 1806, their language was guaranteed to the Dutch inhabitants. +This guarantee was, however, soon to meet the same fate as the treaties +and conventions which were concluded by England with our people at later +periods. + +The violator of treaties fulfilled its obligation by decreeing in 1825 +that all documents were for the future to be written in English. +Petitions in the language of the country and complaints about bitter +grievances were not even acknowledged. The Boers were excluded from the +juries because their knowledge of English was too faulty, and their +causes and actions had to be determined by Englishmen, with whom they +had nothing in common. + +[Sidenote: The Great Trek.] + +After twenty years' experience of British administration it had become +abundantly clear to the Boers that there was no prospect of peace and +prosperity before them, for their elementary rights had been violated, +and they could only expect oppression. They were without adequate +guarantees of protection, and their position had become intolerable in +the Cape Colony. + +They decided to sell home, farm, and all that remained over from the +depredations of the Kaffirs, and to trek away from British rule. The +Colony was at this time bounded on the north by the Orange River. + +[Sidenote: Legality of the Trek.] + +[7] At first, Lieutenant-Governor +Stockenstrom was consulted; but he was of opinion that there was no law +which could prevent the Boers from leaving the Colony and settling +elsewhere. Even if such a statute existed, it would be tyrannical, as +well as impossible, to enforce it. + +The Cape Attorney-General, Mr. Oliphant, expressed the same opinion, +adding that it was clear that the emigrants were determined to go into +another country, and not to consider themselves British subjects any +longer. The same thing was happening daily in the emigration from +England to North America, and the British Government was and would +remain powerless to stop the evil. + +The territory to the north of the Orange River and to the east of the +Drakensberg lay outside the sphere of British influence or authority, +and was, as far as was then known, inhabited by savages; but the Boers +decided to brave the perils of the wilderness and to negotiate with the +savages for the possession of a tract of country, and so form an +independent community rather than remain any longer under British rule. + +[Sidenote: The Manifesto of Piet Retief.] + +In the words of Piet Retief, when he left Grahamstown:-- + + We despair of saving the Colony from those evils which threaten + it by the turbulent and dishonest conduct of vagrants who are + allowed to infest the country in every part; nor do we see any + prospect of peace or happiness for our children in a country thus + distracted by internal commotions. + + We complain of the severe losses which we have been forced to + sustain by the emancipation of our slaves, and the vexatious laws + which have been enacted respecting them. + + We complain of the continual system of plunder which we have for + years endured from the Kaffirs and other coloured classes, and + particularly by the last invasion of the Colony, which has + desolated the frontier district and ruined most of the + inhabitants. + + We complain of the unjustifiable odium which has been cast upon + us by interested and dishonest persons, under the name of + religion, whose testimony is believed in England to the exclusion + of all evidence in our favour; and we can foresee, as the result + of this prejudice, nothing but the total ruin of the country. + + We quit this Colony under the full assurance that the English + Government has nothing more to require of us, and will allow us + to govern ourselves without its interference in future. + + We are now leaving the fruitful land of our birth, in which we + have suffered enormous losses and continual vexation, and are + about to enter a strange and dangerous territory; but we go with + a firm reliance on an all-seeing, just, and merciful God, whom we + shall always fear and humbly endeavour to obey. + + In the name of all who leave this Colony with me. + + P. RETIEF. + +[Sidenote: The English in pursuit.] + +We journeyed then with our fathers beyond the Orange River into the +unknown north, as free men and subjects of no sovereign upon earth. Then +began what the English Member of Parliament, Sir William Molesworth, +termed a strange sort of pursuit. The trekking Boer followed by the +British Colonial Office was indeed the strangest pursuit ever witnessed +on earth. [8] The British Parliament even passed a law in 1836 to impose +punishments beyond their jurisdiction up to the 25th degree south, and +when we trekked further north, Lord Grey threatened to extend this +unrighteous law to the Equator. It may be remarked that in this law it +was specially enacted that no sovereignty or overlordship was to be +considered as established thereby over the territory in question. + +[Sidenote: The Trichardt Trek.] + +The first trek was that of Trichardt and the Van Rensburgs. They went to +the north, but the Van Rensburgs were massacred in the most horrible way +by the Kaffirs, and Trichardt's party reached Delagoa Bay after +indescribable sufferings in a poverty-stricken condition, only to die +there of malarial fever. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 4: Theal, _History of the Boers_, page 64.] + +[Footnote 5: _Oceana_, page 34.] + +[Footnote 6: Theal, page 62.] + +[Footnote 7: Theal, 102.--Cachet.] + +[Footnote 8: 6 & 7, William IV., ch. 57.] + + + + +THE FOUNDING OF NATAL. + + +[Sidenote: Murder of Piet Retief.] + +The second trek was equally unfortunate. Piet Retief had duly paid for +and obtained possession from Dingaan, chief of the Zulus, of that tract +of territory now known as Natal, the latter, incited by some Englishmen, +treacherously murdered him and his party on the 6th February, 1838; 66 +Boers and 30 of their followers perished. The Great Trek thus lost its +most courageous and noble-minded leader. [9] Dingaan then sent two of +his armies, and they overcame the women and children and the aged at +Boesmans River (Blaauw-krantz), where the village of Weenen now stands; +282 white people and 252 servants were massacred. + +Towards the end of the year we entered the land of this criminal with a +small commando of 464 men, and on the 16th December, 1838--since known +as "Dingaan's Day," the proudest in our history--we overthrew the +military might of the Zulus, consisting of 10,000 warriors, and burnt +Dingaan's chief kraal. + +[Sidenote: No extension of British territory.] + +[10] After that we settled down peaceably in Natal, and established a +new Republic. The territory had been purchased with our money and +baptised with our blood. But the Republic was not permitted to remain in +peace for long. The Colonial Office was in pursuit. The Government first +of all decided upon a military occupation of Natal, for, as Governor +Napier wrote to Lord Russell on the 22nd June, 1840, "it was apparently +the fixed determination of Her Majesty's Government not to extend Her +Colonial possessions in this quarter of the Globe." The only object of +the military occupation was to crush the Boers, as the Governor, Sir +George Napier, undisguisedly admitted in his despatch to Lord Glenelg, +of the 16th January, 1838. The Boers were to be prevented from obtaining +ammunition, and to be forbidden to establish an independent Republic. By +these means he hoped to put a stop to the emigration. Lord Stanley +instructed Governor Napier on the 10th April, 1842, to cut the emigrant +Boers off from all communication, and to inform them that the British +Government would assist the savages against them, and would treat them +as rebels. + +Twice we successfully withstood the military occupation; more English +perished while in flight from drowning than fell by our bullets. + +Commissioner Cloete was sent later to annex the young Republic as a +reward for having redeemed it for civilisation. + +[Sidenote: Protest of Natal] + +[11] Annexation, however, only took place under strong protest. On the +21st February, 1842, the Volksraad of Maritzburg, under the chairmanship +of Joachim Prinsloo, addressed the following letter to Governor +Napier:-- + + We know that there is a God, who is the Ruler of heaven and + earth, and who has power, and is willing to protect the injured, + though weaker, against oppressors. In Him we put our trust, and + in the justice of our cause; and should it be His will that total + destruction be brought upon us, our wives and children, and + everything we possess, we will with due submission acknowledge to + have deserved from Him, but not from men. We are aware of the + power of Great Britain, and it is not our object to defy that + power; but at the same time we cannot allow that might instead of + right shall triumph, without having employed all our means to + oppose it. + +[Sidenote: The Boer women] + +[12] The Boer women of Maritzburg informed the British Commissioner +that, sooner than subject themselves again to British sway, they would +walk barefoot over the Drakensberg to freedom or to death. [13] And they +were true to their word, as the following incident proves. Andries +Pretorius, our brave leader, had ridden through to Grahamstown, hundreds +of miles distant, in order to represent the true facts of our case to +Governor Pottinger. He was unsuccessful, for he was obliged to return +without a hearing from the Governor, who excused himself under the +pretext that he had no time to receive Pretorius. When the latter +reached the Drakensberg, on his return, he found nearly the whole +population trekking over the mountains away from Natal and away from +British sway. His wife was lying ill in the waggon, and his daughter had +been severely hurt by the oxen which she was forced to lead. + +[Sidenote: Suffering in Natal] + +Sir Harry Smith, who succeeded Pottinger, thus described the condition +of the emigrant Boers:--"They were exposed to a state of misery which he +had never before seen equalled, except in Massena's invasion of +Portugal. The scene was truly heart-rending." + +This is what we had to suffer at the hands of the British Government in +connection with Natal. + +We trekked back over the Drakensberg to the Free State, where some +remained, but others wandered northwards over the Vaal River. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 9: Theal, pages 104--130.] + +[Footnote 10: Theal, 169.] + +[Footnote 11: Theal, 155.] + +[Footnote 12: Theal, 179.] + +[Footnote 13: Theal, 244.] + + + + +THE ORANGE FREE STATE. + + +[Sidenote: Boomplaats] + +[14] Giving effect to Law 6 and 7, William IV., ch. 57, the English +appointed a Resident in the Free State. Pretorius, however, gave him 48 +hours' notice to quit the Republic. Thereupon Sir Harry Smith mobilised +an army, chiefly consisting of blacks, against us white people, and +fought us at Boomplaats, on the 29th August, 1848. After an obstinate +struggle a Boer named Thomas Dreyer was caught by the blacks of Smith's +army, and to the shame of English reputation, was killed by the English +Governor for no other crime than that he was once, though years before, +a British subject, and had now dared to fight against Her Majesty's +Flag. + +Another murder and deed of shame in South Africa's account with England! + +[Sidenote: Annexation of the Orange Free State] + +In the meantime Sir Harry Smith had annexed the Free State as the +"Orange River Sovereignty," on the pretext that four-fifths of the +inhabitants favoured British dominion, and were only intimidated by the +power of Pretorius from manifesting their wishes. + +[Sidenote: Moshesh] + +But the British Resident soon came into collision with Moshesh, the +great and crafty head chieftain of the Basutos. + +The Boers were called up to assist, but only 75 responded out of the +1,000 who were called up. The English had then to eat the leek. The +Resident informed his Government that the fate of the Orange River +Sovereignty depended upon Andries Pretorius, the very man on whose head +Sir Harry Smith had put a price of L2,000. Earl Grey censured and +abandoned both Sir Harry Smith and the Resident, Major Warden, saying in +his despatch to the Governor dated 15th December, 1851, that the British +Government had annexed the country on the understanding that the +inhabitants had generally desired it. But if they would not support the +British Government, which had only been established in their interests, +and if they wished to be freed from that authority, there was no longer +any use in continuing it. + +[Sidenote: The Orange Sovereignty once more a Republic.] + +The Governor was clearly given to understand by the British Government +that there was in future to be no interference in any of the wars which +might take place between the different tribes and the inhabitants of +independent states beyond the Colonial boundaries, no matter how +sanguinary such wars might happen to be. + +In other words, as Froude says, [15] "In 1852 we had discovered that wars +with the Natives and wars with the Dutch were expensive and useless, +that sending troops out and killing thousands of Natives was an odd way +of protecting them. We resolved then to keep within our own territories, +to meddle no more beyond the Orange River, and to leave the Dutch and +the Natives to settle their differences among themselves." + +And again: [16] "Grown sick at last of enterprises which led neither to +honour nor peace, we resolved, in 1852, to leave Boers, Kaffirs, +Basutos, and Zulus to themselves, and make the Orange River the boundary +of British responsibilities. We made formal treaties with the two Dutch +States, binding ourselves to interfere no more between them and the +Natives, and to leave them either to establish themselves as a barrier +between ourselves and the interior of Africa, or to sink, as was +considered most likely, in an unequal struggle with warlike tribes, by +whom they were infinitely outnumbered." + +The administration of the Free State cost the British taxpayer too much. +There was an idea, too, that if enough rope were given to the Boer he +would hang himself. + +A new Governor, Sir George Cathcart, was sent out with two Special +Commissioners to give effect to the new policy. A new Treaty between +England and the Free State was signed, by which full independence was +guaranteed to the Republic, the British Government undertaking at the +same time not to interfere with any of the Native tribes north of the +Orange River. + +As Cathcart remarked in his letters--the Sovereignty bubble had burst, +and the silly Sovereignty farce was played out. + +[Sidenote: The Diamond Fields] + +[17] It must not be forgotten that as long as the Free State was English +territory it was supposed to include that strip of ground now known as +Kimberley and the Diamond Fields; English title deeds had been issued +during the Orange River Sovereignty in respect of the ground in +question, which was considered to belong to the Sovereignty, and to be +under the jurisdiction of one of the Sovereignty Magistrates. At the +reestablishment of the Free State it consequently became a part of the +Orange Free State. + +[Sidenote: The Basutos.] + +Not fifteen years had elapsed since the Convention between England and +the Free State before it was broken by the English. It had been solemnly +stipulated that England would not interfere in Native affairs north of +the Orange River. The Basutos had murdered the Freestaters, plundered +them, ravished their wives, and committed endless acts of violence. +After a bitter struggle of three years, the Freestaters had succeeded in +inflicting a well-merited chastisement on the Basutos, when the British +intervened in 1869 in favour of the Natives, notwithstanding the fact +that they had reiterated their declaration of non-interference in the +Aliwal Convention. + +[Sidenote: The Diamond Fields.] + +[18] To return to the Diamond Fields, as Froude remarks: "The ink on the +Treaty of Aliwal was scarcely dry when diamonds were discovered in large +quantities in a district which we had ourselves treated as part of the +Orange Territory." Instead of honestly saying that the British +Government relied on its superior strength, and on this ground demanded +the territory in question, which contained the richest diamond fields in +the world, it hypocritically pretended that the real reason of its +depriving the Free State of the Diamond Fields was that they belonged to +a Native, notwithstanding the fact that this contention was falsified +by the judgment of the English Courts. [19] "There was a notion also," +says Froude, "that the finest diamond mine in the world ought not to be +lost to the British Empire." + +The ground was thereupon taken from the Boers, and "from that day no +Boer in South Africa has been able to trust to English promises." + +Later, when Brand went to England, the British Government acknowledged +its guilt and paid L90,000 for the richest diamond fields in the world, +a sum which scarcely represents the daily output of the mines. + +But notwithstanding the Free State Convention, notwithstanding the +renewed promises of the Aliwal Convention[20]--the Free State was forced +to suffer a third breach of the Convention at the hands of the English. +Ten thousand rifles were imported into Kimberley through the Cape +Colony, and sold there to the natives who encircled and menaced the two +Dutch Republics.[21] General Sir Arthur Cunynghame, the British +Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, admits that 400,000 guns were sold +to Kaffirs during his term of office. Protests from the Transvaal and +the Free State were of no avail.[22] And when the Free State in the +exercise of its just rights stopped waggons laden with guns on their way +through its territory, it was forced to pay compensation to the British +Government. + +"The Free State," says the historian Froude, "paid the money, but paid +it under protest, with an old-fashioned appeal to the God of +Righteousness, whom, strange to say, they believed to be a reality." + +It seems thus that there is no place for the God of Righteousness in +English policy. + +So far we have considered our Exodus from the Cape Colony, and the way +in which we were deprived of Natal and the Free State by England. Now +for the case of the Transvaal. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 14: Theal, 256-64. Hofstede.] + +[Footnote 15: _Oceana_, page 31.] + +[Footnote 16: _Oceana_, page 36.] + +[Footnote 17: Froude, _Oceana_. Hofstede.] + +[Footnote 18: _Oceana_, page 41.] + +[Footnote 19: _Oceana_, page 40.] + +[Footnote 20: _Oceana_, page 42.] + +[Footnote 21: Cunynghame, page XI.] + +[Footnote 22: _Oceana_, page 42.] + + + + +THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC. + + +The disastrous fate of the Trichardt Trek has already been told. The +Trichardts found the Transvaal overrun by the warriors of Moselikatse, +the King of the Matabele and father of Lobengula. The other tribes of +the Transvaal were his "dogs," according to the Kaffir term. + +[Sidenote: Moselikatse.] + +As soon as he heard of the approach of the emigrant Boers he sent out an +army to exterminate them. This army succeeded in cutting off and +murdering one or two stragglers, but it was defeated at Vechtkop by the +small laager of Sarel Celliers, where the Boer women distinguished +themselves by deeds of striking heroism. + +Shortly afterwards the emigrant Boers journeyed across the Vaal River, +and after two battles drove Moselikatse and his hordes across the +Limpopo right into what is now Matabeleland. Andries Pretorius had come +into the Transvaal after the Annexation of Natal, and lived there +quietly, notwithstanding the price which had been put on his head after +Boomplaats. The British Resident in the Free State, which at this time +still belonged to England, was compelled to admit in a letter to the +English Governor that the fate of the Free State depended upon the +selfsame Pretorius. It was owing to his influence that Moshesh had not +killed off the English soldiers. People had decided in England--to quote +Froude once more--to abandon the Africanders and the Kaffirs beyond the +borders to their fate, in the hope that the Kaffirs would exterminate +the Africanders. + +[Sidenote: The Sand River Convention.] + +According to Molesworth, the English member of Parliament, the Colonial +Office was delighted when the Governor received a letter in 1851 from +Andries Pretorius, Commandant-General of the Transvaal Boers, in which +he offered on behalf of his people to enter into negotiations with the +British Government for a Treaty of Peace and Friendship. [23] The price +put on his head was promptly cancelled, and when Sir Harry Smith was +recalled in disgrace, Governor Cathcart was sent out to recognise the +independence of the Boers. The Aberdeen Ministry declared through its +representative in the House of Commons that they regretted having +crossed the Orange River, as the Boers were hostile to British rule, and +that Lord Grey had permitted it out of deference to the views of Sir +Harry Smith, against his own better judgment and convictions. This +policy was almost unanimously endorsed by the House of Commons. + +The proposal of Pretorius was then accepted, and two Assistant +Commissioners, Hogge and Owen, were sent out with Governor Cathcart, and +met the Boer representatives at Sand River, a meeting which resulted in +the Sand River Convention, respectively signed by both the contracting +parties. + +In this Convention, as in the later Free State Treaty, the Transvaal +Boers were guaranteed in the fullest way against interference or +hindrance on the part of Great Britain, either in regard to themselves +or the natives, to whom it was mutually agreed that the sale of firearms +and ammunition should be strictly forbidden. The British Commissioners +reported that the recognition of the independence of the Transvaal Boers +would secure great advantages, as it would ensure their friendship and +prevent any union with Moshesh. It would also be a guarantee against +slavery, and would provide for the extradition of criminals. [24] On the +13th May, 1852, great satisfaction was expressed by the Governor, Sir +George Cathcart, in his proclamation that one of the first acts of his +administration was to approve and fully confirm the Sand River +Convention. On the 24th June, 1852, the Colonial Secretary also +signified his approval of the Convention. + +[Sidenote: Recognition of the South African Republic by Foreign Powers.] + +The Republic was now in possession of a Convention, which from the +nature of its provisions seemed to promise a peaceful future. In +addition to Great Britain it was recognised in Holland, France, Germany, +Belgium, and especially in the United States of America. The American +Secretary of State at Washington, writing to President Pretorius on the +19th November, 1870, said:--"That his Government, while heartily +acknowledging the Sovereignty of the Transvaal Republic, would be ready +to take any steps which might be deemed necessary for that purpose." + +But no reliance could be placed on England's word, even though it was +embodied in a Convention duly signed and ratified, for when the Diamond +Fields were discovered, barely seventeen years later, England claimed a +portion of Transvaal territory next to that part which had already been +wrested from the Free State. Arbitration was decided upon. As the +Arbitrators could not agree, the Umpire, Governor Keate, gave judgment +against the Transvaal. Thereupon it appeared that the English Arbitrator +had bought 12,000 morgen (of the ground in dispute) from the Native +Chief Waterboer for a mere song, and also that Governor Keate had +accepted Waterboer as a British subject, which was contrary to the +Convention. Even Dr. Moffat, who was no friend of the Boers, entered a +protest in a letter to the _Times_, on the ground that the territory in +question had all along been the property of the Transvaal. + +[Sidenote: Sale of guns to Natives.] + +But this was only one of the breaches of the Convention. When the +400,000 guns, about which Cunynghame and Moodie testify, were sold to +the Kaffirs, the Transvaal lodged a strong protest in 1872 with the Cape +High Commissioner. Their only satisfaction was an insolent reply from +Sir Henry Barkly. + +[Sidenote: Annexation of the Transvaal.] + +As a crowning act in these deeds of shame came the Annexation of the +Transvaal by Shepstone on the 12th April, 1877. Sir Bartle Frere was +sent out as Governor to Cape Town by Lord Carnarvon to carry out the +confederation policy of the latter. Shepstone was also sent to the +Transvaal to annex that State, in case the consent of the Volksraad or +that of the majority of the inhabitants could be obtained. The Volksraad +protested against the Annexation. The President protested. Out of a +possible 8,000 burghers, 6,800 protested. But all in vain. + +Bishop Colenso declared that: [25] "The sly and underhand way in which +the Transvaal has been annexed appears to be unworthy of the English +name." + +The Free State recorded its deepest regret at the Annexation. + +Even Gladstone, in expressing his regret, admitted that England had in +the Transvaal acted in such a way as to use the free subjects of a +kingdom to oppress the free subjects of a Republic, and to compel them +to accept a citizenship which they did not wish to have. + +But it was all of no avail. + +Sir Garnet Wolseley declared: "As long as the sun shines the Transvaal +will remain British Territory." He also stated that the Vaal River would +flow backwards to its source over the Drakensberg before England would +give up the Transvaal. + +[Sidenote: Pretexts for the Annexation.] + +Shepstone's chief pretexts for the Annexation were that the Transvaal +could not subdue Secoecoeni, and that the Zulus threatened to overpower +the Transvaal. As far as Secoecoeni is concerned, he had shortly before +sued for peace, and the Transvaal Republic had fined him 2,000 head of +cattle. With regard to the Zulus, the threatened danger was never felt +by the Republic. Four hundred burghers had crushed the Zulu power in +1838, and the burghers had crowned Panda, Cetewayo's father, in 1840. + +Sir Bartle Frere acknowledged in a letter to Sir Robert Herbert dated +12th January, 1879, that he could not understand how it was that the +Zulus had left Natal unmolested for so long, until he found out that +the Zulus had been thoroughly subdued by the Boers during Dingaan's +time. Just before the Annexation a small patrol of Boers had pursued the +Chief Umbeline into the very heart of Zululand. But Bishop Colenso +points out clearly what a fraudulent stalking horse the Zulu difficulty +was. There had been a dispute of some years standing between the +Transvaal and the Zulus about a strip of territory along the border, +which had been claimed and occupied by the Boers since 1869. The +question was referred to Shepstone before the Annexation, while he was +still in Natal, and he gave a direct decision against the Boers, and in +favour of the Zulus. There was thus no cause on that account for the +fear of a Zulu attack upon the Transvaal. But scarcely had Shepstone +become administrator of the Transvaal when he declared the ground in +dispute to be British territory, and discovered that there was the +strongest evidence for the contention of the Boers that the Zulus had no +right to the ground. Bulwer, the Governor of Natal, appointed a Boundary +Commission, which decided in favour of the Zulus, but Shepstone +vehemently opposed their verdict, and Bartle Frere and the High +Commissioner (Wolseley) followed him blindly.[26] The result was that +England sent an ultimatum to the Zulus, and the Zulu War took place, +which lowered the prestige of England among the Natives of South Africa. + +It will thus be seen that Shepstone's two chief reasons for the +Annexation were devoid of foundation. + +It was naturally difficult for the Secretary of State to justify his +instructions that the Annexation of the Transvaal was only to take +place in case a majority of the inhabitants favoured such a course, in +face of the fact that 6,800 out of 8,000 burghers had protested against +it. + +But both Shepstone and Lord Carnarvon declared without a shadow of proof +that the signatures of the protesting petitions were obtained under +threats of violence. The case, indeed, was exactly the reverse. When the +meeting was held at Pretoria to sign this petition, Shepstone caused the +cannons to be pointed at the assemblage. As if this were not enough, he +issued a menacing proclamation against the signing of the petition. + +When these pretexts were thus disposed of, they relied on the fact that +the Annexation was a _fait accompli_. + +Delegates were sent to England to protest against the Annexation, but +Lord Carnarvon told them that he would only be misleading them if he +held out any hope of restitution. Gladstone afterwards endorsed this by +saying that he could not advise the Queen to withdraw her Sovereignty +from the Transvaal. + +When it was represented that the Annexation was a deliberate breach of +the Sand River Convention, Sir Bartle Frere replied, in 1879, that if +they wished to go back to the Sand River Convention, they might just as +well go back to the Creation! + +It is necessary here not to lose sight of the fact that the ground, +which according to the Keate award in 1870 had been declared to lie +beyond the borders of the Republic, was now included by Shepstone as +being a part of the Transvaal. + +There were, however, other matters which under Republican +administration were branded as wrong, but which under English rule were +perfectly right. In the Secoecoeni War under the Republic the British +High Commissioner had protested against the use of the Swazies and +Volunteers by the Republic in conducting the campaign. + +Under British administration the war was carried on at first by regulars +only, but when these were defeated by the Kaffirs, an army of Swazies, +as well as Volunteers, was collected. The number of the former can be +gathered from the fact that 500 Swazies were killed. The atrocities +committed by these Swazi allies of the English on the people of +Secoecoeni's tribe were truly awful. + +Bishop Colenso, who condemned this incident, said, with regard to the +results of the Annexation of the Republic, that the Zululand difficulty, +as well as that with Secoecoeni, was the direct consequence of the +unfortunate Annexation of the Transvaal, which would not have happened +if we had not taken possession of the country like a lot of freebooters, +partly by "trickery," partly by "bullying." Elsewhere he said: "And in +this way we annexed the Transvaal, and that act brought as its Nemesis +the Zulu difficulty." + +That the British Government had all along considered the Zulus as a +means of annihilating the Transvaal when a favourable opportunity +occurred, is clear from a letter which the High Commissioner, Sir Bartle +Frere, wrote to General Ponsonby, in which he says:--[27] "That while +the Boer Republic was a rival and semi-hostile power, it was a Natal +weakness rather to pet the Zulus as one might a tame wolf who only +devoured one's neighbours' sheep. We always remonstrated, but rather +feebly, and now that both flocks belong to us, we are rather embarrassed +in stopping the wolfs ravages." + +And again in a letter to Sir Robert Herbert:--[28] "The Boers were +aggressive, the English were not; and were well inclined to help the +Zulus against the Boers. I have been shocked to find how very close to +the wind the predecessors of the present Government here have sailed in +supporting the Zulus against Boer aggression. Mr. John Dunn, still a +salaried official of this Government, thinking himself bound to explain +his own share in supplying rifles to the Zulus in consequence of the +revelations in a late trial of a Durban gun-runner, avows that he did so +with the knowledge, if not the consent, and at the suggestion of (naming +a high Colonial official) in Natal. There can be no doubt that Natal +sympathy was strongly with the Zulus as against the Boers, and, what is +worse, is so still." + +Under such circumstances did the Annexation take place. The English did +not scruple to make use of Kaffir aid against the Boers, as at +Boomplaats, and it was brought home in every possible way to the British +Nation that a great wrong had been committed here; but even the High +Commissioner, though he heard the words issue from our bleeding hearts, +wished that he had brought some artillery in order to disperse us, and +misrepresented us beyond measure. + +Full of hope we said to ourselves if only the Queen of England and the +English people knew that in the Transvaal a people were being oppressed, +they would never suffer it. + +[Sidenote: The War of Freedom.] + +But we had now to admit that it was of no use appealing to England, +because there was no one to hear us. Trusting in the Almighty God of +righteousness and justice, we armed ourselves for an apparently hopeless +struggle in the firm conviction that whether we conquered or whether we +died, the sun of freedom in South Africa would arise out of the morning +mists. With God's all-powerful aid we gained the victory, and for a time +at least it seemed as if our liberty was secure. + +At Bronkorst Spruit, at Laing's Nek, at Ingogo, and at Majuba, God gave +us victory, although in each case the British troopers outnumbered us, +and were more powerfully armed than ourselves. + +After these victories had given new force to our arguments, the British +Government, under the leadership of Gladstone, a man whom we shall never +forget, decided to cancel the Annexation, and to restore to us our +violated rights. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 23: Molesworth.] + +[Footnote 24: Theal, 305.] + +[Footnote 25: 30th April, 1877, Letter to the Rev. La Touche.] + +[Footnote 26: Martineau, _The Transvaal Trouble_, page 76.] + +[Footnote 27: Martineau, _The Transvaal Trouble_, page 69.] + +[Footnote 28: _The Transvaal Trouble_, page 76.] + + + + +CONVENTIONS OF 1881 AND 1884. + + +[Sidenote: Pretoria Convention.] + +An ordinary person would have thought that the only upright way of +carrying a policy of restitution into effect would have been for the +British Government to have returned to the provisions of the Sand River +Convention. If the Annexation was wrong in itself--without taking the +Boer victories into consideration--then it ought to have been abolished +with all its consequences, and there ought to have been a _restitutio in +integrum_ of that Republic; that is to say, the Boers ought to have been +placed in exactly the same position as they were in before the +Annexation. But what happened? With a magnanimity which the English +press and English orators are never tired of vaunting, they gave us back +our country, but the violation of the Sand River Convention remained +unredressed. Instead of a sovereign freedom, we obtained free internal +administration, subject to the suzerain power of Her Majesty over the +Republic. This occurred by virtue of the Convention of Pretoria, the +preamble of which bestowed self-government on the Transvaal State with +the express reservation of suzerainty. The articles of that Convention +endeavoured to establish a _modus vivendi_ between such self-government +and the aforesaid suzerainty. Under this bi-lateral arrangement the +Republic was governed for three years by two heterogeneous +principles--that of representative self-government, and that +represented by the British Agent. This system was naturally unworkable; +it was also clear that the arrangement of 1881 was not to be considered +as final. + +[Sidenote: The London Convention.] + +The suzerainty was above all an absurdity which was not possible to +reconcile with practical efficacy. So with the approval of the British +Government a Deputation went to London in 1883, in order to get the +status of the Republic altered, and to substitute a new Convention for +that of Pretoria. The Deputation proposed to return to the position as +laid down by the Sand River Convention, and that was in fact the only +upright and statesmanlike arrangement possible. But according to the +evidence of one of the witnesses on the British side, the Rev. D.P. +Faure, the Ministry suffered from a very unwholesome dread of +Parliament; so it would not agree to this, and submitted a counter +proposal (see Appendix A.), which eventually was accepted by the +Deputation, and the conditions of which are to-day of the greatest +importance to us. + +This Draft was constructed out of the Pretoria Convention with such +alterations as were designed to make it acceptable to the Deputation. +The preamble under which complete self-government, subject to the +suzerainty, was granted to the Republic was deliberately erased by Lord +Derby, then Secretary of State for the Colonies, so that the suzerainty +naturally lapsed when the Draft was eventually accepted. In order to +make it perfectly clear that the status of the Republic was put upon +another basis, the title "Transvaal State" was altered to that of the +"South African Republic." All articles in the Pretoria Convention which +gave the British Government any authority in the internal affairs of +this Republic were done away with. As far as foreign affairs were +concerned, a great and far-reaching change was made. It was stipulated +in Article 2 of the Pretoria Convention that "Her Majesty reserves to +herself, her heirs and successors (_a_), the right from time to time to +appoint a British Resident in and for the said State, with such duties +and functions as are hereinafter defined; (_b_), the right to move +troops through the said State in time of war or in case of the +apprehension of immediate war between the Suzerain Power and any Foreign +State or Native tribe in South Africa; and (_c_) the control of the +external relations of the said State, including the conclusion of +treaties and the conduct of diplomatic intercourse with Foreign Powers, +such intercourse to be carried on through Her Majesty's diplomatic and +consular officers abroad." + +This was superseded by Article 4 of the Convention of London, which was +to the following effect:-- + + "The South African Republic will conclude no treaty or engagement + with any State or Nation other than the Orange Free State, nor + with any Native tribe to the eastward or westward of the + Republic, until the same has been approved by Her Majesty the + Queen. + + "Such approval shall be considered to have been granted if Her + Majesty's Government shall not, within six months after receiving + a copy of such treaty (which shall be delivered to them + immediately upon its completion), have notified that the + conclusion of such treaty is in conflict with the interests of + Great Britain, or any of Her Majesty's possessions in South + Africa." + +The right of the British Government to exercise control over all our +foreign relations, and to conduct all our diplomatic negotiations +through its own Agent, was thus replaced by the far more slender right +of approving or disapproving of our treaties and conventions _after they +were completed_, and then only when it affected the interests of Great +Britain or Her Majesty's possessions in South Africa. + +[Sidenote: Status of the Republic.] + +It was this Article 4 which gave an appearance of truth (and an +appearance only) to Lord Derby's declaration in the House of Lords that +although he had omitted the term of suzerainty, the substance thereof +remained. It would have been more correct to have said that owing to the +lapse of suzerainty the South African Republic no longer fell under the +head of a semi-suzerain State, but that it had become a free, +independent, sovereign international State, the sovereignty of which was +only limited by the restriction contained in Article 4 of the +Convention. Sovereignty need not of necessity be absolute. Belgium is a +sovereign international State, although it is bound to observe a +condition of permanent neutrality. The South African Republic falls +undoubtedly under this category of States, the sovereignty of which is +limited in one or other defined direction. But the fact of its +sovereignty is nevertheless irrefutable. It will be pointed out later +how this position, which is undoubtedly the correct one, has been +consistently upheld by the Government of the South African Republic, but +it is necessary now to revert to the historical development. + + + + +CAPITALISTIC JINGOISM. + +FIRST PERIOD. + + +[Sidenote: The gold fields.] + +In 1886 gold was discovered in great quantities and in different parts +of the South African Republic, and with that discovery our people +entered upon a new phase of their history. The South African Republic +was to develope within a few years from a condition of great poverty +into a rich and prosperous State, a country calculated in every respect +to awaken and inflame the greed of the Capitalistic speculator. Within a +few years the South African Republic was ranked among the first +gold-producing countries of the world. The bare veldt of hitherto was +overspread with large townships inhabited by a speculative and bustling +class brought together from all corners of the earth. The Boers, who had +hitherto followed pastoral and hunting pursuits, were now called upon to +fulfil one of the most difficult tasks in the world, namely, the +management of a complicated administration, and the government of a +large digging population, which had sprung up suddenly under the most +extraordinary circumstances. And how have they acquitted themselves of +the task? We quote the following from a brilliant pamphlet by Olive +Schreiner, who possesses a deeper insight into the true condition of +affairs in South Africa than has been vouchsafed to any other writer on +the same subject:-- + + [29] "We put it to all generous and just spirits, whether of statesmen + or thinkers, whether the little Republic does not deserve our + sympathy, which wise minds give to all who have to deal with new + and complex problems, where the past experience of humanity has + not marked out a path--and whether, if we touch the subject at + all, it is not necessary that it should be in that large + impartial, truth-seeking spirit in which humanity demands we + should approach all great social difficulties and questions?" + + "It is sometimes said that when one stands looking down from the + edge of this hill at the great mining camp of Johannesburg + stretching beneath, with its heaps of white sand and _debris_ + mountain high, its mining chimneys belching forth smoke, with its + seventy thousand Kaffirs and its eighty thousand men and women, + white or coloured, of all nationalities, gathered here in the + space of a few years on the spot where, fifteen years ago, the + Boer's son guided his sheep to the water and the Boer's wife sat + alone at evening at the house door to watch the sunset, we are + looking upon one of the most wonderful spectacles on earth. And + it is wonderful; but as we look at it the thought always arises + within us of something more wonderful yet--the marvellous manner + in which a little nation of simple folk, living in peace in the + land they loved, far from the rush of cities and the concourse of + men, have risen to the difficulties of their condition; how they, + without instruction in statecraft or traditionary rules of + policy, have risen to face their great difficulties, and have + sincerely endeavoured to meet them in a large spirit, and have + largely succeeded. Nothing but that curious and wonderful + instinct for statecraft and the organisation and arrangement of + new social conditions which seem inherent as a gift of the blood + to all those peoples who took their rise in the little deltas on + the north-east of the Continent of Europe where the English and + Dutch peoples alike took their rise could have made it possible. + We do not say that the Transvaal Republic has among its guides + and rulers a Solon or a Lycurgus, but it has to-day, among the + men guiding its destiny, men of brave and earnest spirit, who are + seeking manfully and profoundly to deal with the great problems + before them in a wide spirit of humanity and justice. And we do + again repeat that the strong sympathy of all earnest and + thoughtful minds, not only in Africa, but in England, should be + with them." + +If one compares the gold fields of the Witwatersrand with those of other +countries, it is certain that the former can claim to be the best +governed mining area in the world. This is the almost unanimous verdict +of people who have had a lengthy experience of the gold fields of +California, Australia, and Klondyke. + +As far as South Africa is concerned, it is only necessary to instance +the diamond fields of Griqualand West when they were directly +administered by the British Government. They then afforded a continual +spectacle of rebellion, rioting, and indescribable uncertainty of, and +danger to, life and property. + +In Appendix B. are certain extracts from the evidence of eye witnesses +as to the chaos which characterised the condition of the diamond fields +when under British rule--a condition which differs from that of the +Witwatersrand gold fields as night from day. Reference will be made +later on to the administration of the gold fields of the South African +Republic. For the present it is necessary to glance at certain forces +which had been developed on the diamond fields of the Cape Colony, and +which have introduced a new factor of overwhelming importance into the +South African situation. + +[Sidenote: Capitalism.] + +The development of British policy in South Africa had hitherto been +influenced at different times, and in a greater or less degree, by the +spirit of Jingoism, and by that zeal for Annexation which is so +characteristic of the trading instincts of the race. It was, however, a +policy that had been conducted in other respects on continuous lines, +and it might be justified by the argument that it was necessary in the +interests of the Empire. But Capitalism was the new factor which was +about to play such an important _role_ in the history of South Africa. +The natural differences in men find their highest expression in the +varieties of influence which one man exercises over another; this +influence can either be of a religious, moral, political, or purely +material nature. Material influence generally takes the form of money, +or the financial nexus, as an English writer has termed it. An unusual +combination of this form of influence leads to Capitalism just as an +unusual combination of political influence leads to tyranny, and an +unusual combination of religious influence to hierarchical despotism. +Capitalism is the modern peril which threatens to become as dangerous to +mankind as the political tyranny of the old Eastern world and the +religious despotism of the Middle Ages were in their respective eras. + +In a part of the world so rich in minerals of all descriptions as the +Transvaal, it is natural that Capitalism should play a considerable +_role_. Unfortunately, in South Africa it has from the very first +attempted to go far beyond its legitimate scope; it has endeavoured to +gain political power, and to make all other forms of government and +influence subservient to its own ends. The measure of its success can be +clearly gauged by the fact that all South Africa is standing to-day on +the brink of a great precipice, and may be hurled into the abyss before +the ink on these pages is dry. + +[Sidenote: Mr. Cecil Rhodes] + +The spirit of Capitalism found its incarnation in Mr. Cecil Rhodes, who +was able to amalgamate the pressing and conflicting interests of the +Diamond Fields into the one great Corporation of which he is the head. + +Although he probably had no exceptional aptitude for politics, he was +irresistibly drawn towards them by the stress of his interests. By means +of his financial influence, together with a double allowance of +elasticity of conscience, he succeeded so far as to become Prime +Minister of the Cape Colony, and was powerfully and solidly supported by +the Africander party. The Africanders believed in him because they were +really and deeply imbued with the necessity of the co-operation and +fusion of the two white races in South Africa, and he, as a loyal +Englishman, but fully possessing the confidence of Colonial +Africanderdom, seemed to them just the very person to realise their +ideal. + +To a careful observer the alliance between Africanderdom and Capitalism +was bound to lead to a rupture sooner or later. Deeply rooted and pure +national sentiment as well as burning conviction form the basis of +Africander Policy, and it was obvious that in the long run it would be +discovered that this policy could never be made subservient to purely +financial interests. + +[Sidenote: Jingoism.] + +But there was another factor. There was that debased form of patriotism +called Jingoism. It is a form of party politics without solid +convictions or real beliefs, which puffs itself out with big words, and +with the froth of high-sounding ideas and principles. It is a policy, +nevertheless, which appeals most strongly to the instincts of +self-interest and to the illegal appropriation of other people's +property. It revels in the lust of boasting, so deeply ingrained in +human nature. In a word, it is a policy which is in direct opposition to +the true spirit of religion, to the altruistic ideals of humanity, and +to that sentiment of humility and moderation which is the natural basis +of all morality. + +[Sidenote: Alliance between Capitalism and Jingoism.] + +Here, indeed, were the elements of an enduring alliance--an alliance +between Capitalism, with its great material influence, but barren of any +one single exalted idea or principle on the one hand, and Jingoism, +sterile, empty, soulless, but with a rich stock-in-trade of bombastic +ideas and principles, prompted by the most selfish aspirations, on the +other hand. + +The one was eminently calculated to form the complement of the other, +thus creating a natural alliance which is rapidly becoming a menace, all +the world over, to the best and most enduring interests of humanity. + +This Capitalistic Jingoism is the tree from which it is the lot of our +unfortunate South Africa to gather such bitter fruit to-day. + +Mr. Rhodes, with that treacherous duplicity which is an enduring +characteristic of British policy in South Africa, co-operated publicly, +and in the closest relationship, with the Colonial Africanders, while he +was secretly fomenting a conspiracy with Jingoism against the Cape +Africanders and the South African Republics. He already had the +Africanders in the Cape Colony under his sway; his aim was now to gain +the same influence in the South African Republic, with its rich gold +mines--not so much, perhaps, for himself personally as for Capitalism, +with which his interests were so closely identified. In case of success, +he would obtain his personal aim, and Capitalism would be absolutely +despotic in South Africa. With an eye to this end he, with other +Capitalists, began in 1892 to foment a political agitation in +Johannesburg against the Republic. In a place like Johannesburg, where +drink is consumed in great quantities, and where the high altitude and +the stress of business all tend to keep people's spirits in a constant +state of excitability, it was easy enough, with the aid of money, to +bring about a state of political ferment in a very short time, +especially as just that measure of grievances existed to give a colour +of truth to the imaginary ones. + +[Sidenote: The National Union.] + +Under these conditions the National Union movement originated in 1892. +Its adherents were entirely composed of the creatures and parasites of +the Capitalists, with a few honest fools and enthusiasts who naturally +did not think deeply enough to discern the aim and the trend of this +hypocritical movement. + +The Capitalists at this time certainly kept well in the background, in +order that the movement might have the appearance of being a popular +one. The Capitalists of Johannesburg were, however, a theatrical lot, +and the desire to play a prominent _role_ was too intense to be +suppressed for any length of time, so that after the lapse of a couple +of years they naturally took the leading part in the _opera bouffe_ +agitation which followed. + +[Sidenote: Corruption of the Capitalists.] + +They began, by means of the lowest and most repulsive methods, to +undermine the Boer policy in order to gain the mastery of the mining +legislation and administration. They had persuaded themselves and the +rest of the world that the Boers were as a body corrupt and tainted, so +they armed themselves, with the power of money in order to overthrow +them. + +Lionel Phillips wrote in this spirit on the 16th June, 1894, to Beit in +London:--[30] "I may here say that, as you of course know, I have no +desire for political rights, and believe as a whole that the community +is not ambitious in this respect. The bewaarplaatsen question will, I +think, be settled in our favour, but at a cost of about L25,000. It is +proposed to spend a good deal of money in order to secure a better +Raad, but it must be remembered that the spending of money on elections +has, by recent legislation, been made a criminal offence, and the matter +will have to be carefully handled." + +On the 15th July, 1894, he wrote again to the same +correspondent:--[31] "Our trump card is a fund of L10--15,000 to improve +the Raad. Unfortunately the companies have no secret service fund. I +must divine away. We don't want to shell out ourselves." + +Here we catch a glimpse behind the scenes, and we observe how the +Capitalists in 1894 had already endeavoured to lower and vitiate our +public life by methods which did not even recoil before the criminal law +of the land, to say nothing of elementary morality. + +And did they succeed? Were the people and the Volksraad as corrupt as +they thought, and as they still endeavour to make the world believe? +Their failure is the best and most complete answer to this calumny. + +If corruption on a large scale, however, failed to ensure the triumph of +Capitalism over the community, the other trump card of Jingoism still +remained. The pulse of the High Commissioner was felt by Mr. Lionel +Phillips, and what was the answer of Sir Henry Loch, Her Majesty's +representative in South Africa? We extract from the same secret letter +book from which we have already quoted the following letter, dated 1st +July, addressed to Wernher, a member of the influential firm of Wernher, +Beit & Co.:-- + +[Sidenote: (Sir) Henry Loch's indiscretion.] + +[32] "Sir Henry Loch (with whom I had two long private interviews alone) +asked me some very pointed questions, such as what arms we had in +Johannesburg, whether the population could hold the place for six days +until help could arrive, etc., etc., and stated plainly that if there +had been three thousand rifles and ammunition here he would certainly +have come over." + +And so on in the same strain. Sir Henry Loch endorsed the truth of these +statements two years later by boasting openly in the House of Lords +about his plans for organising a raid into the South African Republic. + +And all this happened while he (Sir Henry Loch) was the guest of our +Government, and engaged in friendly negotiations about the interests of +British subjects. To what a depth had British Policy in South Africa +already degenerated. Within two years, however, a deeper abyss was to +open. + +[Sidenote: The conspiracy.] + +The secret conspiracy of the Capitalists and Jingoes to overthrow the +South African Republic began now to gain ground with great rapidity, for +just at this critical period Mr. Chamberlain became Secretary of State +for the Colonies. In the secret correspondence of the conspirators, +reference is continually made to the Colonial Office in a manner which, +taken in connection with later revelations and with a successful +suppression of the truth, has deepened the impression over the whole +world that the Colonial Office was privy to, if not an accomplice in, +the villainous attack on the South African Republic. + +[Sidenote: The Jameson Raid] + +It is unnecessary to dwell at length on the Jameson Raid; the world has +not yet forgotten how the Administrators of a British province, carrying +out a conspiracy headed by the Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, +attacked the South African Republic with an armed band in order to +assist the Capitalist revolution of Johannesburg in overthrowing the +Boer Government; how this raid and this revolution were upset by the +vigilance of the Boers; how Jameson and his filibusters were handed over +to England to stand their trial--although the Boers had the power and +the right to shoot them down as robbers; how the whole gang of +Johannesburg Capitalists pleaded guilty to treason and sedition; how, +instead of confiscating all their property, and thus dealing a death +blow to Capitalistic influence in South Africa, the Government dealt +most leniently with them (an act of magnanimity which was rewarded by +their aiding and abetting a still more dangerous agitation three years +later). + +[Sidenote: The Parliamentary Commission.] + +Nor has the world forgotten how, at the urgent instance of the +Africander party in the Cape Colony, an investigation into the causes of +the conflict was held in Westminster; how that investigation degenerated +into a low attack upon the Government of the sorely maligned and deeply +injured South African Republic, and how at the last moment, when the +truth was on the point of being revealed, and the conspiracy traced to +its fountain head in the British Cabinet, the Commission decided all of +a sudden not to make certain compromising documents public. + +[Sidenote: "Constitutional means."] + +Here we see to what a depth the old great traditions of British +Constitutionalism had sunk under the influence of the ever-increasing +and all-absorbing lust of gold, and in the hands of a sharp-witted +wholesale dealer, who, like Cleon of old, has constituted himself a +statesman. Treachery and violence not having been able to attain their +objects, "Constitutional means" were to be invoked (as Mr. Rhodes openly +boasted before the aforesaid Commission), so as to make Capitalistic +Jingoism master of the situation in South Africa. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 29: Olive Schreiner, _Words in Season_, page 62.] + +[Footnote 30: Transvaal Green Book No. 1 of 1896.] + +[Footnote 31: Transvaal Green Book No. 1 of 1896.] + +[Footnote 32: Transvaal Green Book No. 1 of 1896.] + + + + +CAPITALISTIC JINGOISM. + +SECOND PERIOD. + + +[Sidenote: National sentiment in South Africa kindled by the Jameson +Raid.] + +The foregoing sketch has shown how deeply our people felt and resented +the wrong that was done to them. It was to be expected that such a +treacherous attack on the Republics, emanating from their own leader, +would awaken the Africanders even in the remotest districts, and would +bring fresh energy into the arena of politics. To give an instance of +the measure of the feeling which had been quickened by the raid, a short +extract is given below from an article published in the organ of the +Africander party, _Our Land_, a few months after the Raid, an article +which undoubtedly expressed the feeling of Africanders:-- + +"Has not Providence over-ruled and guided the painful course of events +in South Africa since the beginning of this year (1896)? Who can doubt +it? + +"The stab which was intended to paralyse Africanderdom once and for all +in the Republics has sent an electric thrill direct to the national +heart. Africanderdom has awakened to a sense of earnestness and +consciousness which we have not observed since the heroic war for +Liberty in 1881. From the Limpopo as far as Cape Town the Second Majuba +has given birth to a new inspiration and a new movement amongst our +people in South Africa. A new feeling has rushed in huge billows over +South Africa. The flaccid and cowardly Imperialism, that had already +begun to dilute and weaken our national blood, gradually turned aside +before the new current which permeated our people. Many who, tired of +the slow development of the national idea, had resigned themselves to +Imperialism now paused and asked themselves what Imperialism had +produced in South Africa? Bitterness and race hatred it is true! Since +the days of Sir Harry Smith and Theophilus Shepstone and Bartle Frere to +the days of Leander Jameson and Cecil Rhodes, Imperialism in South +Africa has gone hand in hand with bloodshed and fraud. However wholesome +the effects of Imperialism may be elsewhere, its continual tendency in +this country during all these years has been nothing else but an attempt +to force our national life and national character into foreign grooves; +and to seal this pressure with blood and tears.... This is truly a +critical moment in the existence of Africanderdom all over South Africa. +Now or never! Now or never the foundation of a wide-embracing +nationalism must be laid. The Iron is red hot, and the time for forging +is at hand.... + +... The partition wall has disappeared. Let us stand manfully by one +another. The danger has not yet disappeared; on the contrary, never has +the necessity for a policy of a Colonial and Republican Union been +greater; now the psychological moment has arrived; now our people have +awakened all over South Africa; a new glow illuminates our hearts; let +us now lay the foundation stone of a real United South Africa on the +soil of a pure and _all-comprehensive national sentiment_." + +Such language caused the Jingoes to shudder--not because it was +disloyal, because that it certainly was _not_, but because it proved +that the Jameson Raid had suddenly awakened the Africanders, and that +owing to this defeat of the Jingoes a vista of further and greater +defeats widened out in the future. The Colonial Africanders would +certainly have to be reckoned with, in case an annexation policy were +followed with regard to the Republics. + +[Sidenote: Victory of the Africander Party in the Cape Parliament.] + +For some time the Jingoes cherished the hope that they would gain the +majority in the Cape Parliament under an amended Redistribution Act. The +General Election of 1898 took place, with the result that the Africander +party obtained a small majority, and later, under a Redistribution Act +forced upon them by the Jingoes, the majority of the former was +considerably increased. + +[Sidenote: The cry of disloyalty] + +Instead of honestly admitting that the Africander victory was the +natural result of the Jameson Raid, the Jingoes began, not only in South +Africa, but also in England, to shout that the rule and supremacy of +England in South Africa was menaced. + +[Sidenote: The Transvaal must be humiliated.] + +They contended that South Africa would be lost to England unless +energetic intervention took place without delay, and that this menace to +English rule was due to the Republican propaganda which the South +African Republic had set in motion. That as long as the South African +Republic refused to humiliate itself before British authority, but on +the contrary kept its youthful head on high with national pride, other +parts of South Africa would be inclined to follow its example, and there +would thus be no certainty for British supremacy in this quarter of the +globe. The South African Republic would have to be humiliated and to be +crushed into the dust; the Africanders in other parts of South Africa +would then abandon their alleged hope of a more extensive Republican +South Africa. + +[Sidenote: The necessity for constitutional means.] + +But how was this humiliation to be brought about, and how, above all, +was it to be brought about by those "Constitutional means," which, since +the failure of the conspiracy, had become a _sine qua non_? + +The new Governor of the Cape Colony and High Commissioner of South +Africa, who had enjoyed the distinction of a brilliant university +career, who had learnt humility and moderation at the feet of Mr. W.T. +Stead, and who had learnt by his experience with the fellaheen in Egypt +how to govern the descendants of the Huguenots and the "Beggars of the +Sea," would know very well how to evolve "Constitutional means" in order +to humiliate the South African Republic, and to crush it into the dust. + +[Sidenote: The suzerainty.] + +There was at any rate the burning question of suzerainty, which the +South African Republic had unconsciously and innocently raised in the +following way:-- + +After the Jameson Raid the Volksraad had passed certain laws with a view +of removing some of the causes of that movement, as, for example, the +law by which dangerous individuals could be expelled from the State, and +the law by which paupers and people suffering from contagious diseases +could be prevented from entering the Republic.[33] These laws were +declared to be in conflict with Article XIV. of the London Convention. +Violations of Article IV. were also said to have taken place in regard +to certain extradition and other treaties, which had been concluded +between the South African Republic and Foreign Powers.[34] On the 7th +May, 1897, the Government of the South African Republic dispatched a +very important reply to these accusations, in which, after fully stating +the reasons why the Government differed from Her Majesty's Government, +an appeal was made for arbitration as being the most suitable method of +settling the dispute. + +This appeal was couched in the following language: + +[Sidenote: The appeal for Arbitration.] + +[35] "While it respects the opinion of Her British Majesty's Government, +it takes the liberty, with full confidence in the correctness of its own +views, to propose to Her British Majesty's Government the principle of +Arbitration, with which the honourable the First Volksraad agreed, in +the hope that it will be taken in the conciliatory spirit in which it is +made. It considers that it has every reason for this proposal, the more +so because the principle of Arbitration is already laid down in that +Convention in the only case in which, according to its opinion at the +time, a difference could be foreseen, to wit, with regard to Article I.; +because it has already been proposed by Her British Majesty's +Government, and accepted by this Government with regard to the +difference in respect of Article 14 of the Convention arising in the +matter of the so-called Coolie question, which was settled by +Arbitration; because the Right Honourable the Secretary of State, Mr. +Chamberlain, himself, in his letter of the 4th September, 1895, to His +Excellency the High Commissioner at Cape Town, favours this principle in +the same question, where he says: 'After 1886, as time went on, the +manner in which the law was interpreted and was worked, or was proposed +to be worked, gave rise to complaints on the part of the British +Government, and as it seemed impossible to come to an agreement by means +of correspondence, the Marquis of Ripon took what is the approved course +in such cases, of proposing to the South African Republic that the +dispute should be referred to Arbitration. This was agreed to ...,' +because the principle of Arbitration in matters such as this appears to +the Government to be the most impartial, just, and most satisfactory way +out of the existing difficulty, and, lastly, because one of the parties +to a Convention, according to all principles of reasonableness, cannot +expect that his interpretation will be respected by the other party as +the only valid and correct one. And although this Government is firmly +convinced that a just and impartial decision might be obtained even +better in South Africa than anywhere else, it wishes, in view of the +conflicting elements, interests, and aspirations which are now apparent +in South Africa, and in order to avoid even the appearance that it would +be able or desire to exercise influence in order to obtain a decision +favourable to it, to propose that the President of the Swiss Bondstate, +who may be reckoned upon as standing altogether outside the question, +and to feel sympathy or antipathy neither for the one party nor for the +other, be requested to point out a competent jurist, as has already +often been done in respect of international disputes. The Government +would have no objection that the Arbitration be subject to a limitation +of time, and gives the assurance now already that it will willingly +subject itself to any decision if such should, contrary to its +expectation, be given against it. The Government repeats the well-meant +wish that this proposal may find favour with Her British Majesty's +Government; and inasmuch as the allegations of breaches of the +Convention find entrance now even in South Africa, and bring and keep +the feelings more and more in a state of suspense, this Government will +be pleased if it can learn the decision of Her British Majesty's +Government as soon as possible." + +[Sidenote: England refuses to arbitrate on ground of suzerainty.] + +To this the British Government replied that according to the Convention +of 1884, taken in conjunction with the preamble of the Convention of +1881, the South African Republic was under the suzerainty of Her +Majesty, and that it was incompatible with the subordinate position of +the South African Republic to submit to Arbitration any matters in +dispute as to the construction of the Convention between it and the +suzerain Power. + +In order to avoid any misunderstanding as to this very remarkable +document, the exact wording of the British dispatch is +given:--[36] "Finally, the Government of the South African Republic +propose that all points in dispute between Her Majesty's Government and +themselves relating to the Convention should be referred to Arbitration, +the Arbitrator to be nominated by the President of the Swiss Republic. +In making this proposal the Government of the South African Republic +appear to have overlooked the distinction between the Conventions of +1881 and 1884 and an ordinary treaty between two independent Powers, +questions arising upon which may properly be the subject of Arbitration. +By the Pretoria Convention of 1881 Her Majesty, as Sovereign of the +Transvaal Territory, accorded to the inhabitants of that territory +complete self-government, subject to the suzerainty of Her Majesty, her +heirs, and successors, upon certain terms and conditions, and subject to +certain reservations and limitations set forth in 33 articles; and by +the London Convention of 1884, Her Majesty, while maintaining the +preamble of the earlier instrument, directed and declared that certain +other articles embodied therein should be substituted for the articles +embodied in the Convention of 1881. The articles of the Convention of +1881 were accepted by the Volksraad of the Transvaal State, and those of +the Convention of 1884 by the Volksraad of the South African Republic. +Under these Conventions, therefore, Her Majesty holds towards the South +African Republic the relation of a _suzerain_ who has accorded to the +people of that Republic self-government upon certain conditions, _and it +would be incompatible with that position to submit to Arbitration the +construction of the conditions on which she accorded self-government to +the Republic_." + +[Sidenote: Reply of the Transvaal Government.] + +[37] In its celebrated reply of the 16th April, 1898, the Government of +the South African Republic proved with unanswerable force that the +preamble of the Convention of 1881 had been abolished, that Lord Derby +had himself in 1884 proposed a draft Convention, in which the preamble +was erased (see Appendix B.), and that by the ultimate acceptance of +that proposal, the suzerainty had ceased to exist. + +On this account, as well as for other reasons, it contended that as no +suzerainty existed between the two countries, the objection to +Arbitration as a means of settling disputes would disappear, and the +Government reiterated their appeal to have such differences or disputes +disposed of by Arbitration. + +[Sidenote: The object of the suzerainty dispute.] + +Naturally this was exactly what Mr. Chamberlain did not want. He was +opposed to Arbitration dispute, because it would have probably led to +the humiliation of the British and not of the Boer Government. The +suzerainty question was introduced in the meanwhile as a "Constitutional +Proposal," which might be used for the purpose of humiliating the South +African Republic. + +In his answer to the arguments put forward by the South African +Republic,[38] Mr. Chamberlain could only persist in repeating his +contention that suzerainty still existed, and did not even attempt to +refute the statement that Lord Derby had himself erased the preamble of +the Convention of 1881. It was clearly his opinion that Lord Derby had, +through stupidity and thoughtlessness, abandoned the suzerainty in +1884, just as Lord Russell had abandoned the idea of obtaining the +South African Republic in 1852, so that he would now, just as Shepstone +in 1877, have to try and disconcert the Republic by a display of force +and inflexible determination, so as not to be deprived of these +eminently "Constitutional means." + +[Sidenote: The Transvaal a sovereign international state.] + +[39] His arguments in this dispatch, that both the suzerainty of Her +Majesty and the right of the South African Republic to self-government +were dependent upon the preamble of the Pretoria Convention, and that if +the preamble were null and void, not only would the suzerainty but also +the right to self-government disappear, were clearly designed to +intimidate the South African Republic; but in other respects the +argument was perfectly correct. Accordingly the Government of the South +African Republic replied that it did not base its claim to +self-government on the preamble of the Convention of 1881, nor on the +Convention of 1884 (for no mention is made of self-government in that +document), but simply on the ground of its being a sovereign +international state. + +In other words, it contended that the Convention of London implied that +the South African Republic was a sovereign international state, and that +it was therefore superfluous in that Convention to specify or define its +rights. Into this answer, which is not only juridically and historically +correct, but which rests on the basis of common sense, the astute High +Commissioner was able to read a menace to Her Majesty's Government, +although the Government of the Republic distinctly stated in that reply +that it adhered to the Convention of London, an assurance which it had +already made hundreds of times. + +[Sidenote: Justice of the Transvaal contention.] + +This is the whole history of the suzerainty dispute between the two +Governments. The South African Republic had asked for arbitration on +certain questions, and England, with Mr. Chamberlain as spokesman, had +refused, because a suzerain Power could not be expected to settle +disputes with its vassal by means of arbitration. So that according to +the new principles of International Law, based on the "screw" ethics of +Birmingham, it was to be judge and jury in its own disputes with other +people. + +The position taken up by our Government in this remarkable controversy +is substantiated by the actions of Lord Derby during the negotiations +about the Conventions, as well as by the following telegram, which he +sent to the High Commissioner for communication to the two Republics:-- + + HIGH COMMISSIONER, CAPE TOWN. + + _To_ BRITISH RESIDENT, PRETORIA. + + Please inform Transvaal Government that I have received the + following from the Secretary of State:--27th February. Convention + signed to-day. New south-western boundary as proposed, following + trade road. British Protectorate country outside Transvaal + established with delegates' consent. They promise to appoint + Border Commissioner inside Transvaal, co-operate with ours + outside; Mackenzie--British Resident. Debt reduced to quarter + million. Same complete internal independence in Transvaal as in + Orange Free State. Conduct and control diplomatic intercourse + Foreign Governments conceded. Queen's final approval treaties + reserved. Delegates appear well satisfied and cordial feeling two + Governments. You may make the above known. + +This Convention is also substantiated by the express declarations of +Lord Rosmead and the Rev. D.P. Faure to the effect that it was clearly +understood, at the time the London Convention was concluded, that the +suzerainty was abolished. It is unnecessary to add anything about the +evidence of the Members of the Transvaal Deputation. The suzerainty has +thus not the slightest shadow of existence; and yet, as will be proved, +Mr. Chamberlain is prepared to go to war with the South African Republic +over this question, a war which will, according to his intentions, +result in Annexation. + +[Sidenote: Uitlander grievances and Capitalistic agitation.] + +While the two Governments were occupied with this question the +Capitalists were not idle. They were busy fanning the flame in another +direction. It was not only a fact that Rhodesia was an unexpected +failure, but it had proved far richer in native wars than in payable +gold mines. The Capitalist groups possessing the greatest interests in +the Witwatersrand gold mines were also the most deeply interested in +Rhodesia, and it naturally occurred to them that their Transvaal mines +ought also to bear the burden of their unprofitable investments in +Rhodesia--an adjustment which would, however, necessitate the +amalgamation of the two countries, especially when the interests of the +shareholders were considered. + +In order to attain this object a continual agitation was kept up at +Johannesburg, so that English shareholders living far away should be +prepared for the day when the Annexation would take place on +Constitutional lines. + +The argument which was calculated to impress these European shareholders +was that the administration of the South African Republic had created a +situation which was most prejudicial to the financial interests of the +mining industry. Viewed from this standpoint the Uitlander grievances +were an inexhaustibly rich and payable mine. + +[Sidenote: The industrial Commission.] + +This agitation first of all emanated directly from the Capitalists, and +had assumed such proportions in 1897 that the Government decided to +appoint a Commission of officials and mining magnates in order to +enquire searchingly into the alleged financial grievances. As far as the +Government was concerned, the chief findings of the Commission were:-- + +(1). That the price of dynamite (85 shillings per case of 50lbs.) was +too high under the existing concession, and that a diminution in price +was desirable either by cancellation of the concession, or by testing +the legality of the concession in the High Court. + +(2). That the tariffs of the Netherlands Railway Company for the +carriage of coal and other articles were too high, and that it was +necessary to expropriate the railway. + +(3). That the import duties on necessaries of life were too high, and +that the cost of living in Johannesburg for workmen was too high. + +(4). That stringent measures ought to be adopted in order to prevent +gold thefts, and that the law for the total prohibition of drink to +native labourers ought to be more strictly enforced, and that there +ought to be a more stringent application of the Pass Law (under which +the traffic of the native labourers was regulated). + +(5). With the object of carrying out the measures specified in Section +4, the Commission recommended that an Advisory Board should be nominated +for the Witwatersrand gold fields for the purpose of advising the +Government as to the enforcement of the said regulations. + +[Sidenote: Results of the Commission.] + +To what extent was effect given to these recommendations? + +[Sidenote: Dynamite.] + +1. As far as dynamite is concerned, it appeared that there was no chance +of contesting the concession in the law courts with any success. Nor did +the Volksraad or the Government feel justified in cancelling, without +the consent of the owners, a contract which had been solemnly entered +into, and upon which enormous sums of money had been expended. The +Mining Industry was naturally eager for cancellation, even without +adequate compensation; but the public were not at that time aware of a +fact which was made public some months later, namely, that the De Beers +Corporation intended to erect a dynamite manufactory, and that this +agitation of the Capitalists was intended to obtain for themselves the +control of this great source of income. People, however, knew that the +Messrs. Chamberlain were interested in the English ammunition and +dynamite house of Kynoch, but they hesitate to assume that the Colonial +Secretary was actuated in his Transvaal policy by considerations of +private financial interest. + +The Government and Volksraad of the South African Republic adopted the +wiser plan of lowering the price of dynamite to such an extent as to +make it about equal to the local European price plus a protective tariff +of 20s. per case. + +It may here be remarked that Mr. Chamberlain, knowing how unpopular the +Dynamite Concession was in the South African Republic, intimated to the +Government of the South African Republic, in a very threatening manner, +that the Concession was in conflict with the London Convention. + +The answer of the Government to this communication was so crushing that +Mr. Chamberlain did not again return to the subject. In this he was, no +doubt, also actuated by the fact that the most renowned English and +European jurists had advised that the concession was in no sense a +breach of the Convention. This, however, only became known later, and it +is merely referred to now so as to show that no stone was left unturned +in order to find a means of humiliating the South African Republic. + +[Sidenote: The Netherlands Railway Company.] + +2. With regard to the Netherlands South African Railway Company, it +would appear that the Capitalists have altered their opinion, and now +think that the administration of the Company is as good as can +reasonably be expected, and that expropriation is now unnecessary. +Perhaps, from their point of view, it would be better to buy up the +shares of the Company, and thus become themselves masters, instead of +the Government, of this source of income. + +Respecting the Railway tariff, it is fair to assume that the cause of +dissatisfaction has disappeared, for no complaints are now heard since +the tariff was lowered in accordance with the recommendations of the +Commission. + +[Sidenote: Reduction of import duties] + +This change in the tariff, together with the abolition of duties on +nearly all necessaries of life have made a difference of about L700,000 +in the income of the State during the last year. It will be admitted +that this is an enormous item in comparison with the total income of +the South African Republic. The above tends to show how anxious the +Government of the South African Republic has been to remove all +grievances as soon as it was proved that they actually existed. + +[Sidenote: Liquor, Pass, and Gold Thefts Laws.] + +3. As regards the administration of the Liquor Law, the Pass Law, and +the Law dealing with Gold thefts, neither the Government nor the +Volksraad felt at liberty to adopt the recommendation as to constituting +an Advisory Board on the Witwatersrand. They decided to go deeper to the +roots of the evil, and so altered the administration of the Laws that +the evidences of dissatisfaction have disappeared. Indeed, no one ever +hears of gold thefts now, and the representative bodies of the mining +industry have repeatedly expressed their satisfaction with the +administration of the Pass Law, and especially with that of the Liquor +Law. + +[Sidenote: The Liquor Law.] + +In this very Liquor Law we have a test of a good administration. From +the very nature of the drink question it is one of the most difficult +laws that a Government can be called upon to administer, and the measure +of success which has attended the efforts of the Government and its +officials proves conclusively that the charges of incompetency so +frequently brought against the Government of the South African Republic +were devoid of truth, and were only intended to slander and to injure +the Republic. A combined meeting of the Chamber of Mines, the Chamber of +Commerce, and the Association of Mine Managers--the three strongest and +most representative bodies on the Witwatersrand Gold Fields--passed the +following resolutions,[40] which speak for themselves:-- + + 1. This combined Meeting, representing the Chamber of Mines, the + Chamber of Commerce, and the Mine Managers' Association, desires + to express once more its decided approval of the present Liquor + Law, and is of opinion that prohibition is not only beneficial to + the Natives in their own interest, but is absolutely necessary + for the Mining Industry, with a view of maintaining the + efficiency of labour. + + 2. This Meeting wishes to express its appreciation of the efforts + made to suppress the Illicit Liquor Trade by the Detective + Department of this Republic since it has been placed under the + administration of the State Attorney, and is of opinion that the + success which has crowned these efforts fully disproves the + contention that the Liquor Law is impracticable. + +The first resolution was carried by an overwhelming majority, and the +second unanimously. + +Compare this declaration of the representatives of the Mining and +Commercial interests of the Witwatersrand with the allegation repeated +by Mr. Chamberlain in his great "grievance" dispatch of the 10th May, +1899[41]--that the Liquor Law had never been strictly enforced, but that +this law was simply evaded, and that the Natives at the mines were +supplied with drink in large quantities. + +When Mr. Chamberlain wrote these words they were absolutely untrue, and, +like all his grievances, are of an imaginary character. + +The results have clearly shown that the Government was quite correct in +its conclusion that it was better to alter the administration of the +laws complained of, than to adopt a principle (the advisory board), the +consequences and eventual outcome of which no one was able to foresee. + +[Sidenote: The South African League.] + +The agitation in connection with the report of the Industrial Commission +was followed by a great calm. If it had not been that the handling of +the Swazie difficulty by the British Government gave colour to +suspicion, one might have thought that there was no cloud upon the +horizon. To a superficial observer, the two Governments seemed to be on +the best and most friendly footing, and some of us actually began to +think that the era of the fraternal co-operation of the two races in +South Africa had actually dawned, and that the cursed Raid and its +harvest of race hatred and division would be forgotten. Certain +circumstances, however, indicated clearly that the enemy was occupied in +a supreme effort to cause matters to culminate in a crisis. + +The South African League, a political organisation which sprang up out +of, and owed its origin to, the race hatred which the Jameson Raid had +called into being, and at the head of which Mr. Rhodes himself stands (a +fact which places Capitalistic influence in a very clear light), began +towards the latter part of last year to agitate against the Government +in the most unheard-of way. + +The individuals who stood at the head of this institution in +Johannesburg were such that very little attention was paid to the +League. It was, however, soon clearly shown that not only was the +movement strongly assisted by the Capitalists, and strongly supported +all along the mines, but that there was a close relationship in a +mysterious way with Cape Town and London. The events of the last few +months have brought this out very clearly. Meetings were arranged, +memorials to Her Majesty about grievances were drawn up, and an active +propaganda was preached in the Press; this all proved in a convincing +way that a carefully planned campaign had been organised against the +Republic. + +As the Government of the South African Republic has set forth the trend +of the agitation as well as the connection of the British Government +with it in an official despatch, it is desirable to quote the language +itself:--[42] "But this Government wishes to go further. Even in regard +to those Uitlanders who are British subjects it is a small minority +which, under the pretext of imaginary grievances, promotes a secret +propaganda of race hatred, and uses the Republic as a basis for +fomenting a revolutionary movement against this Government. Ministers of +Her Majesty have so trenchantly expressed the truth about this minority +that this Government wishes to quote the very words of these Ministers, +with the object of bringing the actual truth to the knowledge of Her +Majesty's Government, as well as to that of the whole world, and not for +the purpose of making groundless accusations." + +"The following words are those of the Ministers of the Cape Colony, who +are well acquainted with local conditions, and fully qualified to +arrive at a conclusion":-- + +"In the opinion of Ministers the persistent action, both beyond and +within this Colony, of the political body styling itself the South +African League in endeavouring to foment and excite, not to smooth and +allay ill-will between the two principal European races inhabiting South +Africa, is well illustrated by these resolutions, the exaggerated and +aggravated terms of which disclose the spirit which informs and inspires +them." + +"His Excellency's Ministers are one in their earnest desire to do all in +their power to aid and further a policy of peaceful progress throughout +South Africa, and they cannot but regard it as an unwise propagandism, +hostile to the true interests of the Empire, including this Colony as an +integral part, that every possible occasion should be seized by the +League and its promoters for an attempt to magnify into greater events +minor incidents, when occurring in the South African Republic, with a +prospect thereby of making racial antagonism more acute, or of rendering +less smooth the relations between Her Majesty's Government or the +Government of this Colony and that Republic." + +"Race hatred is, however, not so intense in South Africa as to enable a +body with this propaganda, aiming at revolutionary objects, to obtain +much influence in this part of the world; and one continually asks +oneself the question--'How is it that a body, so insignificant both in +regard to its principles and its membership, enjoys such a large measure +of influence?' The answer is that this body depends upon the protection +and the support of Her Majesty's Government in England, and that both +its members and its organs in the Press openly boast of the influence +they exert over the policy of Her Majesty's Government. This Government +would ignore such assertions; but when it finds that the ideas and the +shibboleths of the South African League are continually echoed in the +speeches of members of Her Majesty's Government, when it finds that blue +books are compiled chiefly from documents prepared by officials of the +South African League, as well as from reports and leading articles +containing 'malignant lies' taken from the press organs of that +organisation, thereby receiving an official character, then this +Government can well understand why so many of Her Majesty's right-minded +subjects in this part of the world have obtained the impression that the +policy advocated by the South African League is supported by Her +Majesty's Government, and is thus calculated to contribute to the +welfare and blessing of the British Empire." + +"If this mistaken impression could be removed, and if it could be +announced as a fact that the South African League, as far as its actions +in the South African Republic are concerned, is only an organisation +having as its object the fomentation of strife and disorder and the +destruction of the independence of the Country, then it would very soon +lose its influence, and the strained relations existing between the two +Governments would quickly disappear. The Africander population of this +country would not then be under the apprehension that the interests of +the British Empire _imperatively demand_ that the Republic should be +done away with, and its people be either _enslaved or exterminated_. +Both sections of the white inhabitants of South Africa would then return +to the fraternal co-operation and fusion which was beginning to manifest +itself when the treacherous conspiracy at the end of 1895 awakened the +passions on both sides." + +As a result of the continual agitation of the South African League, +three occurrences were selected and elevated by Mr. Chamberlain into +culminating instances of the Uitlander grievances. To give the world a +clear insight into the nature of the grievances in general, extracts are +given from the official accounts both of the British and the Republican +account of these occurrences. There were three--the "Lombard affair," +with reference to the maltreatment of coloured British subjects at +Johannesburg; the "Edgar case," in connection with the shooting of an +English subject by a police official; and the "Amphitheatre occurrence," +in regard to a disorderly meeting of the South African League. + +[Sidenote: _a._ The Lombard Incident.] + +With regard to the "Lombard incident," Mr. Chamberlain says:--[43] "As +an instance of such arbitrary action the recent maltreatment of coloured +British subjects by Field Cornet Lombard may be cited. This official +entered the houses of various coloured persons without a warrant at +night, dragged them from their beds, and arrested them for being without +a pass. The persons so arrested were treated with much cruelty, and it +is even alleged that one woman was prematurely confined, and a child +subsequently died from the consequences of the fright and exposure. Men +were beaten and kicked by the orders of the Field Cornet, who appears to +have exercised his authority with the most cowardly brutality. The +Government of the Republic, being pressed to take action, suspended the +Field Cornet, and an enquiry was held, at which he and the police denied +most of the allegations of violence; but the other facts were not +disputed, and no independent evidence was called for the defence. The +Government have since reinstated Lombard. + +"Unfortunately this case is by no means unparalleled. Other British +subjects, including several from St. Helena and Mauritius, have been +arbitrarily arrested, and some of them have been fined, without having +been heard in their own defence, under a law which does not even profess +to have any application to persons from those Colonies. + +"However long-suffering Her Majesty's Government may be in their anxious +desire to remain on friendly terms with the South African Republic, it +must be evident that a continuance of incidents of this kind, followed +by no redress, may well become intolerable." + +The answer of the Government of the South African Republic was as +follows:--[44] "With reference to the Lombard case, this Government +wishes to point out that no complaint was lodged with any official in +this Republic for a full month after the illtreatment of Cape coloured +people was alleged to have taken place, and that neither the Government +nor the public was aware that anything had taken place. The whole case +was so insignificant that some of the people who were alleged to have +been illtreated declared, under oath, at a later period before a court +of investigation that they would never have made any complaint on their +own initiative. What happened, however? + +"About a month after the occurrence the South African League came to +hear of it; some of its officials sent round to collect evidence from +the parties who were alleged to have been illtreated, and some sworn +declarations were obtained by the help of Her Majesty's Vice-Consul at +Johannesburg (between whom and this League a continual and conspicuous +co-operation has existed). Even then no charge was lodged against the +implicated officials with the judicial authorities of the country, but +the case was put in the hands of the Acting British Agent at Pretoria. + +"When the allegations were brought under the notice of this Government, +they at once appointed a commission of enquiry, consisting of three +members, namely, Landdrost Van der Berg, of Johannesburg, Mr. Andries +Stockenstrom, barrister-at-law, of the Middle Temple, head of the +Criminal Section of the State Attorney's Department, and Mr. Van der +Merwe, Mining Commissioner, of Johannesburg; gentlemen against whose +ability and impartiality the Uitlander population of the Republic have +never harboured the slightest suspicion, and with whose appointment the +Acting British Agent also expressed his entire satisfaction. The +instructions given to those officials were to thoroughly investigate the +whole case, and to report the result to the Government; and they +fulfilled these instructions by sitting for days at a time, carefully +hearing and sifting the evidence of both sides. Every right-minded +person readily acknowledges that far greater weight ought to be attached +to the finding of this Commission than to the declarations of the +complainants, who contradicted one another in nearly every particular, +and who caused the whole enquiry to degenerate into a farce." + +"According to the report, nothing was proved as to the so-called +illtreatment; the special instances of alleged illtreatment turned out +to be purely imaginary; but it was clearly proved and found that the +complainants had acted contrary to law, and the Commission only +expressed disapproval of the fact that the arrests and the investigation +had taken place at night, and without a proper warrant. It fills this +Government with all the greater regret to observe that Her Majesty's +Government bases its charges on _ex parte_, groundless, and, in many +respects, false declarations of complainants who have been set in motion +by political hatred, and that it silently ignores the report of the +Commission." + +[Sidenote: _b._ The Edgar Case.] + +Mr. Chamberlain represented the Edgar case in the following way:--[45] +"But perhaps the most striking recent instance of arbitrary action by +officials, and of the support of such action by the Courts, is the +well-known Edgar case. The effect of the verdict of the jury, warmly +endorsed by the Judge, is that four policemen breaking into a man's +house at night without a warrant, on the mere statement of one person, +which subsequently turned out to be untrue, that the man had committed a +crime, are justified in killing him there and then because, according to +their own account, he hits one of them with a stick. If this is +justification, then almost any form of resistance to the police is +justification for the immediate killing of the person resisting, who may +be perfectly innocent of any offence. This would be an alarming doctrine +anywhere. It is peculiarly alarming when applied to a city like +Johannesburg, where a strong force of police armed with revolvers have +to deal with a large alien unarmed population, whose language in many +cases they do not understand. The emphatic affirmation of such a +doctrine by Judge and jury in the Edgar case cannot but increase the +general feeling of insecurity amongst the Uitlander population, and the +sense of injustice under which they labour. It may be pointed out that +the allegation that Edgar assaulted the police was emphatically denied +by his wife and others, and that the trial was conducted in a way that +would be considered quite irregular in this country, the witnesses for +the defence being called by the prosecution, and thereby escaping +cross-examination." + +The answer of the Government of the South African Republic was:--[46] +"The Edgar case is referred to by your Government as the most striking +recent instance of arbitrary action by officials, and of the support of +such action by the Courts," and this case is quoted as a conclusive +test of the alleged judicial maladministration of this Republic; it +will, therefore, be of interest to pause for a moment and consider it. +What are the true facts? + +"A certain Foster, 'an Englishman,' was assaulted and felled to the +ground, without any lawful cause, by a man named Edgar during the night +of the 18th December, 1898; he lay on the ground as if dead, and +ultimately died in the hospital. Edgar escaped to his room, and some +police came on the scene, attracted by the screams of the bystanders. +Amongst the police was one named Jones. When they saw the man who had +been assaulted lying as if dead, they went to Edgar's apartment in order +to arrest him as a criminal (he had, indeed, rendered himself liable for +manslaughter, and apparently for murder). As he was caught in the very +act, the police officers were, according to the Laws, not only of this +Republic, but of all South Africa and of the United Kingdom of Great +Britain and Ireland, justified in breaking open the door in order to +arrest the culprit. While doing so, Edgar, with a dangerous weapon, +struck Jones a severe blow. Under the stress of necessity the latter +shot Edgar, from the effects of which he died. The question is not if +Jones was justified in taking this extreme step, for the State Attorney +of the Republic had already given effect to his opinion that this was a +case for the jury by prosecuting him for manslaughter. The question is +solely whether any jury in any country in the world would have found a +man guilty of any crime under the circumstances set forth, and whether, +if they did not find him guilty, the fact of their doing so would have +been stamped and branded as a flagrant and remarkable instance of the +maladministration of Justice. + +"This Government is convinced that the English judicial administration +affords numberless instances where the facts are as strong as in this +case, and it cannot see why an occurrence which could happen in any part +of the world would be especially thrown in their teeth in the form of an +accusation. + +"This Government does not wish to pass over in silence the censure which +has been passed by Her Majesty's Government on the Public Prosecutor of +Johannesburg, by whom the prosecution of this case was conducted; the +fact that being of pure English blood, that he received his legal +training in London, that he is generally respected by the Uitlander +population on account of his ability, impartiality, and general +character, will naturally not be of any weight with Her Majesty's +Government against the facts of his action in calling witnesses for the +prosecution who were intended for the defence, and thus rendering an +imaginary cross-examination abortive. + +"This Government only wishes to point out that the fact that the Edgar +case is the strongest which Her Majesty's Government has been able to +quote against the administration of Justice in this Republic affords the +strongest and most eloquent proof possible that, taking it in general, +the administration of Justice on the gold fields of this Republic not +only compares favourably with that on other and similar gold fields, but +even with that of old and settled countries. + +"The untrue representations of this occurrence in the Press prove +conclusively that the newspapers of the Witwatersrand, the +atrocity-mongering tactics of which constitute a share of the organised +campaign against the Republic and its Government, have been compelled to +resort to mendacious criticisms on imaginary instances of +maladministration, which were often simply invented. Where the Press is +forced to adopt such methods, the true grievances must of necessity be +unreal." + +[Sidenote: _c._ The Amphitheatre occurence.] + +I now give Mr. Chamberlain's accusations about The the Amphitheatre +occurrence:--[47] "Some light upon the extent to which the police can be +trusted to perform their delicate duties with fairness and discretion is +thrown by the events referred to by the petitioners, which took place at +a meeting called by British subjects for the purpose of discussing their +grievances, and held on the 14th of January in the Amphitheatre of +Johannesburg. The Government were previously apprised of the objects of +the meeting, and their assent obtained, though this was not legally +necessary for a meeting in an inclosed place. The organisers of the +meeting state that they were informed by the State Secretary and the +State Attorney that anyone who committed acts of violence or used +seditious language would be held responsible, and in proof of the +peaceful objects of the meeting, those who attended went entirely +unarmed, by which it is understood that they did not even carry sticks. +So little was any disturbance apprehended that ladies were invited to +attend, and did attend. Yet, in the result, sworn affidavits of +witnesses of different nationalities agree in the statement that the +meeting was broken up almost immediately after its opening, and many of +the persons attending it were violently assaulted by organised bands of +hostile demonstrators, acting under the instigation and guidance of +persons in Government employ, without any attempt at interference on the +part of the police, and even in some cases with their assistance or +loudly expressed sympathy. + +"The Government of the South African Republic has been asked to +institute an inquiry into these disgraceful proceedings, but the request +has been met with a flat refusal." + +This accusation was answered in the following manner:--[48] "The +Amphitheatre occurrence is used by Her Majesty's Government to show how +incapable the police of the Witwatersrand are to fulfil their duties and +to preserve order. The League meeting was held at the so-called +Amphitheatre at Johannesburg, with the knowledge of the State Secretary +and State Attorney, and the accusation is that in spite of that fact the +uproar which arose at that meeting was not quelled by the police. The +following are the true facts:--Mr. Wybergh and another, both in the +service of the South African League, informed the State Secretary and +the State Attorney that they intended to call this meeting in the +Amphitheatre, and asked permission to do so. They were informed that no +permission from the authorities was necessary, and that as long as the +meeting did not give rise to irregularities or disturbances of the +peace, they would be acting entirely within their rights. Their +attention was then drawn to the fact that owing to the action and the +propaganda of the South African League, this body had become extremely +unpopular with a large section of the inhabitants of Johannesburg, and +that in all probability a disturbance of the peace would take place if a +sufficient body of the police were not present to preserve order. To +this these gentlemen answered that the police were in very bad odour +since the Edgar case, that the meeting would be a very quiet one, and +that the presence of the police would contribute or give rise to +disorder, and that they would on those grounds rather have no police at +all. + +"The State Secretary and State Attorney thereupon communicated with the +head officials of the police at Johannesburg, with the result that the +latter also thought that it would be better not to have any considerable +number of police at the meeting. The Government accordingly, on the +advice of these officials of the League as well as their own police +officials, gave instructions that the police should remain away from +this meeting; they did this in perfect good faith, and with the object +of letting the League have its say without let or hindrance. The +proposed meeting was, however, advertised far and wide. As the feeling +amongst a section of the Witwatersrand population was exceedingly bitter +against the League, a considerable number of the opponents of that body +also attended the meeting. The few police who were present were +powerless to quell the disorder, and when the police came on the scene +in force some few minutes after the commencement of the uproar, the +meeting was already broken up. Taken by itself, this occurrence would +not be of much importance, as it is an isolated instance as far as the +gold fields of this Republic are concerned, and even in the best +organised and best ordered communities irregularities like the above +occasionally take place. + +"The gravity of the matter, however, lies in the unjust accusation of +Her Majesty's Government--that the meeting was broken up by officials of +this Republic, and that the Government had curtly refused to institute +an enquiry. + +"This Government would not have refused to investigate the matter if any +complaints had been lodged with it, or at any of the local Courts, and +this has been clearly stated in its reply to Her Majesty's request for +an investigation. + +"This Government objects strongly to the systematic way in which 'the +local authorities are ignored, and the continual complaints which are +lodged with the Representatives of Her Majesty about matters which ought +to be decided by the Courts of this Republic. Instead, however, of +complaining to Her Majesty's Government after all other reasonable means +of redress have been vainly invoked, they continually make themselves +guilty of ignoring and treating with contempt the local Courts and +authorities by continually making all sorts of ridiculous and _ex parte_ +complaints to Her Majesty's Government in the first instance; Her +Majesty's Government is also thereby placed in the equivocal and +undesirable position of intermeddling in the internal affairs of this +Republic, which is in conflict with the London Convention. Had the +complaints been lodged with this Government, or with the proper +officials or Courts, the facts could have been very easily arrived at, +and it would have been proved that the few officials who were present at +the meeting as a section of the public had done their best to prevent +the irregularities, and that some of them had been hurt in their +endeavours to preserve order. Instead of expressing their disapproval of +such complaints, and referring the petitioners to the local Courts, Her +Majesty's Government accepts those complaints, and gives them an +official character by forwarding them for the information of this +Government, and by publishing them in blue books for the information of +the world. + +"Her Majesty's Government will readily acknowledge that there is no +State in the world with any sense of dignity, however weak and +insignificant it may be, which can regard such matters with an +indifferent eye; and when the relations of the two Governments are +strained, then the mainspring must be looked for in this action of its +subjects, which is not disapproved of by Her Majesty's Government, and +not in imaginary or trumped-up grievances." + +I have now examined the principal financial and administrative +grievances of the English Uitlanders. I say English Uitlanders +advisedly, because complaints are seldom or ever heard from other +nationalities, either directly or by means of diplomatic +representations. + +Can it be contended with the slightest shadow of right and fairness that +these grievances afford a reason for intervention? What crimes have +been committed here against humanity or the law of nations? Do not the +recorded grievances and abuses find a parallel in occurrences which are +taking place every day in the most civilised countries? One can with +perfect justice apply to the present circumstances the language which +the Russian Government used in stigmatising the illegal intervention of +the British Government in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of +Naples[49]:-- + +"We would understand that, as a consequence of friendly forethought, one +Government should give advice to another in a benevolent spirit; that +such advice might even assume the character of exhortation; but we +believe that to be the furthest limit allowable. Less than ever can it +now be allowed in Europe to forget that sovereigns are equal among +themselves, and that it is not the extent of territory, but the sacred +character of the rights of each, which regulates the relations that +exist between them. To endeavour to obtain from the King of Naples +concessions as regards the internal government of his States by threats, +or by a menacing demonstration, is a violent usurpation of his +authorities, an attempt to govern in his stead; it is an open +declaration of the right of the strong over the weak." + +In spite of all its hypocritical accusations, the British Government is +perfectly well aware that, notwithstanding the unparalleled difficulties +with which the Government and the Legislature have had to contend, the +administration of the South African Republic is on a sound basis, and +can, indeed, be favourably compared with that of other countries in a +similar position. + +It knows full well that the grievances which are used, by means of blue +books, to stir up and excite the altruistic and humane feelings of the +British public are for the most part imaginary, and that even if they +were perfectly genuine, they nevertheless afford no ground for a +justifiable interference in the internal affairs of the Republic. It is +therefore necessary to have recourse to "Constitutional means" of +another description. + +[Sidenote: Equal political rights.] + +The third and last "Constitutional" method which Mr. Chamberlain has had +recourse to in order to forcibly intermeddle in the internal affairs of +the South African Republic is the claim of equal rights for all the +white inhabitants of the South African Republic. In this claim he has +also followed the inspiration of Mr. Rhodes, for after the Jameson Raid +Mr. Rhodes was prepared with a new programme for the "progressive +policy" of South Africa, and made use of the formula "Equal rights for +all white people south of the Zambesi." Mr. Rhodes altered this cry +afterwards, with an eye to the coloured vote in the Cape Colony, to +"Equal rights for all civilised persons south of the Zambesi." + +In due time the echo resounded from Downing Street "Equal political +rights for all persons in the South African Republic." This formula may +be either desirable or undesirable as a political aspiration in South +Africa. But it is somewhat strange that Mr. Chamberlain should be one of +the leaders of the party in England which has strenuously opposed the +policy of manhood suffrage. In our case, however, Mr. Chamberlain does +not confine himself to friendly advice, but he _demands_ the franchise +for all Uitlanders. + +The South African Republic already possesses a franchise law, according +to which every person is entitled to the full franchise after a seven +years' residence in the Republic. But Mr. Chamberlain goes much further, +and claims a far more extensive franchise. On what grounds does he base +his claim? + +[Sidenote: The Royal Commission.] + +He appeals to the discussions which formed a prelude to the Convention +of 1881. In the discussions, however, mention is only made of burgher +rights or civil rights, with reference to which all possible equality +has continuously existed since the Sand River Convention. To safeguard +the equality of those civil as distinguished from political rights, Art. +12 of the Pretoria Convention provides "all persons (Her Majesty's loyal +subjects) will have full liberty to reside in the country with the +enjoyment, of all civil rights, and protection for their persons and +property." + +The period of the franchise was increased in 1882 from one year to five +years, without, however, any protest from Her Majesty's Government, and +in 1884 it was provided in the new Convention of that year in the most +express and clear way possible that:-- + + (_Art. XIV_.).--All persons, other than natives, conforming + themselves to the laws of the South African Republic (_a_) will + have full liberty with their families, to enter, travel, or + reside in any part of the South African Republic; (_b_), they + will be entitled to hire or possess houses, manufactories, + warehouses, shops, and premises; (_c_), they may carry on their + commerce either in person or by any agents whom they may think + fit to employ; (_d_), they will not be subject, in respect of + their persons or property, or in respect of their commerce or + industry, to any taxes, whether general or local, other than + those which are or may be imposed upon citizens of the said + Republic. + +In this way all white Uitlanders were guaranteed in their rights of free +movement, ownership, and possession of property, trade, and commerce, +and equal taxation with the burghers. There is no mention of political +rights, nor has there ever been before this year--1899. The Government +of the South African Republic would be acting strictly in terms of the +Convention if it informed Mr. Chamberlain that it alone has to determine +upon the Franchise, as being a question of a purely internal nature; and +further, that in claiming the right in terms of that Convention to force +the Government to adopt a particular Franchise Law Mr. Chamberlain is +the party who is violating the Convention. + +[Sidenote: The Bloemfontein Conference.] + +The Government of the South African Republic, however, took up a higher +position; the State President went to Bloemfontein for the purpose of +discussing even internal affairs in a friendly spirit with the High +Commissioner--_inter alia_--the question of the franchise, as he was +actuated by the wish to consolidate and promote the peace of South +Africa. [50] Sir Alfred Milner said there: "If the question could be +settled upon a broad and firm basis, the tension would disappear and +everything come right in time." He has done his best latterly to prove +that he did not say or mean anything of the kind, that the franchise +question was only one of the burning internal matters in which Her +Majesty's Government interested itself, and that a favourable +understanding about the franchise would in no way pave the way to an +agreement as to the other points of difference. + +[Sidenote: Sir Alfred Milner's attitude.] + +The attitude of Sir Alfred Milner in this and other questions is, +however, of such a nature that it is better to say nothing about his +conduct, but to leave him to the judgment of public opinion and history. +No agreement being possible between the parties, President Kruger left +Bloemfontein and amended the Franchise Law in such a way that the Orange +Free State, the Africanders of Cape Colony, and even Mr. Schreiner, +Premier of the Cape Colony, publicly signified their approval of the +amendments which had been made. + +[Sidenote: The joint Commission of Enquiry.] + +Mr. Chamberlain now discarded the appearance of friendliness, and began +to adopt a menacing tone in his communications to the Government of the +South African Republic. He proposed that the question as to whether the +new Franchise Law was satisfactory or not should be discussed by a Joint +Commission. + +In the meanwhile, owing to informal conversations between the State +Attorney and the British Government, there seemed to be a reasonable +prospect of a speedy and satisfactory settlement.[51] The British +Government, on being sounded by its agent, announced that if a five +years' franchise, unhampered by complicated conditions, and with a +quarter representation for the gold fields, were conceded, it would be +prepared to consider the conditions, upon which the proposal depended, +on their merits, and would not consider such a proposal as a refusal to +accept the Joint Enquiry. The conditions were that (_a_) no further +interference should take place; (_b_), that the claim of suzerainty +should drop; and (_c_) that further disputes should be settled by +Arbitration. As soon, however, as the proposal was formally made the +British Government refused to accept the condition with regard to the +dropping of the suzerainty claim, notwithstanding the fact that the High +Commissioner had declared in an official dispatch that the suzerainty +controversy appeared to him to be etymological and not political.[52] +Shortly afterwards the British Government made what was practically the +same proposal, but _without_ the condition as to the dropping of the +suzerainty claim. + +[Sidenote: Bad faith of the British Government.] + +As the Government of the South African Republic attached a vital +importance to this condition, in view maintaining its international +status, it refused to accept the proposal in this form; it, however, now +reverted to the invitation for a joint enquiry, which it agreed to +accept, but the British Government replied that it was too late, and +that as a matter of fact it no longer adhered to the invitation. + +Here we see in the clearest light-- + +(1). That, although the High Commissioner had stated that the suzerainty +was only a question of etymological importance, that although the +British Government had never been able to refute the arguments advanced +by the South African Republic as to the abolition of the suzerainty in +1884, the British Government was nevertheless determined not to abandon +its pretension, and is now prepared to make war in South Africa over +this point. + +(2). That the British Government invites the South African Republic to a +joint enquiry, and, when this invitation, which had never been +withdrawn, is accepted, the acceptance is refused with every mark of +contempt. + +Is there any instance in the history of civilised diplomacy of such +trickery and such callous jugglery with the highest interests of South +Africa? + +Can anyone wonder that South Africa has lost all confidence in British +statesmanship? + +The British name has been sullied in this part of the world by many +perfidious actions, but of a truth I cannot instance any more despicable +and repellent incidents than those which have marked the course of +events during the last few months. + +And the consequence of this trickery will be written with the blood and +the tears of thousands of innocent people. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 33: Dispatches of 12th August, 1896; 21st August, 1896; 17th +February, 1897. C. 8423 and C. 8721.] + +[Footnote 34: Dispatches of the 6th March, 1897. C. 8423.] + +[Footnote 35: Dispatch, 7th May, 1897. No. 3, C. 8721.] + +[Footnote 36: Dispatch, October, 1897. No. 7, C. 8721.] + +[Footnote 37: Dispatch, 16th April, 1898. No. 4, C. 9507.] + +[Footnote 38: Dispatch. C. 9507. Page 33.] + +[Footnote 39: Dispatch, 17th March, 1899. C. 9507.] + +[Footnote 40: 17th August, 1899.] + +[Footnote 41: Dispatch, 10th May, 1899. No. 83, C. 9345.] + +[Footnote 42: Dispatch of the Transvaal Government, 26th September, +1899. Appendix C.] + +[Footnote 43: Dispatch, 10th May, 1899. Blue Book, C. 9345. Page 229.] + +[Footnote 44: Dispatch. Appendix C.] + +[Footnote 45: Dispatch, 10th May, 1899. C. 9345. Page 229.] + +[Footnote 46: Appendix C.] + +[Footnote 47: Dispatch, 10th May, 1899. Blue Book, C. 9345. Page 229.] + +[Footnote 48: Appendix C.] + +[Footnote 49: _Life of Prince Consort_, Vol. III., page 510.] + +[Footnote 50: Blue Book, C. 9404.] + +[Footnote 51: Blue Book, C. 9530.] + +[Footnote 52: Blue Book, C. 9507. Page 6.] + + + + +CONCLUSION. + + +I have now reviewed all the facts connected with the history of our +oppression and persecution during the past hundred years. The +allegations I have made are not invented, but are based upon the +statements of the most reliable witnesses, nearly all of them of British +nationality; they are facts that have been declared incontestable before +the tribunal of history. As far as the more recent occurrences since +1898 are concerned, I may state that I have had personal knowledge of +all the negociations and questions at issue above referred to, and I can +only declare that I have confined myself to facts; these will stand out +in a much clearer light when the curtain is raised and the events of the +last two years in this sorely afflicted part of the world are revealed. + +In this awful turning point in the history of South Africa, on the eve +of the conflict which threatens to exterminate our people, it behoves us +to speak the truth in what may be, perchance, our last message to the +world. Even if we are exterminated the truth will triumph through us +over our conquerors, and will sterilise and paralyse all their efforts +until they too disappear in the night of oblivion. + +Up to the present our people have remained silent; we have been spat +upon by the enemy, slandered, harried, and treated with every possible +mark of disdain and contempt. But our people, with a dignity which +reminds the world of a greater and more painful example of suffering, +have borne in silence the taunts and derision of their opponents; +indeed, they elected out of a sense of duty to remedy the faults and +abuses which had crept into their public administration during moments +of relaxed vigilance. But even this was ascribed to weakness and +cowardice. Latterly our people have been represented by influential +statesmen and on hundreds of platforms in England as incompetent, +uncivilised, dishonourable, untrustworthy, corrupt, bloodthirsty, +treacherous, etc., etc., so that not only the British public, but nearly +the whole world, began to believe that we stood on the same level as the +wild beasts. In the face of these taunts and this provocation our people +still remained silent. We were forced to learn from formal blue books +issued by Her Majesty's Government and from dispatches of Her Majesty's +High Commissioner in South Africa that our unscrupulous State +Government, and our unjust, unprincipled, and disorderly administration, +was a continual festering sore, which, like a pestilential vapour, +defiled the moral and political atmosphere of South Africa. We remained +silent. We were accused in innumerable newspapers of all sorts of +misdeeds against civilisation and humanity; crimes were imputed to us, +the bare narration of which was sufficient to cause the hair to rise +with horror. If the reading public believe a hundredth part of the +enormities which have been laid at the door of our people and +Government, they must be irresistibly forced to the conclusion that this +Republic is a den of thieves and a sink of iniquity, a people, in fact, +the very existence of which is a blot upon humanity, and a nuisance to +mankind. Of the enormous sums which we are alleged to have spent out of +the Secret Service Fund in order to purchase the good opinion of the +world there has been no practical result or evidence, for the breath of +slander went on steadily increasing with the violence of a hurricane. +But our people remained silent, partly out of stupidity, partly out of a +feeling of despairing helplessness, and partly because, being a pastoral +people, they read no newspapers, and were thus unaware of the way in +which the feeling of the whole world was being prejudiced against them +by the efforts of malignant hate. + +The practical effect has been that our case has been lost by default +before the tribunal of public opinion. That is why I feel compelled to +state the facts which have characterised the attitude of the British +towards us during the Nineteenth century. Naboth's title to his vineyard +must be cancelled. The easiest way of securing that object, according to +the tortuous methods of British diplomacy, was to prove that Naboth was +a scoundrel and Ahab an angel. The facts which have marked Ahab's career +have been stated. I shall now proceed to draw my conclusions, which I +submit must appeal irresistibly to every impartial and right-minded +person. + +During this century there have been three periods which have been +characterised by different attitudes of the British Government towards +us. The first began in 1806, and lasted until the middle of the century. +During this period the chief feature of British policy was one of utter +contempt, and the general trend of British feeling in regard to our +unfortunate people can be summarised by the phrase, "The stupid and +dirty Dutch." But the hypocritical ingenuity of British policy was +perfectly competent to express this contempt in accents which harmonised +with the loftiest sentiments then prevailing. The wave of sentimental +philanthropy then passing over the civilised world was utilised by the +British Government in order to represent the Boers to the world as +oppressors of poor peace-loving natives, who were also men and brethren +eminently capable of receiving religion and civilisation. + +It may seem inexplicable that the Power which stood up boldly at the +Treaty of Utrecht as the shameless champion of negro slavery was the +very one which was celebrated in South Africa for its morbid love of the +natives; the explanation, however, is that it was not so much love for +the native that underlay the apparent negrophilistic policy as hatred +and contempt of the Boer. As a result of this hatred of the Boer, +disguised under the veneer of philanthropy in regard to the aborigines, +the natives were employed as police against us; they were provided with +arms and ammunition to be used against us; they were incited to fight +us, and, wherever it was possible, they murdered and plundered us. In +fact, our people were forced to bid farewell to the Cape Colony and all +that was near and dear to them, and seek a shelter in the unknown +wilderness of the North. + +As an ultimate result of this hatred, our people had to pursue their +pilgrimage of martyrdom throughout South Africa, until every portion of +that unhappy country has been painted red with the blood, not so much +of men capable of resistance as with that of our murdered and +defenceless women and children. + +The second period lasted until the year 1881. The fundamental principle +then underlying British policy was no longer one of unqualified hatred. +Results had already proved that hatred was powerless to subdue the +Africander; it had, on the other hand, contributed largely to the +consolidation of Africanderdom and to the fact that they spread over the +whole of South Africa, thus forming the predominant nationality almost +everywhere. In a moment of disinterestedness or absent-minded dejection +England had concluded treaties with the Boers in 1852 and 1854, by which +they were guaranteed in the undisturbed possession of certain wild and +apparently worthless tracts of territory. + +The fundamental sentiment which governed the policy of the second period +was a feeling of regret at having made this mistake, coupled with the +firm determination to set aside its results. These wild and useless +tracts, which had been guaranteed to the Boers, appeared to be very +valuable after the Boers had rescued them from barbarism, and opened +them up for civilisation. It was felt that they ought to gleam amongst +the jewels of Her Majesty's Crown, notwithstanding the obstacle in the +treaties that had been concluded with the Boers. This was the concealed +intention. As far as the means were concerned--they were, from the very +exigency of inborn hypocrisy, partly revealed and partly concealed; the +one differing from the other, as light from darkness. The secret means +consisted in arming the Kaffir tribes against us in the most incredible +manner, and in inciting them to attack us in violation of solemn +treaties and promises. If this policy succeeded the real objects and +means could be suppressed, and England could then come forward and pose +openly as the champion of peace and order, and as the guardian angel of +civilisation in this part of the world. The Republics could then be +annexed under cover of these plausible pretexts. This policy failed as +far as the Orange Free State was concerned, because the brave burghers +of the neighbouring Republic succeeded, after great difficulty, in +overcoming Moshesh, notwithstanding the fact that their arms and +ammunition had been illegally stopped by the British Government. England +was compelled in that case to confine itself to the protection of its +"Basuto" tools. The British, however, succeeded in preventing the Boers +from reaping the legitimate fruits of their victory, and in annexing the +Diamond Fields--a flagrantly illegal act. + +As far as the South African Republic is concerned, it was unfortunate +that the burghers were not vigilant enough to foresee and prevent the +crafty policy of the enemy. As the Transvaal Boers had subdued the most +powerful Kaffir tribes, they never dreamt that the insignificant Kaffir +wars in which they had been involved through English intrigue would have +been seized as a pretext to annex their country to the British Crown. +They had been remiss in not putting their full force into the field so +as to bring these little wars to a speedy conclusion. And so the Magato +and Socoecoeni campaigns were conducted in a protracted and half-hearted +way, much to the satisfaction of Sir Theophilus Shepstone, and those +who were at his back. + +The Annexation was brought about. It was announced that the extension of +Her Majesty's sway and protection over the South African Republic could +alone secure unity of purpose and trade, as well as open out a prospect +of peace and prosperity. In these words of Shepstone's proclamation we +see in all its repulsive nakedness the hypocrisy which openly +masqueraded in the guise of the disinterested and pitiful Samaritan, +while its true and secret object was to inflict a fatal wound upon the +burgher Republic. + +The third period of our history is characterised by the amalgamation of +the old and well-known policy of fraud and violence with the new forces +of Capitalism, which had developed so powerfully owing to the mineral +riches of the South African Republic. Our existence as a people and as a +State is now threatened by an unparalleled combination of forces. +Arrayed against us we find numerical strength, the public opinion of the +United Kingdom thirsting and shouting for blood and revenge, the +world-wide and cosmopolitan power of Capitalism, and all the forces +which underlie the lust of robbery and the spirit of plunder. Our lot +has of late become more and more perilous. The cordon of beasts of +plunder and birds of prey has been narrowed and drawn closer and closer +around this poor doomed people during the last ten years. As the wounded +antelope awaits the coming of the lion, the jackal, and the vulture, so +do our poor people all over South Africa contemplate the approach of the +foe, encircled as they are by the forces of hatred and revenge, and by +the stratagems and covetousness of their enemies. Every sea in the +world is being furrowed by the ships which are conveying British troops +from every corner of the globe in order to smash this little handful of +people. Even Xerxes, with his millions against little Greece, does not +afford a stranger spectacle to the wonder and astonishment of mankind +than this gentle and kind-hearted Mother of Nations, as, wrapped in all +the panoply of her might, riches, and exalted traditions, she approaches +the little child grovelling in the dust with a sharpened knife in her +hand. This is no War--it is an attempt at Infanticide. + +And as the brain of the onlooker reels, and as his thoughts fade away +into uneasy slumbers, there arises before him in a dream the distant +prospect of Bantu children playing amongst the gardens and ruins of the +sunny south around thousands of graves in which the descendants of the +European heroes of Faith and Freedom lie sleeping. + +For the marauding hordes of the Bantu are once more roving where +European dwellings used to stand. And when the question is asked--why +all this has happened? Why the heroic children of an heroic race, to +which civilisation owes its most priceless blessings, should lie +murdered there in that distant quarter of the globe? An invisible spirit +of mockery answers, "Civilisation is a failure; the Caucasian is played +out!" and the dreamer awakens with the echo of the word "Gold! gold! +gold!" in his ears. + +The orchids of Birmingham are yellow. The traditions of the greatest +people on earth are tarnished and have become yellow. + +The laurels which Britannia's legions hope to win in South Africa are +sere and yellow. + +But the sky which stretches its banner over South Africa remains blue. +The justice to which Piet Retief appeals when our fathers said farewell +to the Cape Colony, and to which Joachim Prinsloo called aloud in the +Volksraad of Natal when it was annexed by England; the justice to which +the burghers of the Transvaal entrusted their case at Paarde Kraal in +1880, remains immutable, and is like a rock against which the yeasty +billows of British diplomacy dissolve in foam. + +It proceeds according to eternal laws, unmoved by human pride and +ambition. As the Greek poet of old said, it permits the tyrant, in his +boundless self-esteem, to climb higher and higher and to gain greater +honour and might until he arrives at the appointed height, and then +falls down into the infinite depths. + +Africanders, I ask you but to do as Leonidas did with his 300 men when +they advanced unflinchingly at Thermopylae against Xerxes and his +myriads, and do not be disturbed by such men as Milner, Rhodes, and +Chamberlain, or even by the British Empire itself, but cling fast to the +God of our forefathers, and to the Righteousness which is sometimes slow +in acting, but which never slumbers nor forgets. Our forefathers did not +pale before the terrors of the Spanish Inquisition, but entered upon the +great struggle for Freedom and Right against even the mighty Philip, +unmindful of the consequences. + +Nor could the rack and the persecuting bands of Louis XIV. tame or +subdue the spirit of our fathers. Neither Alva nor Richelieu were able +to compass the triumph of tyranny over the innate sentiment of Freedom +and Independence in our forefathers. Nor will a Chamberlain be more +fortunate in effecting the triumph of Capitalism, with its lust for +power, over us. + +If it is ordained that we, insignificant as we are, should be the first +among all peoples to begin the struggle against the new-world tyranny of +Capitalism, then we are ready to do so, even if that tyranny is +reinforced by the power of Jingoism. + +May the hope which glowed in our hearts during 1880, and which buoyed us +up during that struggle, burn on steadily! May it prove a beacon of +light in our path, invincibly moving onwards through blood and through +tears, until it leads us to a real Union of South Africa. + +As in 1880, we now submit our cause with perfect confidence to the whole +world. Whether the result be Victory or Death, Liberty will assuredly +rise in South Africa like the sun from out the mists of the morning, +just as Freedom dawned over the United States of America a little more +than a century ago. Then from the Zambesi to Simon's Bay it will be + + "AFRICA FOR THE AFRICANDER." + + + + +APPENDICES + + + + +APPENDIX A. + +LORD DERBY'S DISPATCH ON THE CONVENTION OF 1884. + + + _To_ MESSRS. KRUGER, DU TOIT, AND SMIT. + DOWNING STREET, + 15 _February_, 1884. + +GENTLEMEN, + +I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th +inst., in which you intimate your readiness to accept the arrangement +proposed by me at our recent interview, whereby the debt of the +Transvaal State to Her Majesty's Government would be reduced by +L127,000. I will not delay to recommend this proposal to the +consideration of Her Majesty's Government. + +I have considered the representations and suggestions made in the fourth +and following paragraphs of your letter, and I do not think it would now +be practicable to carry out the arrangements which you propose for the +settlement of the questions referred to. Her Majesty's Government are +willing, however, that the 20th Article of the Convention of Pretoria +shall be retained in the new Convention, with such verbal alterations as +are requisite, and I am glad to understand that this course will meet +your views. + +When I had the pleasure of receiving you here on the 8th inst. we +discussed the other principal questions which, in addition to those of +the boundary and the debt, you had submitted to me in previous +correspondence, and I explained to you generally the nature and extent +of the concessions which Her Majesty's Government would be able to make +in regard to them. You were satisfied with these explanations, as far as +they were put before you; and the progress which has been made appears +to me to render it convenient that I should now transmit for your +perusal a draft of the new Convention which Her Majesty's Government +propose in substitution for the Convention of Pretoria. In this draft +the Articles of the Convention of Pretoria, which will be no longer in +force, have been printed alongside of the proposed new Articles, and +where an Article is retained and altered, the alterations have been +shown in order to explain clearly the changes which will be made. You +will find that in the draft, and the map which accompanies it, the +conclusions which have been arrived at in the course of our +communications have been closely adhered to and accurately expressed, +and I trust that you will experience no difficulty in understanding and +agreeing to each of its provisions. If, however, there should be any +point as to which you are doubtful, it may be convenient that you should +again meet me here and receive such further explanations as may be +desirable. + +It does not appear to me to be necessary that I should refer in detail +to each Article of the draft. You will observe that in the preamble and +throughout the Convention the wish of your Government that the +designation "South African Republic" should be substituted for +"Transvaal State" has been complied with. In the first Article the +extension of the Western boundary is precisely defined as agreed to. By +the omission of those Articles of the Convention of Pretoria which +assigned to Her Majesty and to the British Resident certain specific +powers and functions connected with the internal government and the +foreign relations of the Transvaal State your Government will be left +free to govern the country without interference, and to conduct its +diplomatic intercourse and shape its foreign policy subject only to the +requirement embodied in the fourth Article of the new draft--that any +treaty with a foreign State shall not have effect without the approval +of the Queen. + +There are other provisions in the draft which have not been the subject +of discussion with you; they are for the most part a renewal of those +declarations made on behalf of the Transvaal State in the Convention of +Pretoria, which it is desirable (as I trust you will agree in thinking) +to maintain as an assurance to all parties that there will be no +withdrawal of those securities for liberty and equal treatment which +your State has always professed itself ready to afford. I would, +however, refer more specifically to the 19th Article of the draft, in +which it is proposed that in consideration of the discontinuance of all +direct interference by this country in the government and control of the +natives within the Transvaal, it should be formally declared that your +Government will adopt and carry out the assurances which, with their +assent and approval, were given to those natives by Her Majesty's +Commissioners. + +I trust that I may soon hear from you that there is no obstacle to my +informing Her Majesty's Government that the Draft Convention can be +adopted. + +I have, etc., + +DERBY. + + +A CONVENTION CONCLUDED BETWEEN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, &C., &C., AND THE +SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC. + +NOTE.--_The words and paragraphs bracketed or printed in italics are +proposed to be inserted, those within a black line are proposed to be +omitted._ + +[**Transcriber's Note: Words to be omitted are surrounded with '='s.**] + +Her Majesty's Commissioners for the settlement of the Transvaal +Territory, duly appointed as such by a Commission passed under the Royal +Sign Manual and Signet, bearing date the 5th of April 1881, do hereby +undertake and guarantee, on behalf of Her Majesty, that from and after +the 8th day of August 1881, complete self-government, subject to the +suzerainty of Her Majesty, Her Heir and Successors, will be accorded to +the inhabitants of the Transvaal Territory, upon the following terms and +conditions, and subject to the following reservations and limitations:-- + +Whereas the Government of the Transvaal State, through its Delegates, +consisting of Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, President of the said +State. Stephanus Johannes Du Toit, Superintendent of Education; Nicholas +Jacobus Smit, a member of the Volksraad, have represented to the Queen +that the Convention signed at Pretoria on the 3rd day of August, 1881, +and ratified by the Volksraad of the said State on the 20th October, +1881, contains certain provisions which are inconvenient, and imposes +burdens and obligations from which the said State is desirous to be +relieved; and that the south-western boundaries fixed by the said +Convention should be amended, with a view to promote the peace and good +order of the said state, and of the countries adjacent thereto; and +whereas Her Majesty the Queen, &c., &c., has been pleased to take the +said representations into consideration. Now, therefore, Her Majesty has +been pleased to direct, and it is hereby declared that the following +articles of a new Convention--shall when ratified by the Volksraad of +the South African Republic, be substituted for the Articles embodied in +the Convention of 3rd August, 1881; which latter, pending such +ratification, shall continue in full force and effect. + +Signed at =Pretoria= _London_ this =3rd day of August 1881,= + + =HERCULES ROBINSON,= + =President and High Commissioner= + =EVELYN WOOD, Major General,= + =Officer Administering the Government= + =J.H. de VILLIERS.= + +We, the undersigned, Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, =Martinus Wessel +Pretorius=, and =Petrus Jacobus Joubert=, as =representatives delegates= +of the =Transvaal Burghers=, _South African Republic_, do hereby agree +to all the above conditions, reservations, and limitations, =under which +self government has been restored to the inhabitants of the Transvaal +Territory, subject to the enzerainty of Her Majesty, Her Heirs and +Successsors, and we agree to accept the Government of the said +Territory, with all rights and obligations thereto appertaining, on the +8th day of August 1881,= and we =promise and= undertake that this +Convention shall be ratified by a =newly elected= Volksraad of the +=Transvaal State= _South African Republic_ within =three= _six_ months +from this date. + +Signed at =Pretoria,= _London_, this =3rd day of August 1881= + + =S.J.P. KRUEGER= + =M.W. PRETORIUS= + =P.J. JOUBERT= + + + + +APPENDIX B. (TRANSLATION). + +THE ANNEXATION OF THE DIAMOND FIELDS. + + +In his speech at the opening of the Cape Parliament on the 18th April, +1872, Sir Henry Barkly said:-- + +"The Sovereignty of Her Majesty was therefore proclaimed and brought +into operation with the _full consent of the diggers_, and the +Government has since been carefully and efficiently administered, +notwithstanding considerable difficulties." + +The _Diamond News_ of the 1st May, 1872, says, in referring to this +speech:-- + +"Of the three short paragraphs which immediately concern us, the first +is one of self-congratulation--the diggers and other inhabitants of +Griqualand accept the British Government with heartfelt satisfaction. +Sir Henry says nothing of the unaccountable and daily increasing +dissatisfaction with that Government, and perhaps he knows nothing of +it, as it would be an act of suicide for the Commissioners, which they +would not be guilty of, to report about the prevailing feelings." + +On the 30th May, 1872, the _Diamond Fields_ said:-- + +"There can be no doubt that the population of the Diamond Fields are +strongly opposed to annexation to the Cape Colony. + +"If anything like a plebiscite could be taken, the votes against being +put under the Cape Government would be in the proportion of nine to one +... even the Free State Government would get two votes to one if the +Cape Town Government were the only other candidate." + +In December, 1871, scarcely a month after the dispersion of the Free +State authorities and the constitution of Sir Henry Barkly's junta, +lynch law broke out. Lawlessness and general insecurity prevailed +everywhere (see _Diamond News_, 17th January, 20th March, 17th July, +1872). + +One reads in the _Diggers' Gazette_ of the 26th April, 1872:-- + +"No one would wish to ask for a continuation of the existing state of +affairs. Only entirely mischievous people could wish for the +continuation of such a failure as our Commissioners of British rule have +brought about on these Fields. We have formerly expressed ourselves +openly about this matter, and our local contemporaries have done the +same." + +The following remarks were made in the _Diamond News_ of the 16th +December, 1871:-- + +"A description of Du Toit'span by night lately appeared in the _Diamond +News_ as it used to be under the admittedly unsatisfactory Free State +police, and, by way of contrast, as it now is, after the withdrawal of +that police. The comparison is not flattering to the strength of mind or +administrative capability of our present rulers, and a comparison of +Free State administration with Cape administration would in no way be +more favourable to the latter. + +"The British Government, so highly prized, which would put everything to +rights and would do so much for the diggers, has brought the camps back +to their original position of having to protect themselves." + +In the _Diamond News_ of the 10th July, 1872 (eight months after the +constitution of Sir Henry Barkly's rule), the following criticisms +appear:-- + +"Robberies are becoming so frequent that if we were only to relate the +particulars of those that have been brought to our notice we would +require more space than our limits will allow. Innumerable petty thefts +are passed by without punishment. This is certainly a charming state of +affairs! And the question naturally arises--how long will this continue? +Thieves, black and white, experienced and dangerous, and yet no night +police to stop their illegal actions! Shall we get no night police, or +must the scoundrels, who are poisoning our camps continually, enjoy the +immunity and freedom which they now appear to have?" + +On the 26th July lynch law and revolt broke out afresh in an extensive +way at New Rush, the principal diggings. The _Diggers' Gazette_ made the +following remarks about this:-- + +"As long as Judge Lynch remains free to hold his court and to levy his +punishments, for so long can the whole framework and machinery of lawful +authority just as well cease to exist. + +"Authority cannot maintain its claim to be respected as long as persons +suffering under the sense of having been injured take the law into their +own hands, solely because of the proved incapability of those in +authority to protect them where their interests mostly need protection. + +"Day after day, and night after night, the one or other part of the camp +is entertained by the edifying spectacle of natives being thrashed, +tents being burnt, and white people surrounded by ferocious crowds who +can scarcely be kept back from carrying out their desire for vengeance +by a small truncheon and a thick thong. + +"We do not wish to justify this state of affairs, but we cannot shut our +eyes to the injustice which almost makes it a necessity. No magistrate, +however exceptional, counts against the absence of such laws, +discipline, and police as our circumstances demand, and through want of +which there is no other prospect than that terrorism which arises out of +a blind struggle against anarchy." + +The _Diamond News_, in its issue of 20th July, 1872, says:-- + +"The copious news in our columns, and the reports of meetings, as well +as the scenes which take place every night at mass meetings in this time +of excitement, uproar and confusion, take up nearly all our principal +columns. We heartily wish that the fire may be speedily got under, or +else it is very much to be feared that the end will be dreadfully +injurious to the safety and welfare of the innocent." + +On the 19th July, 1872, a very large meeting of diggers was held at the +Market Square, New Rush, when the following resolution, among others, +was unanimously passed:-- + +"As this meeting is of opinion that, with a view to the prevailing +disturbances in this camp, the Commissioners ought at once, with the +Diggers' Committee, to make such amendments in the existing +unsatisfactory state of the law as will as far as possible prevent the +thefts of diamonds by native labourers, and their purchase by +unprincipled dealers, and will also make such alterations in the law so +as to promote the general welfare." + +In the Cape Parliament, commencing the 5th June, 1872, Mr. Merriman +said:-- + +"The Fields ... were annexed and a form of government was introduced +there which could not be more ludicrous. A sort of irresponsible +Commission (the Rovers junta) was established, in which the members +could not agree, and were not responsible to anybody; he could imagine +nothing more ridiculous or which worked worse. The Orange Free State had +given the people a sort of representation, but the first act of our +Government was to abolish all the Commissions, and the result was that +the people were burdened with an irresponsible body. + +"The Orange Free State had appointed a responsible official ... who was +efficient ... while we had established a court twenty miles away from +the most populated part; whereby grinding expenses had been entailed on +those who sought justice, just as if it was the only object of the +British Government to pile up heavy law costs." + +Mr. Knight said: "One of the chief reasons why he was against Annexation +was that nine-tenths of the population on the fields would hold up +their hands to get rid of the present Government because they felt that +they were far better off before they were annexed." + +Mr. Buchanan declared: "He himself, when he visited the Diamond Fields, +had wandered from camp to camp, and from the one sorting table to the +other, and had talked with the diggers in order to acquaint himself as +to their feelings about various matters, and he had obtained the +conviction that there was a great deal of feeling against the British +Government." + +In the subsequent debate in the Cape Parliament Mr. J.H. Brown said, in +regard to Mr. Orpen's motion: "That the diggers look with the greatest +contempt on the Government which was there now, and that this Government +was quite as much hated as it deserved to be."--(_Diggers' Gazette_, +12th July, 1872). + +In the _Diamond News_ of the 8th October, 1872, one reads:-- + +"Newspaper after newspaper comes out, and those who have a claim upon +land look eagerly to see 'what is happening about the land?' and all the +information the newspaper gives is that David Arnot, Esq., claims half +the country, and that Francis Orpen, Esq., the Surveyor, has decided +that L30 must be paid before the case of any claimant can be taken into +consideration. It is Arnot and Orpen and land; and land and Orpen and +Arnot, week after week. They appear to be made one for the other, and +for nothing and nobody else. + +"Half a newspaper is filled with lists of claims of the said David, and +it becomes daily clearer and clearer that the great head chief of +Griqualand West cannot be Mr. Waterboer, but must be David +Arnot--because all the claims and all the kopjes have been provided for, +and all are for Mr. Arnot and nobody else. + +"The impression is everywhere that British protection is invoked not for +British interests, nor for the interests of Britons working on the +fields here, but for the sake of two gentlemen who hold the reins with +far more power than ought to be given to anyone who is entrusted with +the administration of this country. + +"Who has ever heard of a Government which binds itself to give the +surveyorship of a new country to one man only? Mr. Francis Orpen is +decidedly a first-class man in his profession ... but that does not +justify any Government in agreeing that he, and he only, is to keep the +survey of this territory entirely in his own hands. Everyone knows what +that must lead to." + + + + +APPENDIX C. + +THE REPLY TO MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S DISPATCH ON GRIEVANCES. + +DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, PRETORIA. + +_26th September_, 1899. + + +SIR, + +The Government of the South African Republic has the honour to +acknowledge the receipt of a copy of a certain dispatch dated 10th May, +1899, addressed to His Excellency the High Commissioner by the Secretary +of State for the Colonies, in consequence of a petition sent to Her +Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland. 21,684 signatures appear +on this petition, and are said to have been affixed thereto by an +equivalent number of British subjects resident at Johannesburg, in this +Republic. + +This Government notes that Her Majesty's Government have thought fit, on +the grounds of the information already in their possession, to make +investigation into the subject matter of the aforesaid petition, and, as +a result of such investigation, to express to this Government their +views on the administration of the internal affairs of this Republic, +which said views they have at the same time communicated to the +memorialists as an answer to their petition. + +This Government may be permitted to point out that the Convention of +London of 1884, entered into between this Republic and the Government of +Her Britannic Majesty, guarantees to the South African Republic full and +free internal administration without any interference from anyone +whatever. As Lord Derby notifies in his dispatch of the 15th February, +1884:-- + +"Your Government will be left free to govern the country without +interference, and to conduct its diplomatic intercourse, and shape its +foreign policy, subject only to the requirements embodied in the fourth +article of the new draft--that any treaty with a foreign State shall not +have effect without the approval of the Queen." + +In his despatch of the 4th February, 1896, the Colonial Secretary, Mr. +Chamberlain, states:-- + +"In the next place, it is necessary that I should state clearly and +unequivocally what is the position which Her Majesty's Government claim +to hold toward the Government of the South African Republic. Since the +Convention of 1884, Her Majesty's Government recognised the South +African Republic as a free and independent Government as regards all its +internal affairs not touched by the Convention." + +In a telegram, also from Mr. Chamberlain, dated 26th March, 1896, the +same statement is substantially made, viz.:--"Her Majesty's Government +do not claim any rights under the Conventions to prescribe particular +internal reforms which should be made in South African Republic." + +This Government has always felt it a solemn duty for the Republic to +adhere strictly to the Convention of 1884 in its entirety; at the same +time, it has been consistent in protesting in the most forcible manner +against any interference or intermeddling with the internal affairs of +the Republic, and against the discussion or treatment of these affairs +with or by any other than the Republic itself, and it can discover no +reasons now which would either justify such interference or exempt it +from the accusation of being a violation of the Convention of London. + +This Government feels convinced that Her Majesty's Government would not +favourably entertain a request from British subjects for intervention +because the said British subjects are unwilling (as was agreed between +this Republic and Her Majesty's Government in the Convention of London) +to conform themselves to the laws of the land and to respect the legal +institutions and customs of the South African Republic, and because they +feel aggrieved that the laws are not altered in accordance with their +demands. + +The friendly relations so highly prized by this Government which have +existed between this Republic and the United Kingdom, the other party to +the Convention of London, have always been a safe guarantee to this +Government against such a breach of the Convention on the part of Her +Majesty's Government, and it greatly deplores the fact that Her +Majesty's Government has now decided to act in conflict with the +Convention of London by busying itself with the imaginary grievances of +the Uitlanders, and making representations thereanent to this +Government. Against such action this Government feels that it must +earnestly and emphatically protest, and the Right Hon. Mr. Chamberlain +could not take it amiss if this Government were to pay no further +attention to the charges against its administration contained in the +petition, or if they declined to discuss further the views of Her +Majesty's Government about these charges. + +This Government has, however, on more than one occasion, notified to Her +Majesty's Government that it will attach great value to any suggestions +which may be tendered in the interests of British subjects, and it will +certainly lend a very willing ear to any friendly advice or hints which +may be given by Her Majesty's Government as being the representative of +a Power which, with this Republic and the Orange Free State, protects +and fosters the paramount interests of South Africa. + +His Honour the State President was animated by these sentiments when he +accepted the courteous invitation of His Honour President Steyn to +proceed to Bloemfontein in order to confer with Your Excellency about +matters which are an equal source of interest to this Republic and Her +Majesty's Government. These friendly sentiments now prompt it to take +the liberty of drawing serious attention to the fact that Her Majesty's +Government certainly appear to be supplied with insufficient and +incorrect data about facts and occurrences from which erroneous ideas +and conclusions are drawn, so that, although desirous of avoiding +subjects the discussion of which would be contrary to the Convention, +this Government nevertheless feels that it ought to convey to Her +Majesty's Government the true position of affairs, and that it ought to +point out how the latter is misled, the condition of affairs as depicted +in the dispatch under reply being in all respects exaggerated, and in +many instances entirely untrue. + +In the first place, this Government wishes to point out that, so far +from the petition which gave rise to the despatch under reply having +been signed by 21,684 British subjects, it appears indeed that it was +signed by very few people in the South African Republic--leaving aside +all mention of British subjects. This has been substantiated in many +cases by sworn declarations, many of which were handed to His Excellency +the High Commissioner during the Conference at Bloemfontein, and this +Government feels that it may flatter itself that the British Government, +after having examined these documents, will share with this Government +the view that this memorial is in itself a matter of very slight +importance, even although it may contain the signatures of a certain +number of British subjects who hold the opinion that they are entitled +to a change in the form of Government because, in violation of the +Convention entered into between this Republic and Her Majesty's +Government, they will not conform themselves to the laws of the land, +but claim alterations therein at their own caprice. + +This Government is all the more convinced that this memorial is of no +great moment, and that it certainly does not express the feelings of all +the so-called Uitlanders, because another memorial has been received by +it from about 23,000 inhabitants of this Republic, nearly all +Uitlanders, and amongst whom are several British subjects. The High +Commissioner was informed that the signatures to this memorial were +obtained in a perfectly _bona fide_ way, and this information was +supported by sworn affidavits. The purport of this memorial bore +evidence to the fact that the thousands of Uitlanders who signed it were +satisfied with the administration and the Government of this Republic, +and did not share the views of the memorialists to Her Britannic Majesty +in respect of what the latter considered to be legitimate grievances. + +This Government may further be permitted to point out that although the +Uitlander population may have co-operated in effecting an increase in +the revenues of the State, principally, as His Excellency has been +informed, in custom dues, prospecting licences, railway receipts, etc., +so that the revenue in 1898 amounted to L3,983,360, the fact must not be +lost sight of, on the other hand, that gold to the value of +_L20,000,000_ was exported from the State during the same year 1898, +almost entirely by the Uitlanders. + +At the same time, it must not be forgotten that although the, chief item +in custom dues is collected on goods which are imported at Johannesburg, +yet these goods are not entirely used or consumed by the Uitlanders, for +a considerable quantity is sent over the whole Republic by the wholesale +merchants to the retail dealers who do business with the burghers in the +villages and the country, so that much of what is imported into +Johannesburg is destined for consumption by the original burgher of the +Republic. + +With regard to the contention that the mining industry is more heavily +taxed than in any other country, and that the cost of the necessaries of +life is higher, this Government desires to remark that this contention +is entirely contradicted by facts and statistics. The value of goods +imported into the South African Republic during 1898 amounted to +L9,996,575, and the custom duties levied thereon to L1,058,224, or 10.6 +per cent. Under the Customs Union of the adjacent British Colonies the +import duties amounted to 15 per cent, of the value of the goods, a +comparison which yields a difference of nearly 50 per cent. in favour of +the Republic. When the matter is examined in detail the case is even +stronger. In the Colonies certain articles, such as bread stuffs, are +subject to a special duty of 2s., say about 30 per cent, of the value, +in corn, and 40 per cent. in meal. In this Republic the duty on both the +foregoing articles is 7-1/2 per cent.; butter is especially taxed at 3d. +per pound, or 30 per cent., under the Customs Union, while in the +Republic it is subject only to the 7-1/2 _ad valorem_ duty. Coffee and +other necessaries of life, on being compared, would show a similar +difference, and this Government therefore trusts that Her Majesty's +Government will exonerate it when it points out the incorrectness and +unreliability of the information supplied to the Secretary of State, on +which he bases his conclusion that the cost of living is unusually high +in consequence of the taxation levied by the State; that such is not the +case will be at once shown by a comparison with the taxation of the +neighbouring Colonies. + +The character of the financial administration must have been erroneously +represented to Her Majesty's Government if it was simply stated that +defalcations to an amount of L18,590 had taken place. It would _ex +facie_ appear from such a statement that the above defalcations had +taken place during the past year; as a matter of fact, the Inspection +Department, which has only recently been called into existence, reported +over financial matters covering the years 1884 to 1896. + +It is unfair to characterise all deficiencies as defalcations, for from +the nature of the case a deficiency does not always constitute a +defalcation. The report specified the sub-divisions of monies which had +yet to be accounted for. The first item in such deficiencies amounted +originally to L12,000, and of this L6,000 was afterwards collected, and +the balance was only brought forward; another item of _L10,808 11s._ was +brought forward in its entirety, but L3,000 of this was eventually +collected and accounted for, while continual efforts were made to secure +the balance. Many items not brought forward were collected long before +and accounted for, while during the inspection of last year it was found +that a sum of L800 yet remained to be paid in out of the deficiencies, +which balance has been accounted for. + +The contention that advances to officials amounting to _L2,398,506 16s. +8d._ have remained unaccounted for is also absolutely incorrect; and the +endeavour to pass this circumstance off as constituting defalcations on +the part of officials bears ample witness to the strong desire to +mislead which has actuated the informants of Her Majesty's Government. + +Any person who is even superficially acquainted with financial +administration will readily admit that this is due to a system of +accounting which was followed until recently by Her Majesty's +Government, and which obtains in some British Colonies, in Natal, for +instance, at the present moment. + +This system may deserve condemnation; it does not, however, necessarily +follow that because the advances may not be speedily accounted for they +have been embezzled, and it does not appear either from the report of +the Inspector of Offices, or from the debates of the Volksraad, that +such accusations were made. But in addition to this a sum of at least +L1,968,306 is included in the aforesaid total of L2,398,506 16s. 8d. +(but which is not comprised in the customary advances), such as Orphan +Chamber L80,000, Indigent Burghers L150,000, Postal Orders L60,000, +various loans to School Committees, Sanitary Boards, and for Waterworks, +Hospitals, Committees, monies placed at interest in Europe, provisional +loans to Railway Companies, purchases of food stuffs and mules in time +of famine, and many others. + +Items, too, of considerable importance appear in the advances, although +they have really been accounted for up to within a pound or two, because +for one reason or another it has not been possible to write off the +exact total, the amounts still to be accounted for having dwindled to a +very insignificant figure. + +The contention that during 1896 a sum of L191,837 was paid out of the +Secret Service Money is also absolutely unfounded, for in that amount a +sum of L158,337 was included which was used for special Government +Works, as was expressly stated in a foot-note on page 44 of the +Estimates for 1897. The Secret Service Fund for that year (1896) did not +amount to more than L33,500. This faulty information, supplied to Her +Majesty's Government, is apparently taken from the said Estimates, it +would seem with the fixed determination to ignore the explanatory +foot-note on page 44. + +It is incorrect to state that the system of granting concessions remains +in full force. Where the Right Hon. the Secretary of State in his +despatch refers to industrial concessions, this Government may remark +that these are privileges granted in order to stimulate and protect +local industry, and the contention that these concessions will develop +into practical monopolies is not supported by any evidence; results will +show that misleading information has been given here as well. + +With regard to the question of education which has been dealt with in +the dispatch of the Right Hon. the Colonial Secretary, this Government +wishes to point out that the amount expended on education during the +year 1898 was L226,219 4s. 8d. In the former year it was less. Of this +amount L36,503 17s. 2d. was devoted to Education on the Gold Fields (for +State as well as for subsidized schools). As the number of scholars +under Act 15, 1896, as well as that of the teachers, have considerably +increased, the amount during the current year will probably be +_L53,000_. The conditions on which this money is given are certainly not +such as to exclude the children of Uitlanders from its benefits. +According to Volksraad Resolution of 1st June, 1892 (and amendments), +schools where a foreign language was the medium of instruction were +entitled to a subsidy of 20s. per pupil per quarter for the lower +standard, and 25s. for the middle standard, provided that certain +requirements as to knowledge of the official language of the country +were complied with. These requirements are a standard lower than that +for children of burghers in the country, who are taught in schools +governed by Law No. 8 of 1892. + +Few, if any, Uitlanders avail themselves of this offer; the few who have +done so are now satisfied with it, and continue to enjoy the privileges +of the resolution, although it was only renewed in 1898 for those +schools which made a _bona fide_ use of it. Law No. 15, 1896, made +provision for the children of poor parents and strangers on the +proclaimed gold fields entirely at State expense, and 13 schools have +been established by this law--with 51 teachers and about 1,500 +scholars--at Barberton, Pilgrims' Rest, Kaapsche Hoop, Johannesburg (5, +viz., 1 in von Brandis Street, 1 at Braamfontein, 1 at Union Ground, 1 +at Vredesdorp, and 1 in Market Street), Maraisburg, Krugersdorp, +Randfontein, Klerksdorp, and Nigel. In addition to these, preparations +are being made for State schools at the City and Suburban, +Bertramstownship, Johannesburg, and at Roodepoort (Krugersdorp). + +Out of the above-named 13 schools, English is the medium of instruction +in four, and of the remaining nine English is the medium for the +children of English-speaking parents, and Dutch for those of +Dutch-speaking parents. In these nine schools a little more time is +devoted to learning Dutch in each standard than was the case in the +former standard, so that equality in both languages is reached at the +5th standard. + +Altogether there are 27 Dutch Africander or Hollander teachers, and 24 +teachers of English origin in these 13 schools. The Dutch Africander or +Hollander teachers are obliged to possess a thorough knowledge of +English, and have either to pass an examination or produce a certificate +to that effect. + +The object of the system of education in this Republic is to ensure in +the first place the foundation of general knowledge. Law No. 8, 1892, +provides this for the children of the original Boer population in their +mother tongue, in which the necessary schoolbooks must be written, with +this understanding, however, that in the 3rd standard three hours, and +in the higher ones four hours, per week out of the 25 must be devoted to +education in a foreign language. + +With regard to the schools formed under the above-mentioned Resolution, +teaching is carried on through the medium of a foreign language, but at +least 5 hours per week must be devoted to the study of the official +language of the country. + +Of the 13 schools formed under Law 15 of 1896, the children of strangers +are instructed in their own language, while the number of hours for +instruction in and by means of Dutch is increased in each standard. + +According to a Resolution of the First Volksraad, dated the 8th August, +1898, Article 731, a certain number of the School Board members required +by Article I of Law 15 of 1896 have to be nominated and chosen by the +Executive Council out of enfranchised persons (Article 2, Law 8, 1893) +proposed by the fathers of the school children, on the understanding +that the persons so chosen shall constitute less than half of the whole +School Board, and further, that the persons so proposed shall always be +double the number of the people actually nominated. The above facts +clearly prove, according to the opinion of this Government, that Her +Majesty's Government has also been misled in respect to the matter of +education. It is clear that one-fourth of the whole educational vote has +been devoted to the gold fields, so that the children of Uitlander +residents can make use of it; that proper provision is made for +education in the mother tongue whatever it may be, while at the same +time compulsory education of the language of the country is also +provided for. That both by the Resolution of the 1st June, 1892, as well +as by the Law 15 of 1896, more has actually been done for the Uitlanders +than for the original inhabitants, and that more time is given to the +mother tongue of the children in the schools on the gold fields of this +Republic than in any country in the world, and that here again +information of a misleading character must have been given to His +Excellency and the British Government. + +Law No. 15, 1896, and the schools thereby established have been +defended by Englishmen in various newspapers. (See the _S.A. News_, 10th +May, 1899; _The Star_, 22nd March, 1899; _Manchester Guardian_, etc.). + +With reference to the Municipality of Johannesburg, this Government +desires to remark that in accordance with the promise made in 1896, the +grant of Municipal Administration was made to the inhabitants of +Johannesburg by which the control of that town and its suburbs was +conferred upon them. + +Her Majesty's Government seem to think that this Municipality does not +answer its purpose, in the first place because half of the members must +be naturalized burghers (not fully enfranchised burghers as the dispatch +under reply erroneously contends), and in the second place because the +financial powers of the town council are restricted. + +With regard to the first objection, it is impossible that this should be +a great grievance, because a residence of two years in the Republic is +sufficient for naturalisation; as a matter of fact, more than the +necessary half of the members are burghers; this shows conclusively that +the requirement of burghership is in no sense an obstacle. The objection +as to the restriction of the financial powers of the council is not +conclusive, because there is no Municipality in the world the financial +powers of which are not restricted by the law under which they are +created, and the restrictions in the case of the town council of +Johannesburg are the usual ones in such cases. + +The Advisory Board recommended by the Industrial Commission would have +proved inefficient because the laws with the administration of which +that body would have had to concern itself can be carried out in a +better and more efficient way by an official like the State Attorney, +who has almost unlimited power and means of doing so. This is exactly +what has happened. All complaints with regard to gold thefts have +actually disappeared; one no longer hears of complaints as to the +operation of the pass law; while latterly, as Her Majesty's Government +must be well aware, the Chamber of Mines and other bodies of the +Witwatersrand have repeatedly expressed their satisfaction with the +stringent way in which the liquor law has been upheld. No local body, +however well informed, would have been able to do what the State +Attorney has done in this matter, and that is sufficient justification +of the action of both Government and Volksraad in refusing to establish +such an Advisory Board. + +The Government now passes on to the discussion of the administration of +justice, of which so much is made in the dispatch under reply. + +With regard to these allegations, this Government perceives that much +importance is attached in the dispatch to the so-called Lombard +incident, the so-called Edgar case, and the so-called Amphitheatre +occurrence. + +A brief consideration of the facts referring to these three matters will +show how unfounded are the accusations of Her Majesty's Government. + +With reference to the Lombard incident, this Government wishes to point +out that no complaint was lodged with any official in this Republic for +a full month after the illtreatment of Cape coloured people was alleged +to have taken place, and that neither the Government nor the public was +aware that anything had taken place. The whole case was so insignificant +that some of the people who were alleged to have been illtreated +declared under oath at a later period before a court of investigation +that they would never have made any complaint on their own initiative. +What happened, however? + +About a month after the occurrence the South African League came to hear +of it; some of its officials sent round to collect evidence from the +parties who were alleged to have been illtreated, and some sworn +declarations were obtained by the help of Her Majesty's Vice-Consul at +Johannesburg (between whom and this League a continual and conspicuous +co-operation has existed). Even then no charge was lodged against the +implicated officials with the judicial authorities of the country, but +the case was put in the hands of the Acting British Agent at Pretoria. + +When the allegations were brought under the notice of this Government, +they at once appointed a commission of enquiry consisting of three +members, namely, Landdrost Van der Berg, of Johannesburg, Mr Andries +Stockenstrom, barrister-at-law of the Middle Temple, head of the +Criminal Section of the State Attorney's Department, and Mr. Van der +Merwe, mining commissioner, of Johannesburg; gentlemen against whose +ability and impartiality the Uitlander population of the Republic have +never harboured the slightest suspicion, and with whose appointment the +Acting British Agent also expressed his entire satisfaction. The +instructions given to these officials were to thoroughly investigate the +whole case, and to report the result to the Government; and they +fulfilled these instructions by sitting for days at a time, and +carefully hearing and sifting the evidence of both sides. Every +right-minded person readily acknowledges that far greater weight ought +to be attached to the finding of this Commission than to the +declarations of the complainants, who contradicted one another in nearly +every particular, and who caused the whole enquiry to degenerate into a +farce. + +According to the report, nothing was proved as to the so-called +illtreatment; the special instances of alleged illtreatment turned out +to be purely imaginary; it was clearly proved and found that the +complainants had acted contrary to Law, and the Commission only +expressed disapproval of the fact that the arrests and the investigation +had taken place at night, and without a proper warrant. It fills this +Government with all the greater regret to observe that Her Majesty's +Government bases its charges on _ex parte_, groundless, and in many +respects false declarations of complainants who have been set in motion +by political hatred, and that it silently ignores the report of the +Commission. + +The Amphitheatre occurrence is used by Her Majesty's Government to show +how incapable the police of the Witwatersrand are to fulfil their duties +and to preserve order. The League meeting was held at the so-called +Amphitheatre at Johannesburg, with the knowledge of the State Secretary +and State Attorney, and the accusation is that in spite of that fact, +the uproar which arose at that meeting was not quelled by the police. +The following are the true facts:--Mr. Wybergh and another, both in the +service of the South African League, informed the State Secretary and +the State Attorney that they intended to call this meeting in the +Amphitheatre, and asked permission to do so; they were informed that no +permission from the authorities was necessary, and that as long as the +meeting did not give rise to irregularities or disturbances of the +peace, they would be acting entirely within their rights. Their +attention was then drawn to the fact that owing to the action and the +propaganda of the South African League, this body had become extremely +unpopular with a large section of the inhabitants of Johannesburg, and +that in all probability a disturbance of the peace would take place if a +sufficient body of the police were not present to preserve order. To +this these gentlemen answered that the police were in very bad odour +since the Edgar case, that the meeting would be a very quiet one, and +that the presence of the police would contribute, or give rise to, +disorder, and that they would on those grounds rather have no police at +all. The State Secretary and State Attorney thereupon communicated with +the head officials of the police at Johannesburg, with the result that +the latter also thought that it would be better not to have any +considerable number of police at the meeting. The Government +accordingly, on the advice of these officials of the League as well as +their own police officials, gave instructions that the police should +remain away from the meeting; they did this in perfect good faith, and +with the object of letting the League have its say without let or +hindrance. The proposed meeting was however advertised far and wide. As +the feeling amongst a section of the Witwatersrand population was +exceedingly bitter against the League, a considerable number of the +opponents of that body also attended the meeting. The few police who +were present were powerless to quell the disorder, and when the police +came on the scene in force some few minutes after the commencement of +the uproar, the meeting was already broken up. Taken by itself, this +occurrence would not be of much importance, as it is an isolated +instance as far as the gold fields of this Republic are concerned, and +even in the best organised and best ordered communities irregularities +like the above occasionally take place. + +The gravity of the matter, however, lies in the unjust accusation of Her +Majesty's Government--that the meeting was broken up by officials of +this Republic, and that the Government had curtly refused to institute +an enquiry. + +This Government would not have refused to investigate the matter if any +complaints had been lodged with it, or at any of the local Courts, and +this has been clearly stated in its reply to Her Majesty's request for +an investigation. + +The Government objects strongly to the systematic way in which the local +authorities are ignored, and the continual complaints which are lodged +with the Representatives of Her Majesty about matters which ought to be +decided by the Courts of this Republic. Instead, however, of complaining +to Her Majesty's Government after all other reasonable means of redress +have been vainly invoked, they continually make themselves guilty of +ignoring and treating with contempt the local Courts and authorities, by +continually making all sorts of ridiculous and _ex parte_ complaints to +Her Majesty's Government in the first instance; Her Majesty's Government +is also thereby placed in the equivocal and undesirable position of +intermeddling in the internal affairs of this Republic, which is in +conflict with the London Convention. Had the complaints been lodged with +this Government, or with the proper officials or Courts, the facts could +have been very easily arrived at, and it would have been proved that +the few officials who were present at the meeting as a section of the +public had done their best to prevent the irregularities, and that some +of them had been hurt in their endeavours to preserve order. + +Instead of expressing their disapproval of such complaints, and +referring the petitioners to the local Courts, Her Majesty's Government +accepts those complaints, and gives them an official character by +forwarding them for the information of this Government, and by +publishing them in blue books for the information of the world. + +Her Majesty's Government will readily acknowledge that there is no State +in the world with any sense of dignity, however weak and insignificant +it may be, which can regard such matters with an indifferent eye; and +when the relations of the two Governments are strained, then the +mainspring must be looked for in this action of its subjects, which is +not disapproved of by Her Majesty's Government, and not in imaginary or +trumped-up grievances. + +The Edgar case is referred to by your Government as "the most striking +recent instance of arbitrary action by officials, and of the support of +such action by the Courts," and this case is quoted as a conclusive test +of the alleged judicial maladministration of this Republic; it will +therefore be of interest to pause for a moment and consider it. What are +the true facts? + +A certain Foster, "an Englishman," was assaulted and felled to the +ground, without any lawful cause, by a man named Edgar during the night +of the 18th December, 1898; he lay on the ground as if dead, and +ultimately died in the hospital. Edgar escaped to his room, and some +police came on the scene, attracted by the screams of the bystanders. +Amongst the police was one named Jones. When they saw the man who had +been assaulted lying as if dead, they went to Edgar's apartments in +order to arrest him as a criminal (he had indeed rendered himself liable +for manslaughter, and apparently for murder). As he was caught in the +very act, the police officers were, according to the Laws not only of +this Republic, but of all South Africa and of the United Kingdom of +Great Britain and Ireland, justified in breaking open the door in order +to arrest the culprit. While doing so, Edgar, with a dangerous weapon, +struck Jones a severe blow. Under the stress of necessity the latter +shot Edgar, from the effects of which he died. The question is not if +Jones was justified in taking this extreme step, for the State Attorney +of the Republic had already given effect to his opinion that this was a +case for the jury by prosecuting him for manslaughter. The question is +solely whether any jury in any country in the world would have found a +man guilty of any crime under the circumstances set forth, and whether, +if they did not find him guilty, the fact of their doing so would have +been stamped and branded as a flagrant and remarkable instance of the +maladministration of justice. + +This Government is convinced that the English Judicial administration +affords numberless instances where the facts are as strong as in this +case, and it cannot see why an occurrence which could happen in any part +of the world should be especially thrown in their teeth in the form of +an accusation. + +This Government does not wish to pass over in silence the censure which +has been passed by Her Majesty's Government on the Public Prosecutor of +Johannesburg, by whom the prosecution of this case was conducted; the +fact that he is of pure English blood, that he received his legal +training in London, that he is generally respected by the Uitlander +population on account of his ability, impartiality, and general +character, will naturally not be of any weight with Her Majesty's +Government against the facts of his action in calling witnesses for the +prosecution who were intended for the defence, and thus rendering an +imaginary cross-examination abortive. + +This Government only wishes to point out that the fact that the Edgar +case is the strongest which Her Majesty's Government has been able to +quote against the administration of justice in this Republic affords the +strongest and most eloquent proof possible that, taking it in general, +the administration of justice on the gold fields of this Republic not +only compares favourably with that on other and similar gold fields, but +even with that of old and settled countries. + +The untrue representations of this occurrence in the Press prove +conclusively that the newspapers of the Witwatersrand, the +atrocity-mongering tactics of which constitute a share of the organised +campaign against the Republic and its Government, have been compelled to +resort to mendacious criticisms on imaginary instances of +maladministration which were often simply invented. Where the Press is +forced to adopt such methods, the true grievances must of necessity be +unreal. + +Her Majesty's Government now proceeds to discuss certain laws of this +Republic, with the object of showing that the Uitlander population is +also oppressed by the legislature of this country, the Press Law, the +Aliens Expulsion Law, and Law No. 1 of 1897 being especially instanced. +But it can also be proved that the population of the gold fields have no +solid grounds of complaint in regard to the laws in question. + +Respecting the existing Press Laws, No. 26 of 1896, and No. 14 of 1898, +it is necessary to remark that no printer, issuer, or editor of a +newspaper can be prosecuted unless he has made himself guilty of +criminal libel, so that the principle of the Grondwet of 1858 has in +this respect been rigidly adhered to. Her Majesty's Government will at +once see that these laws cannot in any way bear harshly upon the writing +public, a fact which is clearly borne out by the way in which the +newspapers of this country are edited. Nowhere else in the world has the +liberty of the Press so degenerated into license. No newspaper in any +country in the world would for one moment dare to speak of the +Government, the Legislature, and authorities of the country as the +_Star_, the _Transvaal Leader_, and similar newspapers do every day in +this Republic. + +The imaginary nature of these grievances is not dispelled by the fact +that the power is vested in the State President of prohibiting either +entirely or provisionally the circulation of any printed matter which is +contrary to good morals or public order, because the very same Supreme +Court, which in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government only exists at +the mercy of this Government, has pronounced that it has no power to +prohibit the circulation of any newspaper; the freedom of the regular +Press thus remains as unrestricted as under the old Grondwet. + +As a matter of fact, any person who has any practical experience of the +Press of this Republic will regard the accusation as ridiculous, and as +evincing an entire ignorance of the true facts. This power has not been +exercised by the Judges on many occasions, but only once, and in that +instance the High Court annulled the decision. + +With regard to the Aliens Expulsion Law, this, like the Press Law, ought +to be estimated according to its spirit and operation. Since this law +has come into force the State President has only on one occasion made +use of the power vested in him of expelling an undesirable individual, +and his action was endorsed by the approval of the Press and the public +of the country. As similar laws exist in nearly every civilised country +in the world, it is difficult to see why such a law in this Republic +should prove so objectionable in the eyes of Her Majesty's Government. + +With regard to Law No. 1 of 1897, and the dismissal of Chief Justice +Kotze by virtue of its provisions, this Government can only state that +it was with the bitterest regret that it felt itself compelled, in +consequence of the arbitrary action of the said Chief Justice, to take +comprehensive measures in order to prevent absolute constitutional and +judicial disorder and chaos. It was an instance where a Chief Justice in +conflict with a law existing for, at least, forty years, and in direct +contradiction of his own decisions, suddenly adopted and applied a new +principle, which affected the legality of the laws of the Republic, and +produced real constitutional chaos. Would not any other Government under +similar circumstances have done exactly what this Republic did, namely, +pass a special law in this unusual case, in order to remove the +exceptional difficulties? + +This law was only applicable to this particular instance, and became +inoperative immediately after its application; and this Government +cannot understand how suspicion can therefore fall upon the impartial +administration of Justice in this Republic. If the Government had +acquiesced in the position taken up by the late Chief Justice, then all +titles dependent upon Volksraad resolutions would have been called in +question, which would not only have dealt a heavy blow to existing +rights, but also have plunged the administration of Justice in great +uncertainty and doubt. + +By this law the Judges, instead of being brought under the influence of +the Executive Council, were really placed in the same constitutional +position as any Judge in the Supreme Court of England, who is unable to +question the validity of any law. + +This Government has now traversed the various contentions of Her +Majesty's Government, which have been submitted in order to prove that +the policy of this Government, with regard to the Uitlander population +and the administration of the laws, especially on the gold fields, are +the causes of the strained relationship at present existing between the +two Governments. + +This Government believes that this explanation and answer will clearly +show that these causes are in no way sufficient to have resulted in the +aforesaid tension. It is of opinion that the source of evil must be +sought for elsewhere, and it trusts that Her Majesty's Government will +not take it in bad part if it now proceeds to explain what the real root +of the evil is from its point of view; and in the first place it remarks +as a very noticeable and prominent fact that although there are +thousands of subjects of other Powers in Johannesburg, there are few +complaints heard from them or from their Governments about the so-called +grievances of the Uitlanders. If these grievances existed in reality, +and if they pressed equally on all so-called Uitlanders (and Her +Majesty's Government does not contend that in this respect a difference +is made between British subjects and subjects of other Powers), how does +it happen that the complaints always come from British subjects, and +that the subjects of other Powers, as a rule, express their sympathy +with this Government and promise it their support? + +But this Government wishes to go further. Even in regard to those +Uitlanders who are British subjects, it is a small minority which, under +the pretext of imaginary grievances, promotes a secret propaganda of +race hatred, and uses the Republic as a base for fomenting a +revolutionary movement against this Government. Ministers of Her Majesty +have so trenchantly expressed the truth about this minority that this +Government wishes to quote the very words of these Ministers with the +object of bringing the actual truth to the knowledge of Her Majesty's +Government, as well as to that of the whole world, and not for the +purpose of making groundless accusations. + +The following words are those of the Ministers of the Cape Colony, who +are well acquainted with local conditions and fully qualified to arrive +at a conclusion:-- + +"In the opinion of Ministers the persistent action, both beyond and +within this Colony, of the political body styling itself the South +African League in endeavouring to foment and excite, not to smooth and +allay, ill-will between the two principal European races inhabiting +South Africa is well illustrated by these resolutions, the exaggerated +and aggravated terms of which disclose the spirit which informs and +inspires them. + +"His Excellency's Ministers are one in their earnest desire to do all in +their power to aid and further a policy of peaceful progress throughout +South Africa, and they cannot but regard it as an unwise propagandism, +hostile to the true interests of the Empire, including this Colony as an +integral part, that every possible occasion should be seized by the +League and its promoters for an attempt to magnify into greater events +minor incidents when occurring in the South African Republic, with a +prospect thereby of making racial antagonism more acute, or of +rendering less smooth the relations between Her Majesty's Government or +the Government of this Colony and that Republic." + +Race hatred is, however, not so intense in South Africa as to enable a +body with this propaganda, aiming at revolutionary objects, to obtain +much influence in this part of the world; and one continually asks +oneself the question--"How is it that a body so insignificant, both in +regard to its principles and its membership, enjoys such a large measure +of influence?" The answer is that this body depends upon the protection +and the support of Her Majesty's Government in England, and that both +its members and its organs in the Press openly boast of the influence +they exercise over the policy of Her Majesty's Government. This +Government would ignore such assertions, but when it finds that the +ideas and the shibboleths of the South African League are continually +echoed in the speeches of members of H.M. Government, when it finds that +blue books are compiled chiefly from documents prepared by officials of +the South African League, as well as from reports and leading articles +containing "malignant lies" taken from the Press organs of that +organisation, thereby receiving an official character, then this +Government can well understand why so many of Her Majesty's right-minded +subjects in this part of the world have obtained the impression that the +policy advocated by the South African League is supported by Her +Majesty's Government, and is thus calculated to contribute to the +welfare and blessing of the British Empire. + +If this mistaken impression could be removed, and if it could be +announced as a fact that the South African League, as far as its actions +in the South African Republic are concerned, is only an organisation +having as its object the fomentation of strife and disorder and the +destruction of the independence of the country, then it would very soon +lose its influence, and the strained relations existing between the two +Governments would quickly disappear. The Africander population of this +country would not then be under the apprehension that the interests of +the British Empire imperatively demand that the Republic should be done +away with and its people be either _enslaved_ or _exterminated_. Both +sections of the white inhabitants of South Africa would then return to +the fraternal co-operation and fusion which was beginning to manifest +itself when the treacherous conspiracy at the end of 1895 awakened the +passions on both sides. + + + + +APPENDIX D. + +THE FINAL DISPATCH OF MR. STATE SECRETARY REITZ. + +ENCLOSURE. + + + DEPARTMENT FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, + GOVERNMENT OFFICE, + PRETORIA, + _3rd March_, 1899. + +Sir, + +Acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 11th inst. _re_ the +meeting of the South African League held in the Amphitheatre at +Johannesburg on the 14th January, 1899, I have the honour to communicate +the following to you. + +The complaint that the Government, or its duly authorised officials, +have acted with partiality in this matter is entirely devoid of truth, +and this Government regrets that such an unfounded and insulting +accusation should have been made nearly a month after the occurrence in +question. + +Messrs. Dodd and Webb have been duly arrested and committed for trial on +account of what took place on the 24th December, 1898, upon sworn +affidavits which left nothing else for the proper officials to do but to +prosecute. + +With reference to the Amphitheatre occurrence, not a single British +subject has lodged a sworn complaint against anybody with the proper +officials, so that it can hardly be expected that this Government should +now take any steps against the alleged disturbers of the peace. + +Regarding the accusation that officials of this Government have +contributed to the instigation of uproar on the said occasion, this +Government can only state that no complaints have been made to it or the +proper authorities, either from British subjects or from subjects of +other Powers, so that this Government, to its regret, can do nothing in +this matter. In case, however, of such complaints being lodged with the +proper authorities, the Courts of the country are open to them. + + I have the honour to be, Sir, + Your obedient servant, + F.W. REITZ, + _State Secretary._ + +_To_ THE HON. CUNYNGHAME GREENE, C.B., + +_British Agent, Pretoria._ + + + + +APPENDIX E. + +CONVENTIONS BETWEEN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AND THE TRANSVAAL OR SOUTH +AFRICAN REPUBLIC. + + +SAND RIVER CONVENTION, 1852. + +Minutes of a meeting held in the place of Mr. P.A. Venter, Sand River, +on Friday, the sixteenth day of January, 1852, between Major W. Hogge +and C.M. Owen, Esq., Her Majesty's Assistant Commissioners, for the +settling and adjusting of the affairs of the eastern and north-eastern +boundaries of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope on the one part, and +the following deputation from the emigrant farmers residing north of the +Vaal River: + + A.W.J. PRETORIUS, Commandant-General. + H.S. LOMBARD, Landdrost. + W.F. JOUBERT, Commandant-General. + G.J. KRUGER, Commandant. + J.N. GROBBELAAR, Raadslid. + P.E. SCHOLTZ. + P.G. WOLMARANS, Ouderling. + J.A. VAN ASWEGAN, Veld-cornet. + F.J. BOTES, do. + N.J.S. BASSON, do. + J.P. FURSTENBERG, do. + J.P. PRETORIUS. + J.H. GROBBELAAR. + J.M. LEHMAN. + P. SCHUTTE. + J.C. KLOPPERS: on the other part. + +The Assistant Commissioners guarantee in the fullest manner, on the part +of the British Government, to the emigrant farmers beyond the Vaal River +the right to maintain their own affairs, and to govern themselves +according to their own laws without any interference on the part of the +British Government, and that no encroachment shall be made by the said +Government on the territory beyond to the north of the Vaal River, with +the further assurance that the warmest wish of the British Government is +to promote peace, free trade, and friendly intercourse with the +emigrant farmers now inhabiting or who hereafter may inhabit that +country, it being understood that this system of non-interference is +binding upon both parties. + +Should any misunderstanding hereafter arise as to the true meaning of +the words "the Vaal River," this question in so far as regards the line +from the source of that river over the Drakenberg shall be settled and +adjusted by Commissioners chosen by both parties. + +Her Majesty's Assistant Commissioners hereby disclaim all alliances +whatever and with whomsoever of the coloured nations to the north of the +Vaal River. + +It is agreed that no slavery is or shall be permitted or practised in +the country to the north of the Vaal River by the emigrant farmers. + +Mutual facilities and liberties shall be afforded to traders and +travellers on both sides of the Vaal River, it being understood that +every waggon containing ammunition and firearms coming from the south +side of the Vaal River shall produce a certificate signed by a British +magistrate or other functionary duly authorised to grant such, and which +shall state the quantities of such articles contained in said waggon to +the nearest magistrate north of the Vaal River, who shall act in the +case as the regulations of the emigrant farmers direct. It is agreed +that no objection shall be made by any British authority against the +emigrant Boers purchasing their supplies of ammunition in any of the +British Colonies and possessions of South Africa, it being mutually +understood that all trade in ammunition with the native tribes is +prohibited both by the British Government and the emigrant farmers on +both sides of the Vaal River. + +It is agreed that so far as possible all criminals and other guilty +parties who may fly from justice either way across the Vaal River shall +be mutually delivered up if such should be required, and that the +British courts as well as those of the emigrant farmers shall be +mutually open to each other for all legitimate processes, and that +summonses for witnesses sent either way across the Vaal River shall be +backed by the magistrates, on each side of the same respectively, to +compel the attendance of such witnesses when required. + +It is agreed that certificates of marriage issued by the proper +authorities of the emigrant farmers shall be held valid and sufficient +to entitle children of such marriages to receive portions accruing to +them in any British Colony or possession in South Africa. + +It is agreed that any and every person now in possession of land, and +residing in British territory, shall have free right and power to sell +his said property and remove unmolested across the Vaal River, and _vice +versa_, it being distinctly understood that this arrangement does not +comprehend criminals or debtors, without providing for the payment of +their just and lawful debts. + +This done and signed at Sand River aforesaid, this 17th day of January, +1852. + + (Signed) A.W.J. PRETORIUS, Comdt.-General. + H.S. LOMBARD, Landdrost. + W.F. JOUBERT, Commandant-General. + G.J. KRUGER, Commandant. + W.I. HOGGE, Assistant Commissioner. + C. MOSTYN OWEN, Assistant Commissioner. + J.N. GROBBELAAR, R.L. + P.E. SCHOLTZ. + P.G. WOLMARANS, Ouderling. + J.A. VAN ASWEGAN, Veld Cornet. + F.J. BOTES. + N.J.S. BASSON, Veld Cornet. + J.P. FURSTENBERG, Veld Cornet. + J.P. PRETORIUS. + J.H. GROBBELAAR. + J.M. LEHMAN. + P. SCHUTTE. + J.C. KLOPPERS. + In presence of-- + (Signed) JOHN BURNET, + Clerk to the Civil Commissioner of Winburg. + (Signed) J.H. VISAGIE, Secretary. + + * * * * * + +CONVENTION OF PRETORIA, 1881. + +Preamble. Her Majesty's Commissioners for the Settlement of the +Transvaal territory, duly appointed as such by a Commission passed under +the Royal Sign Manual and Signet, bearing date the 5th of April, 1881, +do hereby undertake and guarantee on behalf of Her Majesty that, from +and after the 8th day of August, 1881, complete self-government, subject +to the suzerainty of Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, will be +accorded to the inhabitants of the Transvaal territory, upon the +following terms and conditions, and subject to the following +reservations and limitations:-- + +Article I. The said territory, to be hereinafter called the Transvaal +State, will embrace the land lying between the following boundaries, to +wit: [here follow three pages in print defining boundaries.] + +Article 2. Her Majesty reserves to herself, her heirs and +successors--(_a_), the right from time to time to appoint a British +Resident in and for the said State, with such duties and functions as +are hereinafter defined; (_b_), the right to move troops through the +said State in time of war, or in case of the apprehension of immediate +war between the Suzerain Power and any Foreign State or Native Tribe in +South Africa; and (_c_) the control of the external relations of the +said State, including the conclusion of treaties and the conduct of +diplomatic intercourse with Foreign Powers, such intercourse to be +carried on through Her Majesty's diplomatic and consular officers +abroad. + +Article 3. Until altered by the Volksraad, or other competent authority, +all laws, whether passed before or after the Annexation of the Transvaal +territory to Her Majesty's dominions, shall, except in so far as they +are inconsistent with or repugnant to the provisions of this Convention, +be and remain in force in the said State in so far as they shall be +applicable thereto, provided that no future enactment especially +affecting the interest of natives shall have any force or effect in the +said State, without the consent of Her Majesty, her heirs and +successors, first had and obtained and signified to the Government of +the said State through the British Resident, provided further that in no +case will the repeal or amendment of any laws enacted since the +Annexation have a retrospective effect, so as to invalidate any acts +done or liabilities incurred by virtue of such laws. + +Article 4. On the 8th day of August, 1881, the Government of the said +State, together with all rights and obligations thereto appertaining, +and all State property taken over at the time of Annexation, save and +except munitions of war, will be handed over to Messrs. Stephanus +Johannes Paulus Kruger, Martinus Wessel Pretorius, and Petrus Jacobus +Joubert, or the survivor or survivors of them, who will forthwith cause +a Volksraad to be elected and convened, and the Volksraad, thus elected +and convened, will decide as to the further administration of the +Government of the said State. + +Article 5. All sentences passed upon persons who may be convicted of +offences contrary to the rules of civilised warfare committed during the +recent hostilities will be duly carried out, and no alteration or +mitigation of such sentences will be made or allowed by the Government +of the Transvaal State without Her Majesty's consent conveyed through +the British Resident. In case there shall be any prisoners in any of the +gaols of the Transvaal State whose respective sentences of imprisonment +have been remitted in part by Her Majesty's Administrator or other +officer administering the Government, such remission will be recognised +and acted upon by the future Government of the said State. + +Article 6. Her Majesty's Government will make due compensation for all +losses or damage sustained by reason of such acts as are in the 8th +Article hereinafter specified, which may have been committed by Her +Majesty's forces during the recent hostilities, except for such losses +or damage as may already have been compensated for; and the Government +of the Transvaal State will make due compensation for all losses or +damage sustained by reason of such acts as are in the 8th Article +hereinafter specified, which may have been committed by the people who +were in arms against Her Majesty during the recent hostilities, except +for such losses or damages as may already have been compensated for. + +Article 7. The decision of all claims for compensation, as in the last +preceding article mentioned, will be referred to a Sub-Commission, +consisting of the Honourable George Hudson, the Honourable Jacobus +Petrus de Wet, and the Honourable John Gilbert Kotze. In case one or +more of such Sub-Commissioners shall be unable or unwilling to act the +remaining Sub-Commissioner or Sub-Commissioners will, after consultation +with the Government of the Transvaal State, submit for the approval of +Her Majesty's High Commissioner the names of one or more persons to be +appointed by them to fill the place or places thus vacated. The decision +of the said Sub-Commissioners, or of a majority of them, will be final. +The said Sub-Commissioners will enter upon and perform their duties with +all convenient speed. They will, before taking evidence or ordering +evidence to be taken in respect of any claim, decide whether such claim +can be entertained at all under the rules laid down in the next +succeeding Article. In regard to claims which can be so entertained the +Sub-Commissioners will, in the first instance, afford every facility for +an amicable arrangement as to the amount payable in respect of any +claim, and only in cases in which there is no reasonable ground for +believing that an immediate amicable arrangement can be arrived at will +they take evidence or order evidence to be taken. For the purpose of +taking evidence and reporting thereon, the Sub-Commissioners may appoint +Deputies, who will, without delay, submit records of the evidence and +their reports to the Sub-Commissioners. The Sub-Commissioners will +arrange their sittings and the sittings of their Deputies in such a +manner as to afford the earliest convenience to the parties concerned +and their witnesses. In no case will costs be allowed to either side, +other than the actual and reasonable expenses of witnesses whose +evidence is certified by the Sub-Commissioners to have been necessary. +Interest will not run on the amount of any claim, except as is +hereinafter provided for. The said Sub-Commissioners will forthwith, +after deciding upon any claim, announce their decision to the Government +against which the award is made and to the claimant. The amount of +remuneration payable to the Sub-Commissioners and their Deputies will be +determined by the High Commissioners. After all the claims have been +decided upon, the British Government and the Government of the Transvaal +State will pay proportionate shares of the said remuneration and of the +expenses of the Sub-Commissioners and their Deputies, according to the +amount awarded against them respectively. + +Article 8. For the purpose of distinguishing claims to be accepted from +those to be rejected, the Sub-Commissioners will be guided by the +following rules, viz.:--Compensation will be allowed for losses or +damage sustained by reason of the following acts committed during the +recent hostilities, viz., (_a_), commandering, seizure, confiscation, or +destruction of property, or damage done to property; (_b_), violence +done or threats used by persons in arms. In regard to acts under (_a_), +compensation will be allowed for direct losses only. In regard to acts +falling under (_b_), compensation will be allowed for actual losses of +property, or actual injury to the same proved to have been caused by its +enforced abandonment. No claims for indirect losses, except such as are +in this Article specially provided for, will be entertained. No claims +which have been handed in to the Secretary of the Royal Commission after +the 1st day of July, 1881, will be entertained, unless the +Sub-Commissioners shall be satisfied that the delay was reasonable. When +claims for loss of property are considered, the Sub-Commissioners will +require distinct proof of the existence of the property, and that it +neither has reverted nor will revert to the claimant. + +Article 9. The Government of the Transvaal State will pay and satisfy +the amount of every claim awarded against it within one month after the +Sub-Commissioners shall have notified their decision to the said +Government, and in default of such payment the said Government will pay +interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum from the date of such +default; but Her Majesty's Government may at any time before such +payment pay the amount, with interest, if any, to the claimant in +satisfaction of his claim, and may add the sum thus paid to any debt +which may be due by the Transvaal State to Her Majesty's Government, as +hereinafter provided for. + +Article 10. The Transvaal State will be liable for the balance of the +debts for which the South African Republic was liable at the date of +Annexation, to wit, the sum of L48,000 in respect of the Cape Commercial +Bank Loan, and L85,667 in respect to the Railway Loan, together with the +amount due on 8th August, 1881, on account of the Orphan Chamber Debt, +which now stands at L22,200, which debts will be a first charge upon the +revenues of the State. The Transvaal State will, moreover, be liable for +the lawful expenditure lawfully incurred for the necessary expenses of +the Province since the Annexation, to wit, the sum of L265,000, which +debt, together with such debts as may be incurred by virtue of the 9th +Article, will be second charge upon the revenues of the State. + +Article 11. The debts due as aforesaid by the Transvaal State to Her +Majesty's Government will bear interest at the rate of three and a-half +per cent., and any portion of such debt as may remain unpaid at the +expiration of twelve months from the 8th August, 1881, shall be +repayable by a payment for interest and sinking fund of six pounds and +ninepence per cent, per annum, which will extinguish the debt in +twenty-five years. The said payment of six pounds and ninepence per L100 +shall be payable half yearly in British currency on the 8th February and +8th August in each year. Provided always that the Transvaal State shall +pay in reduction of the said debt the sum of L100,000 within twelve +months of the 8th August, 1881, and shall be at liberty at the close of +any half year to pay off the whole or any portion of the outstanding +debt. + +Article 12. All persons holding property in the said State on the 8th +day of August, 1881, will continue after the said date to enjoy the +rights of property which they have enjoyed since the Annexation. No +person who has remained loyal to Her Majesty during the recent +hostilities shall suffer any molestation by reason of his loyalty, or be +liable to any criminal prosecution or civil action for any part taken in +connexion with such hostilities, and all such persons will have full +liberty to reside in the country, with enjoyment of all civil rights, +and protection for their persons and property. + +Article 13. Natives will be allowed to acquire land, but the grant or +transfer of such land will, in every case, be made to and registered in +the name of the Native Location Commission, hereinafter mentioned, in +trust for such natives. + +Article 14. Natives will be allowed to move as freely within the country +as may be consistent with the requirements of public order, and to leave +it for the purpose of seeking employment elsewhere or for other lawful +purposes, subject always to the pass laws of the said State, as amended +by the Legislature of the Province, or as may hereafter be enacted under +the provisions of the Third Article of this Convention. + +Article 15. There will continue to be complete freedom of religion and +protection from molestation for all denominations, provided the same be +not inconsistent with morality and good order, and no disability shall +attach to any person in regard to rights of property by reason of the +religious opinions which he holds. + +Article 16. The provisions of the Fourth Article of the Sand River +Convention are hereby re-affirmed, and no slavery or apprenticeship +partaking of slavery will be tolerated by the Government of the said +State. + +Article 17. The British Resident will receive from the Government of the +Transvaal State such assistance and support as can by law be given to +him for the due discharge of his functions; he will also receive every +assistance for the proper care and preservation of the graves of such of +Her Majesty's forces as have died in the Transvaal, and if need be, for +the expropriation of land for the purpose. + +Article 18. The following will be the duties and functions of the +British Resident:-- + +Sub-section 1. He will perform duties and functions analogous to those +discharged by a Charge d'Affaires and Consul-General. + +Sub-section 2. In regard to natives within the Transvaal State he will +(_a_) report to the High Commissioner, as representative of the +Suzerain, as to the working and observance of the provisions of this +Convention; (_b_), report to the Transvaal authorities any cases of +ill-treatment of natives or attempts to incite natives to rebellion that +may come to his knowledge; (_c_), use his influence with the natives in +favour of law and order; and (_d_), generally perform such other duties +as are by this Convention entrusted to him, and take such steps for the +protection of the person and property of natives as are consistent with +the laws of the land. + +Sub-section 3. In regard to natives not residing in the Transvaal (_a_) +he will report to the High Commissioner and the Transvaal Government any +encroachments reported to him as having been made by Transvaal residents +upon the land of such natives, and in case of disagreement between the +Transvaal Government and the British Resident as to whether an +encroachment has been made, the decision of the Suzerain will be final; +(_b_) the British Resident will be the medium of communication with +native chiefs outside the Transvaal, and, subject to the approval of the +High Commissioner, as representing the Suzerain, he will control the +conclusion of treaties with them; and (_c_) he will arbitrate upon every +dispute with Transvaal residents and natives outside the Transvaal (as +to acts committed beyond the boundaries of the Transvaal) which may be +referred to him by the parties interested. + +Sub-section 4. In regard to communications with foreign powers, the +Transvaal Government will correspond with Her Majesty's Government +through the British Resident and the High Commissioner. + +Article 19. The Government of the Transvaal State will strictly adhere +to the boundaries defined in the First Article of this Convention, and +will do its utmost to prevent any of its inhabitants from making any +encroachment upon lands beyond the said State. The Royal Commission will +forthwith appoint a person who will beacon off the boundary line between +Ramatlabama and the point where such line first touches Griqualand West +boundary, midway between the Vaal and Hart Rivers; the person so +appointed will be instructed to make an arrangement between the owners +of the farms Grootfontein and Valleifontein on the one hand, and the +Barolong authorities on the other, by which a fair share of the water +supply of the said farms shall be allowed to flow undisturbed to the +said Barolongs. + +Article 20. All grants or titles issued at any time by the Transvaal +Government in respect of land outside the boundary of Transvaal State, +as defined, Article 1, shall be considered invalid and of no effect, +except in so far as any such grant or title relates to land that falls +within the boundary of the Transvaal State, and all persons holding any +such grant so considered invalid and of no effect will receive from the +Government of the Transvaal State such compensation either in land or in +money as the Volksraad shall determine. In all cases in which any +native chiefs or other authorities outside the said boundaries have +received any adequate consideration from the Government of the former +South African Republic for land excluded from the Transvaal by the First +Article of this Convention, or where permanent improvements have been +made on the land, the British Resident will, subject to the approval of +the High Commissioner, use his influence to recover from the native +authorities fair compensation for the loss of the land thus excluded, +and of the permanent improvement thereon. + +Article 21. Forthwith, after the taking effect of this Convention, a +Native Location Commission will be constituted, consisting of the +President, or in his absence the Vice-President, of the State, or some +one deputed by him, the Resident, or some one deputed by him, and a +third person to be agreed upon by the President or the Vice-President, +as the case may be, and the Resident, and such Commission will be a +standing body for the performance of the duties hereinafter mentioned. + +Article 22. The Native Location Commission will reserve to the native +tribes of the State such locations as they may be fairly and equitably +entitled to, due regard being had to the actual occupation of such +tribes. The Native Location Commission will clearly define the +boundaries of such locations, and for that purpose will, in every +instance, first of all ascertain the wishes of the parties interested in +such land. In case land already granted in individual titles shall be +required for the purpose of any location, the owners will receive such +compensation either in other land or in money as the Volksraad shall +determine. After the boundaries of any location have been fixed, no +fresh grant of land within such location will be made, nor will the +boundaries be altered without the consent of the Location Commission. No +fresh grants of land will be made in the districts of Waterberg, +Zoutpansberg, and Lydenburg until the locations in the said districts +respectively shall have been defined by the said Commission. + +Article 23. If not released before the taking effect of this Convention, +Sikukuni, and those of his followers who have been imprisoned with him, +will be forthwith released, and the boundaries of his location will be +defined by the Native Location Commission in the manner indicated in the +last preceding Article. + +Article 24. The independence of the Swazies within the boundary line of +Swaziland, as indicated in the First Article of this Convention, will be +fully recognised. + +Article 25. No other or higher duties will be imposed on the +importation into the Transvaal State of any article, the produce or +manufacture of the dominions and possessions of Her Majesty, from +whatever place arriving, than are or may be payable on the like article, +the produce or manufacture of any other country, nor will any +prohibition be maintained or imposed on the importation of any article, +the produce or manufacture of the dominions and possessions of Her +Majesty, which shall not equally extend to the importation of the like +articles, being the produce or manufacture of any other country. + +Article 26. All persons other than natives conforming themselves to the +laws of the Transvaal State (_a_) will have full liberty with their +families to enter, travel, or reside in any part of the Transvaal State; +(_b_) they will be entitled to hire or possess houses, manufactures, +warehouses, shops, and premises; (_c_) they may carry on their commerce +either in person or by any agents whom they may think to employ; (_d_) +they will not be subject in respect of their persons or property, or in +respect of their commerce or industry, to any taxes, whether general or +local, other than those which are or may be imposed upon Transvaal +citizens. + +Article 27. All inhabitants of the Transvaal shall have free access to +the Courts of Justice for the protection and defence of their rights. + +Article 28. All persons other than natives who established their +domicile in the Transvaal between the 12th day of April, 1877, and the +date when this Convention conies into effect, and who shall within +twelve months after such last-mentioned date have their names registered +by the British Resident, shall be exempt from all compulsory military +service whatever. The Resident shall notify such registration to the +Government of the Transvaal State. + +Article 29. Provision shall hereafter be made by a separate instrument +for the mutual extradition of criminals, and also for the surrender of +deserters from Her Majesty's forces. + +Article 30. All debts contracted since the Annexation will be payable in +the same currency in which they may have been contracted; all +uncancelled postage and other revenue stamps issued by the Government +since the Annexation will remain valid, and will be accepted at their +present value by the future Government of the State; all licenses duly +issued since the Annexation will remain in force during the period for +which they may have been issued. + +Article 31. No grants of land which may have been made, and no transfer +of mortgage which may have been passed since the Annexation, will be +invalidated by reason merely of their having been made or passed since +that date. All transfers to the British Secretary for Native Affairs in +trust for natives will remain in force, the Native Location Commission +taking the place of such Secretary for Native Affairs. + +Article 32. This Convention will be ratified by a newly-elected +Volksraad within the period of three months after its execution, and in +default of such ratification this Convention shall be null and void. + +Article 33. Forthwith, after the ratification of this Convention, as in +the last preceding Article mentioned, all British troops in Transvaal +territory will leave the same, and the mutual delivery of munitions of +war will be carried out. + +Articles end. Here will follow signatures of Royal Commissioners; then +the following, to precede signatures of triumvirate. + +We, the undersigned, Stephanus Johannes Paulus Krugen Martinus Wessel +Pretorius, and Petrus Jacobus Joubert, as representatives of the +Transvaal Burghers, do hereby agree to all the above conditions, +reservations, and limitations under which self-government has been +restored to the inhabitants of the Transvaal territory, subject to the +suzerainty of Her Majesty, her heirs and successors, and we agree to +accept the Government of the said territory, with all rights and +obligations thereto appertaining, on the 8th day of August; and we +promise and undertake that this Convention shall be ratified by a +newly-elected Volksraad of the Transvaal State within three months from +this date. + + * * * * * + + +LONDON CONVENTION, 1884. + +A CONVENTION BETWEEN HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF +GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC. + +Whereas the Government of the Transvaal State, through its Delegates, +consisting of Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, President of the said +State, Stephanus Jacobus Du Toit, Superintendent of Education, and +Nicholas Jacobus Smit, a member of the Volksraad, have represented that +the Convention signed at Pretoria on the 3rd day of August, 1881, and +ratified by the Volksraad of the said State on the 25th October, 1881, +contains certain provisions which are inconvenient, and imposes burdens +and obligations from which the said State is desirous to be relieved, +and that the south-western boundaries fixed by the said Convention +should be amended, with a view to promote the peace and good order of +the said State, and of the countries adjacent thereto; and whereas Her +Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland has +been pleased to take the said representations into consideration: Now, +therefore, Her Majesty has been pleased to direct, and it is hereby +declared, that the following articles of a new Convention, signed on +behalf of Her Majesty by Her Majesty's High Commissioner in South +Africa, the Right Honourable Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson, Knight +Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint +George, Governor of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, and on behalf +of the Transvaal State (which shall hereinafter be called the South +African Republic) by the above-named Delegates, Stephanus Johannes +Paulus Kruger, Stephanos Jacobus Du Toit, and Nicholas Jacobus Smit, +shall, when ratified by the Volksraad of the South African Republic, be +substituted for the articles embodied in the Convention of 3rd August, +1881; which latter, pending such ratification, shall continue in full +force and effect. + +Article 1. The Territory of the South African Republic will embrace the +land lying between the following boundaries, to wit:-- + +Beginning from the point where the north-eastern boundary line of +Griqualand meets the Vaal River, up the course of the Vaal River to the +point of junction with it of the Klip River; thence up the course of the +Klip River to the point of junction with it of the stream called +Gansvlei; thence up the Gansvlei stream to its source in the +Drakensberg; thence to a beacon in the boundary of Natal, situated +immediately opposite and close to the source of the Gansvlei stream; +thence in a north-easterly direction along the ridge of the Drakensberg, +dividing the waters flowing into the Gansvlei stream from the waters +flowing into the sources of the Buffalo, to a beacon on a point where +this mountain ceases to be a continuous chain; thence to a beacon on a +plain to the north-east of the last described beacon; thence to the +nearest source of a small stream called "Division Stream"; thence down +this division stream, which forms the southern boundary of the farm +Sandfontein, the property of Messrs. Meek, to its junction with the +Coldstream; thence down the Coldstream to its junction with the Buffalo +or Umzinyati River; thence down the course of the Buffalo River to the +junction with it of the Blood River; thence up the course of the Blood +River to the junction with it of Lyn Spruit or Dudusi; thence up the +Dudusi to its source; thence 80 yards to Bea. I., situated on a spur of +the N'Qaba-Ka-hawana Mountains; thence 80 yards to the N'Sonto River; +thence down the N'Sonto River to its junction with the White Umvulozi +River; thence up the White Umvulozi River to a white rock where it +rises; thence 800 yards to Kambula Hill (Bea. II.); thence to the source +of the Pemvana River, where the road from Kambula Camp to Burgers' Lager +crosses; thence down the Pemvana River to its junction with the Bivana +River; thence down the Bivana River to its junction with the Pongolo +River; thence down the Pongolo River to where it passes through the +Libombo Range; thence along the summits of the Libombo Range to the +northern point of the N'Yawos Hill in that range (Bea. XVI.); thence to +the northern peak of the Inkwakweni Hills (Bea. XV.); thence to Sefunda, +a rocky knoll detached from and to the north-east end of the White +Koppies, and to the south of the Musana River (Bea. XIV.); thence to a +point on the slope near the crest of Matanjeni, which is the name given +to the south-eastern portion of the Mahamba Hills (Bea. XIII.); thence +to the N'gwangwana, a double-pointed hill (one point is bare, the other +wooded, the beacon being on the former) on the left bank of the Assegai +River and upstream of the Dadusa Spruit (Bea. XII.); thence to the +southern point of Bendita, a rocky knoll in a plain between the Little +Hlozane and Assegaai Rivers (Bea. XI.); thence to the highest point of +Suluka Hill, round the eastern slopes of which flows the Little Hlozane, +also called Ludaka or Mudspruit (Bea. X.); thence to the beacon known as +"Viljoen's," or N'Duko Hill; thence to a point north-east of Derby +House, known as Magwazidili's Beacon; thence to the Igaba, a small knoll +on the Ungwempisi River, also called "Joubert's Beacon," and known to +the natives as "Piet's Beacon" (Bea. IX.); thence to the highest point +of the N'Dhlovudwalili or Houtbosch, a hill on the northern bank of the +Umqwempisi River (Bea. VIII.); thence to a beacon on the only +flat-topped rock, about 10 feet high and about 30 yards in circumference +at its base, situated on the south side of the Lamsamane range of hills, +and overlooking the valley of the great Usuto River, this rock being 45 +yards north of the road from Camden and Lake Banagher to the forests on +the Usuto River (sometimes called Sandhlanas Beacon) (Bea. VII.); thence +to the Gulungwana or Ibubulundi, four smooth bare hills, the highest in +that neighbourhood, situated to the south of the Umtuli River (Bea. +VI.); thence to a flat-topped rock, 8 feet high, on the crest of the +Busuku, a low rocky range south-west of the Impulazi River (Bea. V.); +thence to a low bare hill on the north-east of and overlooking the +Impulazi River, to the south of it being a tributary of the Impulazi, +with a considerable waterfall, and the road from the river passing 200 +yards to the north-west of the beacon (Bea. IV.); thence to the highest +point of the Mapumula range, the watershed of the Little Usuto River on +the north, and the Umpulazi River on the south, the hill, the top of +which is a bare rock, falling abruptly towards the Little Usuto (Bea. +III.); thence to the western point of a double-pointed rocky hill, +precipitous on all sides, called Makwana, its top being a bare rock +(Bea. II.); thence to the top of a rugged hill of considerable height +falling abruptly to the Komati River, this hill being the northern +extremity of the Isilotwani range, and separated from the highest peak +of the range Inkomokazi (a sharp cone) by a deep neck (Bea. I.). (On a +ridge in the straight line between Beacons I. and II. is an intermediate +beacon). From Beacon I. the boundary runs to a hill across the Komati +River, and thence along the crest of the range of hills known as the +Makongwa, which runs north-east and south-west, to Kamhlubano Peak; +thence in a straight line to Mananga, a point in the Libombo Range, and +thence to the nearest point in the Portuguese frontier on the Libombo +Range; thence along the summits of the Libombo Range to the middle of +the poort where the Komati River passes through it, called the lowest +Komati Poort; thence in a north by easterly direction to Pokioens Kop, +situated on the north side of the Olifant's River, where it passes +through the ridges; thence about north north-west to the nearest point +of Serra di Chicundo; and thence to the junction of the Pafori River +with the Limpopo or Crocodile River; thence up the course of the Limpopo +River to the point where the Marique River falls into it. Thence up the +course of the Marique River to "Derde Poort," where it passes through a +low range of hills, called Sikwane, a beacon (No. 10) being erected on +the spur of said range near to and westward of the banks of the river; +thence in a straight line through this beacon to a beacon (No. 9) +erected on the top of the same range, about 1,700 yards distant from +beacon No. 10; thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 8) erected on +the highest point of an isolated hill called Dikgagong, or "Wildebeest +Kop," situated south-eastward of and about 3-1/3 miles distant from a +high hill called Moripe; thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 7) +erected on the summit of an isolated hill or "koppie" forming the +eastern extremity of the range of hills called Moshweu, situated to the +northward of and about two miles distant from a large isolated hill +called Chukudu-Chochwa; thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 6) +erected on the summit of a hill forming part of the same range, Moshweu; +thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 5) erected on the summit of a +pointed hill in the same range; thence in a straight line to a beacon +(No. 4) erected on the summit of the western extremity of the same +range; thence in a straight line to a beacon (No. 3) erected on the +summit of the northern extremity of a low, bushy hill, or "koppie," near +to and eastward of the Notwane River; thence in a straight line to the +junction of the stream called Metsi-Mash wane with the Notwane River +(No. 2); thence up the course of the Notwane River to Sengoma, being the +Poort where the river passes through the Dwarsberg Range; thence, as +described in the Award given by Lieutenant-Governor Keate, dated October +17, 1871, by Pitlanganyane (narrow place), Deboaganka or Schaapkuil, +Sibatoul (bare place), and Maclase to Ramatlabama, a pool on a spruit +north of the Molopo River. From Ramatlabama the boundary shall run to +the summit of an isolated hill, called Leganka; thence in a straight +line, passing north-east of a Native Station, near "Buurman's Drift," on +the Molopo River, to that point on the road from Mosiega to the old +drift, where a road turns out through the Native Station to the new +drift below; thence to "Buurman's Old Drift"; thence in a straight line +to a marked and isolated clump of trees near to and north-west of the +dwelling-house of C. Austin, a tenant on the farm "Vleifontein," No. +117; thence in a straight line to the north-western corner beacon of the +farm "Mooimeisjesfontein," No. 30; thence along the western line of the +said farm "Mooimeisjesfontein," and in prolongation thereof, as far as +the road leading from "Ludik's Drift," on the Molopo River, past the +homestead of "Mooimeisjesfontein" towards the Salt Pans near Harts +River; thence along the said road, crossing the direct road from +Polfontein to Sehuba, and until the direct road from Polfontein to +Lotlakane or Pietfontein is reached; thence along the southern edge of +the last-named road towards Lotlakane until the first garden grounds of +that station is reached; thence in a south-westerly direction, skirting +Lotlakane, so as to leave it and all its garden ground in native +territory, until the road from Lotlakane to Kunana is reached; thence +along the east side, and clear of that road towards Kunana, until the +garden grounds of that station are reached; thence, skirting Kunana, so +as to include it and all its garden ground, but no more, in the +Transvaal, until the road from Kunana to Mamusa is reached; thence along +the eastern side and clear of the road towards Mamusa, until a road +turns out towards Taungs; thence along the eastern side and clear of the +road towards Taungs, till the line of the district known as "Stellaland" +is reached, about 11 miles from Taungs; thence along the line of the +district Stellaland to the Harts River, about 24 miles below Mamusa; +thence across Harts River to the junction of the roads from Monthe and +Phokwane; thence along the western side and clear of the nearest road +towards "Koppie Enkel," an isolated hill about 36 miles from Mamusa, and +about 18 miles north of Christiana, and to the summit of the said hill; +thence in a straight line to that point on the north-east boundary of +Griqualand West as beaconed by Mr. Surveyor Ford, where two farms, +registered as Nos. 72 and 75, do meet, about midway between the Vaal and +Harts Rivers, measured along the said boundary of Griqualand West; +thence to the first point where the north-east boundary of Griqualand +West meets the Vaal River. + +Article 2. The Government of the South African Republic will strictly +adhere to the boundaries defined in the first Article of this +Convention, and will do its utmost to prevent any of its inhabitants +from making any encroachments upon lands beyond the said boundaries. The +Government of the South African Republic will appoint Commissioners upon +the eastern and western borders whose duty it will be strictly to guard +against irregularities and all trespassing over the boundaries. Her +Majesty's Government will, if necessary, appoint Commissioners in the +native territories outside the eastern and western borders of the South +African Republic to maintain order and prevent encroachments. + +Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the South African +Republic will each appoint a person to proceed together to beacon off +the amended south-west boundary as described in Article 1 of this +Convention; and the President of the Orange Free State shall be +requested to appoint a referee to whom the said persons shall refer any +questions on which they may disagree respecting the interpretation of +the said Article, and the decision of such referee thereon shall be +final. The arrangement already made, under the terms of Article 19 of +the Convention of Pretoria of the 3rd August, 1881, between the owners +of the farms Grootfontein and Valleifontein on the one hand, and the +Barolong authorities on the other, by which a fair share of the water +supply of the said farms shall be allowed to flow undisturbed to the +said Barolongs, shall continue in force. + +Article 3. If a British officer is appointed to reside at Pretoria or +elsewhere within the South African Republic to discharge functions +analagous to those of a Consular officer he will receive the protection +and assistance of the Republic. + +Article 4. The South African Republic will conclude no treaty or +engagement with any State or nation other than the Orange Free State, +nor with any native tribe to the eastward or westward of the Republic, +until the same has been approved by Her Majesty the Queen. + +Such approval shall be considered to have been granted if Her Majesty's +Government shall not, within six months after receiving a copy of such +treaty (which shall be delivered to them immediately upon its +completion), have notified that the conclusion of such treaty is in +conflict with the interests of Great Britain or of any of Her Majesty's +possessions in South Africa. + +Article 5. The South African Republic will be liable for any balance +which may still remain due of the debts for which it was liable at the +date of Annexation, to wit, the Cape Commercial Bank Loan, the Railway +Loan, and the Orphan Chamber Debt, which debts will be a first charge +upon the revenues of the Republic. The South African Republic will +moreover be liable to Her Majesty's Government for L250,000, which will +be a second charge upon the revenues of the Republic. + +Article 6. The debt due as aforesaid by the South African Republic to +Her Majesty's Government will bear interest at the rate of three and +a-half per cent, from the date of the ratification of this Convention, +and shall be repayable by a payment for interest and Sinking Fund of six +pounds and ninepence per L100 per annum, which will extinguish the debt +in twenty-five years. The said payment of six pounds and ninepence per +L100 shall be payable half-yearly, in British currency, at the close of +each half year from the date of such ratification: Provided always that +the South African Republic shall be at liberty at the close of any half +year to pay off the whole or any portion of the outstanding debt. + +Interest at the rate of three and a-half per cent, on the debt as +standing under the Convention of Pretoria shall, as heretofore, be paid +to the date of the ratification of this Convention. + +Article 7. All persons who held property in the Transvaal on the 8th day +of August, 1881, and still hold the same, will continue to enjoy the +rights of property which they have enjoyed since the 12th April, 1877. +No person who has remained loyal to Her Majesty during the late +hostilities shall suffer any molestation by reason of his loyalty; or be +liable to any criminal prosecution or civil action for any part taken in +connexion with such hostilities; and all such persons will have full +liberty to reside in the country, with enjoyment of all civil rights, +and protection for their persons and property. + +Article 8. The South African Republic renews the declaration made in the +Sand River Convention, and in the Convention of Pretoria, that no +slavery or apprenticeship partaking of slavery will be tolerated by the +Government of the said Republic. + +Article 9. There will continue to be complete freedom of religion and +protection from molestation for all denominations, provided the same be +not inconsistent with morality and good order; and no disability shall +attach to any person in regard to rights of property by reason of the +religious opinions which he holds. + +Article 10. The British Officer appointed to reside in the South African +Republic will receive every assistance from the Government of the said +Republic in making due provision for the proper care and preservation of +the graves of such of Her Majesty's Forces as have died in the +Transvaal; and if need be, for the appropriation of land for the +purpose. + +Article 11. All grants or titles issued at any time by the Transvaal +Government in respect of land outside the boundary of the South African +Republic, as defined in Article I, shall be considered invalid and of no +effect, except in so far as any such grant or title relates to land that +falls within the boundary of the South African Republic; and all persons +holding any such grant so considered invalid and of no effect will +receive from the Government of the South African Republic such +compensation, either in land or in money, as the Volksraad shall +determine. In all cases in which any Native Chiefs or other authorities +outside the said boundaries have received any adequate consideration +from the Government of the South African Republic for land excluded from +the Transvaal by the first Article of this Convention, or where +permanent improvements have been made on the land, the High Commissioner +will recover from the native authorities fair compensation for the loss +of the land thus excluded, or of the permanent improvements thereon. + +Article 12. The independence of the Swazis, within the boundary line of +Swaziland, as indicated in the first Article of this Convention, will be +fully recognised. + +Article 13. Except in pursuance of any treaty or engagement made as +provided in Article 4 of this Convention, no other or higher duties +shall be imposed on the importation into the South African Republic of +any article coming from any part of Her Majesty's dominions than are or +may be imposed on the like article coming from any other place or +country; nor will any prohibition be maintained or imposed on the +importation into the South African Republic of any article coming from +any part of Her Majesty's dominions, which shall not equally extend to +the like article coming from any other place or country. And in like +manner the same treatment shall be given to any article coming to Great +Britain from the South African Republic as to the like article coming +from any other place or country. + +These provisions do not preclude the consideration of special +arrangements as to import duties and commercial relations between the +South African Republic and any of Her Majesty's colonies or possessions. + +Article 14. All persons, other than natives, conforming themselves to +the laws of the South African Republic (_a_) will have full liberty, +with their families, to enter, travel, or reside in any part of the +South African Republic; (_b_), they will be entitled to hire or possess +houses, manufactories, warehouses, shops, and premises; (_c_) they may +carry on their commerce either in person or by any agents whom they may +think fit to employ; (_d_), they will not be subject, in respect of +their persons or property, or in respect of their commerce or industry, +to any taxes, whether general or local, other than those which are or +may be imposed upon citizens of the said Republic. + +Article 15. All persons, other than natives, who established their +domicile in the Transvaal between the 12th day of April, 1877, and the +8th August, 1881, and who within twelve months after such last-mentioned +date have had their names registered by the British Resident, shall be +exempt from all compulsory military service whatever. + +Article 16. Provision shall hereafter be made by a separate instrument +for the mutual extradition of criminals, and also for the surrender of +deserters from Her Majesty's Forces. + +Article 17. All debts contracted between the 12th April, 1877, and the +8th August, 1881, will be payable in the same currency in which they may +have been contracted. + +Article 18. No grants of land which may have been made, and no transfers +or mortgages which may have been passed between the 12th April, 1877, +and the 8th August, 1881, will be invalidated by reason merely of their +having been made or passed between such dates. + +All transfers to the British Secretary for Native Affairs in trust for +natives will remain in force, an officer of the South African Republic +taking the place of such Secretary for Native Affairs. + +Article 19. The Government of the South African Republic will engage +faithfully to fulfil the assurances given, in accordance with the laws +of the South African Republic, to the natives at the Pretoria Pitso by +the Royal Commission in the presence of the Triumvirate and with their +entire assent (1), as to the freedom of the natives to buy or otherwise +acquire land under certain conditions; (2), as to the appointment of a +commission to mark out native locations; (3), as to the access of the +natives to the courts of law; and (4) as to their being allowed to move +freely within the country, or to leave it for any legal purpose, under a +pass system. + +Article 20. This Convention will be ratified by a Volksraad of the South +African Republic within the period of six months after its execution, +and in default of such ratification this Convention shall be null and +void. + +Signed in duplicate in London this 27th day of February, 1884. + + (Signed) HERCULES ROBINSON. + (Signed) S.J.P. KRUGER. + (Signed) S.J. DU TOIT. + (Signed) M.J. SMIT. + + + + +INDEX. + + +Aberdeen Ministry, 24 + +Africanderdom in S. Africa, + see under South Africa, Cape Colony, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal + +Aliwal Convention, 20 + +Amphitheatre Occurrence, 70, 77-81 + +Arbitration Proposals, see under Transvaal + + +Barkly, Sir H., 26 + +Basutos and the Orange Free State, 17, 20, 23, 94 + +Bloemfontein Conference, 85 + +Boers in S. Africa, + see under South Africa, Cape Colony, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal + +Bulwer, Sir H.E.G., Governor of Natal, 28 + + +Cape Colony: + The Africander Spirit of Liberty, 4 + England's Native Policy, 5 + Slachter's Nek, 6 + Emancipation of the Slaves, 7 + Lord Glenelg's Policy, 8 + The Dutch Language, 9 + The Great Boer Trek into Natal, 1836, 10-13 + Piet Reliefs Manifesto, 11 + Victory of the Africander Party, 51 + +Capitalistic Jingoism, 37-88 + +Carnarvon, Fourth Earl of, 26, 29 + +Cathcart, Sir George, 19, 24, 25 + +Chamberlain, Joseph, + Colonial Secretary, 46 + His Attitude to the Transvaal, 57-88 + Quoted, 54, 70, 73, 77 + +Cloete, Commissioner, 14 + +Colenso, Bishop, quoted, 27, 30 + +Cunynghame, Gen. Sir A., 21, 26 + + +Derby, Fifteenth Earl of, and the Transvaal Convention, 34-36, 57, 59, 101 + +Diamond Fields, 19, 20, 25-26, 39-40, 41, 94 + +Dingaan, Zulu Chief, 13 + +Dunn, John, and the Supply of Rifles to Zulus, 31 + +Dynamite Concession, 61, 62-63 + + +Edgar Case, 70, 73-77 + + +Faure, Rev. D.P., 34, 60 + +Firearms supplied to Natives, 26, 31 + +Franchise Question, see under Transvaal + +Frere, Sir Bartle, + Governor, 26-31 + Quoted, 27, 30, 31 + +Froude, J.A., quoted, 8, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24 + + +Gladstone, W.E., and the Transvaal, 27, 29, 32 + +Glenelg, Lord, and His Policy in S. Africa, 9 + +Goldfields of the Transvaal, 37-48, 60, 61, 64 + +Grey, Earl, referred to, 12, 18, 24 + + +Hogge, Commissioner, 24 + + +Import Duties, 61, 63 + + +Jameson Raid, 46-48, 49 + +Jingoism and Capital, 37-88 + + +Kaffir Aid against Boers, 17, 31 + +Keate, Governor, 26, 29 + +Kimberley and the Diamond Fields, 19, 20, 105 + +Kynoch & Co., Messrs., 62 + + +Liquor Law, 61, 64-65 + +Loch, Sir Henry, and the Transvaal, 45-46 + +Lombard Affair, 70-73 + +London Convention, 34, 56, 58, 101, 128 + + +Malabele and the Transvaal, 23 + +Milner, Sir Alfred, + His Attitude to the Transvaal, 52, 86-88 + Quoted, 85 + +Missionaries in S. Africa, 6 + +Moffat, Dr., 26 + +Molesworth, Sir Wm., referred to, 12, 24 + +Moselikatse, Matabele Chief, 23 + +Moshesh, Basuto Chief, 17, 23, 94 + + +Napier, Sir George, quoted, 14 + +Naples, Kingdom of,--British Intervention, 82 + +Natal: + The Boer Trek into Natal, 1836, 10-13 + British Military Occupation, 13 + The Founding of Natal, 13-16 + British Annexation, 14 + Protest of Natal, 14 + Sufferings of the Boers, 15 + + +Oliphant, Mr., Cape Attorney-General, 10 + +Orange Free State: + Fight at Boomplaats, 17 + British Annexation, 17 + Collision with Moshesh, Basuto Chief, 17, 23, + Andries Pretorius, Boer Leader, 15, 17-18, 23 +The Republic restored, 18-19 + The Basutos and the Free State, 20 + Diamond Fields, 19, 20, 105 + The Treaty of Aliwal, 20 + British Breaches of the Convention, 20-22 + +Our Land quoted, 49 + +Owen, Commissioner, 24 + + +Panda, King of Zululand, 27 + +Phillips, Lionel, quoted, 44, 45 + +Pottinger, Governor, 15 + +Pretoria Convention, 33, 56, 58, 84, 128 + +Pretorius, Andries, + His Mission to Governor Pottinger, 15, 17-18 + Commandant-General of the Transvaal, 23-24 + His Proposals for Peace, 24 + +Pretorius, Martinus, President of the Transvaal, 25 + + +Rensburg Trek, 12 + +Relief, Fiet, + His Manifesto, 11 + Murder of Relief and His Party, 13 + +Rhodes, Cecil J., and the Transvaal, 41-48, 83 + +Rhodesia and Its Mines, 60 + +Ripon, Marquis of, 54 + +Rosmead, Lord, 59 + + +Sand River Convention, 24-26, 128 + +Schreiner, Olive, quoted, 38 + +Secoecoeni, Zulu Chief, 27, 30 + +Shepstone, Sir T., and His Transvaal Policy, 26-31, 95 + +Slavery at the Cape, 7 + +Smith, Sir Harry, + Quoted, 15 + His Policy, 17-18, 24 + +South Africa (see also Cape Colony, Natal, Zululand, Transvaal) + The Alternative of Africanderdom, 2 + Africa for the Africander, 98 + +South African League, 66-81 + +South African Republic, see Transvaal + +Stanley, Lord, 14 + +Stockenstrom, Lieut.-Gov., 10 + +Suzerainty, see under Transvaal + +Swazi Allies of the British, 30 + + +Transvaal: + The Matabeles and the Transvaal, 23 + Fight at Vechtkop, 23 + Andries Pretorius and the British Government, 23-24 + The Sand River Convention, 24-26, 128 + British Breaches of the Convention, 26, 29 + Diamond Fields, 26, 39-40, 41 + Sale of Guns to Natives, 26 + British Annexation, 26-31, 95 + Boer Protest, 29 + The Zulus and the Transvaal, 27-31 + The War of Freedom, 32 + Annexation cancelled, 32 + The Pretoria Convention, 33, 35, 128 + The London Convention, 34, 35, 101, 128 + The Suzerainty, 34-36 + The "South African Republic," 34 + The Goldfields, 37-48, 60 + The National Union Movement, 44 + Sir Henry Loch's Indiscretion, 45-46 + The Conspiracy and the Jameson Raid, 46-48, 49 + National Sentiment, 49 + The Cry of Disloyalty, 51 + The Transvaal to be humiliated, 51 + The Suzerainty Question revived, 52 _et seq._ + Appeal for Arbitration, 53-60 + Uitlander Grievances, 60-61, 70-88 + Reply to Mr. Chamberlain, 109 + The Industrial Commission, 61 + The Dynamite Concession, 61, 62-63 + The Netherlands Railway Co., 61, 63 + Import Duties, 61, 63 + Liquor Law, 61, 64-65 + Gold Thefts, 61, 64 + The South African League, 66-81 + The Lombard Affair, 70-73 + The Edgar Case, 70, 73-77 + The Amphitheatre Occurrence, 70, 77-81 + Equal Political Rights, 83 + The Franchise, 84-85, 86 + Bloemfontein Conference, 85 + Attitude of Sir Alfred Milner, 52, 86 + Bad Faith of the British Government, 87-88 + Final Dispatch of State Secretary Reitz, 127 + Conclusion, 89-98 + +Trek into Natal in 1836, 10-13 + +Trichardt Trek, 12, 23 + + +Uitlanders, see under Transvaal + +Umbeline, Zulu Chief, 28 + + +Warden, Major, 18 + +Waterboer, (Chief), 26 + +Wolseley, Lord, quoted, 27 + + +Zululand and the Zulus: + Dingaan and the Boer Trek into Natal, 3 + Secoecoeni, Zulu Chief, 27, 30 + The Zulus and the Transvaal, 27-28 + The Zulu War, 28 + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Century of Wrong, by F. 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