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THE MEMOIRS

PAUL KRUGER

FOUR TIMES PRESIDENT OF THE
SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC

TOLD BY HIMSELF

COLONUL EDmoS
(For Grtaltliim m tit Brititi Cclmiti wUl India onfyj

LONDON

T. FISHER UNWIN

CAPETOWN
ARGUS PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO. LTD.

IQ02

197332

Aii Rights Reserved

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
Early Days and Private Life

Homeless — In the new home — Hunting adventures — Kruger
kills his first lion — The dead lion roars — Further lion-hunts
— Panther and rhinoceros hunting — Under a rhinoceros—-
Buffalo-hunting — ^A fight with a buffalo-cow — Elephant-
hunting — Race between Kruger and an elephant — Canine
fidelity — Kmger amputates his own thumb •

PAGE

CHAPTER II

COMMENCEIIENT OF PUBLIC ACTIVITY

Journey to the Sand River in 1852 — ^The Sand River Conven-
tion — Punitive expedition against the Kaffir Chief Secheli
— Kmger's life in danger — ^Vindictive raid on the Kaffir
Chiefs Makapaan and Mapela — Paul Kruger alone in the
cave among the besieged Kaffirs — He recovers Potg^eter's
body — Expedition against Montsioa — Kruger charges a
band of Kaffirs single-handed -39

vi CONTENTS

CHAPTER III
In a Position of Command

PAGE

The first Basuto War— Kruger assists the Orange Free State
against the Basutos and negociates the peace with Moshesh
— Kruger as general in the field against the Kaffir Chief
Gasibone ....... 59

CHAPTER IV
The Civil War: 1861-1864

Kruger's protest against the violation of the Constitution by
Commandant General Schoeman — Assembly of the people
at Pretoria — Kruger's declaration of war — Attempts at a
settlement and their frustration by Schoeman— Kruger is
nominated a voting member of the Reformed Church, in
order that he may be qualified to hold office in the State
without opposition— Fresh negociations — Military prepara-
tions on both sides — The political contest develops into a
religious war — Battle of Potchefstroom — Schoeman's flight
— Renewed negociations — The arbitration award of the
Supreme Court rejected — Kruger insulted — Battle of Zwart-
kopje — Fresh negociations — Mutual amnesty — The new
elections — Kruger again Commandant General • 75

CHAPTER V

Native Wars

The Transvaalers again come to the Orange Free State's assist-
ance against the Basutos, under Moshesh, but break! up in
discord— Kruger's accident in 1866— Fighting in the Zout-
pansberg — Lack of ammunition and support — Kruger alone
among the Kaffirs . . . . .105

CONTENTS vii

CHAPTER VI
President Burgers

PAGE

Dispute about Kimberley — Krugcr*s protest against the court of
arbitration to which President Pretorius has yielded —
Pretorious resigns the Presidency — T. F. Burgers elected
by a large majority, notwithstanding Kruger's agitation —
Explanation between Kruger and Burgers — Burgers' policy
— War with Secucuni — Dispute about the arbitrary war- tax
imposed by the President — Sir Theophilus Shepstone, the
British Governor of Natal, arrives with his plans for
annexation — Conferences with Shepstone — Burgers* differ-
ence with Kruger and the Volksraad — Kruger elected Vice-
president — The annexation of the Transvaal — Protest of the
Executive Raad against the annexation . • n?

CHAPTER VII

The Interregnum under the British Flag

Kniger's first visit to London with the deputation sent to pro-
cure the repeal of the annexation — Popular meetings and
popular voting in the Transvaal — The second visit to
London — ^The Kaffir Chief Secucuni puts the English
doctrine into practice — The British Governor seeks
Kruger's assistance against Cetewayo, the Zulu King —
Further assemblies of the people and protests against the
annexation — Kruger pacifies the masses — The High Com*
missioners. Sir Bartle Frere and Sir Garnet Wolseley,
interfere — The other Afrikanders ask for the freedom of
their Transvaal brothers — Kruger suspected of treachery
—The delegates of the burgher meetings arrested for high
treason — Kruger once more allays the storm — Plans for
confederation opposed by Kruger— Sir Bartle Frere tries
to treat privately with Kruger— Kruger refuses on the

X CONTENTS

CHAPTER XII
Paul Kruger's Fourth Presidency

PAGE

The Bunu Question— Sir Alfred Milner— F. W. Reitz— J. C.
Smuts — The agitation of the South African League — The
Edgar Case — The Crisis : the suffrage, the suzerainty —
The Ultimatum — The War— President Kruger during the
War — On the way to Europe — On foreign soil — Homeless
— Conclusion ....... 295

APPENDIX

Speeches delivered at the Solemn Inauguration of His Honour
S. J. P. Kruger as State President of the South African
Republic, on Thursday 12 May 1898 . . . 377

Speech of State President Kruger in the First Volksraad on

Monday i May 1899 ...... 421

Two Speeches of President Kruger at the Decisive Sitting of
the First and Second Volksraad of 2 October 1899 . •431

Opening Speech of President Steijn at the Annual Session of
the Volksraad of the Orange Free State at Kroonstad,
2 April 1900 ....... 437

CONTENTS xi

PAGE

Opening Speech of President Kruger at the Ordinary Annual
Session of the First and Second Volksraad of the South
African Republic at the Joint Sitting of 7 May 1900 . 442

Speech delivered on the 7th of May by President Kruger in
explanation of his Opening Speech at the Ordinary Session
of 1900. ... .... 4S^

Circolar Dispatch from State President Kruger to the Com-
mandant General, Assistant Commandants General and
Officers ....... 460

H
Telegram from the State President to the Commandant General 465

Circular Dispatch from the State President to the Commandant

General, Assistant Commandants General and Officers . 467

Proclamation by President Steijn against the Annexation of the

Orange Free State ...... 472

Index ....... 475

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

Mr. Krugrr dictated these Memoirs to Mr, H. C, Bredell^ his
private secretary ^ and to Mr. Fiet Grobler^ the former Under
Secretary of State of the South African Republic. These gentle-
men handed their notes to an editor^ the Rev. Dr. A. Schowalter^
who spent several weeks at Utrecht in constant colloquy with Mr.
Kruger^ elucidating various points with the cud of the Presidents
repUes to a list of some hundred and fifty to two hundred questions
which Dr. Schowalter had drawn up.

The English and American edition is translated by Mr. A.
Teixeira de Mattos from Dr. Schowalter^ s revised German text,
collated line for line with Mr. Kruget^s original Dutch^ with this
difference that, in the English edition, Mr. Kruger speaks in the
first person throughout, wherecu, in the Continental editions, the
narrative is allowed to change into the third person from the point
at which Mr. Kruger b^ns to attain a prominent position in the
affairs of his country. This latter arrangement appearing to me
an artificial one, I applied for leave to alter it, and this was the
more readily granted inasmuch as it has been decided that, when
Mr. Kruger is no more^ any subsequent Continental editions shall
also be printed in the first person throughout.

In the Appendix at the end of the sec ond volume have been
collected severaldocuments in the shape of speeches, proclamations
and circular dispatches, including the famous three hour^ speech
delivered by Mr. Kruger, after his inauguration as President for
the fourth time, on the nth of May 1898.

T. FISHER UNWIN.

ziii

CHAPTER I

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE

CHAPTER I

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE

CHAPTER I

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

Mr. Krugrr dictated these Memoirs to Mr, H. C. Bredell^ his
private secretary, and to Mr, JPiet Grobler, the former Under
Secretary of State of the South African Republic, These gentle-
men handed their notes to an editor, the Rev, Dr, A, Schowalter,
who spent several weeks at Utrecht in constant colloquy with Mr,
Kruger, elucidating various points with the aid of the President's
replies to a list of some hundred and fifty to two hundred questions
which Dr, Schowalter had drawn up.

The English and American edition is translated by Mr, A,
Teixeira de Mattos from Dr. Schowaltet^s revised German text,
cdlaied line for line with Mr, Kruget^s original Dutch, with this
difference that, in the English edition, Mr, Kruger speaks in the
first person throughout, whereas, in the Continental editions, the
narrative is allowed to change into the third person from the point
at which Mr, Kruger begins to attain a prominent position in the
affairs of his country. This latter arrangement appearing to me
an artificial one, I applied for leave to alter it, and this was the
more readily granted inasmuch as it has been decided that, when
Mr. Kruger is no more, any subsequent Continental editions shall
also be printed in the first person throughout.

In the Appendix at the end of the sec ond volum e have been
collected severaTHoaiments in the shape of speeches, proclamations
and circular dispatches, including the famous three hours^ speech
delivered by Mr, Kruger, after his inauguration as President for
the fourth time, on the 12th of May 1898.

T, FISHER UNWIN,

ziii

CHAPTER I

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE

CHAPTER I

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE

Homeless — In the new home — Hunting adventures — Kruger kills
his first lion — ^The dead lion roars — Further lion-hunts —
Panther and rhinoceros hunting — Under a rhinoceros — Buffalo-
hunting — A fight with a buffalo-cow — Elephant- hunting — Race
between Kruger and an elephant — Canine fidelity — Kruger
amputates his own thumb.

MY recollections go back to the time when,
as a boy of nine, I left the land of my
birth with my parents and my uncles Gert and
Theunis Krugen

Till then we had lived at Vaalbank Farm, in
the Colesberg District in Cape Colony, where I
was bom, on the loth of October 1825, as the
third child of Caspar Jan Hendrik Kruger^ and
Elisa Steijn, his wife, daughter of Douw Steijn,
of Bulhoek Farm, behind the Zuurberg in Cape

^ The President declares that his ancestors originally came
from Germany, but his family do not know from which town. He
only knows that the founder of the African branch of the family
married a Frenchwoman, and was obliged to fly from the country

on account of his religion. — Editor's Note.

4 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Colony. My parents were simple farmers, and
I grew up at the farm like other farmers' lads,
looking after the herds and lending a hand
in the fields. With the exception that an old
woman prophesied to my mother that her son
Stephanus Johannes Paulus was destined for a
superior position in life, I do not know that
any one could have had the least notion that
God would entrust me with a special mission.

The first event of importance in my life was
our departing from home, our ire^. I was too
young at the time to occupy myself much with
the reason of the great emigration. But I know
that my parents said they emigrated because
the English first sold the slaves and, after they
had got the money, set these slaves free again,
and that the money which had been awarded
in compensation was made payable in England,
where it could be received either personally or
through an agent. The expenses entailed by
this method of payment in many cases amounted
to more than the capital, so that a gfreat many
preferred to sacrifice what was due to them,
rather than be put to so much trouble and vexa-
tion. But they refused to continue to live under
such unjust masters. Added to this, the Kafifirs
repeatedly raided the colony and stole the Boers*

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 5

cattle, and the English general, after the Boers
had themselves recovered their catde, declared
the collective herds to be so much booty, out of
which the British Government must recover
their war-costs before the rest could be distri-
buted among the former proprietors, who had
themselves joined in the fighting in order to
get back their own. The discontent caused by this
unjust proceeding took a firm hold of the Boer
mind, especially as each child, when quite young,
receives, as his personal property, a couple of
sheep, oxen or horses from his parents, which
he tends with special care and to which his
heart becomes attached. Among the stolen
beasts were naturally those belonging to the
children, and, when those presents, made sacred
by custom, were detained in such an arbitrary
way and used for the purposes of a war-indemnity,
much bitterness was caused. And so my parents
and relatives left house and home for a wild and
unknown country, and set out, about twenty of
them, with nearly thirty thousand African sheep
and a few hundred horses and cattle, which
they had received largely in exchange for the
goods they left behind.

The exodus over the Orange River commenced
in May 1835. Here my father sold about three

6 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

thousand wethers, at a dikketan^ (an old coin,
worth a little over two shillings) apiece to a
butcher, after which the expedition proceeded
towards the neighbourhood of the Caledon River,
and there encamped. My occupation here, as
well as on our further marches, was to drive
the cattle and keep them together. The chil-
dren of most of the emigrants had to do this
work, for the black servants had nearly all
remained in the Colony, and, just at that time,
when the whole property of the families con-
sisted of herds of cattle, their services would
have proved specially useful.*

^ Obviously a corruption of *^ducatoon," the old silver ducat of
Venice. — Translator's NoU.

' I am on this occasion able to confirm the authenticity of an
anecdote which tells how a gentleman who introduced an English
lord to President Kruger, thinking that the latter did not take
sufficient account of his aristocratic visitor, and hoping to make
a greater impression upon him, began to enumerate the important
positions which this nobleman occupied, and what his ancestors
had been. Whereupon the President answered drily :

"Tell the gentleman that I was a cow-herd and my father a
fanner."

The gentleman who introduced this nobleman was the pro-
prietor of a large distillery at Zwartkop, in the neighbourhood of
Pretoria. — Editor's Note,

The anecdote is quite well known in England, where I have
often heard it told of a certain noble duke who, at that time, had
held no particular position outside the Court, but whose fiather,
who was then living, had filled more than one important post
under Government. — Translator's Note.

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 7

Other burghers left their home at the same
time as my parents and were also encamped near
the Caledon River. But this was not the Great
Trek. That took place during the following
year, 1836, under Hendrik Potgieter, and was
joined by the single groups of earlier emigrants.
Immediately after this junction, a meeting was
held, resolutions were passed to which all the
emigrants had to submit, and a sort of govern-
ment instituted. But God's Word constituted
the highest law and rule of conduct Potgieter
was chosen for the first position, that of com*
mandant The resolutions which came into
general force contained, for example, the decree
that it was unlawful to take away from the
natives, by force, land or any other of their
property, and that no slavery would be permitted.
They now proceeded jointly to the Vet River
and crossed the whole of the Free State without
depriving the weak native races which lived
there of a single thing. The land between the
Vet and the Vaal Rivers was bartered in ex-
change for oxen and cows by the Kafifir chief
who ruled there.

When the first emigrants arrived at the Vaal,
and were encamped both here and on the Rhe-
noster River in small scattered parties, they were

8 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

attacked unexpectedly and without having given
the least provocation by the Zulu chief Moseli-
katse. This Moselikatse was at that time lord
and master of the entire country west of the
Lebombo and Drakensberg Mountains. All the
Makatese tribes in this district had submitted
to his sway. He treated them like dogs and
called them so, and, when vultures passed over
his "town," he gave orders to kill a few poor
old men and women and throw them for food
to his " children," as he called the vultures. The
subjugated races hid from him in caves and
gorges. When Moselikatse heard that men with
white faces had come from the south, he sent a
couple of thousand warriors with orders to massacre
the invaders. The trekkers who were encamped
along the Rhenoster and Vaal Rivers were
divided into small parties, which was necessary
on account of the dimensions of the herds, so as
not to cause quarrels concerning the grazing lands.
They were surprised by Moselikatse's robber-band,
and the greater number of them murdered.

After this massacre, the Matabele went back
to their town, taking the cattle with them; but
they returned a fortnight later in great numbers
and attacked the emigrants at Vechtkop, in the
Orange Free State. But here Sarel Celliers

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 9

had built a strong laager and, with the 33 men
whom he had at his disposal, repelled the im-
petuous attacks of the Zulus, from his ws^gon
fortress, causing them heavy losses. Women
and children bravely assisted the defenders of the
camp, casting bullets, loading the rifles and, in
some instances, even taking rifle in hand them-
selves to shoot down the enemy. On their re-
treat to the Moselikatse pass, near Pretoria, and
to Marico, two of their principal places, the
KafHrs carried off all the emigrants' cattle, as
naturally it could not be taken into the laager,
and so was unprotected. They also took with
them two white children and three half-breeds, of
whom nothing was ever heard again.

A small party of burghers, under Potgieter,
pursued the enemy as far as the Marico River :
God was with them and gave them the victory
at Zeerust They continued to pursue the enemy
further, and in the end entered into possession
of his territory. They recovered part of their
property and, when Moselikatse had fled, the
commando returned.

A small number of the emigrants now pro-
ceeded to Natal. To develop the conquered
country and make it independent, it was necessary
to be in communication with the outer world, and,

lo MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

in Natal, where already a number of emigrants
had settled and were in treaty for the necessary
acquisition of land, they hoped to obtain the
harbour of Durban. But, after the treacherous
murder of Piet Retief and the attack on the
settlers by Dingaan's hordes, most of the emi-
grants, including my father, returned to the district
which is contained within the Free State and
Transvaal of to-day. My people settled at Lie-
benberg Vlei, in what has since become the Orange
Free State: a tract of country which became so
well known through Kitchener's operations against
De Wet.

A commando again crossed the Vaal, in 1839,
to find and punish Moselikatse, who continued
to rob and plunder, and also to recover the stolen
cattle. I took part in this expedition. Potgieter
left the waggon laager behind at Wonderfontein,
in what is now the Potchefstroom District, and,
with a mounted commando, pursued Moselikatse,
who continued to fall back. The whole country
had been devastated and all the settlers murdered.
Potgieter discovered the Chief Magato at Klein
Buffelshoek, near the well-known Elephant River,
in the Magaliesberg, where he was hiding. We
shall hear of him again, for he settled, later, in
the neighbourhood of Rustenburg. He had only

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE ii

a few followers with him and, when Potgieter
asked him where Moselikatse was, he told him
that he had already crossed the Crocodile River.
Asked why he had remained behind and was
in hiding, he said that he had escaped during
the night on the march to the north, and was
now hiding because he stood in fear of Moseli-
katse's bands which had been left behind on the
Moselikatse Pass. Seeing that it was impossible
to overtake Moselikatse and that an attack on the
entrenched position at Moselikatse Pass was out
of the question, the commando returned to the
women's camp on the Rhenoster and Vaal Rivers.
But, as early as the following year, 1 840, Potgieter
started with another commando, and this time went
direct to Moselikatse Pass. I took part in this
expedition too. Potgieter there found a large
Kaffir town, which he stormed. When it was in
our hands, we recovered a number of things which
had formerly belonged to the trekkers who had
been murdered by Moselikatse's orders.

During the pursuit of Moselikatse, the Chief
Mamagali told Potgieter that there was still a
force of Moselikatse's savages at Strijdpoort, in the
Waterberg District. Potgieter went there at once
and attacked the Kaffir camp. But it turned out
that we were fighting the wrong people. They

12 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

were not Zulus but Rooi, or red, Kaffirs who had
been forced to join Moselikatse's hordes. Directly
Potgieter was informed of this fact, he put a stop
to the fighting. Mamagali, who had been the
cause of this battle, was arrested and, after a
regular trial by court-martial, was sentenced to
six months' imprisonment. He would not have
got off so cheaply had he not been able to prove
that the Rooi Kaffirs had always been associated
with Moselikatse on the war-path, and that he
had taken them for Zulus.

At last the wanderers had found a compara-
tively safe home. It is obvious that the disturbed
life which they had led till then must have occa-
sioned great losses. To institute schools or
churches, or a firm and regular management of
external affairs, was out of the question. But
the Boer fathers and mothers for all that looked
after the education of their children to the very
best of their ability. They knew that they lived
in a country where anything that was once ne-
glected was difficult to recover, and that to neglect
the rising generation meant the ruin of their
nationality. Therefore every Boer taught his
children to read and write, and, above all, in-
structed them in God s Word. At dinner and
supper, as the children sat round the table, they

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 13

had to read part of the Sacred Scriptures and to
repeat from memory or write down now this and
now that text; and this was done day by day,
unless unusual circumstances made it impossible.
That is how my father taught me the Bible, and
instructed me in its teaching during the evenings.
My other course of instructions was covered
altogether by a period of about three months,
with frequent interruptions. My master's name
was Tielman Roos, who found much difficulty in
carrying out his mission. Whenever the trek
came to a resting-place and we out-spanned, a
small hut was built of grass and reeds, and this
became the school-room for the trekkers' children.
This was done during the whole journey to the
Magaliesberg, where my father settled.

When I was sixteen years old, I was entitled
to choose two farms, like any other independent
member of our community : one as a grazing-place
and the other for sowing with crops. I lived at
Waterkloof, and, in 1842, fetched Miss Maria du
Plessis, from the country south of the Vaal, to be
my wife.^

^ During a journey which he had undertaken in order to visit his
betrothed, young Kruger found that the torrential waters of the Vaal
were so swollen as to render it impassable. But his ardour was
greater than the danger, and his strength mightier than the force of
the stream. He drove his horses into the water and, dressed as he

14 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

The wedding took place in the village of Pot-
chefstroom, which began to flourish at that time.^

After a time of rest, a new expedition was
fitted out, in 1845, ^^ order to colonize the con-
quered country. Every participant received the
promise of another farm in that part of the country.
A commission, to which my father belonged, had
gone to Delagoa Bay during the previous year in
order to come to an understanding with Portugal
regarding the mutual frontier, and had agreed that
the ridge of the Lebombo Mountains should form
the frontier between Portugal and that part of
the country which the Boer emigrants wished to
colonize. I accompanied this expedition, as deputy
field comet, with my father and the other members
of our family. We went as far north as the

was, swam with them across the river under conditions which
courted almost certain death. The old ferryman, who had not dared
to cross the river that day with his boat, read him a fine lecture.
But it was thrown away. Fortimately the engagement did not last
long enough to render a repetition of this hazardous enterprise
necessary. — Editat^s Note*

^ There was at that time as little opportunity for church weddings
as for school instruction or proper preparation for Confirmation.
The Boer was obliged to be, more or less, his own schoolmaster,
minister and civil servant. Even as in the late war, a landdrost
had often to appoint himself so as to provide for an official qualified
to '' legalize " marriages. Perhaps that accounts for the iaxx that
the otherwise so religious Boers looked upon civil marriage as a
perfectly natural rite for many years before we began to fight for it
as a " necessity of our enlightened times." — Editat^s Note,

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 15

present Lijdenburg District, and there founded the
village of Ohrigstad. But we found no abiding-
place for us there. Fever, cattle-sickness and
other evils determined us to return to the Mag^ies-
berg, where I continued to live and acquired
several farms by barter. Here, in January 1846,
I had the misfortune to lose my wife and the
little baby to whom she had given birth. God
gave me another life-companion in Miss Gezina
Suzanna Frederika Wilhelmina du Plessis. From
this marriage sprang nine sons and seven daughters,
of whom three sons and five daughters are still
alive.

The first care of the new settlers was to secure
reliable labour and to induce the black inhabitants
of the country to undertake it. That was not an
easy matter. For, although the Kaffir was willing
enough to work, he was always endeavouring to
cheat his master in one way or another. And,
so soon as he had learnt his work, his arrogance
often became unbearable. We had constantly to
fight this difficulty in great ways and small, and
the contest sometimes had its humorous side. For
instance, one New Year's Day, I sent a Kaffir
from my farm at Waterkloof to my mother's farm
(I had lost my father in 1852) to fetch some raisins.
My mother sent me about five or six pounds, and

i6 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

said so in a note, which the Kaffir conscientiously
delivered But the letter was a proof that the
Kaffir had robbed me, for the raisins which he
brought weighed much less than the quantity men-
tioned in the letter. I asked him what he meant
by trying to cheat me and why he had eaten nearly
all the raisins.

"The letter tells me," I said, "that there were
a great many more than you brought me."

" Baas," he replied, *' the letter lies, for how could
it have seen me eat the raisins? Why, I put it
behind the big rock under a stone and then sat down
on the other side of the rock to eat the raisins."

After I had convinced him that the letter knew
all about it nevertheless, he humbly acknowledged
his fault; still the thing was not quite clear to
him.

I had a very faithful Kaffir, called April, on
one of my other farms at Boekenhoutfontein, in
the Rustenburg District. During the winter, I
travelled with my cattle to Saulspoort, near
Pilaansberg. Before going away I called him
aside and said :

" I will teach you how to read a letter."

I then took a piece of paper and drew lines
on it.

"The longest lines," I continued, "stand for

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 17

melons, the next oranges and the shortest lemons,"
and I added that he was to send me from time to
time just as many of each of these as were indicated
by the number of strokes in the letter which I
should send by a messenger. He was also to
send me back a letter by the messenger and inform
me, by means of similar lines, how many he had
sent of each sort, and to close the letter carefully.
The Kaffir was immensely proud of his scholarly
attainments, and from that moment considered him-
self immeasurably above every other Kaffir. There
was really no need to tell him not to give my secret
away ; nothing would have induced him to do so.
Later on, I sent two messengers to him and said
simply :

" Give this letter to April ; he will give you
what I want"

This was done ; and, when they returned,
bringing a letter from April, I said :

"Give me the letter which April has written,
so that I may see if you have cheated me or
not"

They were simply amazed, and April's scholar-
ship roused their unbounded envy and admiration.
They told everybody about the wise April, who
had suddenly learnt to read and write.

At that time, there were no missionaries in our

20 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

ups with whom I had come, my father, my uncle
and my brother, quickly tied the horses together
and then turned them round, with their heads in the
opposite direction to that from which the lion was
bearing down upon us. This is the regular pro-
cedure at a lion hunt; for, if the horses catch
sight of a lion, there is always a danger lest they
should get frightened and bolt

My relatives placed us. I was told to sit
behind— or, from the lion's point of view, in front
of — ^the horses, with my rifle covering him. His
last bound brought him close to me; then he
crouched, with the intention, as it seemed to me,
of jumping right over me on the horses. As he
rose, I fired, and was fortunate enough to kill
him outright, so that he nearly fell on top of me.
My companions ran to my assistance; but I
needed no help, for the lion was dead. He was a
strong beast

Hearing the shot, the other three hurried up,
and then we all stood round the lion and talked
the adventure over. A certain Hugo knelt down
to measure the lion's teeth, which were extra-
ordinarily big. Thinking no harm, I jumped on
the lion's stomach. As I did so, the air shook
with a tremendous roar, which so frightened Hugo
that he forgot his tooth-measurements and fell

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 21

down flat upon his back. The others shook with
laughter, for every hunter knows that, if you tread
upon a lion's body within a short time of his death,
he will give a short last roar, as though he were
still alive. The breath still in him, being forced
from the stomach through the throat, produces the
roar. Hugo, of course, knew this, but he had for-
gotten it, and was greatly ashamed of his fright
In fact, he was so angry that he turned on me
to give me a good hiding. But the others stepped
good-naturedly between us and made him see that
it was only my ignorance that had given him so
great a fright

I shot my second lion behind the Magaliesberg
on the Hex River. My uncle Theunis Kruger and
I were after a herd of antelopes when, my horse
being done up, I was left behind alone. Riding
at a foot-pace, I came upon a herd of lions.
Escape on a tired horse was out of the question.
Suddenly one of the lions left the herd and made
a dash for me. I allowed him to come within
twenty paces and then shot him through the head.
The bullet passed through the head into the body.
The lion fell, with his head turned away from me,
but jumped up again immediately and returned to
his companions, while I re-loaded. The moment
he reached the herd, he fell down dead. Encour-

22 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

aged by my success, I fired upon the others. But
in vain. They escaped into the nearest mountain,
and I was not able to follow them. A few years
later, I had another encounter, on the same spot,
with a herd of lions which had killed several of
our oxen. These also escaped into the same
mountain; but I succeeded in first shooting two
of them. My companions, who were not so swift
of foot, lost their quarry.

I shot my fifth lion in the Lijdenburg District,
when on a trek towards the Elephant River. We
were pursuing a brute that had robbed us of several
oxen. I at that time had a good and faithful dog,
which was my constant companion, and which
used to track the lions through the bushes. When
he found the lion, he stood still, loudly giving
tongue till the lion roared angrily back at him.
When the dog saw me coming, he stood aside a
little. Now the lion got ready for me ; but, at the
moment of springing, the dog seized him from
behind, and a bullet at close quarters dispatched
him quickly. This made the fifth lion that I killed
by myself. In company with others, I have, of
course, shot a great many more.

During a march against Moselikatse, who, a
short time previously, had surprised and cut down
our people, I was ordered to set out with a strong

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 23

patrol from Wonderfontein, where we left our
waggons, to reconnoitre the enemy's position. At
Elephant's Pass, in the neighbourhood of Rusten-
burg, we came across a big herd of elephants.
The pass owes its name to this encounter. My
father went after them, but Commandant Potgieter
stopped him from shooting, as the enemy might
be nearer than we knew. Those were the first
elephants I saw.

My first rhinoceros I encountered during that
same expedition. As I was slightly in advance
of the others, my uncle Theunis Kruger gave me
permission to fire, and I was so fortunate as to
bring him down with the first shot. I had an
ugly experience on the next occasion that we,
my brother-in-law and faithful hunting companion,
N. Theunissen, and I, hunted rhinoceros. I must
mention that we had made an agreement by which
that one who behaved recklessly or, through
cowardice, allowed game which was only wounded
to escape should receive a sound thrashing. There
was something wrong with my rifle on the morning
we started, and I was obliged to take an old
two-barrelled gun, one barrel of which was injured,
consequently its driving power was considerably
lessened. I knew that a shot was thrown away on
a rhinoceros unless you managed to send it through

24 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

the thin part of its skin. We came across three of
them, a bull and two cows. They were withar-
nosters^ the most dangerous brutes. I told
Theunissen to follow the two cows and not lose
sight of them. It was my intention to kill the bull
and then join in pursuit of the cows. My comrade
fired from time to time to let me know where
he was, for he was soon out of sight in the thick
undergrowth of the wood. When I had passed
the rhinoceros, I jumped from my horse to shoot
him. I placed myself so that he had to pass
me within ten paces ; this would give me a good
opportunity to hit him in a vulnerable place.
One bullet killed him outright I mounted and
rode as fast as I could go in the direction whence
I heard Theunissen's gun, loading my rifle as I
galloped. He had just sent a second bullet into
one of the cows as I came up. The brute stood
quite still. I saw that the animal was trying to
get away through the underwood, which was
less dense here than anywhere else, and I went
after her. As I rode past my comrade, he called
out:

" Don't dismount in front of the beast ; she's
awfully wild and can run like anything."

1 Rhenoster is the Afrikander for rhinoceros. Withamoster is a
white rhinoceros. — Translator's Note,

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 25

I did not pay much attention to the warning,
knowing Theunissen to be over-cautious, but
jumped off my horse and ran obliquely past the
rhinoceros. She had scarcely caught sight of
me before she was in hot pursuit I allowed her
to come within a distance of three or four yards.
When I fired, the percussion-cap refused, and
there was no time for a second shot The animal
was close upon me, and there was nothing to
be done but to turn round and run for dear life.
In attempting to do so, my foot struck against
the thorn roots, and I came down flat on my
face. The beast was upon me; the dangerous
horn just missed my back ; she pinned me to the
groimd with her nose, intending to trample me to
death. But, at that moment, I turned under her
and got the contents of the second barrel full
under the shoulder-blade, right into her heart
I owed my life to not letting go my hold on
the gun during this dangerous adventure. The
rhinoceros sprang away from me, but fell down
dead a few yards away.

My brother-in-law hurried up as fast as he
could, for he thought I had got mortally wounded
by my own gun in this deadly combat When
he saw, however, that I was standing up safe and
sound, he took his sjambok, and, ''according to

i6 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

contract," commenced to belabour me soundly,
because I had, he said, acted recklessly, in dis-
regarding his warning. Soft words and attempts
to justify my conduct were thrown away on him ;
it availed me nothing to point out to him that the
beast had already hurt and bruised me to such an
extent that I might well be let off my hiding. I
was eventually obliged to entrench myself behind
the thorn-bushes. But this was the first and last
time that Theunissen had occasion to thrash me.

I brought down my first buffalo very near the
above spot A flying herd of buffaloes came up
from the valley by the bank of the stream. We
hunted them, and I led A buffalo-cow left the
herd and made a rush for me as I jumped from
my horse to shoot. I was ready, however, and,
when she had come very near, shot her through
the shoulder. The impetus of her onset knocked
me down, and she rushed on over my body,
fortunately without stepping on me. She took
refuge on the opposite bank of the river, where
we killed her.

My next adventure with buffaloes took plac^
near Bierkraalspruit Farm. The underwood was
from four to five feet high, and contained a
number of buffaloes. Six of us came to hunt
them. I forced my way alone through the bushes

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 27

to see if it was possible to get a shot there, and
passed a herd of buffaloes without being aware
of them; but before long I came right upon a
second herd of the beasts* A big buffalo at once
turned his attention to me, but fortunately his
horns were so wide apart that, in butting, the trees
and bushes got mixed up between them, which not
only broke the force of his attack, but hid me very
effectually, if only for a few moments, from his
sight Trying to get out of the wood, I found
myself suddenly amongst the herd which I had
passed a little while ago, without noticing them
at the time. Even now I only realized the posi-
tion when I ran right up against a buffalo that
was just getting up from the ground. Angered
at being disturbed, the beast tore my clothes from
my back with his hoof. My comrades, as they
stood outside the wood, took the buffalo's hoof
for his horns, so high did he raise it in attacking
me. Fortunately I escaped with a fright

My brother-in-law N. Theunissen and I were
hunting near Vleeschkraal, in the Waterburg Dis-
trict, when I had a most unpleasant encounter with
a buffalo. I had hit a bu£falo-cow, and she had
escaped into the dense thorn-bushes. As it was im-
po^ible to follow on horseback, I gave my horse to
my brother Nicholas, and followed the buffalo on

28 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

foot The great thing was not to lose sight of
her in the thick undergrowth. Believing myself
to be the pursuer, I was unpleasantly startled to
find her suddenly facing and attacking me. I
got ready to shoot, but my flint-lock missed fire,
so I had to run for it. The rains had been heavy,
and just behind me was a big swamp into which
I fell as I jumped out of the enraged animal's way.
The buffalo fell in after me, and stood over me
in a threatening attitude before I had time to
get up.

My rifle was in the water and useless; but,
fortunately for me, as the buffalo butted at me,
she rammed one of her horns fast into the ground
of the swamp, where it stuck. I got hold of the
other and tried with all my strength to force the
animal's head under the water and so suffocate her.
It was a difficult thing to do, for the horn was
very slippery on account of the slimy water, and
I needed both hands and every atom of strength
I had to keep her head under. When I felt it
going, I disengaged one of my hands to get at
the hunting-knife which I carried on my hip, in
order to rid myself of my antagonist But, if I
could not hold the brute with two hands, I cer-
tainly could not hold her with one, and she freed
herself with a final effort She was in a sad

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 29

plight, however, nearly su£focated, and her eyes
so full of slime that she could not see. I jumped
out of the swamp and hid behind the nearest
bush, and the buffalo ran off in the opposite
direction. My appearance was no less disreput-
able than the buffalo's, for I was covered from
head to foot with mud and slime. Theunissen,
hearing the row we made, knew that something
was amiss, but he could not come to my assist-
ance. It was impossible to get through the
undergrowth of thorns on horseback.

When I had cleaned myself down a little,
I got on the track of the rest of the herd, and
succeeded in shooting two.

I was never so near losing my life as once
during a race with an elephant. One day, Adrian
van Rensburg and I were on the veldt looking
for elephants. Van Rensburg was behind me,
when the first herd came in sight I galloped
on to get a good shot at them. I could not wait
for van Rensburg, for the horse I was riding that
day was a particularly spirited animal and had
the habit of running round me in a circle after I
dismoimted This necessitated my quieting and
holding him, and so some time was lost before I
was ready to shoot As I jumped down, one of
the elephants caught sight of me, and came through

30 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

the bushes as fast as she could go. At the moment
of dismounting, I knew nothing of my danger, and
had not the least idea that an elephant was after
me. Van Rensburg, however, saw everything,
and called out as loudly as he could to warn me.
I turned and saw that the elephant was flattening
the bushes behind me with her heavy weight as she
broke through the underwood I tried to mount,
but the elephant was already upon me, and the
weight of the underwood, trodden down and held
together by the bulk of the elephant, pinned me
to the ground. I found it impossible to mount
I let go of my horse, freed myself with a
tremendous effort, and sprang right before and
past the elephant. She followed, trumpeting and
screaming, hitting out at me fiercely with her
trunk. Now came a race for life or death. How-
ever, I gradually increased the distance between
us; but that was a race I am never likely to
forget

The Kaffirs who were with us were about a
hundred yards away. When they saw what was
happening, they too commenced to run; so there
we were : the Kaffirs first, I after them, and after
me the elephant in furious pursuit While running,
the idea came to my mind that I would catch the
Kaffir who was the poorest runner, and, in case

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 31

the elephant bore down on him, step suddenly aside
and kill her at close quarters. I had kept hold of
my rifle, a big four-pounder. But the elephant
was so tired out by this time, that she herself put
a stop to the hunt by standing still. Just then,
van Rensburg came up, but his horse stepped
into a hole covered with grass, and both horse and
rider came down, for van Rensburg's foot had
caught in the stirrup. Meanwhile, the elephant
had disappeared. After van Rensburg had found
his legs again, I said to him :

''Hunt in that direction," pointing with my
finger, "and try to catch my horse!"

The elephant, in making his escape,^ had turned
first to the north and then to the west, the direc-
tion in which the herd had moved on. I said to
van Rensburg:

"When you have found my horse, bring it
after me. Meanwhile, I will follow the herd of
elephants, and not lose sight of them till you
join me"

I soon came up with the female elephant that
had pursued me. The calf ran a litde way behind
her. I passed it quickly to get near the mother ;
but it screamed when it saw me, and the mother,
who turned round quickly at the cry, just caught
sight of me as I jumped into the bushes. I ran

32 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

as fast as I could through the underwood, and
came suddenly upon van Rensburg, who had
caught my horse.

"There are tse-tse flies here," he said; "we
must turn back."

"Very well," I answered, "you go on, but I
must get a shot first at these elephants which have
given me so much trouble."

The mother and her calf had meanwhile dis-
appeared, but, before I made my way back, I was
so lucky as to shoot two of the herd. Unfor-
timately my horse, whose name was Tempus, had
been stung by the poisonous flies, and shortly after
our return, at the commencement of the rainy
season, it sickened and died.

When quite a youth, I encountered a tiger,
or panther. My Uncle Theunis, his son and I
were hunting antelope, or elands, near Tijgerfontein
Farm, in the neighbourhood of Ventersdorp, and
we soon found an antelope in the coven My
cousin rode in front and my uncle followed him;
there was a distance of about forty yards between
them. Suddenly, a panther appeared and made
for us at a furious rate, although we had given
him no provocation whatever. He overtook my
uncle ; but the latter's well-aimed shot brought the
panther to the ground at the very moment when he

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 33

was leaping on the horse which my uncle was
riding.

A big lion-hunt, in which several of us took

part, gave me the opportunity of witnessing a

remarkable instance of canine fidelity. We had

a whole pack of hounds with us. When they had

found the herd of lions» they surrounded it, barking

furiously. One of the hounds would go no further

from us than about twenty paces. There he stood

barking, but nothing could induce him to join the

hounds : he was too frightened to do that, and too

faithful to leave us. One of the lions made for us,

and then the poor terrified hound was the only

one that did not run away. He stuck to his

post He trembled and howled with fear, to say

nothing of more visible signs of distress, and every

second he looked round anxiously at his master to

see if he were still there, hoping, I dare say, that

he would fly, and that the dog might follow at

his heels. But the master stayed, and so the dog

stayed. The lion was within ten paces of the

dog when we shot him. And even now the timid

dog was the only one of all the noisy pack that

attacked him as he fell under our fire. He nearly

died of fear, but remained at his post for love of

his master.

In the year 1845, my two brothers Douw and

34 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Theunis, Douw's wife, my own wife and I were
making a halt near Secucuni's town, not far
from the place where the Spekboom River joins
the Steenpoort Riyer, in the North of the Trans-
vaal. We outspanned, and I went, in the course
of the day, on the veldt to shoot some game.
I was mounted, and carried my old big four-
pounder. After about an hour's ride, I came
across a rhinoceros and shot at it But I only
succeeded in wounding the animal, and it fled into
the wood. I dismounted quickly, ready to shoot
again, but moved only a few steps away from
my horse, lest the rhinoceros should turn to
attack me, in which case it would be necessary
to remount at once. I succeeded in getting a
second shot; but, at that very moment, my rifle
exploded just where I held it with my left hand,
and my left thumb, the lock and the ramrod lay
before me on the ground and the barrel of the
gun behind me. I had no time to think, for the
furious animal was almost upon me ; so I jumped
on my horse and galloped away as fast as I
could, with the rhinoceros in fierce pursuit, until
we came to the ford of a little spruit, when my
pursuer came to the ground and so allowed me
to ride quietly in the direction of our waggons.
During the next day, our people, guitled by the

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 35

track of my horse, went to the spot, and there
they found the rhinoceros still alive, and, follow-
ing the trail of blood, discovered the remains of
the rifle and my thumb.

My hand was in a horrible state. The great
veins were torn asunder and the muscles lay ex-
posed. The flesh was hanging in strips. I bled
like a slaughtered calf. I had succeeded in tying
a lai^e pocket-handkerchief round the wound while
riding, to save the horse from being splashed with
blood. When I got to the waggons, my wife
and sister-in-law were sitting by the fire, and I
went up to them laughing so as not to frighten
them. My sister-in-law pointed to my hand,
which looked like a great piece of raw meat, the
handkerchief being saturated with blood :

"Look what fat game Brother Paul has been
shooting!" she said.

I called out to my wife to go to the waggon
and fetch some turpentine, as I had hurt my hand.
Then I asked my sister-in-law to take ofl* my
bandolier, and she saw that my hand was torn
and noticed how white I was, for I had hardly
any blood left in my body. I kept on renewing
the turpentine bandages, for turpentine is a good
remedy to •* bum the veins up," as the Boers say,
and thus to Mop the bleeding. I sent my youngest

36 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

brother — he was still really young at the time —
to borrow as much turpentine as he could get
from the nearest farm, which was about half an
hour's ride away. Herman Potgieter, who was
afterwards so cruelly murdered by the Kaffirs,
came over with his brother. The former got
into the waggon and, when he saw the wound,
cried out:

''That hand will never heal; it is an awful
wound ! "

He had to get down again as quickly as pos-
sible, for he was nigh fainting. But his brother
said, possibly to comfort me:

"Nonsense; I have seen worse wounds than
that : get plenty of turpentine."

We inspanned and drove to the farm. Every
one there advised me to send for a doctor and
have the hand amputated ; but I positively refused
to allow myself to be still further mutilated of my
own free will The two joints of what was once
my thumb had gone, but it appeared that it would
still be necessary to remove a piece of bone. I
took my knife, intending to perform the operation,
but they took it away from me. I got hold of
another a little later and cut across the ball of
the thumb, removing as much as was necessary.
The worst bleeding was over, but the operation

EARLY DAYS AND PRIVATE LIFE 37

was a very painful one. I had no means by me
of deadening the pain, so I tried to persuade
myself that the hand on which I was performing
this surgical operation belonged to somebody else.

The wound healed very slowly. The women

sprinkled finely-powdered sugar on it, and, from

time to time, I had to remove the dead flesh with

my pocket-knife; but gangrene set in after all.

Different remedies were employed, but all seemed

useless, for the black marks rose as far as the

shoulder. Then they killed a goat, took out the

stomach and cut it open. I put my hand into

it while it was still warm. This Boer remedy

succeeded, for, when it came to the turn of the

second goat, my hand was already easier and the

danger much less. The wound took over six

months to heal, and, before it was quite cured, I

was out hunting again.

I account for the healing power of this remedy
by the fact that the goats usually graze near the
Spekboom River, where all sorts of herbs grow
in abundance.

CHAPTER II

COMMENCEMENT OF PUBLIC

ACTIVITY

CHAPTER II

COMMENCEMENT OF PUBLIC ACnVITY

Joamey to the Sand River in 1852— The Sand River Convention-
Punitive expedition against the Kaffir Chief Secheli— Kruger's
life in danger— Vindictive raid on the Kaffir Chiefs Makapaan
and Mapela — Paul Kniger alone in the cave among the be-
sieged Kaffirs — He recovers Potgieter's body — Expedition
against Montsioa — Kniger charges a band of Kaffirs single-
handed.

I WAS appointed a deputy field comet as early
as 1842, but my position was not one of any
importance until 1852, when I was elected a full
field comet In this capacity, I, in that year,
accompanied old Commandant General A. W. J.
Pretorius^ to the Sand River, where the famous
Sand River Convention was concluded.

^ After Pretorius, who had commanded during the War of Inde-
pendence against England in the Free State, came to the Trans-
vaal, the popular assembly of 1849 elected Potgieter Commandant
General for life; but eventually, in order to avoid unpleasantness,
it became necessary to appoint three commandants general all
possessing equal powers. Pretorius, accordingly, became Com-
mandant General of the Potchefirtroom and Rustenburg Districts,
where Kniger lived. — Editot^s Note,

42 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

In that same year, the expedition against the
Bechuana Chief Secheli took place. I took part
in it as a commandant. This Secheli was pro-
tecting another Kaffir chief, called Moselele, who
had committed several murders in the South
African Republic, and refused to deliver him up.
The demand for Moselele s surrender was received
with the insolent reply :

** Who wants Moselele can come and fetch
him out of my stomach."

Secheli meant to convey that Moselele was
as safely hidden with him as the food which he
had eaten. A commando under Chief Command-
ant Scholtz, with myself as deputy-commandant,
was sent to punish him. When the commando
arrived before Secheli's town, the Kaffir Chief
sent a messenger to Commandant Scholtz to say
that he would do nothing to him on the morrow,
as that was a Sunday, but that he would duly
setde his account on the Monday. At the same
time, he very artlessly asked for some coffee and
sugar, probably in return for his amiability in
" letting us off " the Sunday. Commandant
Scholtz sent back word to Secheli that he had
coffee and sugar, but none to give away. He
promised, however, to give him pepper on the
Monday.

PUBLIC ACTIVITY 43

On Monday morning the battle began. I was
well in front, and brought down a number o(
Kaffirs with my four-pounder, which I had loaded
with coarse shot When the mountain on which
Secheli's town lay was already pardy taken,
Louw du Plessis, who was serving the gfuns,
accidently hit a large rock, and the ball, re-
bounding, struck my head with such force that I
fell to the ground unconscious. A certain van
Rooyen had to help me to my feet, and at the
same time bound up my aching head in a cloth.
While I was lying unconscious and van Rooyen
was busying himself about me, a Hottentot ser-
vant of my brother's, thanks to his accurate aim,
kept the Kaffirs at a safe distance. When I
came to myself, the first thing I saw was that
the Kaffirs were creei^ng up behind rocks and
boulders, and I realized the danger to which my
biu-ghers would be exposed if they were not
warned in time. I at once got up to lead the
attack on the dangerous points, although my
wound prevented me from carrying my musket.
The Kaffirs kept up a hot fire from every cave
and gof^e, but, after a sharp fight, the burghers
succeeded in dt-iving them from the mountain.

My life was in danger for a second time
during this same battle. One of the enemy's

44 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

bullets, fired by the enemy from a huge rifle,
struck me on the chest and tore my jacket in
two. The artful Secheli afterwards said that he
had, up to the last, had it in his power to drive
us back, but that, when I had once laid my hands
on his brandy-bottle, I became invincible. As a
matter of fact, I have never tasted a drop of
brandy.

After hostilities were concluded. Commandant
Scholtz sent up to the house of Livingstone, the
English missionary, which was not far from the
Kaffir town. Here Theunis Pretorius found a
complete workshop for repairing guns, and a
quantity of materials of war which Livingstone was
storing for Secheli. This was a breach of the
Sand River Convention of 1852, which laid down
that neither arms nor ammunition should be
supplied to the Kaffirs, and that they should
not be permitted to provide either* for themselves.
Scholtz accordingly confiscated the missionary's
arsenal, and in consequence the Boers were
abused by Livingstone throughout the length
and breadth of England, and slandered in every
possible way as enemies of the missionaries and
cruel persecutors of the blacks.

As a matter of fact, the Boers were neither
opposed to the mission nor enemies of the

PUBLIC ACTIVITY 45

natives. Their principle was to allot a certain
district to every tribe that kept quiet and peaceful
and was willing to accept civilization, such district
to be proportionate to the size of the tribe.
The missionaries who wished to labour among
the natives also received free grants of land for
the erection of churches and for private purposes.
Even before the arrival of the missionaries beyond
the Vaal, some of the Boers had instructed their
native servants in the Gospel But they were
often brought into unpleasant contact with the
native tribes owing to the engagement into which
they had entered to deprive the natives of the
arms which the latter were constantly smuggling
into the country. This engagement was faithfully
kept so that England might have no opportunity
to accuse them of violating the treaty and, con-
sequently, to annul the Sand River Convention,
which guaranteed the liberty of the emigrants
north of the Vaal.*

^The missionaries seem often to have £ailed to understand
that, for the Boers, the native question was, necessarily, not only
a religious and humanitarian question, but also a political question.
South Africa has room for only one form of civilization, and that
is the white man's civilization ; and, where there was only a handful
of white men to keep hundreds of thousands of black natives in
order, severity was essential The black man had to be taught
that he came second, that he belonged to the inferior class which
must obey and learn. Lest it should appear as though the friendly

46 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

The next war in which I took part under
Commandant General Pretorius was that of 1853,
against the Kaffir Chiefs Mapela and Makapaan,
in the Waterberg District, near Makapaanspoort
This was an expedition to avenge the foul murder

and reasonable position adopted by the Boers in this matter had
only developed gradually in recent years, I may point out that,
in 1883, Kruger spoke to the following effect in his programme
ittued before his fitst dectioo and, afterwards, in the name of his
people, as President :

^Native politics in a Republic such as ours, where so many
Kaffir tribes live among us and all around us, offer very excep-
tional difficulties. The chief principle that must always be borne
in mind is that savages must be kept within bounds, and always
overruled by justice and morality. **

And again :

** Much is being said about an universal native policy for the
various States of South Africa. All who know the difficulties of
this problem will most certainly agree with me when I say that
the greatest benefoctor of South Africa would be the man who
could provide a completely satisfactory solution to this question.
That man is perhaps as yet unborn. Meanwhile, as regards our
Republic, the duty, or, rather, the mission of the Republic is clear
and simple. Every Kaffir tribe within our boundaries must be
taught to respect the authority of our Government, and, in order
that tiie laws, by which these tribes also benefit, may be equitably
administered, they must bear their share of the public burden.
When once the disastrous influence of foreigners and enemies of
the Republic, who now so often try to persuade these unfortunate
Kaffirs that they need not consider themselves subjects of the
Republic, when once this influence has been done away with,
then the time will have come when the native tribes will reap the
prosperous fruit of the old principle of the Republic, by which

PUBLIC ACTIVITY 47

of Herman Potgieter, brother of the late Com-
mandant General.^ This Potgieter was a splendid
shot and a great elephant-hunter. Mapela had sent
for him, saying that there happened to be an
exceptionally large number of elephants in his

every tribe of any importance has a fixed territory appointed to it,
under the protection of the Government. For what was deter-
mined in the Convention regarding this distribution of territory
is nothing more than the old law of the Republic. As for the
fotore, I cherish the hope that some time, under God's blessing,
it will come to this, that order, industry and the fear of God will
make the Kaffir also a happy and contented subject of the South
African Republic"

At the end of the speech delivered at his inauguration as
Sute President in 1888, in connection with his admonition to the
children and teachers to profit by the advantages of the educa-
tion provided by the Republic, he added these words :

"You coloured people,

** A short word to you toa You have a right to the protection
of the laws of this Republic Whether you make use of the
opportunities given you to acquire civilization depends upon your-
tdves. You are free to accept civilization or to reject it. For
you also I pray ibr the blessing of Almighty God,**

Kroger was elected President upon the first of these declarar
tions, and he called down a blessing upon the blacks, on a solenm
occasion, in his official character. This, therefore, permits us to
draw definite conclusions as to the attitude of the people in regard
to this question. — Ediths Note.

^ Commandant, afterwards Commandant General Hendrik Pot-
gieter, who is so closely connected with the history of the Kruger
fiunily, had, in the meantime, died, at the beginning of March 1855,
and his son Piet had been appointed to succeed him as Com-
mandant General for the Lijdenburg and Zoutpansberg Districts. —
EdUm^sN^it.

48 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

territory. Moreover, he asked Potgieter to come
to see to his cattle, which were in Mapela's charge,
the latter receiving the milk of the cows in return
for his trouble : an arrangement which had been
made at Mapela's request On receiving this
message from Mapela, Potgieter set out with his
son Andries, a few burghers and his coloured
groom. When they arrived at Mapela's, the
waggons were, as usual, deposited in the Kaffir
town. At first, the Kaffirs were very friendly
in their conversation with Potgieter and his com-
panions, and described to him the place where the
elephants were to be found. Suddenly, however,
they fell upon the whole company, killed Pot-
gieter's son and companions and dragged Potgieter
himself to the top of a hill, where, shouting and
canding for joy, they skinned him alive in the
presence of his groom. The poor man was not
released from his sufferings until his murderers
had torn the entrails from his body. The groom,
who was allowed to go free, afterwards showed
me the spot where this butchery had taken place.
While Mapela was engaged in this horrible
business, Makapaan, in a time of peace, when
nobody suspected any harm or danger, suddenly
attacked a number of women and children who
were quietly travelling from Zoutpansberg to

PUBLIC ACTIVITY 49

Pretoria. The two Chiefs had arranged that they
would between them murder all the white people
in their respective districts. When these foul
deeds became known, it was decided that the
Kafiir Chiefs should be punished

General Piet Potgieter, the nephew of the
so cruelly murdered Herman Potgieter, set out
with 100 men from Zoutpansberg to avenge the
murder. At the same time, Commandant General
Pretorius left Pretoria, with 200 men, on the same
errand. I was second in command of the latter's
commando. Before these two commandoes had
united, the Kaffirs made a night attack on Pot-
gieter's laager, but were fortunately repelled.
After the two conunandoes had joined forces, the
Kaffirs were driven back into their mountains,
where they hid in caves and ravines. The joint
commandoes kept them imprisoned in these caves
in order to starve them into surrender.

After the Kaffirs had been besieged for some
time and suffered greatly from famine, without
our getting any nearer to effecting our object,
I endeavoured to end the matter and bring
about a surrender by stratagem. With this
object in view, I crept in the dark, unseen, into
the cave where the Kaffirs lay hidden. I sat
down among them and began to talk to them in

50 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

their own language, as though I were one of
themselves, and suggested that it would surely
be better to surrender than die of hunger. I
also said that I was certain that the white men
would not kill us, and offered myself to go to
the white men to treat with them. Suddenly an
armed Kaffir exclaimed :

''Magoal White man!"

But this dangerous moment also passed, for,
when the Kaffir shouted " Magoa I " all the others
fled deeper into the cave, and I jumped up and
ran after them, right into the back of the cave.
The Kaffirs now began to hunt for the white
man, looking for him in every direction, except
where he was, in their very midst. When they
had quieted down a litde, I once more addressed
them in their own language, and urged them to
surrender. Finally, I succeeded in bringing 170
or 180 women and children out of the cave, and
it was not until I was outside that they perceived
that it was I and not a Kaffir who had been
talking to them. My intention had really been
to effect a voluntary surrender of the Kaffirs, and
thus to get hold of their guilty captains. But I
was unable to attain this object and we had to
continue the siege.

Commandant General Pretorius was very angry

PUBLIC ACTIVITY 51

at my imprudence, punished me severely for ven-
turing to go alone among the Kaffirs in their
caves, and ordered me away from the caves.
Before the siege was over, I had one more
narrow escape of being killed. In one of the
fights, Conmiandant General Potgieter was hit by
a shot fired from a crevice in the rocks. He
was standing close to the edge of a rocky wall,
giving directions to his Kaffir, when the fatal shot
struck him. Potgieter fell down into the midst
of a Kaffir trench. I saw this happen, and
rushed down at once to try at least to save the
body. The Kaffirs aimed a furious fire at me
from the loop-holes in their entrenchments, but
the burghers answered the fire no less heartily;
and I was able to leap over the wall of the en-
trenchment, to lift the body over the wall, leap
back, protected by the smoke of the powder, and
bring the body safely back with me. Potgieter
was a big, heavy man, and I had to exert all
my strength to carry my dead friend back to his
people.

One of the Kaffirs who had been captured said
that he could show us some hidden caves where
elephants' tusks lay in heap& Pretorius sent me
with this Kaffir to fetch the tusks. While on this
expedition, I came upon a number of blood-stained

52 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

garments which had belon^^ to the women and
children murdered by the Kaffirs, as well as
remains of portions of human bodies which the
Kaffirs had roasted on the spit : roasted shoulders,
arms, etc. The Kaffir who was to show me where
the tusks were hidden also wore clothes which had
clearly belonged to murdered white men. When
at last we reached the cave where the ivory was
supposed to be, the Kaffir tried to escape, and it
cost me a great effort to recapture him. The
elephants' tusks were a mere cheat

Soon after this, the resistance of Makapaan's
men came to an end. It had been found im-
possible to induce them to leave their caves, and
they had shot every one who approached There
was therefore nothing for it but to starve them
out Many hundreds died of hunger. A small
portion of them escaped through underground
passages into the mountains. Several were cap^
tured and brought before the court-martial. I
was out hunting at the time, and before I came
back they had all been shot under martial law.
It was absolutely necessary to shoot these cannibals,
especially as none of the culprits were delivered
up and the chief had disappeared. The children
of the tribe, so soon as they fell in the hands of
the Boers, were ingeboekt, that is Co say, portioned

PUBLIC ACTIVITY 53

out among Boer families and kept under strict
legal supervision until they came of age.

The commando now turned its attention to
Mapela, Makapaan's ally. I did not join this ex-
pedition at first. Commandant General Pretorius
sent me with a small commando to Maraba's town,
where we had heard that a large number of
Makapaan's cattle had been stored. I was to lode
into this matter and attack Maraba's town if it
offered any resistance. But I met with none.
Some of the Kafifirs fled, and the remainder
surrendered. The latter declared that they had
some of Makapaan's cattle, that they had never
shared in his crimes, and that they were quite
willing to restore such of his stolen cattle as were
in their possession. This was done, but only a
thousand head were discovered. So soon as I
had possession of the cattle, I returned, leaving
Maraba's Kaffirs unharmed. I reached the other
commandoes in time to join them on their march
against Mapela. But Mapela's Kaffirs had also
fled for the greater part, so that there was prac-
tically nothing to do. A few waggons, some chests
and other things which had belonged to the
murdered whites were discovered on a kop near
Mapela's town. These goods the commandoes
carried back with them.

54 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Mapela's punishment was not effected until
many years later, in 1858. Meanwhile, he had
committed several other outrages; and it had
also become necessary to take away the fire-
arms which he had managed to obtain. A com-
mando under General Schoeman, with myself as
Assistant General, set out against him. But
Mapela had entrenched himself on the sunmiit
of a high kop, consisting of sheer rocky walls
on every side. I called for volunteers to storm
this fortress, and about 100 men came forward
With these, I went in the night, unseen, to the
foot of the mountain. The commando now took
off their veldschoen^ so as noiselessly to climb the
steep gorge that formed the only way to the top,
and thus surprise the Kaffirs. I went first with
a patrol, and had got half-way up the mountain
when we were discovered. A sentry allowed me
to come up quite close to him, and then fired.
Fortunately the gun refused. I did not notice
the man until I heard the click of the trigger ; I
aimed and shot him dead at my feet. Thereupon
the Kaffirs who held the gorge began to fire
from every side. My gun-carrier fell. I myself
ran back as fast as I could to my comrades:

" Forwards ! " I shouted. " On with your veld-
sckoen, and have at them without mercy ! "

PUBLIC ACTIVITY 55

So the pass was seized and we took up our
positions on the top until daybreak. The Kaffirs
had retired still further, but charged when they
caught sight of the first group of burghers, con-
sisting of about 15 men, preparing for the attack.
By the time, however, when they were still fifty
paces off, this handful of burghers had been re-
inforced and now numbered about 100 men. Our
fire mowed down the blacks in rows, and they
rushed away in wild flight. From the rocky
plateau, another road, or rather a ladder of trees,
led down to the further side. Here the fugitives
flung themselves down, and more were killed in
this way than fell in the actual batde. The trees
were hung with dead men, for all was thick forest
below. Mapela himself escaped.

I had hardly returned from the first unsuccess-
ful expedition against Mapela when, in December
1853, I ^sid again to go on commando, this time
against the Chief Montsioa, who lived on the
hoogeveld between Schoonspruit and Marico, on the
Harts River. This chief had taken advantage of the
very severe weather, accompanied by a heavy fall of
snow, to steal a large number of cattle from the
Boers, and had, at the same time, murdered one
of the cattle-owners and then fled to Setlagoli in
British Bechuanaland. When the Boer commando

56 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

which had been sent against him reached the neigh-
bourhood of Setlagoli, it suddenly found itself in
the midst of an enormous swarm of locusts. The
Kaffirs had also seen this swarm, and, when they
saw the dust raised by the approaching commandoes,
they thought it was the locusts, and allowed the
enemy to approach their town without preparing
to receive him. When the commando was close
to the town. Commandant General Pretorius sent
me ^ to the captain to explain why the commando
had come, and to demand that Montsioa should
come out to justify himself. The captain, however,
was not in the town, and I had to go on to
the capital ; and, before I had reached it, the
Kaffirs suddenly attacked me and my escort. I
was some distance in front of the others, and my
position was most critical. My horse was quite
exhausted. Flight was out of the question.
I rode on at a walking-pace, so as not to attract
the attention of the Kaffirs. When the foremost
Kaffirs were quite close to me, four burghers
came hurrying up, and this first drew the Kaffirs'
attention to my person, and they turned against
me. I now forced my horse into one last gallop
and charged the Kaffirs, to make them think that

^ Krager was a commandant, but, in this case, acted an adjutant
to the general. — Ediiof^s Note.

PUBLIC ACTIVITY 57

my horse was still in good condition. This strata-
gem succeeded; die Kaffirs turned and fled^ and
I and my four companions got safely away. I
toc^ my exhausted horse back to the other cattle
belonging to the commando, and proposed to go
<m foot, with the others, against the Kaffirs. Com-
mandant Schutte tried to persuade me to relinquish
this {^an, as^ being on foot, the Kaffirs might easily
take me prisoner; but I replied:

''Most of the Kaffirs are on foot too, and, if
it comes to running, the Kaffirs will not catch me
easily."

When Schutte saw that I was not to be per-
suaded, he told his groom to give me his horse
and return to camp. So I rode on to the battle.
The Kaffirs numbered about 500, while the
burghers who had gone on ahead to oppose
them were only 40 men in all, and of these a
few had remained behind with the waggons and
the cattle. Our small band, however, managed
to cause the Kaffirs considerable loss and to
put them to flight Our losses were only a few
wounded.

The commando also succeeded in recapturing
the cattle. With the cattle were several Kaffir
boys, who were sent back to their town by the
general, that same evening, under my protection.

58 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

I was also instructed to tell the Chief that the
Boers had not come to fight him, but only to
fetch the stolen cattle, and that we would come
the next day to negociate about this. I went
close up to the town, set the boys free and re-
turned to camp. The released captives delivered
their message correcdy, but it never came to
negociations, for the Chief fled that same night
We did not pursue him, but returned to our
farms with the cattle which we had recovered.

CHAPTER III

IN A POSITION OF COMMAND

62 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Commissioners, Owen and Hogg,^ in which
Pretorius was requested to take over the Orange
Free State from the British Government on
behalf of the emigrants. But that was now
impossible, and the assumption of the govern-
ment of the country of the Orange Free
State from the hands of the English was now
effected by Messrs. Venter, Boshoff and a few
other burghers of the Free State. This, after-
wards, led to serious differences between the
younger Pretorius and the Orange Free State,
for the communication was to the effect that the
Free State should be transferred to Commandant
General Pretorius and the emigrants. Young
Pretorius, like many other burghers, was of opinion
that the land had been handed over to his father
and therefore to himself as his successor. The
question almost came to civil war between the Free
State and the South African Republic.

Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, the eldest son of
the deceased Pretorius, was appointed Commandant
General of the South African Republic in his

^ These were the special commissioners who had been appointed
by the Queen of England to settle relations on the eastern and north-
eastern frontiers of the Cape of Good Hope, and who made the
agreement with the Boer emigrants by which both the Free State
and the South African Republic obtained their independence. —
Editof^s Note.

IN A POSITION OF COMMAND 63

father's stead, and, after a law had been passed
providing for a president, he was also elected Pre-
sident a few years later. This title, however, did
not then mean that he was President of the Re-
public, for the new statute was not universally
recognized. He was merely President of the
Government which he represented. He now began
to put forward his pretended claims on the Free
State, and, in 1857, issued a call to arms, because
he was offended that his claims had been rejected.
I was away on business, but was asked to return at
once. I disapproved most strongly of the conduct
of Pretorius, whom I found encamped with his
troops on the Vaal River, and I told him very
plainly what I thought But, when I heard that
the President of the Free State had made an
agreement with Commandant General Schoeman,
in the North of the Transvaal, which was that
part of the country where the new law was
not yet acknowledged, that the latter should
come to the Free State's assistance, I advised
prompt action and that we should attack Boshoff
without delay. We crossed the river to meet
Boshoff, who was advancing with a large com-
mando. When the opponents were close to one
another, Boshoff sent one of his officers with pro-
posals for a peaceful settlement. Pretorius was

:>x MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

m^szh In favour of this ; nor were his men a: all in a
i»\Lr ke mood. When the adversaries* messenger
jj- .^i they were practising buck-jumping, so that
.*; .-T.jrr ;:xcLiimed in astonishment:
-V LT. V hold us so lightly?"
.'-r,.>T^ 5^r.i me as negociator; and I toM
-v>.v.'^ -* .\.' .:;v>a just as openly as I had told

\ . Ar c, :::e as guilty as your adversary,"
>wvv. V* -^ ^0 you take up arms, instead of
v., ^ C ::r;.-.^s belore the Volksraad? He

*k\ .'.■ ,V'.\^ • '• hA\ been punished."

x.\\x \ .'.::;:. .; bi^r. strong man, who was

>..^ V. =: .\ Lvc ." 10 r^i^re against Pretorius, and

1:1.^ :1\ h.;.: him here, I would wring his

\, \.;n; •.••:\ i\,\\: was up too. and I said:
\L Ivvn:u^:!. sih.^ matter can easily be settled
; ,n; K.vci t,;xc' or: his ccxit and I will take off
;v„;v A'*? ^* '^'* ^^ *-i ''•^i''^" ^^ ^'^tit. If he IS beaten, you
;*.ns4 s,.i\v.;: ro iK:r vviuiitions, and if he beats me,
rt mV.: i>c :ho v^hor way about/'

i^,;l W-.Ux-r wvHiKl have none of this ; he had
?^^ ^tvv^ A4:aisisi nu\ he argued. But I said :

VlvAi IvAS uoihing to do with it. You stand
^^ \y wxir rivsidcni iuid I for mine."

IN A POSITION OF COMMAND 65

However, there was no duel, but Venter kept
quiet after that, and a commission was appointed
to meet on the Vaal River to settle the difference.
Here, although I did not at all approve of it, I
was called upon to defend the action of my
President, who was himself violently attacked.
In the end a compromise was arrived at, and
Pretorius relinquished his unjust claims.

It was agreed in the contract that each
section of the Boers should have the right to
punish offenders in its own country. Now, how-
ever, two burghers who had sided with Pretorius
in the Free State were charged with high treason
and condemned to die on the gallows. Once
again I had to go to act as mediator:

"Why do you again break the compact?"
I asked Boshoff.

** We, break the compact ? What do you
mean?" he retorted

** Well, are you not going to hang two of your
people ? "

''Yes, we have the right to do so: it says
so in the agreement."

" Nothing of the sort You have the right
to punish certainly ; but * punish ' means to ' chas-
tise,' to admonish, to warn, and to correct by

means of the chastisement'
5

64 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

much in favour of this ; nor were his men at all in a
warlike mood. When the adversaries' messenger
arrived, they were practising buck-jumping, so that
the officer exclaimed in astonishment :

" Do they hold us so lightly ? "

Pretorius sent me as negociator; and I told
Boshoff my opinion just as openly as I had told
it to Pretorius :

"You are quite as guilty as your adversary,"
I said. " Why do you take up arms, instead of
impeaching Pretorius before the Volksraad? He
would certainly have been punished."

Koos Venter, a big, strong man, who was
standing by, began to rage against Pretorius, and
kept on shouting:

''If I only had him here, I would wring his
neck for him like a bird's."

At last my blood was up too, and I said :

"Mr. Boshoff, the matter can easily be settled.
Let Koos take off his coat and I will take off
mine, and we will fight it out If he is beaten, you
must submit to our conditions, and if he beats me,
it will be the other way about."

But Venter would have none of this ; he had
no grudge against me, he argued. But I said :

" That has nothing to do with it You stand
up for your President and I for mine."

IN A POSITION OF COMMAND 65

"Why do you again break the compact?"
I asked Boshoff.

** We, break the compact ? What do you
mean?" he retorted

'•Well, are you not going to hang two of your
people ? "

"Yes, we have the right to do so: it says
so in the agreement"

" Nothing of the sort You have the right
to punish certainly ; but * punish ' means to * chas-
tise,' to admonish, to warn, and to correct by
means of the chastisement'

66 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

And, when Boshoff would not allow this,
I fetched a Bible and showed him that
Holy Writ distinguished between punishing and
chastising. We may chastise a man with the
prospect of death, but we may not kill him
in order to punish him. The Free Staters gave
in after this, and so the matter was finally
settled.

Shortly afterwards, I had the opportunity of
rendering the Free State a service. Ever since
the Declaration of Independence, they had had
difficulties with Moshesh, and these difficulties
at last led to open war between Moshesh and
the Free State. Moshesh was no contemptible
adversary, and he had a large force at his com-
mand. His bands were continually making
plundering inroads into the southern portion of
the Orange Free State, and, when this came to
my knowledge, I decided to go to the Free State
and offer my services to the Government. Presi-
dent Pretorius accompanied me with about 50
men, under Field Comet Bodenstein. At Os-
spruit, on the Upper Sand River, we came upon
the first camp of the Free Staters. That same
night, the Kaffirs robbed the herds of this camp.
I sent Field Cornet Bodenstein with his men
in pursuit, and they succeeded in regaining the

IN A POSITION OF COMMAND 67

cattle. From here we marched on by Winburg
to Bloemfontein.

On our arrival, I offered myself to go to
Moshesh to negociate a peace. The Free State
Government accepted my offer and gave me
General Fick and Marthinus Schoeman as an
escort Moshesh lived on Thaba Bosigo Mountain.
When we came to the foot of the mountain, I sent
up a message to Moshesh that we had not come
to fight him, but that I wanted to talk to him about
peace. Moshesh sent back word :

" I will come down directly to speak with Mr.
Kruger."

I was not disposed to wait, however, and at
once climbed the mountain so as to go straight
to Moshesh' town. When we reached the top,
Moshesh was just coming to meet us. Magato,
the Kaffir captain from the Rustenburg neighbour-
hood, whom we knew and who happened to be
with Moshesh, introduced me to him, saying :

" This is Paul Kruger."

Moshesh gave me his hand, and said:

"Is that Paul Kruger? How is it possible?
I have heard tell of him for so many years, and
now I am so old. How, then, can he still be so
young ? "

He took hold of my arm and led me to his

68 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

bouse and into a room which no black dared
enter, but which was always ready for the recep-
tion of white men.

After taking some refreshments, we at once
proceeded to business. I hegatn :

''Why do you kill one another for such a
trifle? Why not, rather, arrange the matter
amicably? You must surely see that war does
you damage and makes you block the high roads
for other nations with whom you are living at
peace."

After much argument on both sides, Moshesh
said at last:

" What you say is true, for everything I want
in this house I have to buy from other nations.
And, when the roads are blocked by war, of
course I can get nothing." Then, changing the
subject, "Are you the man," he asked, ''who
fetched Mapela down from his mountain?"^

I said:

"Yes."

Then Moshesh proceeded :

''Are you aware that two of my daughters
were married to Mapela ? *' adding, after a
moment's silence, "You need not think that it
was your courage that brought Mapela down from

^ The trial of Mapela had jiist takes piwtM.-^Ediiar's N<^.

IN A POSITION OF COMMAND 69

his mountain, but it was the dispensation of God
that punished Mapela for committing so foul a
murder/'

Now, as Moshesh was at every moment speak-
ing of the dispensation of God and using pious
words, I said to him:

'* But, if you are so devout, how do you come
to have more than one wife?"

Moshesh replied :

** Yes, I have just about two hundred ; but
that is not half so many as Solomon had/'

To which I made answer :

*' Yes, but you surely know that, since Christ's
time, and according to the New Testament, a man
may have only one wife."

Moshesh reflected for a moment and then
said :

'' Well, what shall I say to you • • • it is just
nature."

In the evening, I sent for Moshesh again
to come to me. Moshesh came, but this time
dressed like an ordinary Kaffir, that is, not in
European clothes. When he came in, I called
to him :

''Why is Moshesh so long coming? Can't
he come when I send for him ? **

Moshesh answered :

70 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

** I am Moshesh."

*'Oh," said I. ''Are you Moshesh? Then
why are you dressed like a woman ? "

Moshesh laughed heartily.

That same evening, we made an agreement
that the war was to stop at once. Moshesh
agreed to call in his Kaffirs so soon as he
received word that the Orange Free State had
accepted the terms. A peace document was
drawn up, and signed the following morning.

Moshesh then invited me to stay with him a
little longer, as he wanted to pick me out a
fine saddle-horse. I accepted the invitation, but
my companions Fick and Schoeman did not
care to wait any longer and went back alone.
Moshesh then brought me an excellent saddle-
horse as a present. The Government of the
Orange Free State afterwards accepted the
treaty drafted by Moshesh and myself, and this
brought the first Basuto War to an end.

Before leaving Moshesh' town, I received a
message from President Pretorius asking *me to
return at once and set out as general or, rather,
assistant general, with a commando, against
Gasibone, a Kaffir Chief on the Harts River.
This Chief had stolen the white men's catde,
killed some of the men and carried off an old

IN A POSITION OF COMMAND 71

woman and a girl of eighteen. On receipt of
this message, I at once jumped on my horse
and rode to my home in the Magaliesberg, in
the Rustenburg District In three days, I spent
over fifty hours on horseback. The commando
had meantime assembled and was waiting for
me near Klerksdorp, where I joined it after
spending one day at my farm. On reaching the
meeting-place, I found that the burghers had
hardly any ammunition and no cattle for food.
But we set out, nevertheless, in the hope of
being able, on the way, to procure both from
private sources. I also sent a message to the
Orange Free State requesting them to provide
us with what was necessary. But I did not
obtain much here, as I had no money and had
to buy on the promise of future payment. Our
shortness of ammunition was such that we
could not shoot any game, but I nevertheless
devised a means of providing meat for my
commando, by instructing the burghers to sur-
round the game, drive it into the bends of the
Vaal River and there kill it by beating it with
sticks.

The whole commando was about 200 strong.
But, when we approached Gasibone's place, Com-
mandant Piet Venter came to our support from

72 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

the Orange Free State with about lOO men, white
and coloured. It soon became evident that Oasi-
bone had taken refuge with one of his subordinates,
called Mahura, who lived in a mountain fastness,
filled with ravines, further up the Harts River
Gorge. I sent word to Mahura that I was coming
in pursuit of Gasibone and that I should keep to
the south side of the Harts River, also that Mahura
was not to interfere with Gasibone, unless he was
prepared to capture him and deliver him up. On
receiving this message, Mahura, with the assistance
of an interpreter, set free the old woman and the
young girl who had been carried off by Gasibone.
When our commando came to within a few thousand
paces of the place where we knew Gasibone's camp
to be, the two Chiefs attacked us with joined forces.
We defeated them, and they fled into the caves
and rocks with which the place abounded. The
following morning, the commando attacked them
there and hunted them out of their hiding-places.
Gasibone fled in the night in the direction of
British Bechuanaland, but, on the following day,
he was found in the brushwood by a patrol, and
fell after a sharp fight. Part of the men with
him were taken prisoners, but afterwards released.
Meanwhile, the missionary who was with
Mahura wrote to me on his behalf to say that

IN A POSITION OF COMMAND 73

he had done wrong in helping Gasibone, that he
deserved to be punished, but begged for forgive-
ness and was willing to submit I send back
word that I would gladly forgive him all, but that
he must come to me to receive instructions as to
his subsequent behaviour, Mahura, however, did
not come personally, on the pretence that he was
too ill to travel, but sent one of his captains. I
nevertheless appointed him Chief of that parti-
cular Kaffir tribe, in Gasibone's place. The cattle
which Gasibone had stolen were restored forth-
with. Then the commando returned home again.
For me it had been a year of hard work.

CHAPTER IV

THE CIVIL WAR: 1861-1864

78 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

presidency, he was granted leave of absence for
six months by the Volksraad of the South African
Republic, of which he was also President, for the
purpose of visiting the Free State. He probably
expected to be able, within that time, to accomplish
the union which he so much desired. During the
President's absence, in accordance with an earlier
resolution of the Volksraad, the oldest unofficial^
member of the Executive Raad became Acting
President of the South African Republic. In this
case, the office fell to Johannes Grobler. He was
associated, as the law required, with a further
member unconnected with the Government, and
these two, together with the Commandant General,
composed the Executive Raad. Towards the end
of i860, the Volksraad passed a resolution that
the State President should hold no other office.
Therefore Pretorius, who refused to renounce the
Presidency of the Orange Free State, resigned
that of the South African Republic.

But, when Grobler assumed the office of Acting
President, Schoeman, the Commandant General,*

^ The official members were the President, the State Secretary
and the Commandant General. The two others were non-official,
or auxiliary members, whose presence was not required at every
sitting. — Editor's Note,

' After the Constitution had been accepted, there was as yet only
one Conmiandant General. — EdUof's Note,

THE CIVIL WAR 79

opposed him, declaring that the post should have
been his. He held public meetings to get this
power transferred to himself and to obtain a
vote of censure on the Volksraad. Finally, he
summoned all the military officers to Pretoria,
and, having assembled them, proposed to abolish
the Volksraad and to confer legislative power on
the Executive Raad. I, with some other officers,
protested against this proposal, on the ground
that it ran counter to the Constitution, and even-
tually won over the majority of the officers to my
view. But this did not in the least disturb General
Schoeman. He went to the Government Office
and demanded of Grobler the papers ^nd docu-
ment belonging to the Government Grobler
offered strong opposition, biit was finally forced
to retire. I now proposed that a general public
meeting should be summoned for the purpose of
deciding the matter, and this proposal was also
accepted by Schoeman's party. His supporters,
however, came to the meeting armed, while their
leader had, in the meantime, on his own responsi-
bility, appointed a certain Johannes Steijn to be
Commandant General. Neither I nor my ad-
herents, of course, carried arms. I had no idea
that the other side intended to bring weapons, but,
even if I had known of their intention, I should

8o MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

still have gone unarmed with my men, for party-
feeling ran so high that a hand-to-hand encounter
might easily have ensued, which would have led to
civil war.

When I had gone as far as Daspoort, on my
way to Pretoria, I received an order from General
Schoeman to advance no further, but to remain
where I was. I replied that I would dertainly not
turn back before reaching Pretoria, having once
accepted an invitation to attend the meeting. As
a matter of fact, I rode into the town and went
at once to Schoeman's house. I asked him how
it was that he wished to hinder my coming to
Pretoria, although he had himself agreed to the
plan of summoning a general meeting, to which
all burghers were invited. I added that this
meeting was the sole object of my visit Now,
just as I entered, a council of war happened to be
taking place in Schoeman's house, under the pre-
sidency of Steijn, whom Schoeman had appointed
Commandant General. As soon as he saw me,
Steijn said:

"You must give in with a good grace. It's
the best you can do."

I made him no answer, but turned to Schoe-
man and reproached him for having come armed
to the meeting with his followers, while the other

THE CIVIL WAR 8i

side had refrained from doing so. After I had
spoken my mind plainly, I told him that I would
inspan at once and return home with my burghers.
But, when I turned to leave the room, some of
Steijn's officers tried to seize me, while others
signified their disapproval of such treatment and
prevented my arrest After I had left the house,
Steijn ordered a gun, loaded with shrapnel, to be
pointed at the laager of the Opposition Party and
threatened to shoot, unless a certain Jeppe were
handed over to him. This Jeppe was at that
time the only printer in the Republic. His print-
ing-press was at Potchefstroom, and Schoeman's
party wished to have proclamations printed so that
they mi^t be quickly distributed and thus in-
fluence the burghers. I, of course, refused to
grant this request ; but the threat of Steijn's
people, that they would open fire, made such an
impression on Jeppe, who was standing behind
me, that he rushed forward and gave himself up
to the other side.

I now inspanned to return to Rustenburg. I
cried out at parting to Schoeman's men :

" Once I have crossed the Magaliesberg, you
must look on me as an enemy."

Just as our waggons were moving away.

President Pretorius arrived at Pretoria on his
6

82 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

return journey from the Orange Free State and
at once rode up to our waggons with a number
of Schoeman's men» in order to speak to me and
induce me to go no further. Schoeman's fol-
lowers now declared that they would sooner throw
away their guns than allow them to be a cause
of strife. They were also willing that I should
make a proposal, to be submitted to the vote
of the Volksraad. I therefore outspanned again
and suggested that Pretorius and Proes, the State
Attorney, and myself should elaborate a proposal.
This met with universal assent. At a meeting
of us three men, it was agreed that a commission
should be appointed to summon the Volksraad,
which should then decide who had acted rightly
and who wrongly. The public meeting endorsed
this suggestion and at once appointed a commis-
sion with Stephanus Lombard as President The
Commissioners now entrusted three members of
the Volksraad, including the President, Christian
Klopper, with the task of summoning that
assembly. Thus, at length, a properly-convened
Volksraad met, declared, after thorough investi-
gation, that Schoeman was gfuilty of breaking
the law, and deposed him from the office of
Commandant General. The Volksraad resolved
further that a special c<^rt should settle all the

THE CIVIL WAR 83

resulting points of dispute. It nominated W. van
Rensburg as Acting State President, and Theunis
Snijman as Commandant General. When, how-
ever, the special court sat to deal with these
matters, Schoeman violently put an end to its
proceedings

I had returned home after the session of the
Volksraad and happened to be on a hunting ex-
pedition on the Crocodile River, when the new
complications arose. Messengers were sent to
recall me. Now during the recent disputes many
members of the Hervortnde Church had reproached
me with having no right whatever to meddle in
public afi^rs. According to the Constitution of the
Republic, the Hervortnde Church was the State
Church. Its members alone were entitled to exer-
cise any influence in public affairs. Whoever was
not a member of the Hervomtde Church was not a
fully-qualified burgher.-' Now I belonged to the
Christelijk-Gereformeerde Church, recently founded,
in 1859, by Dr. Postma, at Rustenburg. It is
generally known in South Africa as the Dapper^
or Canting Church. The actual derivation of the
word Dopper cannot be stated with certainty. At
that time, it was derived from the word dopy a
clamper or extinguisher for putting out candles.
The meaning would seem to be that, just as a

84 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

dap extinguishes a candle, so the Doppers extin-
guished all new thoughts and opposed all progress.
As for the peculiar tenets of the Dopper Church,
they consist in a strict adhesion to the decrees
of the Synod of Dordrecht, of 1618 to 1619, and
share the point of view of the Old Reformed
Church. The service differs from that of the
other Evangelical bodies in this particular, that no
hymns except psalms were sung by the worshippers.
The members of this Church were not recog-
nized by the Constitution, for, when it was drafted,
they did not form an independent community.

Now when I was asked to give help in these
fresh difficulties, I replied that people must put up
with Schoeman's conduct. At any rate, I could not
do or suggest anything, for I had no political
standing. As a result of this. Acting President
van Rensburg, who had been put in office by
my party, caused a meeting to be called of the
Council of the Hervormde Church, which passed
a resolution conferring equal rights on the burghers
of all Evangelical churches. As soon as I heard
of this resolution, which was subsequently con-
firmed by the Volksraad, I rode to Pretoria, where
I found President van Rensburg with a portion of
his followers and also Schoeman with a number of
his adherents.

THE CIVIL WAR 85

The two parties were on hostile terms. I went
at once to Schoeman's people, with the intention
of persuading them to come to a peaceful under-
standing. I suggested that a meeting should be
summoned of burghers from every part of the
Republic and that all should acquiesce in whatever
resolution the majority of the meeting might adopt.
Both parties agreed to this proposal, and a meeting
was called at Pretoria. Hither came a mass of
burghers from all parts of the Republic, and it was
resolved, by a large majority, to carry out the
proposal which had been already accepted by the
Volksraad : namely, that a special court should
settle each separate question. But Schoeman re-
sisted this proposal and called up all his men, who
were still outside Pretoria, to rally round him.
Thereupon van Rensburg, in his turn, ordered
Commandant General Snijman to call a council of
war and at once posted sentries to prevent Schoe-
man from sending out any more messages.

Pickets were now stationed at various points
around Pretoria, a particularly strong one at Aapjes
River, where the suburb of Arcadia is now situated.
The veteran Jacob Malan was in command of this
post He notified the Conmiandant General, on the
following day, that his presence there was super-
fluous, as Schoeman's messengers easily made their

86 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

way through the pickets and rode people down,
if they did not get out of the way. Snijman
then gave orders, that, if one of Schoeman's
messengers should again come and refuse to halt
when the challenge to do so was repeated, the
watch must fire at his horse. Soon after this order
was issued, a messenger came riding at full speed
and paid no heed to the injunction to halt The
outpost thereupon shot the horse with a charge
of large shot. The messenger turned, but, as he
was turning, his horse dropped. He himself was
wounded by a shot in the arm. Thus was the first
shot fired that began the Civil War.

On the same evening, the Commandant
General, in conjunction with the military officers,
issued an order that all burghers must assemble
in the town in order to surround Schoeman and
take him prisoner on the following day. But, dur-
ing the night, Schoeman found a way of breaking
through with his men as far as Potchefstroom.
All who remained behind were visited with
punishment by the Council of War. Schoeman
then mustered a commando at Potchefstroom, to
which spot General Snijman's commando now
hastened. The Acting President and myself
accompanied Snijman.

Schoeman's party now spread a report that I,

THE CIVIL WAR 87

Paul Kruger, was out with my men on commando
to compel the recognition of my own church, the
Christelijk'Gerefonneerde Church, as the State
Church, instead of the Hervamtde denomination.
These rumours occasioned many to join Schoe-
man's side. Even in the district of Marico, he
obtained adherents, including Jan Viljoen, the
commandant of that district. As soon as the
Government's commando, numbering about 500
or 600 men, reached Potchefstroom, President
van Rensburg sent a message to Schoeman with
a proposal that a joint commission should be
appointed from both sides to find a way out of
their diflSculties. Schoeman agreed to this pro-
posal, and appointed, on his side, Jan Kock, the
father of General Kock, who fell in the late war,
together with other burghers, to serve on the
commission, while I, together with some others,
was entrusted with the conduct of the peace
negociations by the Government party. The
delegates met half-way between the two camps.
Scarcely had we met, when Jan Kock said to
me:

" So you want to make your church the State
Church } "

I answered quietly :

" Oom Jan, I need not take much trouble to

88 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

contradict you. If you think a little, you must
see for yourself that such a statement must be
untrue. Here is the Government's laager.
The President and all the officers belong
to the Hervormde Church, and I scarcely know
whether, out of 500 or 600 men, as many as
twenty belong to my church. Therefore what
you say about the churches cannot be true."

Afterwards I added :

*' I have never thought of making the church
to which I belong the State Church. Nay, even
if you were to offer to make it so, I should de-
cidedly refuse, for our principle declares that
Christ and no other must be the Head of the
Church."

The commission was, however, unable to come
to a decision, and the members separated with-
out accomplishing any result

On the following day, General Snijman sent
me with a gun and a number of burghers to
bombard the town from the south side. As soon
as I arrived, I at once opened fire with the gun,
and succeeded in disabling one of the enemy's gfuns
with my third shot General Schoeman replied
from the town with artillery and rifle-fire. This
duel of the gfuns lasted all day. On the following
night, Schoeman, with his commando, quitted the

THE CIVIL WAR 89

town for a plateau on the northern side, in order
thence to attack the Government party. But I
had suspected Schoennan of this intention, and
crept alone up the hills in order to observe the
enemy's movements. When, at daybreak, I saw
Schoeman's commando approaching, I hastened
back to my men and gave them orders to get
ready and follow me to the hills. That no time
might be lost, I led the way with fifteen to twenty
men, while the rest completed their preparations,
and charged with them to within fifty or sixty paces
of Schoeman's followers, who opened fire with shot
and bullets. Of course, I and my men replied, and
the firing grew so fierce that neither party could
see the other for the smoke and we were obliged
to take aim by instinct I had three wounded,
while the other side had to lament the loss of one
killed and about fifteen wounded. General Schoe-
man, who was slightly wounded himself, fled on the
same day into the Orange Free State, but was pur-
sued by us and lost yet a few more followers, whom
we took prisoners. On his farm in the Orange
Free State, his people rallied once more, and
General Snijman took the necessary steps to have
his opponents arrested there. The Government
of the Orange Free State was asked if it would
allow such arrests to take place on that ground

90 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

and territory. It replied that it had no objection,
and even sent Landdrost Truter, of Kroonstad, to
assist in making the arrests. But Schoeman was
too quick for them. He retreated in the night
in the direction of Wakkerstroom, and once more
rallied his commando on a farm at the junction of
the Klip Stream and Vaal River.

The Government commando, which had at first
withdrawn rather to the north, on the assumption
that Schoeman would make for Pretoria, pursued
him first to the farm I have just mentioned, thence
to Potchefstroom, and fell in with his laager at
the Mooi River between the Loop Stream and
Potchefstroom. Just as fighting was about to
begin, a small band of Schoeman's people came up,
among them being President Pretorius. He pro-
posed that yet another commission should be ap-
pointed to settle our differences. The Government
party agreed to this and laagered a few thousand
paces above Schoeman's men, opposite Potchef-
stroom, on the Mooi River. The Government
once more sent me with a few other burghers to
serve on the commission, while Schoeman's party
nominated President Pretorius and others. The
place of meeting lay half-way between the laagers.
I proposed that we should now definitely recognize
the resolution of the Volksraad appointing van

THE CIVIL WAR 91

Rensburg Acting President and entrusting the
punishment of the guilty to a special tribunal.
One of the most hotly-debated points in our
discussion was, who should sit as judge of this
tribunal ? But at last this question, too, was
decided, after a debate of many hours, in accord-
ance with my ideas. I had proposed to establish
the tribunal in exact conformity with the require-
ments of the Constitution. It was further resolved
that President van Rensburg should summon the
special court without delay. The decisions of the
commission were accepted by both commandoes ;
the members separated ; the war seemed at an
end.

President van Rensburg at once acted on this
decision and summoned the special court. But,
although the court was composed in equal parts
of members drawn from both factions, the first case,
which happened to be that of Andries du Toit,
belonging to the Schoeman party, was given
against him. This was enough. The remaining
members of the party rode away. The costs of
the court, as well as those of the commando, were
given against Schoeman's party, and a council of
war was to be held, to which his officers were also
to be invited. It so happened that I had mean-
time been elected Commandant General, and was

92 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

charged by the Government with the task of
collecting the costs of the commando from
the opposite side and, at the same time,
bringing the officers to the council of war. I
summoned a meeting for this purpose in the
Heidelberg District, where I met with a most
friendly reception from the field cornet of that
district, named Roets, a member of the oppo-
site faction. I also succeeded in collecting, by
peaceful means, a portion of the fines imposed, and
in inducing a number of the officers opposed to
me, including Commandant Jan Marais, to accom-
pany me to Pretoria. On my way to the meeting
at Heidelberg, a young Boer perpetually rode in
front of me and announced that " Paul Kruger
was coming." To this he invariably added that
he would not advise him to come, as it would go
badly with him. Now, since I travelled by night
as well as by day, I overtook this young man
and, on the following morning, turned back from
a farm, which he was just going to visit The
young man came straight up to me and began
to rattle off his usual speech. I let him finish
his say and then said to him :

" Young man, let me give you some good
advice : do not repeat this foolish stuff any longer !
Your whole party has already been guilty of quite

THE CIVIL WAR 93

enough disobedience against the administrative
authority."

"Yes; but who are you, oom?" asked the
young man.

"Paul Kruger," I replied

To hear these words and^ay hold of his horse
was for the young man the work of an instant.
He trembled so violently in every limb that he
could scarcely mount his horse. But, once he
was in the saddle, he did not wait a moment. I
tried at least to discover his name but could get
no reply save a cry of terror, and then : away
he flew!

On my return from Heidelberg to Pretoria, I
had a still more amusing experience. I was
travelling with the above-mentioned Jan Marais
to the farm of a certain Strijdom in the Pretoria
District Mrs. Strijdom knew Marais very well,
and was aware that he belonged to Schoeman's
party. But she did not know me, and thought
I was one of his officers. Her husband had been
summoned to serve as a magistrate in the local
court, but had failed to appear, and had accordingly
been condemned to pay a fine of ;^ 100, whereupon
he had taken to flight. Mrs. Strijdom told her
visitors with complete unconcern that her husband
had been obliged to fly from his house, because

94 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

"this Paul Kruger" had condemned him to pay
a fine of ;^ioo because of his failure to preside
in the local court. Of course this fine was not
imposed by me, but by the court itself. Yet she
directed all her wrath upon ** Kruger," and spoke
without restraint in a most unpleasant manner
about the Government party and specially about
myself, who, "so to speak, was the head of the
party." After she had continued these tirades
against myself and my party for about half an
hour, there arrived from Pretoria a certain Jan
Bantjes, who was attached to the side of the
Government. He saluted me, and, coming up,
said:

"What, you here too, general? Are you
taking Marais as your prisoner.^"

"No," I answered, "he is going with me of
his own free will to the council of war."

A light began to dawn on Mrs. Strijdom, and
her tongfue was silenced by apprehension. In tones
of earnest entreaty she said to me:

" Oh, general, I did not know who you were.
Do not be angry at what I have said. I am so
nervous by nature that I always talk to people
as they talk to me, to avoid all unpleasantness.
I only speak like that when I think people belong
to the other side; but, if people of your party

THE CIVIL WAR 95

come, I speak quite differently. I have the sum
here, which my husband was fined. I can fetch
it you, if the general will only take it."

To this I, of course, replied that I had nothing
to do with the money; neither could I take it,
for the matter was one which concerned the
court But, from that moment until the time of
my departure, Mrs. Strijdom was more than
amiable.

The council of war at Pretoria passed off
without any noteworthy results. Shortly after-
wards, I was instructed by President van Rensburg
to go to the Orange Free State to settle the ques-
tion of determining the boundary between the two
States. When I reached Potchefstroom, I learned
that Jan Viljoen, of Schoeman's party, the Com-
mandant of Marico, was approaching with a com-
mando to capture me. I rode to meet him with
my small escort to ask what he wanted. Some
of my men, including Field Comet Sarel Eloff,
dashed forward to seize a kopje, which seemed to
be Viljoen's objective, and succeeded in reaching
it before Viljoen. When they had secured this
advantage, they cried out to Viljoen's men that
they had no hostile intentions, but only . desired a
friendly conference. The others rode continually
nearer, until they completely surrounded Eloff

96 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

with his small band of comrades, whereupon they
captured the whole company and rode off with
them to their camp. When they were nearly
opposite the place where I had remained with
the rest of my men, Field Comet ElofF suddenly
put spurs to his horse and rode up to me. His
guards of course set after him, as soon as they
had recovered from their surprise, but they could
not catch him on his good horse. The other
prisoners were taken to the enemy's laager and
afterwards declared that they had been threatened
with all sorts of punishments, if I did not yield
to the demands of Schoeman's party. They did
not dare to make a prisoner of me, although I
had only a few men with me. My camp had
been surrounded, but it was impossible to surprise
me, for I was prepared for everything. How-
ever, considering their overwhelming superiority
in numbers and so as to avoid injuring the
prisoners, I had resolved, if it came to a fight, to
avoid an encounter. So I and Eloff determined to
continue our journey to the Orange Free State,
while the other burghers had better disperse to
their homes. As a matter of fact, we arrived
without hindrance at Biihrmann's farm, in the
neighbourhood of the Rhenoster River, in the
Orange Free State, while several more of our

THE CIVIL WAR 97

burghers were made prisoners on their way
home by Viljoen s men.

I was continually kept informed of the plans
and intentions of Viljoen's commando by trusty
messengers, and I made use of the same
messengers to convey to the enemy the following
intelligence. I allowed them to suppose that I
never intended to return to the South African
Republic, but should settle down in the Orange
Free State, because there were so many disputes
in the Transvaal. I even bought a farm in the
Orange Free State, on condition of being allowed
to give it back again, and sent for a team of
oxen : nay, I even caused my family to pre-
pare themselves for a trek, so as to make the
news seem more probable. I had recourse to
this stratagem chiefly that I might set free
my imprisoned burghers. Shortly afterwards, I
received a message that a large commando of
the Opposition was on the way to Pretoria for
the purpose of attacking a Government commando
encamped on the Crocodile River. A small
portion of the hostile commando had remained
at Potchefstroom to guard the prisoners. When
I learnt that the prisoners had been set free
and were dispersed, and when, at the same time,

a messenger from the Government Party came
7

98 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

to me to ask what my plans were, I resolved to
return immediately and join the Government
commando on the Crocodile River. Pretorius,
who in the meantime had resigned the office of
President of the Orange Free State, happened
at this moment to be at Potchefstroom. I let
him know that I would pay him a visit, if it
were at all possible, but found no time to do
so. I did, however, push on in the night to
Stompoortfontein Farm, in the Potchefstroom Dis-
trict, which belonged to Wolmarans, a member
of the party. But I stayed there only about
half an hour and journeyed on again to my
farm, called Waterkloof, in the Rustenburg Dis-
trict, which I reached in the afternoon of the
same day. Field Cornet Sarel Eloff, who had
been with me the whole time, parted from me
on the hoogeveld, and went straight to the
Zwartruggen District to commandeer the burghers
there. He promised to rejoin me in a few days
with his men.

On the day after my arrival at the farm I
rested, as it was Sunday, but the same night I
pushed on to Zwartkopje, where President van
Rensburg, with part of his burghers, was encamped.
Here I met him, having hurried up on the
news of the advance of a strong commando.

THE CIVIL WAR 99

On the following day, which was Tuesday, the
enemy's commando was sighted. I had set a
good watch and was early informed of their
approach. The enemy seemed intent on occupy-
ing Zwartkopje, while my men hurried to out-
strip them and be the first to take up their
stand on the kopje. Now began a race on both
sides for the nearest kopje. Both sides came
into collision at the top. I, with a man named
Enslin, was in front. As he got off his horse,
Enslin was already prepared to fire, but some
one from the enemy's ranks called across :

** Don't shoot ; let us talk : why need we kill
one another?"

Enslin lowered his gun, but, just as he did
so, received a bullet and fell dead into my arms.
Thereupon a general engagement ensued, but,
before it had lasted half an hour, the enemy
made for their horses and fled in the direction
of Pretoria.

My burghers now mounted their horses to
pursue the enemy, but I stopped them by point-
ing out that they had not to do with enemies,
but with brothers. Just at that moment, Field
Comet Eloff came up with 50 men, and wanted
to continue the fight. But I would not let him,
and, though dissatisfied at this, he listened to

I02 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Jan Kraep as secretary, were dispatched to the
Orange Free State, in order to ask for judges
from the Government of this State, who, in ac-
cordance with the arrangement, might constitute
the court

The burghers dispersed and went to their
homes. When our deputation reached the Orange
Free State, where President Brand had just taken
his oath of office, the latter advised both parties
to settle the matter amicably rather than bring it
before a court. He pointed out to us that an
impartial court of law would pass sentences on
too many burghers, and that an understanding
on both sides would be much better; finally, he
even refused to appoint the judges of his country
for the purpose. I now sought for a precedent
for settling a matter of this kind, and at last dis-
covered that an old jurist had laid down the
principle that charges of rebellion in a country
torn by civil war could, by general consent, be
dismissed by a general amnesty, so long as the
chief parties concerned were discharged from their
official positions. The Volksraad resolved in this
sense, and peace was thus fully restored. The
Volksraad also agreed to the proposal that a new
presidential election should be held. At the same
time, at my own instance, as I wished to give the

THE CIVIL WAR 103

burghers the opportunity of choosing another
commandant general if they were dissatisfied
with me, a new election for Commandant General
was held, at which I obtained more than two-
thirds of the votes.

CHAPTER V

NATIVE WARS

CHAPTER V

NATIVE WARS

The Transvaalers again come to the Orange Free State's assist-
ance against the Basutos, under Moshesh, but break up in
discord — Kruger's accident in 1866— Fighting in the Zout-
pansberg — Lack of ammunition and support — Kruger alone
among the Kaffirs.

IN 1865, the great Basuto War broke out in
the Free State. Robbing and plundering,
the Basutos penetrated far into Free State terri-
tory. They also murdered some Transvaalers,
among others a certain Pretorius and his family,
who was returning home in his waggons, across
the Drakensberg, from a journey to Natal. As
assistance was required in the Orange Free
State, I was dispatched with about 300 men ^
supplied by Pretorius. From Malap, that is,
from the settlement of the Chief Malap and his

^ I desire here to state that these figures are absolutely correct,
notwithstanding that they differ entirely from those given in the
historical works on South Africa that have so far appeared. —
Editof's Note.

107

io8 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

tribe, near Moshesh' town, I sent a message to
the head chief to deliver up the murderers.
Moshesh replied that he was prepared to do so,
but asked for a few days' delay. Before the
short time which was now allowed to him had
expired, he treacherously fell upon the Boer camp
with 3,000 Kaffirs and about 4,000 Zulus who
had come to his assistance. Under cover of the
darkness, aggravated by a continuous soft rain
and a rising mist, the Kaffirs came right into the
camp and naturally occasioned great consterna-
tion. It was not till daybreak that we managed
to drive them from the camp.

I had at that time a certain Nijhoff for my secre-
tary, who had been drunk on the evening before
the fight, and had been tied to a waggon-wheel
for a punishment. He there slept so soundly that
he noticed nothing of the fight, and, the next day,
when he at last awoke, he looked round in
astonishment and asked:

** Have you people been fighting during the
night ? "

Our commando pursued the enemy into the
mountains in the direction of Malap's town. At
the same time, I dispatched a message to Pick,
the Chief Commandant of the Orange Free
State, who had about 600 men with him, to ask

NATIVE WARS 109

him also to advance towards Malap's town, with
his commando, and join me there. This was
done, and we held a council of war in which
it was decided that the burghers of the South
African Republic should receive farms in the terri-
tory which was now about to be freed of the
enemy and hold them under the laws of the Orange
Free State, The Government of the Free State
was informed of this resolution. An attack was
made on the Malap Mountains and met with per-
fect success. The enemy was driven off, a large
number of his men killed and wounded and a
quantity of cattle captured.

From there the commando marched further in
the direction of Moshesh' town. On the way, near
the Katskatsberg, we came upon a strong Kaffir
force of about 20,000 men. The strength of the
enemy may be estimated to some extent from
the following observations. When we Boers first
saw the Kaffir forces, who were all mounted,
we noticed some loose catde among them, but
these seemed so few compared with the number
of the Kaffirs that we concluded they were cattle
which the Kaffirs had brought with them for
food. But, when we had succeeded in capturing
this catde, we counted no less than 8,000 head.
The Kaffirs made their way back to the town,

no MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

pursued by our men, and, after some more fight-
ing, we managed to capture another 30,000 sheep,
8,000 oxen and a few hundred horses.

Commandant Pick here received word from
President Brand of the Free State that he could
not consent to the resolution, which had been
passed at the council of war, by which Transvaal
burghers were to obtain grants of ground in the
reconquered territory to be held under the laws
of the Free State. In consequence of this, the
burghers of the South African Republic refused
to fight any longer and went home.

I had hardly reached home, after this expedition,
when I had to go to Potchefstroom to attend the
Session of i866 of the Volksraad. On my return
journey after the sitting, I met with a serious
accident. At Schoonkloof Farm, in the Rusten-
burg District, just beyond Elephant's Pass, I had
to cross a sloot, or ditch. The ditch was dry, but
the road which led across the ditch was thoroughly
soaked and cracked, so that it was impossible for
waggon or horse to get through. Now, rather
than turn back and go a long way out of my
road, I went back a little way with my two-
wheeled cart and then urged the mules to a full
gallop towards the ditch, intending to make them
jump the ditch and drag the cart after them. But

NATIVE WARS iii

the cart upset and I broke my left leg at the
knee. With my broken leg and assisted only
by the small Kaffir boy whom I had with me,
I had to get the cart up again, lift it on to the
wheels, and, without being able to bind up my
leg, drive for an hour and a half to get home.
The jolting of the cart caused me terrible suffer-
ing, and my broken leg compelled me to nine
months of inactivity, during which time I only
managed to crawl about on crutches. My left
leg has ever since been a little shorter than the
other, but it was hardly noticeable after a time.

Before I had quite recovered, in 1867, I had
to lead a commando against the rebel Kaffirs of
the Zoutpansberg District. But, through lack of
ammunition, this expedition was able to do but
little. President Pretorius had promised to send
me ammunition, but could not keep his word, as the
goods were stopped at the frontier. In the Zout-
pansberg District, the village of Schoemansdaal
had suffered especially from the attacks of the
Kaffirs. I went there, and twice attacked the
Kaffirs in order to drive them from that neighbour-
hood But, in these two attempts, all my ammuni-
tion was exhausted, and, much against my will, I
was obliged to abandon the village. I offered to
remain until help and ammunition should come

112 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

from Pretoria, where I had sent a mounted mes-
senger to inform the President of our plight. But
only one field cornet with his men was willing to
stay with me, the others refusing to hear of any
further delay. I called the villagers together, and
held a meeting in which I told them that I would
remain with them, but the villagers declared that
they would rather not stay there under such con-
ditions, but would go back with the commando, as
they could then at least take their most valuable
possessions on the waggons of their relations in
the commando, while otherwise, if the Kaffirs were
not driven away, they would have to flee later
on, and then, for want of transport, would have to
leave all their property behind them. So there
was nothing for it but to escort the inhabitants of
Schoemansdaal to Marabastad, which place thus,
for the time being, became the chief setdement in
the Zoutpansberg District.

On the return journey across Makapaanspoort,
the inhabitants of that district complained that
the Kaffir captain Machem had stolen much catde
from them and that he had acted altogether in so
aggressive a manner that they lived in constant
fear of attack.

Machem was summoned to appear before me,
as he had changed his quarters, and I could not

NATIVE WARS 113

go to him to speak with him. His present habita-
tion was a mere nest of caves, ravines and earth-
holes, where his people lived on stolen cattle and
could easily escape pursuit. Machem answered the
summons, but many of his people would not leave
their caves. I therefore went myself, accompanied
by the captain, to fetch the rebels. On arriving
at the kraal, I sent messengers to announce the
object of my visit But the Kaffirs refused to
listen to the messengers and attacked them.
When I heard the firing, I ran to the rescue. The
Kaffirs fired at me also, but, after a short fight, we
succeeded in capturing those of the cave-dwellers
who had not escaped. This band, together with
the others who had first obeyed the summons, were
then taken to their new home, five or six miles
up the Nile River. At Makapaanspoort, a small
guard was also left to protect the inhabitants.

This affair with Machem had caused a great
to-do. While we were besieging the refractory
Kaffirs in their caves, the girls of the tribe brought
them water and food. In order not to harm the
women and yet to prevent them from prolonging
the men's resistance, I had them all captured, as
they were going to the caves, and placed under
supervision. We took them with us to Pretoria,

there to be delivered and left to the decision
8

114 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

of the Executive Raad, whose confirmation I also
had to obtain of my choice of the place allotted
to Machem and his people for their new settle-
ment (I had full authority and orders to make
him leave his old quarters). If Machem's tribe
should not have submitted and promised to behave
better, the girls, according to English (and after-
wards also Boer) custom, would have been inge-
boekty that is, portioned out to Boer families under
legal supervision until they came of age. Machem,
however, behaved so well that the Executive Raad
soon after restored all the girls to him.

In the following year, 1868, I set out again,
and, accompanied by only one burgher, made for
the Waterberg and Zoutpansberg Districts, to
see how matters stood there. At Makapaanspoort,
I found all the Kaffir chiefs of the neighbourhood
assembled. They all seemed greatly surprised
at my unexpected visit They knew I was to
come, but had thought that I would summon them
by messenger to come to me; and they now
consulted as to how they should act in this case.
They had never thought that I should venture
among them alone. Without displaying the least
distrust, I dismounted in their town, and they
all kept quiet They greeted me with the words,
** When it is peace, it is peace ; and when it is

NATIVE WARS 115

war, it is war/' which implied that my arrival
without an escort showed them that my disposi-
tions towards them were friendly, that I expected
the same from them, and that therefore they
must keep the peace. From Makapaanspoort, I
went on to Zoutpansberg, where one of the
captains who had fought against me in the
previous year now offered his submission. The
object of this journey was not merely that I
might see the captains personally and admonish
them to keep the peace, but also, as is the duty
of a commandant general, take a census of the
Kaffirs, a valuation necessary for the purpose
of taxation.

CHAPTER VI

PRESIDENT BURGERS

I20 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

President, and threatened Pretorius with war
unless he left them alone.

Pretorius complained to the British Govern-
ment about the behaviour of their subjects. He
was told that the districts in which the diamonds
were found did not belong to the Republic, but to
the Kaffir Chiefs Montsioa and Gasibone. This
was one of those false statements with which the
British Government are always prepared when it
suits their purpose ; for Gasibone had now for
some time been deposed by the Government of
the South African Republic and Mahura put in
his place. His district was within the borders of
the South African Republic. About this there
had never been the slightest doubt or dispute.
Waterboer himself only laid claim to the territories
at the instigation of the English. He had no
right to them whatever.

In order to avoid the difficulties, President
Pretorius agreed to arbitrate with Mahura, Mont-
sioa and Waterboer. This was a mistake and very
much against my wish, as I maintained that the
Republic did not need and should never accept
arbitration regarding her own possessions, or
between herself and her subjects. President
Pretorius asked Keate, the Governor of Natal, to
arbitrate, and the latter decided in favour of the

PRESIDENT BURGERS 121

Kaffir Chiefs, declaring them to be the independent
proprietors of the disputed districts.

One of the witnesses in this business was the
Kaffir Chief Mobilo. He was asked if he in-
tended to make any claims, as he had assisted in
clearing the district and making it habitable. He
answered :

" Yes, I did help, but I only followed the white
man like the jackal which follows a herd, to watch
if it can't pick up a lamb here and there."

He was told that he too might have a part of
the district The Kaffir was lost in thought for a
few moments, and then answered :

"No, daas, I dread Malimo's (God's) anger.
When Moselikatse's Kaffirs were murdering us,
Malimo sent the white men to save us. Shall I
now place my foot upon the neck of my de-
liverer } "

He spoke some time and reminded them how
Moselikatse used to put the old people to death,
when he saw the aasvogels hovering over his kraal,
and how he threw them to the aasvogels. He
refused to hurt the rights of the white men who
had delivered the Kaffirs from these horrors.

The Government of the South African Re-
public had appointed a commission to attend the
discussions of the arbitration court. I was a

122 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

member of this commission, which protested against
Governor Keate s judgment and lodged its objec-
tions with the Volksraad against the proceedings of
President Pretorius, The Volksraad joined in the
protest and Pretorius resigned. The protest at
least effected this result, that the Republic retained
a small piece of the territory : that part, namely,
which contains the village of Christiania.

The resignation of President Pretorius neces-
sitated a new election. A number of burghers
asked me to become a candidate. But I refused
and, with my party, supported Robinson as our
candidate for the Presidency. The Opposition
candidate was Thomas Francois Burgers. The
latter had just returned from a tour through the
country and was eledted State President by a large
majority, although we made every eflfort to secure
Robinson's victory. The inauguration of the new
President took place in the old Government Build-
ings at Pretoria.

I was present After the President had taken
the oath of office, I rose and addressed him in the
following words :

** Your Honour, I have done my best to pre-
vent your election. Principally, because of your
religious views, which appear to me to be mis-
taken. But, as you have now been elected by the

PRESIDENT BURGERS 123

majority, I submit as a good republican to this
vote of the people, trusting that you are a more
earnest believer than I thought, in which case I
will congratulate you with all my heart."

To this the President answered :

** Burgher, who voted against me for con-
science' sake, you are as dear to me as those
who voted for me."

Many burghers now came up to me to express
their gratification at my outspokenness ; many had
thought I would keep my own counsel.

President Burgers was, without doubt, a man
of keen intelligence and of very great gifts.
He endeavoured without delay to improve the
government of the country and to enter into com-
mercial relations with foreign countries. Another
favourite project of his was the construction of a
railway from Lorenzo Marques to Pretoria, and
he personally undertook a journey to Europe to
borrow money for this purpose. This loan was
only partially successful, but he had the good
fortune to discover in Europe a few prominent men
whom he brought back with him. Among these
was Dr. Jorissen, who afterwards rendered so many
useful services to the country. The only thing
to be said against Burgers' government was that
he differed too much in his views from those of

124 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

the burghers. And this was the case not only
in religious questions, but also in other matters
which he considered necessary for the development
of the Republic, whereas his burghers were of a
different opinion. It must be admitted that the
Republic of that day was not ripe for T. F.
Burgers' advanced ideas. Even if, for instance,
he had succeeded in collecting the money for the
railway from Delagoa Bay to the Republic, the
scheme could not have been termed a success, for
the resources of the Republic were not yet suffi-
ciendy developed to make such a line a paying
concern.

His plans, which were in advance of the times,
and his liberal views regarding religion soon won
him a host of adversaries. But that which cost
him nearly all his influence and made him almost
impossible to the majority of the burghers was
the unfortunate Secucuni War of 1876.

This war was brought about in the following
way. The Government had leased a farm in the
neighbourhood of Secucuni's town to a certain
burgher, whose catde were seized by one of Secu-
cuni's subordinates. When the Government sent
to make enquiries, Secucuni returned an insolent
answer, summoned his troops and threatened the
Lijdenburg District The Republic was therefore

PRESIDENT BURGERS 125

obliged to bring back Secucuni to a sense of his
duty. President Burgers wished personally to
accompany the burgher commando. I was very
much opposed to this, as I considered it my duty
as Commandant General to lead the expedition.
When Burgers insisted on accompanying the com-
mando, I refused to go. Burgers asked the reason
of my refusal, and I replied :

** I cannot lead the commando if you come ;
for, with your merry evenings in laager and your
Sunday dances, the enemy will even shoot me
behind the wall ; for God s blessing will not rest
on our expedition."

Burgers answered that it was in my power as
Commandant General to forbid anything that I
did not approve of. But I said :

** Do you think that the burghers would listen
to anything I might say, once you, as President,
have set them the example?"

Then he asked me whom I advised him to
take with him as fighting general. I recom-
mended Nicholas Smit, afterwards Vice-president
of the South African Republic, and ex- President
Pretorius. Burgers accepted my recommendations
and marched with a fairly strong force against
Secucuni. Before coming to close quarters with
him, they attacked one of his subordinates called

126 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Magali, who lived in a very ugly rocky fastness.
But the commando succeeded in driving the Kaffirs
out of their caves and gorges, whereupon Burgers
flew into such an ecstasy that he exclaimed :

" Now Gibraltar is mine ! "

After this attack, they advanced against Secu-
cuni. But, in consequence of discords and the
absence of combined efforts, the attack on his
entrenchments failed A certain number of
burghers, under Commandant Joubert, of Pretoria,
had already captured the position, but were obliged
to retire for want of reinforcements. They were
attacked from all sides by between four and five
thousand Kaffirs. This incident, joined to other
causes of discontent, exasperated the burghers to
such a degree that, in the end, they refused to
fight or to remain where they were. And, although
the President employed all his eloquence to per-
suade them to stay with him, he did not succeed
and was at last obliged to let the commando return
home. He left three strong outposts of volunteers
behind, however, under a Boer commandant and
a German officer, to hold Secucuni in check.
The latter afterwards sued for peace and paid a
war indemnity of i,ooo oxen.

Meanwhile, the President and the burghers
had returned home without bringing the war to

PRESIDENT BURGERS 127

a conclusion. The outposts cost money, and the
President, for this purpose, levied a special tax
of jCs on every burgher. This measure brought
him into violent conflict with myself, for I con-
sidered the tax unlawful, as it was imposed without
the consent of the Volksraad. A considerable
number of the burghers refused to pay.

During the session of the Volksraad, after the
war, in 1877, the President made a violent attack
on the burghers who refused to pay the extra
tax, and this in the presence of Sir Theophilus
Shepstone, the British Special Commissioner, who
was already in Pretoria waiting to see how he
could put the English plans for the annexation
of the Republic into execution. I defended the
burghers who resisted the illegal impost. During
the adjournment, I was chatting with other
members of the Volksraad on the verandah, when
President Burgers joined us, slapped me on the
shoulder and said :

" Mr. Kruger, you can't deny that the burghers
who refuse to pay the taxes are in a state of
rebellion against their Government.^"

I answered :

** I deny it absolutely, on the grounds which
I have already stated. They don't refuse to
pay their taxes ; but they do refuse to pay a

128 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

tax which you have added, without authority, to
the already existing taxes. But, even if the fact
were as you say, I should like to ask you a
question. Would you consider it a proof of
affection to accuse your wife — no matter what
her faults— openly before her bitterest enemy?
That is what you have done to the Republic in
the presence of her enemy, and this is to me a
proof that you do not love, but hate the Republic."

The President was silent and left us.

All the difficulties which President Burgers
encountered through his own fault were employed
by the English to bring about and justify an
annexation. A large majority of the burghers
who lived in the plains were, as has already been
stated, dissatisfied with the President's govern-
ment, while the inhabitants of the villages,^ who
consisted almost entirely of foreigners, and of
whom a large number were not even burghers,
were contented with Burgers' rule, above all
because they expected great things from the
proposed railway. When they now realized how
strong the opposition was, they gradually came
to the conclusion that annexation by the British

^ The Boer always speaks of villages, or dorpetiy where we should
say towns. He knows the term " Kaffir town," or stcuiy but to him
even the capital is only a "village," or dorp. — Translator's Note,

PRESIDENT BURGERS 129

Crown would not be at all a bad thing for them.
It was from these men that Shepstone received
petitions in favour of annexation. These peti-
tions were signed almost entirely by the village
populations.

Shepstone, the Governor of Natal, was author-
ized by the British Government to discover the
best means for annexing the country. He left
Natal for Pretoria with an escort of twenty-five
men, for the purpose, as he pretended, of dis-
cussing the Kaffir difficulties and other questions.
He added openly, which was the case, that the
Republic had not defeated Secucuni, and that this
fact would be a dangerous incitement to rebellion
on British territory. I clearly foresaw ShepstoneV
intentions, and asked President Burgers not to
permit him to enter the town with his armed
body-guard, except under the escort of an armed
burgher force. President Burgers paid no atten-
tion to my request.

The President's term of office had at this time

expired, and a new election had become necessary.

I was asked by a great number of burghers to

present myself as a candidate, and, although I at

first refused, I at last accepted, in order to put

a stop to the dissatisfaction which the burghers

had shown at my refusal to stand. But I made
9

ISO MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

this condition with the election conunittee, that,
if Burgers obtained a majority, they must rest
content and obey him, so as not, through open
discords, to give England an excuse for carrying
out her plans of annexation. Already in the first
week in which the votes of the several parties
(not the official election) were recorded, it became
evident that I should have a large majority. I
went to President Burgers and said to him :

"President, I promise to bring over the
majority of the burghers to your side, if you will
promise me to take strong measures against the
annexation and to defend our independence. If
this is your intention, you must make it plain, so
that I can emphatically assure the burghers that
the independence of our country will be powerfully
guarded. Otherwise, my arguments will, of course,
make no impression. There is my hand on it,
that I shall do what I have offered to do."

Before the election took place, however, the
British flag waved over the once free Republic.

Shortly after the above conversation, on the
2 1st of January 1877, Shepstone arrived at Pre-
toria with his armed body-guard and a few
waggons. A number of " loyal " and excited
inhabitants were foolish enough to take the horses
out of his carriage and draw him to the house

PRESIDENT BURGERS 131

where he was to stay. The population as a
whole, on the other hand, took the matter very
quietly. People who were present and, therefore,
in a position to know say that there were not
ten burghers at his reception. The first confer-
ence between the President and his Executive
Raad and Shepstone took place on the 26th of
January 1877, when Shepstone at once made a
great point of the "inherent" weakness of the
Republic and of the fact that she had been unable
to subjugate Secucuni. The weakness displayed
towards the Kaffir chiefs on the part of the
white men gave him grave cause to fear, he said,
that difficulties with the Kaffirs might also arise
in Her Majesty's territories. The Executive
Raad appointed a commission to discuss matters
more fully, and chose State Attorney Jorissen and
myself as members. I absolutely refused, how-
ever, to discuss any questions at this conference
which affected the independence of the Republic ;
and nothing, therefore, came of it. Shepstone
had several interviews besides with President
Burgers, who finally decided to call an extra-
ordinary meeting of the Volksraad, which took
place in February.

The first subject discussed was SecucuQi's
petition for peace. As already mentioned, Pre-

132 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

sident Burgers had left several strong volunteer
corps behind when the burgher commandoes re-
tiredy and these had harassed Secucuni so closely
that he was now suing for peace. But this did
not suit Shepstone's plans ; for, if peace were con-
cluded, the principal argfument in favour of the
annexation of the Republic to the British Crown
fell through. There would then be an end to his
talk about the general incapacity of the Republic
to master the Kaffirs, or, as he phrased it, her
** inherent" weakness. It was against my will
that Burgers now agreed to his proposal to send
two envoys to Secucuni in order to investigate
matters on the spot. This "duumvirate" Com-
mission, which consisted of Englishmen, of course
brought back the desired answer, namely, that
Secucuni had no idea of making peace. This
dishonesty cost the English dear, as will shortly
be seen.

The second matter for discussion was that of
a confederation with the British dominions in
South Africa. An overwhelming majority of the
burghers sent in memorials declaring against the
measure. I myself made a violent speech against
any such plan, in which I said that this con-
federation would mean the absolute loss of our
independence.

PRESIDENT BURGERS 133

Burgers now resorted to a strong measure.
He pointed out that several of the most violent
of the Opposition in the Raad had refused to
pay the aforesaid tax of ;^s per head and were
consequently debarred from taking part in the
present discussion, and requested those members
to withdraw from the Raad as unqualified.
Although the State Attorney, Dr. Jorissen, was
on the President s side, the Raad refused to
accede to his request, which was certainly a g^eat
blow to Burgers. It seems that this incident con-
firmed him finally in his opinion that the exist-
ing Constitution of the South African Republic
did not g^ve him sufficient power, and that it
was therefore incumbent upon him to draw up
another which would fetter him less. At any
rate, he did draw up a new Constitution and
submitted it to the Raad. It provided for the
institution of responsible ministers, a Supreme
Court, and extension of the powers of the State
President. At the same time, an alteration was
made in the arms of the Republic by the
addition of a gnu. Although this measure
met with the strongest opposition in the Volks-
raad, the proposed Constitution was at last ac-
cepted, and, before the Raad broke up, I was
elected Vice-president. The people, however, as

t34 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

the highest authority, rejected the new Constitu-
tion.

The Volksraad did not break up in a very
happy mood Most of the members feared that
the thread by which the sword of Damocles was
suspended over the head of the Republic would
break and end its independence. Although there
were many who hoped that the new measures which
the Volksraad had passed in its extraordinary
session might avert the danger, it soon became
evident that the pessimists were right Shep-
stone seemed to be only waiting for the arrival
of the High Commissioner, Sir Bartle Frere,
before proceeding to the annexation of the South
African Republic. Frere arrived in Cape Town
at the commencement of April 1877 ; and, as early
as the 7th of April, Shepstone had an interview with
the Executive Raad, in which he openly declared
that he had been authorized and was prepared
to annex the country on behalf of the British
Government. I at once told him that I would
never give my consent to any such step, as I
was bound by my oath to uphold the indepen-
dence of the Republic. I must submit if the
Volksraad agreed to the annexation and thus
released me from my oath, but not otherwise.
Shepstone thereupon asked me how long it would

PRESIDENT BURGERS 135

take to call the Volksraad together. I told him
that I thought it would not take long if the
President issued the summons at once. But here
President Burgers intervened, saying that it would
not do to try Shepstone's patience too far; and
so the plan fell through. Burgers proposed,
instead, that we should at once draw up a pro-
test against the annexation, while the Govern-
ment of the Republic still existed, and appoint
a commission to take the protest to England.
This was done ; but Burgers had never expected
it to succeed, nor was he a member of the Com-
mission. In the meanwhile, on the 12th of April
1877, Shepstone executed his plan and annexed
the Republic.

This annexation cannot be too strongly branded
as an entirely iniquitous act on England's part.
It was in flagrant contradiction with the Sand
River Convention of 1852, by which England
solemnly undertook to acknowledge the un-
restricted independence of the South African
Republic and never to encroach upon the dis-
tricts north of the Vaal. But, so soon as it suited
her convenience, perfidious Albion broke her
peaceful promise, as she always has done and as
she will always continue to whenever it serves
her purpose. What misery has come upon South

136 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Africa through this breach of treaty ! The late
war, which has reduced the whole country to
ruins and which has cost hundreds of men
and thousands of innocent women and children
their lives, this war, in which England has
behaved in so uncivilized and base a fashion as
to draw down upon herself the contempt of all
civilized nations, had its origin partly in Shep-
stone's annexation. I say partly, for the war had
two causes. The first and principal cause was
the wealth of the gold-fields of the Republic;
the second, " Revenge for Majuba Hill." Only,
if it had not been for Shepstone's annexation,
there would have been no Majuba Hill, and no
" Revenge for Majuba Hill " would have been
called for.

The exasperating influence which the annexa-
tion was likely to cause in the relations between
the two nations was foreseen by the Executive
Raad of the South African Republic, which for
that reason published the following protest against
the annexation :

"Whereas Her Britannic Majesty's Govern-
ment, by the Convention of Sand River, 1852, has
solemnly pledged the independence of the people
to the north of the Vaal River, and whereas the

PRESIDENT BURGERS 137

Government of the South African Republic is not
aware of ever having given any reason for a hostile
action on the part of Her Majesty's Government,
nor any grounds for such an act of violence ;

** Whereas this Government has ever shown
its readiness and is still prepared to do all which,
in justice and equity, may be demanded, and also to
remove all causes of dissatisfaction that may exist ;

" Whereas, also, the Government has repeatedly
expressed its entire willingness to enter into such
treaties or agreements with Her Majesty's Govern-
ment as may be considered necessary for the
general protection of the white population of
South Africa, and is prepared punctually to execute
such agreements ;

"And whereas, according to public statements
of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the
Colonies, Lord Carnarvon, there exists no desire
on the part of the British Government to force
the people of the South African Republic against
their wish under the authority of the British
Government ;

** And whereas the people, by memorials or
otherwise, have, by a large majority, plainly stated
that they are averse to it ;

** And whereas this Government is aware that
it is not in a condition to maintain the rights

138 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

and independence of the people with the sword
against the superior power of Great Britain, and
moreover has no desire in any way to take any
steps by which the white inhabitants of South
Africa would be divided in the face of the common
enemy against each other, or might come in hostile
contact with each other, to the great danger of
the entire Christian population of South Africa,
without having first employed all means to secure
in a peaceful way and by friendly mediation the
rights of the people :

"Therefore the Government protests most
strongly against this act of Her Majesty's Special
Commissioner.

" It is also further resolved to send, without
delay, a Commission of Delegates to Europe and
America, with full power and instruction to add
to their number a third person, if required, in
order to endeavour in the first place to lay
before Her Majesty's Government the desire
and wishes of the people, and in case this might
not have the desired effect, which this Govern-
ment would deeply regret and cannot as yet
believe, then to appeal to the friendly assistance
and intercession of other Powers, particularly of
those who have acknowledged the independence
of this State.

PRESIDENT BURGERS 139

"As members of this Commission are ap-
pointed the Hon. the Attorney General, Dr.
E. J. P. Jorissen, and S. J. P. Kruger, Vice-
president of the South African Republic."

Dr. Jorissen was appointed by my wish, as he
was a lawyer, and I was anxious to have some
one with me who could speak foreign languages.

After appointing this deputation, the Executive
Raad ceased to exist President Burgers returned
to his home in Cape Colony, and the Republic
was left without a president I had to act in his
place ; for, as Vice-president, it would have been
my duty, even in other circumstances, to conduct
the business of the State in the absence of the
President from the country.

CHAPTER VII

THE INTERREGNUM UNDER THE

BRITISH FLAG

CHAPTER VII

THE INTERREGNUM UNDER THE BRITISH

FLAG

Kniger's first visit to London with the deputation sent to procure the
repeal of the annexation — Popular meetings and popular voting
in the Transvaal — The second visit to London— The Kaffir Chief
Secucuni puts the English doctrine into practice — The British
Governor seeks Kruger's assistance against Cetewayo, the Zulu
King — Further assemblies of the people and protests against
the annexation — Kruger pacifies the masses — The High Com-
missioners, Sir Bartle Frere and Sir Garnet Wolseley, interfere
— The other Afrikanders ask for the freedom of their Transvaal
brothers — Kruger suspected of treachery — ^The delegates of the
burgher meetings arrested for high treason — Kruger once more
allays the storm — Plans for confederation opposed by Kruger —
Sir Bartle Frere tries to treat privately with Kruger — Kruger
refuses on the grounds of Frere's double-dealing — Kruger and
Joubert have recourse to Gladstone by letter — All hopes of a
peaceful solution abandoned.

THE commission appointed to take the pro-
test to England consisted of Dr. Jorissen
and myself. We took Mr. W. E. Bok with us as
secretary and left, in May 1877, for Port Elizabeth,
thence to set sail for England. Shortly after our
departure, Shepstone wrote to Lord Carnarvon,

143

144 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

the then Colonial Secretary, stating that I myself
had told him that, if the deputation failed, I
would become a loyal subject of the new Govern-
ment, even as I had been of the old. He also
knew that Dr. Jorissen had declared that the
annexation was inevitable and that its repeal would
be a public misfortune. As far as I am con-
cerned, I declare this statement to be absolutely
untrue. I never told Shepstone this nor anything
of the kind ; moreover, my further actions of them-
selves give the lie to any such assertion.

On arriving in England, we found that the
rumour had been spread, by means of newspapers
and letters; including a letter of Dr. Jooste, of
Potchefstroom, first published in the Zuid Afrikaan,
that only a handful of irreconcilables, with myself
at their head, had declared against the annexation.
I denied this report with the greatest emphasis
and said that it was easy to arrive at the truth
by taking a plebiscite of the whole Republic, which
would show for certain whether the majority were
for or against the annexation. I personally wrote
a letter in which I denied the imputation touch-
ing the " handful of irreconcilables " and suggested
a plebiscite of the whole population. Dr. Jorissen
had scruples against signing this letter, and I
sent it alone, on my own responsibility. The

THE INTERREGNUM 145

British Government rejected the proposal with the
foolish statement that a vote of this kind would
involve too much trouble and expense. This
shows that England always remains true to her-
self: she makes assertions and, so soon as she
is given the opportunity of convincing herself of
their inaccuracy, resorts to cowardly and insipid
evasions, but at the same time repeats her asser-
tions, until she herself, and sometimes the world
with her, begins to believe in their truth.

In November 1877, the deputation left England
and, on the homeward journey, visited Holland,
France and Germany, to try to move those Powers
to intervention, but, of course, without result, in
spite of the friendly reception accorded to us.
About the end of December, I reached my home
in the Rustenburg District and, in January of the
following year, went to Pretoria, where some thou-
sand burghers were waiting for my report The
proceedings at this meeting were not a litde
stormy when it became known that we had failed
to receive a satisfactory reply from the British
Government. One of the burghers, M, W. Vorster,
moved a resolution, which was passed unanimously,
that an universal plebiscite should be taken, so
that the butchers might express their general
opinion on the annexation. At a subsequent meet-

146 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

ing, at Nauwpoort, in the Potchefstroom District,
this resolution was again brought forward and
passed, and a committee was appointed to institute
the pUbiscite and to sign an eventual petition.
Ex- President Pretorius was elected chairman of
the committee.

Shepstone was greatly dissatisfied with this
resolution, declared that he could not allow the
pUbiscite to be held and demanded that I should
give up this plan. I thereupon rode to Pretoria,
accompanied by Messrs. Pretorius and Viljoen,
and, in an interview with Shepstone, told him
that I could not interfere with the pUbiscite^ as
I had said, during my stay in England, that
this measure would prove that the majority were
against the annexation, and I did not wish to
be branded as a liar. I added :

" If you admit that I was right and that the
report which you sent to England on the feeling
of the people was untrue, then the vote will be
quite unnecessary."

Shepstone then gave his consent to the hold-
ing of the meetings, provided that the burghers
came unarmed ; and the members of the com-
mittee were requested to take strict care that
none but burghers who were really entitled to
vote should vote at the meetings.

THE INTERREGNUM 147

Our committee met at Doornpoort in April
1878, when it appeared that 125 petitions, with
6,591 signatures, had been handed in against the
annexation, and 31 petitions, with 587 signatures,
in its favour. This clearly showed the feeling
of the people, the more so when one remembers
that the total male white population of the
Republic, as given in Shepstone's report to
the Colonial Secretary, numbered only 8,000,
and among those who had not been able to
attend the meetings there must have been many
more opponents of the annexation. The com-
mittee now resolved to send a new deputation
to England, with instructions to hand in the
proofs of the objection of the majority of the
people to the annexation of the Republic.
Piet Joubert, the future general, and myself
were chosen to form this second deputation ;
and Mr. W. E. Bok again accompanied us as
secretary. The expenses of the journey were to
be defrayed by a collection among the burghers,
and ;^i,900 was subscribed for this purpose
before the meeting broke up. The deputation
took with it a petition addressed to Lord Car-
narvon and declaring that the people of the
Republic were convinced that the British Govern-
ment were misinformed as to the real feeling

148 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

of the Boer population, that they could not believe
that England would wish to govern another
nation against its wish, that they had therefore
decided to prove to her that the great majority
were opposed with heart and soul to the annexa-
tion, and that they hoped that the Government,
after examining the accompanying memorials,
would repeal the proposed annexation on the
grounds of incorrect information. How little
our people knew England at that time! To-day
no one would presume to reckon on England's
acceptance of any such argument as those set
forth above.

On our way to England, we asked for an
interview with the High Commissioner and
Governor of Cape Colony, Sir Bartle Frere, at
Cape Town. He was very amiable, but abso-
lutely refused in any way to support us in our
endeavours, declaring that he saw no reason to
do so, as the Boers would be very happy under
the British flag.

In July 1878, the deputation landed in
England and found that, in the meanwhile, Lord
Carnarvon had been succeeded as Colonial Secre-
tary by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach. The change
was anything but favouraUe to the people of
the Republic Moreover, on our arrival in

THE INTERREGNUM 149

London, we received a letter from Sir Theophilus
Shepstone in reply to the petition which we had
handed to him personally on our departure. In
this letter, Shepstone made a violent attack on
Joubert and myself and threw it in our teeth
that, if there was any dissatisfaction in the
country, we were the cause of it. In our first
interview with Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, he
declared that he would only treat by corre-
spondence, and so a long and strongly-worded
memorial was drawn up, setting forth the right
of the Republic to an independent existence
and the iniquity of the grounds on which it
had been sought to justify the annexation. A
protest was also made against the annexation as
a breach of the Sand River Convention, which
the British Government had concluded with the
Boer emigrants in 1852, and, lastly, we expressed
the hope that the sense of justice of the British
Nation would no longer oppose the restitution
of an independence which had been recog^nized
by the Great Powers. Sir Michael's reply, as
was to be expected, was a complete disappoint-
ment to us. The Colonial Secretary only pro-
mised, so soon as the condition of the country
permitted, to introduce a sort of self-government,
and added that the pursuance of that policy of

ISO MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

reconciliation would depend above all on the
attitude of the delegates. We replied briefly
that we could not believe that a policy such as
that which England was now adopting could
serve to allay the existing dissatisfaction and to
bring about friendly feelings. Later, in a longer
memorandum, we again defended the Republic's
title to her independence; but all to no purpose.
The delegates had to return to South Africa
without accomplishing any results.

On the occasion of this second visit to Eng-
land, I was presented by an English friend of the
Boers with a gold ring, engraved with the words :
**Take courage, your cause is just and must
triumph in the end" The inside of the ring is
engraved with the figures which represent the
result of the plebiscite on the acceptance or re-
jection of the annexation. I still wear this ring
as my only ornament

On our return journey, in the autumn of
1878, we again visited the Continent. In Paris
the great International Exhibition was in pro-
gress. On this occasion, I saw my first balloon
and took part in an ascent. High up in mid-air,
I jestingly asked the aeronaut, as we had gone
so far, to take me all the way home. The
aeronaut now asked who his passenger was and,

THE INTERREGNUM 151

when we returned to earth, presented me with
a medal to remind me of my journey through
the air. Our deputation landed at Durban in
December 1878.

In the meantime, the position in South Africa
had assumed a very serious aspect. Secucuni, who
had formerly been persuaded by the English, when
it served their turn, to declare that he would not
make peace, had not troubled his head about the
change of government and kept to the lesson
under the new Government which he had learnt
under the old. Whereas formerly he had always
been supported in his refusal to recognize the
sovereignty of the South African Republic over
his territory, he was now required to keep the
peace, as his territory belonged to the Transvaal.
At last, an expedition consisting of volunteers and
blacks, under Colonel Rowlands, was dispatched
against him, but without effecting much. And the
worst of all was that the Zulu King, Cetewayo, was
also up in rebellion against the British Government
England had equally refused to acknowledge the
Republic s claim on his territory, but, immediately
after the annexation, herself laid claim to it as
constituting an unquestionable part of the domin-
ions of the erstwhile Republic. Sir Bartle Frere
asked me, on my arrival at Durban, to assist the

152 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

British Commander-in-Chief, Lord Chelmsford,
with information as to the best ways and means
of waging war against the Zulus. I gave a
ready and sincere compliance with this request
I advised the British commander to erect every
halting-place into a camp, by collecting the wag-
gons together, as the Boers had been used to do,
and always to be well provided with good spies
and scouts, so as to keep thoroughly informed of
the enemy's movements. Sir Bartle Frere asked
me myself to accompany one of the Commander-
in-Chiefs columns as adviser and leader. I at
first refused But, when Sir Bartle Frere pressed
me and declared that I might name my own
reward for this service, I said:

" Very well, I accept I will take 500 burghers
and hand Zululand over to you, if you will give
me the reward I want"

Sir Bartle Frere was a little offended when
I offered to do with 500 men the work for
which the English had placed so many soldiers
in the field, and asked :

** Do you mean to say that your people are
so much better than our soldiers.^"

"Not that," I replied; "but our method of
fighting is better than yours, and we know the
country."

THE INTERREGNUM 153

Sir Bartle now asked what reward I required.
I said, " The independence of my country and
people," whereupon the High Commissioner re-
fused to discuss the subject further. Later,
Shepstone also asked me, by letter, to come to
the assistance of the English with a Boer com-
mando. I replied that the annexation and the
breach which this had caused between the people
of the South African Republic and the British
Government made a friendly co-operation of the
two races impossible. I could not but refuse
my assistance to those who paid no attention to
the urgent entreaty of the people that their inde-
pendence should be restored to them.

With their usual arrogance, the English de-
spised the Zulu impis, and the result was the
bloody defeat of Isandhlawana (22 January 1879),
in which about i,2CX) English soldiers were cut to
pieces. This taught them wisdom ; they went to
work more cautiously and, in the Battle of Ulundi
(July 1879), Lord Chelmsford succeeded in com-
pletely defeating the Zulus. Later, Cetewayo was
taken prisoner and the war brought to an end. It
was generally stated in Africa, at the time, that
the English had bribed Cetewayo's general to
surrender his King to them. According to this
account, the general thereupon persuaded Cetewayo

154 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

to go to a certain spot which he declared to
be safer than that at which Cetewayo then was.
Cetewayo listened to this proposal and was easily
surrounded and taken prisoner by the English.
Whether all this, however, happened as related is
not certain.

In the meanwhile, in March 1879, Sir Theo-
philus Shepstone had been replaced by Sir Owen
Lanyon, a man absolutely unfitted for this difficult
post As a soldier. Sir Owen, of course, had no
knowledge of civil administration ; and, moreover,
he was totally unacquainted with the manners,
language and nature of the Boers.

After our return to the Transvaal, our deputation
called a mass meeting to report on the results of
our mission. This meeting was held on the loth
of January 1879, at Wonderfontein. About 3,000
Boers assembled and more would undoubtedly
have come, if many had not been prevented from
attending the meeting by the swollen state of the
rivers and by the prevailing horse-sickness, which
always rages at its worst at that season of the
year. Meanwhile, Sir Bartle Frere had distributed
among the burghers an open letter to myself and
Joubert, in which he said, among other things,
that he hoped that we would make it clear to
the people that the annexation was irrevocable.

THE INTEGREGNUM 155

At the meeting, after first thanking the burghers
for their numerous attendance and for the wel-
come which they had given the deputation, I
exhorted them to remain unanimous and to allow
no discord or differences of any kind to come
between them, as only unanimity, obedience and
combined efforts would enable them to regain
their freedom. The meeting passed a resolution
thanking us for the trouble and sacrifices which
we had made, and declaring that the people would
not rest content with the decision of the British
Government.

Some of the burghers thought that the time
had now come to seek to obtain from the British
Government by force what they were not inclined
to give of their own free will ; but I explained to
them that the time had not yet come, and was
supported in my endeavours to maintain peace
by Joubert and Pretorius. A burgher stepped
forward and said :

" Mr. Kruger, we have been talking long
enough ; you must now let us shoot the English."

I asked him, in reply;

*'If I say, 'Sah;"^ will you bite? And if I
say, 'Bite,* will you hold tight?"

^ '' Sah !" is the ejaculation employed in South Africa m setting
on a dog to bite. — Translator's Note.

156 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

The man made no answer.

At the same meeting, it was resolved to send
Piet Joubert to Natal, where Sir Bartle Frere then
was, in order to communicate to him the deter-
mination of the people not to submit to England.
This mission, however, had not the smallest result,
except that Sir Bartle Frere promised himself to
come to the Transvaal in order to convince
himself in person of the state of affairs. With
this intent, a new meeting was called at Klein-
fontein Farm, and Sir Bartle Frere invited to
attend.

On the appointed day, i8 March 1879, four
or five thousand burghers met at Kleinfontein.
Joubert gave an account of his mission and its
failure, and ended with the words :

** The question which the people now has to
put to itself is, Shall it submit or not?"

I also made a speech in which I impressed
upon my hearers that they must not disturb the
peace by taking imprudent steps, but leave the
matter to the Committee, which would not fail
to let them know so soon as it thought that all
peaceful measures had been exhausted. This ad-
monition was very necessary, for many of the
burghers were greatly excited and spoke openly
of the need for "shooting the English." More

THE INTERREGNUM 157

voices were raised at the meeting proposing
that the burghers should help the Zulu King,
Cetewayo, with whom England was then at war,
in order jointly with him to overwhelm the
English. I combated this proposal with all my
might, and said that the thing was not Christian
and that one must never join with savages in war
against a civilized nation. And thus this plan
was stifled at its birth.

Meantime, Sir Bartle Frere, who had promised
to attend this meeting, had not arrived. He
had left Natal for Kleinfontein, but was travelling
very slowly. Possibly he hoped that the delay
would discourage the Boers, or that we would
return to our homes without its being necessary
for him to appear. From Heidelberg he sent word
to inform the meeting that he would have no time
to stop at the camp as he had to go to Pretoria.
He received an answer, however, to say that we
had long been waiting for him and relied upon
seeing him. He then determined to come. As
he approached the camp, the leaders of the Com-
mittee rode out to meet him and escorted him into
the camp. The burghers stood closely gathered
and preserved a deadly silence. No one saluted
him, although at first he bowed to the burghers
to right and left. In the course of a debate that

158 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

ensued, it was decided to meet again a few days
later, and then to discuss the several points at issue.
Sir Bartle then went on to Pretoria.

Frere attended the new meeting, escorted by
the Governor, Sir Owen Lanyon, a number of
officials and an armed body-guard. He reproached
the Committee with being the cause of the dis-
satisfaction. The Committee took little notice of
this remark and its only reply was that the
people were not content to accept the annexation.
Finally, the High Commissioner struck another
note and said that he must admit that he had been
misinformed, for he now saw that the opposition
to the annexation was a powerful one and that it
proceeded from the best men among the Transvaal
People. The Committee suggested to him that
it should again set forth the objections of the
people in a petition to the British Government,
and asked him to forward this petition accom-
panied by a report on what he had seen and heard.
He declared that he was prepared to recommend
the petition to the earnest consideration of the
British Government, although personally he was
opposed to the repeal of the annexation. Shortly
after, the meeting broke up. It appeared after-
wards, however, that Sir Bartle Frere wrote to the
British Government that he regretted he did not

THE INTERREGNUM 159

have enough guns to disperse the rebels. How
typically English!

After Sir Bartle Frere's visit, the Committee
sent letters to the Orange Free State and Cape
Colony asking them to support the request for the
repeal of the annexation. The Volksraad of the
Orange Free State, by a large majority, passed a
resolution in which the hope was expressed that
the endeavours of the burghers to recover their
independence might be crowned with success.
In Cape Colony, a deputation waited on Sir
Bartle Frere with the same object. Of course, it
received, together with many fine speeches, the
stereotyped reply of the English statesmen, that
the thing was past and done with. In the mean-
while, Sir Garnet Wolseley had been sent to South
Africa with special powers. He was appointed
High Commissioner beside Sir Bartle Frere with
special instructions to settle Zulu and Transvaal
matters. This is the man who uttered the famous
phrase :

" So long as the sun shines, the Transvaal will
be British territory ; and the Vaal River shall flow
back to its sources before the Transvaal is again
independent ! "

At about that time, Sir Garnet was engaged in
suppressing Secucuni, an enterprise in which he at

i6o MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

last succeeded with the aid of his greatly superior
force.

After the Kleinfontein meeting, the Committee
announced that a new meeting would be held at
Wonderfontein. This caused Sir Garnet Wolseley
to issue a proclamation in which he pointed to the
danger to which those who attended the meeting
would expose themselves, their families and pro-
perty. At the same time, he threatened to punish
all such persons for high treason. This proclama-
tion, however, was quite ineffective, for five to six
thousand persons attended the meeting, which was
held at Wonderfontein on the loth of December.
The burghers were enthusiastic to the highest
degree. They thought that the time had now
certainly come to begin the war ; but, while re-
joicing at the unanimity that prevailed among the
burghers, I thought it my duty to address one
more word of warning to them. I pointed out
to them that England was a powerful nation, and
expressed the fear that many of them, once the
war had broken out, would become discouraged
and go back to their farms. It was not safe to
decide on war at this moment of excitement.

Late that night, I walked through the camp
to listen to the conversations which the burghers
were holding at their camp-fires. I was anxious

THE INTERREGNUM i6i

to ascertain how my warning had been taken.
Many of the remarks that fell upon my ears were
very characteristic. For instance, I heard one
man say :

** I think Kruger is betraying us."

** No," said another, " I will never believe that
of him, for he has done too much for us and he
is still working too hard that he should be accused
of such a thing."

** But," replied the first, ** if he doesn't intend
to betray us, why won't he let us shoot the
Englishmen ? "

** Ay," said the other, ** I think his plans are
wrong, but I won't believe that he's betraying
us."

Very well satisfied with my observations, I
returned to my tent and thanked God that my
people were so firmly determined to recover their
independence.

At the same meeting, a popular resolution was
passed which declared that the people demanded
to remain free and independent ; that the burghers
had never been subjects of Her Majesty and never
wished to become so; that they asked for the
restitution of their independence and the restora-
tion of the Volksraad ; and that the last-named

body must take the necessary measures to ensure
II

i62 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

that independence. Pretorius and Bok were sent
as delegates to acquaint Sir Garnet Wolseley with
this resolution. However, these two gentlemen
were arrested on a charge of high treason, Pre-
torius at Potchefstroom and Bok at Pretoria.

It goes without saying that this incident aroused
great dissatisfaction. A large number of burghers
at once determined to set Pretorius free by force.
But the latter wrote a letter in which he begged
them to abandon that intention. In consequence
of these events, I went to Potchefstroom. On
my way, I learnt that, in spite of Pretorius' request,
a number of armed burghers were on their road
in front of me, with the intention of setting
Pretorius free. I galloped after them as fast as
my horse could carry me and caught them up
close to the village. After many arguments, I
at last succeeded in pursuading them to g^ve up
their plan.

That same evening, Pretorius and Bok were
released on bail. But the British authorities now
pressed Pretorius until he at last consented to
travel through the country and read out a pro-
clamation of the British Government intended to
convince the burghers of the error of their ways.
At the same time, they supplied him with horses
for his journey.

THE INTERREGNUM 163

The burghers whom I had persuaded to turn
back were still gathered in a body at Nauw-
poort, not far from Potchefstroom, and I with
them, when Pretorius came up and read out the
proclamation of the British Government The
burghers must submit peacefully, it said, for their
freedom had not been taken from them and the
present situation was only the bridge by which
they might attain self-government When Pre-
torius had finished, I turned to the burghers:

" Burghers," I asked, " do you understand
what the British Government offer you? I will
try to explain to you what this self-government,
in my opinion, means. They say to you, 'First
put your head quietly in the noose, so that I can
hang you up : then you may kick your legs about
as much as you please ! ' That is what they call
self-government "

The burghers entirely agreed with this view,
and, on the next day, Pretorius wrote to Sir Garnet
Wolseley that he must give up the idea of con-
tinuing his journey, as the burghers were firmly
determined to recover their independence, and it
was of no use to try to persuade them to a different
way of thinking.

Shortly after these occurrences, a scheme for
the confederation of South Africa was down for dis-

i64 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

cussion in the Cape Parliament. The Transvaalers
considered it of the highest importance, in the
interest of the freedom of their country, to bring
about the failure of this project for a united South
Africa under the British flag, as, in the event of
its acceptance, there would be no chance left
for the repeal of the annexation. Joubert and I
were, therefore, sent to Cape Town to urge our
friends in the Cape Parliament to oppose this
proposition. On our way to Cape Town, we were
received everywhere with the greatest hearti-
ness. At Cape Town itself, we had an interview
with a number of members of Parliament, at
which I insisted, in the strongest terms, on the
need for rejecting the plan and declared that the
Republic would never accept a federation arrived
at in this manner, above all as the burghers them-
selves had no voice in the matter and would not
allow foreigners to determine their future for them :

*• Do not wash your hands in the blood of
your brothers!" were the words with which I
parted from the members.

Fortunately, the plans for a confederation were
rejected.

During our stay at Cape Town, a member
of the Upper House came to Joubert and me
to invite us to pay a visit to Sir Bartle Frere.

THE INTERREGNUM 165

We refused; but, when the invitation was re-
peated, and it was added that Sir Bartle wished
to speak to us privately, I said :

" I will come, if you can tell me which Sir
Bartle Frere it is that wishes to see us ; for I know
four of them. The first came to us at Kleinfontein
and assured us that he had not come with the
sword, but as a messenger of peace. But, later on,
I read in an English Blue Book that, on the same
day, a Sir Bartle Frere, the second, therefore, had
written to the British Government, * If only I had
had enough guns and men, I would soon have dis-
persed the rebels.' I made the acquaintance of the
third Sir Bartle Frere through his answer to our
petition for the repeal of the annexation : he then
said that he had informed the British Govern-
ment that he had met some five thousand of the
best Boers at Kleinfontein and that he recom-
mended their petition to the Government s earnest
consideration. Afterwards, I saw in the English
Blue Book that, on the same day, a Sir Bartle
Frere, obviously a fourth, had informed the British
Government that he had met only a handful of
rebels. Now these four cannot possibly be one
and the same man; if, therefore, you can tell me
which of the four Sir Bartles wishes to see us,
we will think about it."

CHAPTER VIII

THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE: 1880-1881

The seizure of Bezuidenhout's waggon — Meeting of the burghers at
Potchefstroom — The " Irrcconcilables" at Paaderkraal elect a
triumvirate, consisting of Kniger, Joubert and Pretorius, to
carry on the government — The first shot — Battle of Bronk-
horstspruit — Majuba Hill — Paul Kruger during the war — His
negociations with the Kaffir Chief Magato, whom England
was trying to gain as an ally — Armistice and peace negocia-
tions — Protests in the Volksraad — "Transvaal" or "South
African Republic"?

THE first Sign of the approaching storm was
the incident that happened at the forced
sale of Field Cornet Bezuidenhout's waggon, on
which a distress had been levied. The British
Government had begun to collect taxes and to
take proceedings against those who refused to
pay them. Among these was Piet Bezuidenhout,
who lived in the Potchefstroom District. This
refusal to pay taxes was one of the methods of
passive resistance which were now employed
towards the British Government. Hitherto, many
of the burghers had paid their taxes, declaring

170 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

that they were only yielding to force* But, when
this was explained by the English politicians as
though the population were contented and peace-
fully paying their taxes, some asked for a receipt
showing that they were only paying under protest
and others refused to pay at all. The Govern-
ment then levied a distress on Bezuidenhout's
waggon and sent it to public action at Potchef-
stroom. Piet Cronjd, who became so well known
in the last war, appeared at the auction with a
number of armed Boers, who flung the bailiff* from
the waggon and drew the waggon itself back in
triumph to Bezuidenhout's farm. Bezuidenhout
and another burgher were sent to me at my farm
of Boekenhoutfontein, in the Rustenburg District,
to ask me to come at once to Potchefstroom,
as the burghers were ready to commence the war
of independence. I obeyed this request and
found the burghers collected not far from Potchef-
stroom. The officer in command of the English
troops at Potchefstroom sent to ask if he could
speak to me, and, when I answered in the affirm-
ative, he came out, described what had happened at
the sale of the waggon and ended with the words :

"You must admit that this is open rebellion/*

I answered :

" I should agree with you, if we had acknow-

THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 171

ledged the annexation ; but that is not the case.
We do not look upon ourselves as British subjects,
and the question of the tax is not a private ques-
tion of Bezuidenhout's, but a question of principle
which concerns the whole country."

In consequence of these events, I and the
other leaders now held a committee-meeting
at Kaalfontein, at which the Secretary of the
former Transvaal Government was also present,
and it was decided that the mass meeting at
Paardekraal, which had been fixed for the 8th of
January 1881, should take place instead as early
as the 8th of December 1 880, and that the people
should then decide if a peaceful solution of the
difficulties was possible. Two days before, the
meeting was forbidden and those who were to
take part in it were proclaimed rebels. Neverthe-
less, a mass of burghers met on the appointed
day, and it was unanimously resolved that the
Government of the Republic should resume office
and summon the Volksraad. The business of
government was entrusted to a triumvirate con-
sisting of myself, as Vice-president, Piet Joubert,
as Commandant General,^ and ex-President M. W.

^ Joubert was elected to this post on Kruger's motion, although
he long resisted, declaring that he was no general and that he did
not feel suited to this appointment. — Ediiof*s Note.

172 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Pretorius. The Triumvirate thereupon drew up
a proclamation in which the good right of the
Republic was borne out by historical facts and
the restoration of the Government oi the South
African Republic made known to one and all.

The proclamation must now be printed, and
Commandant Piet Cronjd was sent for this pur-
pose to Potchefstroom with about 400 men, while
the Government left for Heidelberg, there tem-
porarily to fix the seat of government. Heidel-
berg was easily occupied, as it contained no
English garrison, and the landdrost handed over
his office forthwith, under protest In the mean-
while, Cronj^ had arrived at Potchefstroom and
taken measures to have the proclamation printed.
Here the first shot was fired that opened the war.
The English fired on a burgher watch posted in
the street. A bullet struck Frans Robertse, of
Wijsfontein Farm, in the Rustenburg District,
and passed through his arm. The members of
the newly-appointed Government sent one more
petition to the representative of the British Govern-
ment, the Governor of the Transvaal, and appealed
to the "generosity of the noble British Nation" in
order to recover their country in a friendly fashion.
The answer was that the local troops were called
out to suppress the "revolt"

THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 173

I do not intend to give here a history of the
War of Independence, which has been described
down to its smallest details. It is only necessary
to say that, in view of their very small number —
in all about 7,000 men — it was necessary for the
Boers to go to work with the greatest circum-
spection. The plan was to cut off all the villages
in which the English had a garrison and to send
the rest of the burghers to the Natal frontier,
there to arrest the approaching reinforcements
of the enemy. Another difficulty was the scarcity
of ammunition: at the beginning of the war the
Boers had only about 15 rounds per man, so
that they had to do precisely as they did in the
later stages of the late war, first to capture ammu-
nition from the enemy and then fight him with
his own ammunition. In these circumstances, our
enterprise would have been madness, the more
so as the Kaffirs had also been called out against
us, if God had not heartened our hearts, so that
we went bravely to face greatly superior numbers.

Let us linger for a moment on only one fight
in this war, the Battle of Bronkhorstspruit, and
that for certain reasons. This was an engagement
with the 94th Regiment, which was on its way from
Lijdenburg to Pretoria. The Boer commanders,
who had received news of its approach, sent

174 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Commandant Frans Joubert, with about 150 men,
to meet it. When the two forces came into touch,
Joubert sent a message to the British commander,
Colonel Anstruther, asking him to return to Lijden-
burg, in which case no fighting need take place.
The man who carried the message was a burgher,
called Paul De Beer, who spoke English well.
Anstruther's answer was brief:

'' I am on my way to Pretoria and I am going
to Pretoria,"

Joubert and his men, therefore, had no choice
but to attack the English. The field of battle was
a bare hill, on which stood a few hawthorn-trees.
The English took up their position in a sunk
road, while the burghers had to charge across
open ground. The fight lasted only a few minutes.
About 230 of the English were killed or wounded ;
the rest surrendered. Colonel Anstruther, who
himself was mortally wounded, sent for Com-
mandant Joubert, told him that he was beaten
in fair fight, and asked him to accept his sword
as a present. He died a few minutes later. It
would not have been worth while to enter into
these details, notwithstanding the earlier lying
accusations that the English had been treacher-
ously attacked on this occasion, if Field Marshal
Earl Roberts, of Waterford, Kandahar and Pretoria,

THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 175

had not rescued this contemptible calumny from
oblivion. When, in the course of the last war,
he arrived at Bronkhorstspruit, he telegraphed to
England that he was now at the spot where a
British force had been decimated by treachery
in 1 88 1. But this only shows what a regular
genuine Englishman Lord Roberts is.

The war was continued throughout the territory
of the Republic under the able command of the
late General Joubert, who was then in the full
vigour of his years and displayed his military
capacity in a brilliant fashion that aroused the
general amazement. Under Joubert stood other
capable men, such as General Smit and General
Piet Cronjd, who distinguished himself in the last
war by his heroic resistance at Paardekraal. The
campaign reached its climax in the Battle of
Majuba Hill, on the 27th of February 1881.

During the war, I remained for the most part
with the Government at Heidelberg, but I also
made several journeys to the commandoes, those,
for instance, at Potchefstroom, in the Drakensberg
and at Standerton, to exhort and encourage the
burghers in those different places. I also went
to Rustenburg to address the burghers who were
besieging the British garrison. Here I learnt that
Magato's Kaffirs, who lived near Rustenburg, had

176 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

assumed a threatening attitude, and I at once
proceeded thither, accompanied by seven men,
including my son, Piet Kruger. On arriving at
Magato's town, I found the Kaffirs gathered to
the number of thousands under arms in their huts,
clearly with no good intention, I went straight to
Magato's hut and addressed him in these words :

** Why did you supply the English in their
camp at Rustenburg with provisions, although I
had told you to observe a strictly neutral attitude
in this war, which is a war between white men ? "

Magato replied :

- I received a message from the English saying
that they had already taken Heidelberg and were
on the way here, and that, if I did not obey their
orders, they would come to punish me."

I retorted :

** If you won't listen to me, I shall have to
bring you before the Court-martial," and caught
him by the hand.

While I was speaking to the chief in these
threatening terms, the Kaffirs stormed into the
hut from every side, armed with axes, assegais
and rifles. But one of my men, Piet van der
Walt, placed himself with his rifle beside Magato
and threatened to shoot him down if the least
harm came to me. When Magato saw that his

THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 177

life was at stake, he ordered his captains to dis-
perse the Kaffirs. The captains had to beat back
the crowd with cudgels and knobkerries before
they succeeded in separating them. When the
riot had subsided, I said to Magato :

" Call in your Kaffirs again ; I want to give

them my orders."

Magato at first refused, saying that I could

tell him, Magato, what I wanted. But I said :

" No, I will speak to your people myself."

Thereupon the Kaffirs were summoned, and

approached unarmed and timidly. I spoke to

them, rebuked them for their bad conduct and

warned them to keep quiet in the future, as

" Kaffirs had nothing to do with this war." After

that, I resumed my conversation with Magato,

told him how reprehensible his conduct was, and

eventually persuaded him to promise that he would

remain neutral and neither assist nor oppose the

English or the Boers. As I had to go back

to Heidelberg, I asked Magato for a couple of

horses. Magato beckoned me into his hut and,

when we were alone, said :

" I cannot give you any horses, for, if I did,

the English would know it to-morrow. But repeat

your request in the presence of my Kaffirs ; then

I will refuse, and then you must say, • Very well,
12

178 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

then I will take them by force, if you will not give
them to me.' Then I shall say in my heart, • It
is good,' but I shall refuse with my mouth."

I did so, and took two excellent horses for
my return journey to Heidelberg.

About this time, a messenger came to ask
me to come to the Natal frontier, as the English
had requested an armistice in order to negociate
for peace. I at once hastened to proceed to the
appointed spot. It was a very difficult journey.
Thanks to the heavy rains, the roads were hardly
practicable, and a circuitous route had to be
followed in order to avoid the places occupied by
the English. The armistice was to come to an
end on the 1 4th of March ; but it was impossible
for me to reach my destination, Laing's Nek, in
Natal, by that date. In the meanwhile. General
Joubert, in view of the delay of the journey,
obtained a four days* prolongation of the armistice.
Together with my companions, Pretorius, Mari
and Dr. Jorissen, I was enthusiastically received
by the burghers. Soon after, a conference was
held between the representatives of the Boers
on the one hand and Sir Evelyn Wood, for the
British Government, on the other. It took place
half-way between the two camps. During the
armistice. Sir Evelyn had received instructions

THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 179

from the British Colonial Secretary which were
to form the basis of the negociations. These
were :

(i) Amnesty for all the Boer leaders.

(2) The Boers to be entitled to empower persons
to negociate a peace.

(3) The appointment of a royal commission
to investigate all military questions and to hand
over the country.

(4) Self-government under British Suzerainty.

(5) A British resident to be appointed at
Pretoria.

(6) The foreign policy of the South African
Republic to be placed under British control.

The late President Brand of the Orange Free
State was to be present at the negociations in
order to facilitate a settlement The composition
of the so-called Royal Commission gave rise to
many difficulties. The British Government wished
it to consist exclusively of British subjects, with the
exception of President Brand, who was to sit on
behalf of both parties. The Boer leaders, on the
other hand, desired a mixed commission, consist-
ing of representatives of both parties. Moreover,
the British Government wished to keep back for
themselves a portion of the Republic, namely, the
Utrecht and Wakkerstroom Districts. But this

i8o MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

I and the other leaders refused to hear of
in any case. After long arguments, Sir Evelyn
Wood asked :

"Suppose we do not yield on this point, will
you go on fighting?"

I replied:

"That is not a fair question* If we do not
yield, will you go on fighting?"

Sir Evelyn Wood answered, "Yes;" where-
upon I took up my hat, rose and said :

"Then we need not discuss matters further."

Thereupon Sir Evelyn took me by the arm,
and said :

"No, come back, you must not be so hasty. '^'

General Smit went so far as to say:

"The best thing would be to let the sword
decide."

Another difficulty was the question of the with-
drawal of Her Majesty's troops from the Republic
and the provisioning of the English garrisons in
the villages during the n^ociations. It looked for
one moment as though the negociations would fall
through, and that was the moment at which
Dr. Jorissen, by my order, drew up his so-called
Third Proclamation.^ I caused this Third Pro-

^ The text of this proclamation will be found in Dr. Jorissen's
TVansvaalsche Herinneringen^ x^^-^EdiU^s Note.

THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE i8i

clamation to be read out to President Brand, who
had by that time arrived and who made every
effort to induce me to refrain from publishing that
document and to continue the negociations. This
was done, at CNeill's house. It was a very
difficult matter to agree on the different points.
Sir Evelyn Wood did his very utmost to get off
with verbal assurances ; and, as the armistice had
to be prolonged in order to continue the negocia-
tions, he seized the opportunity, while I was
engaged in conversation with General Joubert
and Dr. Jorissen, to charge an orderly to
take the news of the prolongation of the armis-
tice to the camp. But I noticed this and
asked :

" Where is the man going ? "

So soon as I heard the nature of his mission,
I said to one of Wood's aides-de-camp :

"Stop that man!"

I then went in to the tent and said to
General Wood that I asked him, as an honest
man, first to sign the agreement containing the
points discussed between us. The document lay
on the table, but Sir Evelyn refused to sign.
It was not until I cried, '' Burghers, saddle ! "
that Wood, who now saw that further evasion
was impossible, gave in and signed. The orderly

i82 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

was then allowed to go off with the news of the
prolongation of the armistice.

When the provisional peace protocol was
signed, the English officers tried to disparage
the Boer victory and to make us confess that
we had sufiered fearful losses and could, there-
fore, not have continued our resistance :

** How many did you have killed on the
Nek?" one of them asked Joubert, confidently.

" I myself had one," answered Joubert, " and
one wounded."

The officer laughed and maintained that he
had seen more of our men killed with his own
eyes :

" Very well," said Joubert, very angrily. " Do
you go and dig one of them up and bring him
here ; and I promise you Til eat him, skin
and all."

A chaplain from Newcastle, on the other hand,
expressed to me his regard for the Boers and his
admiration of their courage. The officers stand-
ing near were meantime saying that the English
had fought very bravely and shot down many
Boers, until their ammunition gave out ; then, of
course, they had to give up the fight :

" Our fellows would let themselves be shot
dead before handing over a cartridge."

THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 183

I made no reply, but again turned to the
chaplain and said :

"When you see Her Majesty, mind you tell
her that she must give her soldiers a special reward
for the care with which they guarded their ammu-
nition supply ; we found it on the hill, quite safely
packed on the donkeys!"

Wood himself put similar questions. He
asked, among other things :

" What were the 200 men for, whom you were
sending to the Biggarsberg ? "

"We heard that you were marching there
with 12,000."

"And you sent your 200?"

* * Yes, we had no more to send ; but I have
seen that they would have been enough."

By this agreement, which was signed by
myself and Joubert in the name of the people
of the South African Republic, the following
objects were secured : absolutely free autonomy
under British suzerainty, with the appointment of
a British resident at Pretoria, and the return of
British property seized during the war. The point
that nearly led to the breaking-off of the negocia-
tions, namely, the question of the loss of territory,
was left to the decision of the Royal Commission.
Sir Evelyn Wood bound himself not to occupy the

i84 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

positions on Laing's Nek, if the Boers evacuated
them, nor to send troops or ammunition to the
Transvaal. Moreover, the Royal Commission was
to settle all undecided matters within six months,
to confirm the treaty of peace and to restore the
country to the Boers. This Commission, which
met shortly after, consisted of Sir Hercules Robin-
son, the newly-appointed High Commissioner ; Sir
Henry de Villiers, Chief Justice of Cape Colony ;
and Sir Evelyn Wood They effected a draft
treaty, which is known by the name of the
Pretoria Convention of 1881. Long and violent
discussions took place in the Volksraad, which
was summoned to approve this Convention. Five
months earlier, in an extraordinary session, I had
praised England's magnanimity, expressed my
full confidence in the Commission and pointed to
a reconciliation with England as the basis of a
happy national existence, in order to appease the
burghers. But I, too, now found myself obliged
to protest against certain articles of the Convention,
and complained by telegram, but in vain, to Glad-
stone that several clauses of the treaty contained
the opposite of what had actually been arranged
by word of mouth. Eventually the treaty was
only accepted with the reservation that we were
yielding to force and that we trusted that, in view

THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE 185

of this forced acceptance, the British Government
would see their way to alter the Convention and
to remove the points which made it unacceptable
to the Volksraad, notably the imposition of the
suzerainty and the unjust curtailments of territory.

One of the points which offended the burghers
was that, instead of being called the '* South
African Republic," the Republic kept the name of
the "Transvaal State." The country only re-
covered the title of South African Republic by the
London Convention of 1884. But, in the mean-
while, in my official correspondence with the British
Resident, I was always accustomed to speak of
the South African Republic. One fine day, the
latter came to me to complain about this, saying
that the name of the country was the Transvaal
State, and not the South African Republic.

'* How do you prove that ? " said I.

** Why," answered Hudson, '* by the Convention,
which clearly says, * Transvaal State.' "

"Very well," I rejoined. " If I sell you a farm
and, in the deed of sale, I say, * I, Paul Kruger,
hereinafter called the Vendor, and so on,' then,
in what follows, I am no longer * Paul Kruger,'
but the 'Vendor.' Even so in this case. In the
Convention, just as in drawing up a deed, the
Republic is referred to as the * Transvaal State ; '

i86 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

but that does not make it her real name, but only
her specification. Her real name is and remains
the * South African Republic/ "

Hudson laughed and said :

" Well, call her as you please, only do not mind
if I keep to the name of the Transvaal State."

On the 8th of August, after the Volksraad had
met, the country was restored in due form and the
dear Vterkleur was once more solemnly hoisted.

CHAPTER IX

PAUL KRUGER'S FIRST PRESIDENCY :

1888-1888

CHAPTER IX

PAUL KRUGER'S FIRST PRESmENCY:

188S-1888

The election — The war with the Kaffirs in the Lijdenburg District
— Kaffir disturbances on the south-western frontiers of the
Republic — Boer volunteers, in spite of the President's Proclama-
tion, enlist under the Chiefs Moshette and Mankoroane, for
their war against other Kaffir chiefs, and found the Republics
of Stellaland and Goshenland on the territory awarded them for
their services — The Chiefs Montsioa and Moshette place them-
selves under the protection of the Transvaal — England protests
against this arrangement — Negociations regarding the western
borders between Kruger, Sir Charles Warren and Cecil Rhodes
— Kruger's third visit to London — Sir Hercules Robinson — Re-
peal of the suzerainty by the London Convention of 1884 — Visits
to the European Governments — Dr. Leijds — Internal situation
of the Republic in 1885 — The Delagoa Bay Railway — Unsatis-
factory condition of the finances — Disturbances on the western
frontiers — Discovery of the gold-fields — The population of the
gold-fields : the " Uitlanders " — Negociations with the Free State
for a closer alliance — Incorporation of the " New Republic"

IN 1882, the Raad, on Joubert's motion, unani-
mously resolved to elect a state president.
Joubert and I were asked to stand. We both
accepted, but each of us recommended the other's

180

I90 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

candidature to the people. In my answer to the
invitation to stand, I explicitly stated the principles
on which I intended to govern, should I be elected.
God's Word should be my rule of conduct in politics
and the foundation upon which the State must
be established. The promotion of agriculture ;
the opening up of fresh sources of the country
and their exploitation through the creation of
new industries ; railway extension towards the
sea; restrictions on immigration (I apprehended
the least danger from an invasion from Holland),
in order to prevent the Boer nationality from
being stifled ; a friendly attitude towards England
and a closer alliance of the South African States ;
the maintenance of the authority of the Govern-
ment towards the natives and the friendly treat-
ment of obedient native races in their appointed
districts ; the furtherance of all efforts which would
bring the life of the people under the influence
of the Gospel, **and above all," the advancement
of instruction for the young : these were the
questions which I considered of vital importance
to the Republic. I obtained two-thirds of the
votes at the election, and was consequently elected
State President for the next five years.

About the time when a presidential election was
decided on, the Republic became involved in a war

KRUGER'S FIRST PRESIDENCY 191

with Mapoch in Secucuniland, in the East of the
Republic. Since the restoration of the Republic,
Secucuni had been her loyal friend. Mapoch was
now sheltering Mampur, Secucuni's murderer, and
refused to give him up. War consequently be-
came inevitable. It lasted for nine months, and
in order to bring it to a successful termination, it at
length became necessary to place 4,000 burghers in
the field. I myself visited the several commandoes
during the siege to point out to them the necessity
of making every effort to bring the war to a quick
and successful conculsion. With the commandoes
was a foreigner named Nelmapius, who blew up the
caves of the Kaffirs, in which they had entrenched
themselves, with d5mamite. The war did not
come to an end until July 1883. Mapoch gave
up Mampur. Mampur was hanged and Mapoch
condemned to imprisonment for life. But he was
liberated shortly before the commencement of the
late war, and settled with some of his dependants
in the neighbourhood of Pretoria. The Republic
gained in importance through this war, for even
her enemies had to acknowledge that she was
strong enough to enforce law and order and need
not throw herself upon the protection of any
foreign Power, through inherent weakness.

About the same time complications occurred

192 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

on the south-western border. Two Kaffir Chiefs,
Moshette and Montsioa, were at war with each
other. Later, Mankoroane came to Montsioa's
assistance, and Massouw to Moshette's. Manko-
roane was always very friendly with the English,
and tried to induce volunteers to join him.
Massouw and Moshette followed his example,
promising each volunteer three thousand ntorgen
of land. This was, of course, a very tempting
offer. Applicants came not only from the Trans-
vaal, but also from the Orange Free State and
even from Cape Colony. The Government of
the Transvaal issued a proclamation which forbade
the burghers to join the Kaffirs. But some of
them refused to obey the proclamation, renounced
their burgher rights and reported themselves to
the Kaffir captains. Later, the Government
sent General Joubert to the western frontier to
demand once more the return of those burghers
who had ignored the proclamation. The Royal
Commission of 1881 had deprived the Republic
of the power of direct interference in the quarrels
of the Kaffir chiefs. The volunteers firmly refused
to return. Meanwhile, the Chief Calveyn had
also rebelled, in the Marico District, but submitted
immediately upon General Joubert's threatening
him with a commando. Massouw and Moshette,

KRUGER'S FIRST PRESIDENCY 193

with the assistance of their volunteers, completely
defeated their respective opponents. The volun-
teers were not all Boers. There were a good
many Englishmen among them. These men
chose the land which had been promised them
and, joined by other emigrants, founded the two
small Republics of Stellaland and Goshenland.
The Administrator of the first was G. T. van
Niekerk, and its capital Vrijburg. Of the second
Rooigrond was the capital, and Gey van Pittius
the Administrator. Both Republics, however, were
in a constant ferment and continually quarrelling,
and had even to fight against the afore-mentioned
Kaffir Chiefs. One party in the Republics desired
incorporation with Cape Colony, while the other
applied to the South African Republic. Cape
Colony sent Cecil Rhodes north to settle things.
The Transvaal sent General Joubert, who was at the
same time "Commissioner for the Western Border,"
for the same purpose. The latter informed the
Rooigronders that the Government of the Trans-
vaal could do nothing for them, as the London
Convention — we were now in 1 884 — had excluded
them from the sphere of influence of the Republic.
Joubert was obliged to make this statement,
because the British Agent in Pretoria had accused

the Government of the Transvaal of secret deal-
's

194 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

ings with the Rooigronders, and the Republic
might otherwise have become involved in diffi-
culties with England. Shortly afterwards, Pastor
du Toit, the Director of Education, succeeded
General Joubert as Commissioner of the Western
Border. At the same time, a letter from Montsioa
was published in which the latter asked to be
allowed to become a subject of the South African
Republic, in order to obtain protection, as he was
"almost exterminated." A proclamation was now
issued, subject to the conditions of the Convention
of 1884, which gave the Republic the right to
enter into contracts with the Kaffir Chiefs in the
East and West of the Republic, on condition that
such contracts were approved of by England.
This proclamation placed the Chiefs Moshette
and Montsioa, with their subjects and their rights,
under the protection of the South African Re-
public, in order to put an end to further bloodshed.
The decree closed with these words :

"This proclamation is issued provisionally,
subject to the conditions and having regard to
Article 4 of the London Convention."^

^ Du Toit had meantime hoisted the flag of the Republic over the
"proclaimed" territory. This act gave rise to lively disputes at
the time. But, so soon as Kniger heard of it, he called du Toit's

KRUGER'S FIRST PRESIDENCY 195

These words left open the door to an eventual
recall of the proclamation, and showed, at the
same time, that the Government had applied to
the British Government for their consent to the
annexation. The British Government, however,
had not the least intention of granting this, but
sent Sir Charles Warren with a strong force to
South Africa to put a stop to the disturbances on
the western border; and Sir Hercules Robinson
telegraphed to Pretoria that the Republic must
recall their proclamation, as England had already
declared the said districts to be under her sphere
of influence. Thereupon the Republic recalled the
proclamation, not being aware at the time that
England was Montsioa's suzerain. I went with
Dr. Leijds, the State Attorney, to the western
frontier in order personally to enforce law and
order, and warned the inhabitants of Goshenland
to keep the peace*

Shortly after, a meeting took place at Fourteen
Streams between Warren, Rhodes and myself.

attention to this, and asked him how he came to do it. Du Toit
answered that he had not hoisted the flag as a sign that he was
taking possession, but only to attract attention to the proclamation,
and that he had hauled it down since. The proclamation was not,
as has since been stated, the result of an intrigue or of an un-
reflected act, but of a resolution which President Kruger to this day
defends as lawful.— £<A'/^'j Note*

196 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

This conference had no result except an agree-
ment that each side should nominate conmiis-
sioners to mark off the frontier line as fixed by
the Convention, and that President Brand of the
Orange Free State should arbitrate in case of
disagreements. Rhodes pretended to be on my
side in the business. On the other hand, he tried
to abuse Joubert, until I pointed out to him that he
was attacking an absent man. The Commissioners
now finally fixed the western frontier. I myself
had proposed to settle the business once and for
all by ordering the mounted commando, together
with the police and a few burghers who had
accompanied me, to ride round the frontier. The
ground marked by the horses' hoofs would make
a capital "frontier line." Warren, however, re-
fused his consent to this proposal, giving as
excuse his fears lest it might lead to a hand-to-
hand fight between his force and the burghers.

I have anticipated the events of nearly two
years, for the above incidents occurred after my
return from my third journey to England. This
journey was the result of a resolution of the
Volksraad of 1883, which had decided to send a
deputation to England to endeavour to have the
Convention of 1881 replaced by one more in
harmony with the wishes of the people. The

KRUGER'S FIRST PRESIDENCY 197

attempt to settle the Western Frontier Question
satisfactorily was necessarily bound up with it
The deputation consisted of myself, General Smit
and Dr. du Toit, at that time Director of
Education. Dr. Jorissen preceded the deputation,
and had sent home a report from England to the
effect that she was willing to receive us and to
enter into a discussion on matters submitted to her.
Dr. du Toit had been the editor of the
Patriot at Paarl, Cape Colony, and had warmly
defended the Afrikander interest during the war.
Shortly after the declaration of peace, he came to
the South African Republic and was appointed
Director of Education. The same sitting which
agreed to the dispatch of a deputation to England
deprived Dr. Jorissen of his position as State
Attorney through the instrumentality of Chief
Justice Kotz6, with du Toit's assistance. His
dismissal made room for du Toit as a member of
the deputation. It was not only a discourteous
proceeding, but, in the highest sense, unjust,
taking into consideration the important services
which Dr. Jorissen had rendered his country. I
protested in vain. It was contended against me
that the secretary of such a legation must have
special qualifications which Dr. Jorissen did not

198 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Our commission started on its journey to
England in August 1883, travelled by Kim-
berley, Paarl and Cape Town, meeting every-
where with a hearty reception, and landed at its
destination on the 28th of September. The lengthy
negociations with Lord Derby, the Colonial
Secretary of that day, commenced at once. We
were soon informed that the British Government
were prepared to grant us the same independence,
as regarded internal politics, as that enjoyed by
the Orange Free State. This concession was
not obtained by us in return for any concession
nor by means of any diplomacy on our part
We regarded it as a question of right. We
pointed out that, on the ground of the Convention
of 1852, the Republic had a right to her inde-
pendence, which had been unjustly taken from
her and which had not been restored to her in
1881 in the way in which we had been verbally
promised that it would be. Besides this point,
modifications regarding the western frontier were
discussed, and our deputation succeeded in secur-
ing for the Republic a considerable tract of land
to which we laid claim and which had been un-
justly taken from us in 1881. During the negocia-
tions. Sir Hercules Robinson and I had the
misfortune to come into collision. I was pointing

KRUGER'S FIRST PRESIDENCY 199

out and insisting that certain farms, among others
Polfontein and Rietfontein, should come within the
boundaries of the Republic, especially as they had
formerly belonged to us. When I made this
statement, Sir Hercules Robinson, who was present
at the negociations, whispered to Lord Derby :

" It's a lie."

I jumped up, quite prepared to fall upon Sir
Hercules. Lord Derby and the other gentlemen
present interfered, and Lord Derby said :

" Gentlemen, you are not going to fight ? "

I answered that Sir Hercules had insulted me,
and that I did not intend to put up with it I
accepted his apology, however, and his assurance
that ** no offence was meant"

Despite this incident, Sir Hercules and I after-
wards became very good friends and remained so
until his death. He was the only High Commis-
sioner with whom I exchanged private and con-
fidential letters. He was an honourable man and
a gentleman in the best sense of the word.

The Convention of 1884 was shortly afterwards
signed and the Republic regained her complete
independence. There was, however, one article
which curtailed her rights, namely, the well-known
Article 4. But the hateful suzerainty was repealed.
The assertion made by Mr. Chamberlain at a later

200 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

date that the British suzerainty was still in force
is false, as will be proved.

After the Convention of 27 February 1884
had been signed, the deputation started for the
Continent, hoping to raise a loan, especially in
Holland, for the construction of a railway to
Delagoa Bay, We were received on every hand
with the greatest heartiness and enthusiasm.
Banquets were given in our honour and all seemed
glad to make the personal acquaintance of their
kinsmen from South Africa ; but the principal thing,
namely, the money to build the railway, we failed
to obtain. Our deputation went from Holland, by
Brussels, Paris and Madrid, to Lisbon : we were
received most cordially on our road by the French
President and the King of Spain. The Portuguese
declared themselves ready to build the Delagoa
Railway, or at least to commence without delay
that part of the line which would run through
Portuguese territory. We could not arrange for
Portugal to take over the whole line, so that it
might all be under one management. After
our return to Holland, we granted the con-
cession to build on Transvaal territory to a few
private persons, who laid the foundations of
the future Netherlands South African Railway
Company. From there we returned through

KRUGER'S FIRST PRESIDENCY 201

Germany, where we were most cordially received
by Bismarck and the Emperor William I.,^ to South
Africa In the next session of the Volksraad, I
was able to state that our independence had
been obtained, that henceforward the Republic
took her place as an equal with other independent
Powers, and that the suzerainty had ceased to
exist. It never occurred to England to contradict
this statement I brought back with me from
Holland Dr. W. J. Leijds as State Attorney.
The important part which Dr. Leijds was to play
in subsequent events is known to all. His name
will always remain associated with the history of
the Republic.

The Delagoa Railway concession came up for
discussion during the session of the Volksraad
of 1884. Petitions protesting against the scheme
had meanwhile accumulated I defended my
plan with all my might. I pointed out the

^ It was on this occasion that Prince Bismarck stumbled on
the stairs of the Royal Palace in Berlin, and the Emperor William
jestingly said :

" Prince, you are growing old."

Bismarck replied :

*' Yes, Majesty, that's usually the case, that the horse grows old
before his rider."

The story of Kruger's stay with a large landed proprietor, of
which many versions exist in Germany, is an invention. President
Kmger states that he paid no such visit—Ed^/or's Nott.

202 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

importance of possessing a railway of our own.
The duties imposed by Cape Colony were ex-
cessive and prevented our finding a market there
for our products. Besides, I assured the Raad
that the expenditure would not necessitate the
levying of fresh taxation, and that it would be the
very means for the exploitation of the new sources
which were about to be opened up and added
to those already existing in the country. The
Volksraad agreed to the concession.

The election of a new commandant general
took place at the same time. General Joubert was
almost unanimously re-elected.

The year 1885 witnessed another war on the
western frontier. Massouw, whom the Frontier
Commission had declared entirely independent,
had voluntarily enrolled himself as a vassal of the
Transvaal, but now refused to pay his taxes and
assumed a very threatening attitude. General
Joubert was obliged to march against him with a
commando and artillery. The well-known General
Piet Cronj6 stormed Massouw's entrenchments
with his accustomed daring and took possession
of his town after a short battle, in which the
Kaffir Chief was killed. The Boers lost 14 killed
and about 30 wounded. Among the killed was
Schweizer, the Commandant of the Artillery. The

KRUGER'S FIRST PRESIDENCY 203

losses of the Korannas were very heavy, and the
whole tribe broke up.

It was a most unfortunate time for the Republic.
The finances were in a sad condition. The credit
with the Standard Bank had become exhausted,
and they refused to advance more money. I had
enough to do to encourage the burghers during
my circular journeys and to impress upon them
not to lose courage ; for help, I said, would surely
come. It did, but in a very different way from
that which I had anticipated. The rich gold-fields
of the Witwatersrand were discovered and brought
about a complete revolution in the financial aspect
of the affairs of the Republic. The history of the
Republic entered upon a new phase with this dis-
covery. Can we possibly look upon it as for-
tunate? As I have already said, gold and the
embittered feelings which were the outcome of
the first annexation are the causes of the present
misery in South Africa. It will presently be seen
that, of the two causes, the gold-fields assumed
the greater importance. It is quite certain that,
had no gold been found in the Transvaal, there
would have been no war. No matter how great
the influx of Englishmen, no matter how varied
and manifold their complaints, the British Govern-
ment would not have lifted a finger in their defence.

204 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

had they not been tempted by the wealth of the
country. The question of the franchise, which in
reality caused no hardships to foreigners, was made
use of by intrigfuers to further their plans. The
words uttered by the late General Joubert, when
a burgher came gleefully to tell him that a new
gold-reef had been discovered, have been fulfilled .
in an astonishing fashion :

"Instead of rejoicing," he said, **you would
do better to weep; for this gold will cause our
country to be soaked in blood."

The quartz-reefs of the Witwatersrand, which
were discovered in the year 1886, yielded a great
wealth of gold, and so it became necessary for the
Government to proclaim these districts as public
gold-fields which would in consequence come under
the influence of the mining laws. This happened in
the middle of the year 1 886 with regard to several
farms, for example, Turffontein, Doomfontein and
others. Miners, speculators and adventurers now
arrived at the Gold Fields from every part of the
world. It does not need to be specially pointed
out that among these thousands were many sus-
picious characters ; but, on the other hand, it must
also be acknowledged that the bulk of the popula-
tion of the Witwatersrand consisted of law-abiding
people, who looked for no political quarrels, but had

KRUGER'S FIRST PRESIDENCY 205

come merely with the object of making their fortunes.
Other gold-fields were discovered : those of Krugers-
dorp in the west, Heidelberg and Nigel in the
east and, later, Malmanie and Klerksdorp. The
increase in the population and the working of the
mines brought increased prosperity in their train.
The Boer found a market for his products and the
treasury benefited by licences and other sources of
income. The first bewaarplaatsen of the Witwaters-
rand were sold, or, rather, leased during the same
year: that is, the gold district was surveyed and
parcelled out into fields, claims or stations of
100 by 50 or 50 by 50 feet, and leased for 99
years against the payment of monthly taxes. At
the expiration of the 99 years, they returned to
the State. The big town of Johannesburg had
its origin in this parcelling-out of the Gold Fields,
and in time its trade became the most important
of South Africa; consequently both Natal and
Cape Colony were anxious to have access to it
by rail But I refused to listen to this, so long
as the Delagoa Railway was unfinished. I feared
that the independent trade of the Republic would
be injured if other railway connections were
opened up with Johannesburg. That my fears
were well-grounded was fully proved, later, in
the quarrel concerning the drifts, which very

2o6 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

nearly involved the Republic in trouble with
England

In order to assist the new population as much as
possible in their difficulties, a new Committee was
established, known as the " Del vers " or Mining
Committee, for the purpose of settling differences
among the gold-diggers and negociating between
them and the Government. Cecil Rhodes was
for a long time a member of this Delvers Com-
mittee. In 1887, I visited Johannesburg in order
to acquaint myself personally with the existing
conditions. My reception was a friendly one;
but I was presented with an address containing
nothing but complaints against the Government
I replied that, in the first place, if grievances
existed, they would be a matter for the decision
of the Delvers Committee, and I hoped that,
in this way, a friendly settlement would be
arrived at, and that I should not be compelled
to have recourse to force. Much exception
has been taken to my attitude, and perhaps
I should have been wiser had I shown more
consideration for the feelings of the foreigners.
But we must not forget the elements of which
the population was composed, nor the fact that
a population of the same class at Kimberley had
caused a rebellion, which obliged the British

KRUGER'S FIRST PRESIDENCY 207

Government to send a considerable force to hold
it in check ; nor, lastly, that a former accusation
of inherent weakness had cost the Republic dear.
I was determined, therefore, to do all in my power
to avoid a renewal of that accusation. In other
respects, the complaints of foreigners always met
with the friendliest consideration ; for instance,
when they complained that the taxation of their
bewaarplatasen was too heavy, it was soon after-
wards considerably reduced.

The first conference held with a view to a
closer alliance between the Orange Free State and
the South African Republic took place in 1887.
But it led to nothing, partly because I insisted
that the Orange Free State should not permit a
railway to be built through her territory which
would connect the South African Republic with
any of the British colonies in South Africa. I was
opposed to a closer connection with the British
South African States, so long as the independence
of the Transvaal was not guaranteed by the
possession of a railway of her own, and I feared
that the construction of the only possible self-sup-
porting railway, for which the Government had
made itself liable, would be delayed, or the railway
rendered unproductive, if other lines were started
in the meantime. The second reason why the

2o8 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

conference failed was that I demanded an offen-
sive and defensive alliance in case the independ-
ence of either was threatened. President Brand
could not see his way to accept this proposal.
I need hardly say that the press of Cape Colony
was exceedingly indignant with me on account
of my attitude with regard to the railway question ;
but I went my own way, knowing that my first
duty concerned the interest of my country.

The incorporation of the "New Republic"
with the South African Republic took place
during the same year : it afterwards formed into
the Vrijheid District. This Republic owed its
existence to a quarrel between two Zulu chiefs,
Dinizulu, the son of Cetewayo, and Usibepu, who
were at war with one another in 1884. Dinizulu
had received assistance from a number of Boers,
subjects of both the South African Republic and
Natal, but without the authority of the Govern-
ment Dinizulu defeated Usibepu, and showed
his gratitude by giving the Boers who had helped
him a piece of land, on which a new republic
came into existence. Lucas Meijer, who, as a
member of the Executive Raad, took part in the
campaign of the late war, was elected President
of this Republic. But, in 1887, it was incor-
porated with the South African Republic, at the

KRUGER'S FIRST PRESIDENCY 209

request of the inhabitants, and received the same
right as the other four great districts to send four
members to the Volksraad of the South African
Republic.

The period of five years for which I had been
elected President had meanwhile nearly expired,
and it became necessary, in 1887, to give notice,
through the Volksraad, of the election of a new
president to manage the affairs of the country
from 1888.

CHAPTER X

PAUL KRUGER'S SECOND PRESIDENCY:

1888-1898

CHAPTER X

PAUL KRUGER^ SECOND PRESIDENCY:

1888^1893

Dr. Leijds appointed State Secretary — Cecil Rhodes causes trouble
on the northern frontiers of the Republic : the Chartered
Company ; Lobengula ; Khama — Treaty of alliance between the
Orange Free State and the South African Republic — ^Arrange-
ments in favour of the Uitlanders : the Law Courts at
Johannesburg ; the second Volksraad — Paul Kruger's ** hatred
of the Uitlanders " — ^The Swaziland Agreement — British perfidy
— The Adendorff Trek — Religious differences — Kruger the
" autocrat " — The educational question— New elections.

FOR the new elections writs were issued
in my name and Joubert's. Both of us
accepted the candidature, but I was re-elected
by a large majority and, in May 1888, was sworn
in as State President for the second time. In
the session of the Volksraad of that year, instead of
the former Secretary to the Government, Mr. Bok,
Dr. Leijds was now elected State Secretary,
and the former, on my motion, was appointed
Secretary to the Executive Raad, a post which
was created for this purpose.

214 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

In the first year of my new presidency, an
event occurred which might easily have led to
the most serious complications. Cecil Rhodes
had at that time begun to realize his imperialistic
dreams, that is, his efforts to extend the British
authority towards the North of Africa. At that
time, Matabdeland and Mashonaland, to the
north of the Transvaal, were governed by the
Zulu Chief Lobengula, the son of Moselikatse,
who had been driven out by the earlier setders.
But Moselikatse, the once so hated and cruel
enemy of the Boers, had in later years entered
into friendly relations with the Republic, and this
friendship was continued under his son. Loben-
gula was even on very good terms with the Boers
and often came into contact with the burghers
of the Republic, who hunted in his territories. In
1887, he sent one of his principal indunas to
Pretoria with the request that the South African
Republic would appoint a consul in his domains.
This wish was granted, and Piet Grobler, who
was well acquainted with the Matabele Kaffirs,
was sent to represent the Republic Before he
started, I drafted a treaty by which Lobengula
placed his country under the protectorate of the
Republic. Grobler took this document with him
and, on his arrival at Buluwayo, read it to Loben-

KRUGER'S SECOND PRESIDENCY 215

gula, who fully agreed to the treaty, but asked for
a few days' delay, to summon his indunas and
hear their opinion before signing.

Grobler thought he would make use of this
delay to meet his wife, who was on her way to
join him, and who was at that time on the Crocodile
River. On the road, he came upon an armed
detachment of Khama's Kaffirs, who were at war
with Lobengula. A patrol of these blacks were the
first to approach him : he rode straight up to them»
to ask what they wanted, but they all. took to
flight Grobler caught one of them and told him
to go and fetch the captain or leader of the
detachment, so that he might hear what their
object was. He himself went on a few hundred
yards from his waggons to meet the main body,
which immediately opened fire upon him. While
running back to his waggon, he was hit in the
leg and fell. A young Kaffir girl called Lottering
ran up and placed herself between the Kaffirs and
the wounded man, so as to cover him with her own
body. Grobler's companions, consisting of five
or six men, now opened fire and soon drove
the enemy to flight. Grobler was carried to his
waggon and was able to resume his journey
towards the Crocodile River, but died of his
wounds a few days after his arrival.

2i6 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

There is no doubt whatever that this murder
was due to the instigation of Cecil Rhodes and
his clique. It was Rhodes's object to obtain pos-
session of the South African interior, and he
was afraid lest his plans should be frustrated by
Grobler's appointment. A long correspondence
ensued between the Government of the South
African Republic and the British High Conmiis-
sioner concerning this incident, for Khama was
under British protectorate. In order to avoid an
open conflict, the Government of the Republic
was obliged to content itself with an arrangement
by which Khama was to pay Grobler*s widow
a pension of ;^200 a year.

In order to explain Rhodes's connection with
this matter and with the whole further history of
my own struggles and those of the Republic, I
must here refer to the origin of the Chartered
Company and the aims and efforts of the Rhodes
party. Cecil Rhodes is the man who bore by
far the most prominent part in the disaster that
struck the country. In spite of the high eulogiums
passed upon him by his friends, he was one of
the most unscrupulous characters that have ever
existed. The Jesuitical maxim that ** the end
justifies the means** formed his only political
creed. This man was the curse of South Africa.

KRUGER'S SECOND PRESIDENCY 217

He had made his fortune by diamond specula-
tions at Kimberley, and the amalgamation of the
Kimberley Diamond Mines put him in possession
of enormous influence in the financial world.
Later, he became a member of the Cape Parlia-
ment and, in 1890, rose to be Prime Minister
of Cape Colony. But, long before this, he had
turned his attention to Central South Africa; for
it was due to him that Goshenland and Stellaland
became incorporated with Cape Colony. He
looked upon these domains as a thoroughfare, a
kind of Suez Canal, to Central South Africa.^

As early as 1888, he induced Sir Hercules
Robinson, the High Commissioner of that time,
to enter into a treaty with Lobengula, the Chief
of the Matabele. Later, he managed to turn this

^ In the early days of Kruger's presidency, Rhodes tried to
win him as an ally. On his way from Beira to Cape Town, he
called on Kruger at Pretoria and said :

"We must work together. I know the Republic wants a sea-
port : you must have Delagoa Bay."

Kruger replied :

*'How can we work together there? The harbour belongs to
the Portuguese, and they won't hand it over."

"Then we must simply take it," said Rhodes.

" I can't take away other people's property," said Kruger. " If
the Portuguese won't sell the harbour, I wouldn't take it even if
you gave it me ; for ill-gotten goods are accursed."

Rhodes then ceased his endeavours to gain Kruger over. —
Editor^ s NoU.

2i8 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

to his advantage when, through the payment of a
large sum of money, supplemented by a quantity
of fire-arms, he succeeded in obtaining a conces-
sion from Lobeng^la for himself. This concession
merely gave him the right to search for gold or
other metals in the country; but he used it to
obtain a firm footing in Matabeleland, with the
intention of preventing the extension of the South
African Republic in this direction. He soon saw
that he would not be able to carry out his plans
without protection from England. So he went to
England to obtain a charter giving him the right
to certain monopolies and independent action.
He procured it without much difficulty, for he
found bribery a useful ally when fine speeches
were insufficient for his purpose, and he was not
the man to spare money if some object was
to be attained. It is certain that a number of
influential persons in England received shares in
his Chartered Company. He even tried to win
over the Irish party in Parliament, which was
not at all in harmony with his plans, by a
present of ;^ 10,000. Who knows how many more
large sums he spent with the same object! This
will never be revealed. Rhodes was capital
incarnate. No matter how base, no matter how
contemptible : be it lying, bribery or treachery.

KRUGER'S SECOND PRESIDENCY 219

all and every means were welcome to hioi, if
they led to the attainment of his ofaject3.

Rhodes obtained his charter, although one
might well ask what rights England possessed over
this district to enable her to grant a charter ; and
a company was formed with a capital of one
million sterling. Soon afterwards, in 1890, Rhodes
fitted out an expedition to take possession of
"his" territory. The protest of the Matabele
King was ignored. Rhodes took possession of
Mashonaland, and built several forts : FcHt Charter,
Fort Salisbury and Fort Victoria. It soon became
evident, however, that Mashonaland was of litde
value, either agriculturally or as a mining dis-
trict Under the impression that Matabeleland
possessed valuable gold-fields, he set about to
annex it In order to do so, he -must involve
Lobengula in a war, and he succeeded but too
well. It is affirmed in Africa that it was Rhodes,
through his administrator, who informed Lobengula
that the Mashonas had stolen cattle, and that
it was his duty to punish the raiders. Lobengula
at once dispatched a band of his people, as was
the custom in those cases, to revenge the robbery.
Rhodes used this fact as an excuse to demand
Lobeng^la's punishment, on account of the
massacre of the Mashonas. Whether there be

220 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

truth in this statement or not» one thing is
certain : Rhodes had his way and his war.
A force under Dr. Jameson quickly dispersed
the Matabeles ; the Maxim g^ns cut them down
by hundreds. It is said that Lobengula died
near the Zambesi during his flight. What must
have been the thoughts of the black potentate,
during those last few hours of his life, when
they dwelt on the arts of a so-called Christian
nation ? Such thoughts never influenced a man
like Rhodes. He forthwith explored Matabeleland
in all directions in search of gold, but with poor
results. So he deliberately made up his mind to
possess himself of the rich gold-fields of the South
African Republic, the highroad to which was the
possession of South Africa itself. History knows
the successful issue of this base design.

In 1888, President Brand of the Orange Free
State died, after having been President for twenty-
five years. In his stead was elected Francis William
Reitz, who afterwards became State Secretary of
the South African Republic : a man esteemed by
all who know him ; one of those men of whom we
often read in books, but whom we seldom meet
in real life ; a man of superior and noble character,
whose one aim in life is to serve his country: in
a word, a man whom it is a privilege to know.

KRUGER'S SECOND PRESIDENCY 221

Shortly after his inauguration as State President,
in 1889, a second conference took place between
the Governments of the two Republics, with the
object of establishing a closer alliance between
the two States. The conference met at Potchef-
stroom and had a very different result from the
first. The two Republics bound themselves to
come to each other's assistance in case the inde-
pendence of either should be wantonly threatened
from without. A commercial treaty was also con-
cluded, establishing mutual free trade, with excep-
tion of the products and other goods on which the
South African Republic was bound to levy import
duties in order to protect the monopolies which she
had granted. An arrangement touching the rail-
ways, which I had proposed at the first conference,
was now accepted.

In 1888, I again visited Johannesburg, where
I met with a very friendly reception. In the
addresses that were presented to me, I was asked
to establish a municipality and to increase the
number of judicial officers. This last request I at
once granted by appointing Dr. Jorissen as a
special judge for Johannesburg (the other demands
were fulfilled later). After granting this request,
I never ceased thinking how I could meet the
wishes of the new population for representation.

222 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

without injuring the Republic or prejudicing the
interests of the older burghers. For, although
the complaints of the Uitlanders always met with
a friendly hearing from the Executive Raad, which
had received full powers from the Volksraad to
legislate for the population of the Gold Fields,
and although as much was granted as possible,
nevertheless it was evident to me that some means
must be found to give the Uitlanders a voice in
the representation of the country. I believed that
I had discovered this means by the institution of a
Second Volksraad, and it was my own idea, for
which I alone made myself responsible, that to
this body might be entrusted the discussion c^ all
questions, such as, for instance, the gold laws,
telegraphs, etc. which were mainly of interest to
the new arrivals.

In this manner I endeavoured to open the
way to the new population for the legal presenta-
tion and remedy of their grievances. Hitherto
they had been prevented by the limits of the
conditions necessary for obtaining the franchise.
The Constitution prescribed that a foreig^ner must
have been registered for five years on the field
comets' lists before he could be naturalized. My
proposal for a Second Volksraad involved this
alteration in the law, that only two years' registra-

KRUGER'S SECOND PRESIDENCY 223

tion would be necessary for purposes of naturaliza^
tion and that the naturalized person would then
have the right to vote for members of the Second
Volksraad and for all officials holding elective
posts^ with the exception of the State President^
the Conunandant General and the members of
the First Volksraad Any person enjoying this
right for two years, therefore ia four years in all
after his registration on the field comets' lists as
an inhabitant of the Republic, would become
entitled to be himself elected a member of the
Second Volksraad. Ten years later, he was to
receive full burgher rights, that is to say, the
same civic rights as those possessed by the old
burghers.

This proposal met with lively opposition, as
some members of the Volksraad looked upon it
as a piece of class legislation, which, in a certain
measure, it undoubtedly was, while others were of
the opinion that it gave too many rights to the
fo/eigners. The matter was adjourned in order
that the opinion oi the people might be taken.
The burghers, however, approved of the proposal,
which was a proof of their confidence in their Presi-
dent; for I feel sure that such a proposal would
never have been carried if it had been moved by
any other than myself. In response to the public

224 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

wish, the law was now passed, by a large majority,
at the next annual session of the Raad

The Uitlanders contended in the English press,
and Mr. Chamberlain made the contention his own,
that the Second Volksraad was of no practical use.
It is only necessary to say that, notwithstanding
that the laws and resolutions of the Second Volks-
raad had to be submitted to the ratification of the
First Volksraad, the latter body only once rejected
a decision of the Second Volksraad, and that was
in the matter of the dispute about the bewaar-
plaatsen^ when the Second Volksraad wished to
grant the mining rights of an estate, without more
ado, to a tenant who had leased only the surface
rights.

It must not be forgotten either that these
alterations of the Constitution in favour of the
Uitlanders were introduced by myself and accepted
by the Volksraad in spite of the fact that, only a
little earlier, an incident had occurred at Johannes-
burg of a very insulting character to me and the
burghers. I was going to Norval's Point, on the
Orange River, to meet the High Commissioner
in the matter of the Swaziland Question. On the
road, I stopped at Johannesburg, where, as usual,
a deputation came to lay its grievances before me.
It was quite impossible for me to concede all the

KRUGER'S SECOND PRESIDENCY 225

wishes of these people on the spot One of the
deputation threw the reproach in my face that I
treated the new population with contempt I
angrily answered :

'' I have no contempt for the new population,
but only for men like yourself."

In the evening, a riot took place in front of
Mr. van Brandis' house, where I was staying:
the flag of the Republic was pulled down and torn
to pieces. It is easy to see that this provoked the
old population almost beyond endurance, but I
quieted them by saying that the inhabitants in
general were loyal burghers and that the scandal
must be laid to the charge of a few rioters. When
I met the High Commissioner at Norval's Point,
he spoke to me of the riot at Johannesburg, and
I said:

"Yes, Sir Henry; you see, those people re-
mind me of a baboon I once had, which was so
fond of me that he would not let any one touch
me. But one day we were sitting round the fire,
and unfortunately the beast's tail got caught in the
fire. He now flew at me furiously, thinking that
I was the cause of his accident. The Johannes-
burgers are just like that They have burnt their
fingers in speculations and now they want to
revenge themselves on Paul Kruger."

226 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

A fresh occasion for provoking foreign hatred
against me presented itself at the time of the
septennial commemoration of the Declaration of
Independence at Paardekraal. I made a long
speech to some thousands of people in which I
set forth how I viewed the history of my people
in the light of God's Word I began by address-
ing my hearers :

" People of the Lord, you old people of the
country, you foreigners, you new-comers, yes, even
you thieves and murderers ! "

The Uitlanders, who were always on the
watch to invent grievances against the President
and the Government, were furious at this address,
and declared that I had called them thieves and
murderers, which was, of course, an absolute lie.
I merely wished to say that I called upon every-
body, even thieves and murderers, if there were
any such in the meeting, to humble themselves
before God and to acknowledge the wonders in
God's dealings with the people of the Republic
If any insult was conveyed in these words, it
applied just as much to the old as to the new
population, as any sensible person, who took the
trouble to follow my train of thought, would have
perceived for himself.

The Swaziland Question, in connection with

KRUGER'S SECOND PRESIDENCY 227

which I had gone to meet Sir Henry Loch, had
griven the Republic g^eat trouble. Swaziland
formerly belonged to the Republic, but was
taken from it by the Royal Commission of i88i.
Except on the east, it is bounded on every side
by the South African Republic. Some of the
burghers had obtained certain concessions from the
Swazi King Umbandine. Other persons, mosdy
adventurers, demanded similar concessions, and
were so g^eat a nuisance and annoyance to the
King that he asked the British Government to
send him an adviser. No time was lost in com-
plying with his request, as this would bring
Swaziland within the sphere of British influence.
Offy Shepstone, son of the Sir Theophilus Shep-
stone who annexed the Republic in 1877, was
appointed adviser to Umbadine by the High Com-
missioner. But the confusion in the land grew
worse and worse, till at last the real government
of the country was handed over to a kind of
committee consisting of Boers and Englishmen.
It was obvious that such a condition of things
could not last, and Sir Hercules Robinson did
not appear at all averse to the annexation of the
country by the Republic. Needless to say that
this arrangement did not suit the Jingoes and
"humanitarians'* in England; so the British

228 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Government decided to dispatch Sir Francis de
Winton as a special envoy to look into the ai£urs
of Swaailaiid.

General Joubert had an interview, on behalf
of the South African Republic, with Sir Francis
de Winton, at which he explained the reason
why the Transvaal Government desired to in-
corporate Swaziland with the Republic. After
the British Government had received de Wintoa's
report, they commissioned Sir Henry Loch, the
new Governor of Cape Colony, to communicate
with me. We met in conference at Blignautspont ;
and Rhodes was also present at the meeting. I
did all I could to induce the British Government
to agree to the incorporation of Swaziland, as
well as of Sambaanland and Umbigesaland,
with which the Republic had already come to an
understanding. Sir Henry Loch did all in his
power to obtain the consent of the Republic to
a scheme for a railway which Natal desired to
build as far as Johannesburg in order to bring
about a general South African customs-unictfi.
I would not listen to the proposal of a general
customs-union ; not because I was opposed to the
schenie, but because my first condition was always
my demand for a port: port finst, customs-union
after. I agreed to the railway scheme, not on any

KRUGER'S SECOND PRESIDENCY 229

special grounds^ but because I desired ta meet
Natal in the matter. But I declined to treat
this railway scheme as a condition in entirel]r
different questions; and, with regard to the tariff
question, it was necessary that I sholild first put
myself in communication with the Portugese
Government, as there already existed an under-
standing between myself and them on the subject
The Portuguese Government, namely, had only
determined to build the Delagoa Bay Railway on
condition that no new line to Johannesburg should
be built that would be shorter than the Delagoa
Line. The outcome of the Conference was
that the High Commissioner agreed to draft a
deed which he was to submit to me. At
the same time, he expressed the wish that Dr.
Leijds, who was present at the negociations,
should remiain behind and be present also at the
drafting of the document in order to explain it,
should it be necessary to throw additional light
upon any particular point for my benefit He
was then to sign a declaration that he had been
present at the drafting of the deed. Thereupon
the Conference broke up.

Shortly afterwards Sir Henry Loch sent me
his draft proposals, containing the following main
points:

230 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Swaziland to be governed in common;

The Republic to receive permission to build a
railway as far as Kosi Bay. A strip of land, three
miles broad, was ceded to her for this purpose.
But the British Government retained the pro-
tectorate over this district and over Kosi Bay as
well : a condition which made the acceptance of
the offer by the Republic impossible from the
commencement ;

The Transvaal, besides, to receive permission
to annex a small piece of land, the so-called
Little Free State, situated between the Republic
and Swaziland.

Sir Henry Loch insisted that this was the
understanding at which he had arrived with me
at Blignautspont, and that Dr. Leijds, after the
closing of the conference, had expressed himself
satisfied with the conditions and had signed them
in proof of his agreement. Both Dr. Leijds and I
disputed this assertion, and I refused to accept the
conditions of the draft Loch threatened that, unless
it were accepted, the British Government would
avail themselves of their right, under the London
Convention to send an armed force into Swaziland.

Shortly after, Jan Hofmeyer came to Pretoria,
in ojder to mediate, and, with his assistance,
the first Swaziland Convention was agreed upon.

KRUGER'S SECOND PRESIDENCY 231

Needless to say that the Republic received very
little benefit indeed : nay, she lost ; for she was
prevented from making 'any treaty in future with
the natives in the North and North-west. Further,
she had to agree not to put any difficulties in the
way of a railway connection with Natal and —
here we again see Cecil Rhodes's hand — ^to assist
the Chartered Company to the best of her ability
in the North. This last condition, as we shall see
later, gave rise to great difficulties.

The Volksraad accepted the agreement, but
expressed its regret very freely at the absence
of mutual accommodation which the Republic
had encountered on the part of England. The
unsatisfactory state of things resulting from tins
agreement lasted until 1 893, when a second Swazi-
land Convention was concluded.

Two events occurred during my second presi-
dency which called forth great opposition against
myself. The first 6f these was the AdendorflF
Trek ; the second a conference on church matters.
The Adendorff Trek had its origin in a conces-
sion which a certain Adendorff and Mr. B. Foster,
jun., had obtained in Banjailand and which they
vainly endeavoured to sell to Cecil Rhodes.
Rhodes declared that the concession was illegal,
whereupon its owners resolved to trek to the

232 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

territory which had been leased to ^em. The
High Commissioner and Rhodes both opposed
this trek, as they considered that it endangered
the interests of the Chartered Company, and they
asked me» in accordance with the Swaziland Con-
vention, to forbid the trekkers to carry out their
project. I immediately published a declaration
s^ainst the trek and issued a proclamation in which
the burghers throughout the country were strictly
forbidden to take part in it Any one disobeying
the proclamation was ^reatened with the utmost
rigours of the law. A section of the burners
openly protested against this proclamation, and,
although I knew that it was likely to cost me
some of my popularity, I was in honour bound to
observe the decisions of the Swaziland Convention,
little though they appealed to me. How dear this
attitude cost me was shown at the next presidential
election; for, although my opponents brought up
many other grievances against me, the fact that
I had prevented the Adendorff Trek was one of
the chief reasons that caused a number of burghers
to vote for my opponents. This question afterwards
came up for discussion in the Volksraad, and, in
the debate that followed, many influential members
spoke against the proclamation; including the late
General Joubert and Mr. Schalk Burger, who

KRUGER^S SECOND PRESIDENCY 233

became Acting President of the Republic during
the Is^te war, after my departure for Europe.
Eventually, however, the Volksraad accepted the
proclamation and nothing came of the whole move-
ment, this being due, to a g^eat extent, to my
endeavours to see the butchers personally, when-
.ever I could, and dissuade them from joining the
trdk.

At the same time that the Republic had to
encounter these ^difficulties in external politics,
quarrels arose in regard to church matters.

After the war of 1881, the burghers felt the
necessity of consolidation in ecclesiastical matters,
and the result was a union between the Hervormde
and the Nederduitsck-Gereformeerde Churches.
The third evangelical church community, the
Christelijk - Gerefonneerde^ or so - called Dopper
Church, of which I was a member, ^had hesitated
to join the union, and was therefore not directly
mixed up in these quarrels. Shortly after the
union, fresh differences of opinion arose, and
several burghers, whose leader was Christian
Joubert, wished to have no more to do with the
union and decided to remain in the Hervormde
Church. Others followed later on, and ^heir leader
was A. D. W. Wolmarans, who was at that time
in Europe as a delegate. Difficult questions

234 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

naturally arose regarding the right of ownership
to church property, for the members who separated
from the Hervormde Church laid claims to its
property, as did those who remained faithful to
the union. It is not surprising that this situation
gave rise to bitter disputes and many quarrels.

In order to put a stop to these bickerings,
I sent a circular note to the pastors and elders
of the different parties, inviting them to a con-
ference at which an attempt would be made to
remove these difficulties. It took place, in 1891,
in the House of the Second Volksraad, I myself
presiding. All parties were represented. In my
opening speech, I asked them to look upon
me, not as the State President, but as a brother
and fellow-Christian, anxious to do my share to
put an end to the unhappy state of things by
removing the cause of quarrel. I tried hard to
restore the union, thinking that, by doing so, I
should succeed in healing the breach. But it
soon became obvious that my attempts were
doomed to fsulure, and I accordingly passed on
to the question of the right of property. But
here, too, all my efforts to reconcile their differ-
ences proved fruitless. The conference closed
without any satisfactory solution of the vexed
question having been arrived at.

KRUGER'S SECOND PRESIDENCY 235

Although I really instituted this conference
with the best intentions, it was nevertheless em-
ployed as a weapon against me by my enemies.
I was reproached at the next presidential election
with being an autocrat and with wishing to inter-
fere in everything, even in church matters.

This new presidential election was due in
the following year. This time, there were three
candidates in the field: myself, Joubert and
Chief Justice Kotz6; and it proved the most
violent electoral struggle through which the Re-
public ever passed. I was accused by the Opposi-
tion of being autocratic, of squandering the
national money, of giving away all rights and
privileges in the form of concessions and of award-
ing all the offices of State to the Hollanders.
Reproaches upon reproaches were also hurled
against the Opposition. It is far from pleasant
to carry back one's thoughts to that time, when
the two chief men in the Republic were painted
so black that, if only the tenth part of the accusa-
tions flung at us had been based upon truth,
neither of us would have been worthy to enjoy
the confidence of the people for another hour.

CHAPTER XI

PAUL KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY :

1898-1898

15a

CHAPTER XI

PAUL KRUGER'S THIRD PRESmENCY : 1898-1898

The Transvaal National Union — The second Swaziland Agreement
— Difficulties with the Kaffir tribes in the Blue Mountains — The
English immigrants refuse to perform military service — Sir
Henry Loch at Pretoria — The President insulted — ^Annexation
of Sambaanland and Umbigesaland by England — Solemn
opening of the Delagoa Bay Railway and tariff war with Cape
Colony — The Jameson Raid — Mr. Chamberlain's policy of pro-
vocation — The report of the Mining Conmiission — The strugg^
between the Government and the Supreme Court — Sir Alfired
Milner — New elections — The Queen of England a ^^kwaau
vrouw^ — Closer alliance with the Orange Free State.

TH E result of the new election was :
Kruger . . . 7,854 votes

Joubert . . . 7,cx)9

Chief Justice Kotzd . 81

Joubert's party was dissatisfied with the result
and entered a protest against my election. When
the Volksraad met, on the ist of May, a committee
of six, consisting of three of Joubert's followers
and three of mine, was appointed to hold a
scrutiny. A resolution was passed, at the same

240 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

time, by which I was to remain in office until the
committee had given its decision, although my
term of office nominally expired on the 5th of
May. The majority of the committee were of
opinion that the election had been legally con-
ducted. Nevertheless the minority handed in
their own report recommending a new election.
The Volksraad, on the other hand, accepted the
report of the majority by 18 votes to 3, with the
result that, on the 12th of May 1893, ^ was
installed as State President for the third time.
After being sworn in, I once more addressed the
people, this time from the balcony of the new
Government Buildings, while the public stood
crowded in large numbers in the Church Square
in front. I exhorted the burghers to remain
unanimous, spoke a word of greeting to the
women of the country and, lastly and particularly,
admonished the children, with whom the future
lay, to continue true to their mother tongue.^

^ This admonition was uttered especially in connection with the
educational reforms which had been introduced in the previous year
and which were based upon the principle that the Dutch language
was to be employed as the educational medium.

The portion of Kruger's speech to which he refers, ran as follows :

'* Dear children, you are the ones upon whom the State President
keeps his eye, for I see our future Church and State in your hands,
for when all the old people are gone, you will be the Church and

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 241

Combined efforts on the part of the burghers
were especially needed that year, as the country
had been visited by heavy floods. The rivers

State ; but, if you depart from the truth and stray, then you will lose
your inheritance. Stand firm by God's Word, in which your parents
have brought you up. Love that Word. I shall endeavour with al
my might to assist churches and schools, to let you receive a Chris-
tian education, so that you may both religiously and socially
become useful members of Church and State, and I trust that the
teachers and ministers will also do their best. It is a great privilege
that your Government has ordered a Christian education, and you
are greatly privileged in being able to enjoy a Christian education,
and not you alone, for the object is to extend it so that every one
may have the opportunity of receiving it and turning it to account.
... It is also a great privilege for you that the Government and
Volksraad have accepted our language as the State language. Keep
to that, keep to the language in which your forefathers, whom God
led out of the wilderness, struggled and prayed to God, and which
became ever dearer and dearer to them : the language in which the
Bible comes to you, and in which your fore&thers read the Bible, and
which contains the religion of your forefathers. And, therefore, if you
become indifferent to your language, you also become indifferent to
your forefathers and indifferent to the Bible and indifferent to your
religion ; and then you will soon stray away entirely and you will
rob posterity of your Dutch Bible and of your religion, which God
confirmed to your forefathers with wonders and miracles. Stand
firm then, so that you shall not be trusted in vain, and keep to your
language, your Bible and your religion. It is a good thing to learn
foreign languages, especially the language of your neighbours with
whom you have most to do ; but let any foreign language be a second
language to you. Pray to God that you may stand firm oa this
point and not stray, so that the Lord may remain amongst you, and
then posterity will honour you for your loyalty.'*

It was just the two points of view touched upon in this speech
which President Burgers had neglected in the Educational Law
16

242 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

rose higher than had been known within human
memory and did enormous damage.

In the year preceding the election of 1893,

which he had drafted in 1S74, and, with the aid of his eloquence, had
induced the Volksraad to pass. He was opposed to the religious
convictions of the nation. He had abolished the religious basis
upon which the schools were foimded. And therefidre his law,
wherever he himself was not able to plead for it with the power of
his rhetoric, remained a dead letter.

After the War of Independence, one of the first cares of the
regency, at whose head Kruger stood as Vice*president, was to
obtain an Educational Law that should satisfy the real needs and
wishes of the nation. Kruger thought he had found the man who
possessed the necessary experience and who shared the convictioiis
of the Boers in Dr. du Toit, and appointed him Superintendent of
Education. He drafted a law which was passed by the Volksraad in
1882, but, although his intention was good, the execution was faulty.
Du Toit was more of a politician than a schoolman, and he resigned
his office in 1889. The development of the g<^-fields and the influx
of emigrants at that time made such demands upon the powers and
attention of the Government that it was unable to devote as much
care to the schools as it would have wished. And so the post of
Director of Education remained vacant for some time. After this,
when a new holder of this post was looked for, the division of the
people into different Church parties determined them not again
to appoint an ecclesiastic. Professor Mansvelt, the Professor of
Modem Languages at Stellenbosch, was therefore approached.
He at first refused, but, when again called upon and after a personal
interview with the President, accepted, at the end of 1891. After
he had satisfied himself by a long journey of inspection as to the
condition of the schools throughout the country, he drafted a new
law with the assistance of a committee appointed by the V<^ksraad
for that purpose. The law was first submitted to the people and
afterwards passed unanimously by the Volksraad.

In the main points, the outlines of the Law of 1882 were pre-
served, but in certain respects the new law was a great improvement

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 241

Combined efforts on the part of the burghers
were especially needed that year, as the country
had been visited by heavy floods. The rivers

State ; but, if you depart from the truth and stray, then you will lose
your inheritance. Stand firm by God's Word, in which your parents
have brought you up. Love that Word. I shall endeavour with al
my might to assist churches and schools, to let you receive a Chris-
tian education, so that you may both religiously and socially
become useful members of Church and State, and I trust that the
teachers and muiisters will also do their best. It is a great privilege
that your Government has ordered a Christian education, and you
are greatly privileged in being able to enjoy a Christian education,
and not you alone, for the object is to extend it so that every one
may have the opportunity of receiving it and turning it to account.
... It is also a great privilege for you that the Government and
Volksraad have accepted our language as the State language. Keep
to that, keep to the language in which your fore&thers, whom God
led out of the wilderness, struggled and prayed to God, and which
became ever dearer and dearer to them : the language in which the
Bible comes to you, and in which your fore&thers read the Bible, and
which contains the religion of your forefathers. And, therefore, if you
become indifferent to your language, you also become indifferent to
your forefathers and indifferent to the Bible and indifferent to your
religion ; and then you will soon stray away entirely and you will
rob posterity of your Dutch Bible and of your religion, which God
confirmed to your forefathers with wonders and miracles. Stand
firm then, so that you shall not be trusted in vain, and keep to your
language, your Bible and your religion. It is a good thing to learn
foreign languages, especially the language of your neighbours with
whom you have most to do ; but let any foreign language be a second
language to you. Pray to God that you may stand firm on this
point and not stray, so that the Lord may remain amongst you, and
then posterity will honour you for your loyalty.'*

It was just the two points of view touched upon in this speech
which President Burgers had neglected in the Educational Law
16

244 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

influence upon the fate of the Transvaal. This
was the so-called "Transvaal National Union,"
which made it its business to keep the Johsinnes-
burg population in a state of constant ferment
and to manufacture complaints against the
Government Every method of agitation was
put into force by these gentry for the further-
ance of their intrigues. Apparently they were
agitating for the franchise; but their real object
was a very different one, as will be seen. That
Rhodes's influence was here, too, paramount was
proved by later events.

The seditious spirit which actuated the

penonally opened the State Girls' School at Pretoria with prayers
and an address. The people was converted to these reforms at the
same time as its President

Determined to make education as general as possible, he was at
once prepared to ^ree to the proposals that, in districts with a
mixed population, State subsidies should also be allowed, under
certain conditions, to those schools in which education was not given
in Dutch. A law of his own proposing was passed, with this object,
on the 1st of June 1893, and a few English schools and the flouiish-
ing German school developed under his protection at Johannesbtng.
And, when the President saw that the English population made too
little use of the advantages granted them and the political Oppori>
tioQ established an Educational Commission with an Educationll j
Fund of j£ioo,ooo for the maintenance of schools conducted L
anti-national spirit, despite his objection, on principle, to i
schools, he gave his consent to the erection of Uiilander si
the cost of the State, to which the mixed Inhabitants of th« C
Fields conld send tbdr children cither gratuitously o
of very small fees. The only duty pmcribed to these s

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 245

National Union stood clearly and distinctly re-
vealed at the very first opportunity; and this
came during the KafHr War in the Blue Moun-
tains. The Republic, at that time, had to contend
against constant difficulties with the Kaffir tribes
in the North. To-day it was this one, to-morrow
that other, that assumed an insolent attitude to-
wards the Government At last, one of their
chiefs, by name Malapoch, who lived in the Blue
Mountains, behaved so outrageously that the
Government was compelled to send a commando
against him. His audacity had gone so far as
to order a number of his subjects, who lived in

to give opportunities for instruction in the langiuge of the country ,-
and, at the expiration of two years, there were twelve of these
■chools, with 49 teachers and 1,499 children, each of whom
CtMt the State £20 a year. In this way, the English enjoyed ad-
vantages superior to those of the whole population. The foct,
moreover, that the President would never give up his principle that
the Dutch language should be maintained as the one and only
educational medium merely shows that he saw, as did others, the
necessity of the preservation of the national tongue for the indepen-
dent development and consolidation of a nation, especially such a
nuian as that of the Boers, which had to hold its ground in the
aMat of an overwhelnung foreign population.

Education made such great strides in the course of the next eight
' years that, 21 the Faris Exhihlnon »f 1900, the commission received
\ two grandi prii : a distinction ^^tJfi§^ ^^ '"°'^ deserved when
I one think) of Ogt^^^tM^f^^'^^ education in the South
I AfricMi Re|«^2^|^^^^^_^ ** ^ scattnedj
|lUAr«

246 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

the plains round about the Blue Mountains, to be
murdered, because they had paid taxes to the
Government of the Republic in accordance with
their lawful obligations.

General Joubert collected the young men of
Pretoria for an expedition against Malapoch.
These young men of course included many sub-
jects of foreign Powers, but all obeyed the field
comet's summons with the greatest alacrity, with
the exception of the English.

These, as " British subjects," thought them-
selves much too grand to fight for the despised
Boers. The English clergy did all they could to
stir up the minds of these young men by public
addresses. At last, the field cornet found himself
compelled, in compliance with Article 5 of the
Regulations of War, to arrest the recalcitrants.
These lodged a complaint with the Chief Justice,
and demanded that the field comet be ordered to
leave them alone. The court, however, decided
that they were obliged to serve, and so these fine
young gentlemen were sent under a burgher
escort to the commando. Meanwhile, the so-
called National Union had not been idle, but
made every possible attempt to harass the
Government The insolence of these people
would be incomprehensible, if it had not after-

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 247

wards appeared who were behind them. The
British Government took official notice of the
occurrence and sent Sir Henry Loch to Pretoria
to discuss the question with the Government of
the Republic.

In the meantime, the Volksraad had passed
a resdution by which any person not yet enjoying
fuH burgher rights might be released from mili-
tary service on the payment of a certain sum of
money. Shortly afterwards, Sir Henry Loch
came to Pretoria. On his arrival, the English
behaved in the most disorderly fashion and, so
soon as the Governor and I were seated in the
carriage, the Jingoes took out the horses and
drew us to the Transvaal Hotel, singing the usual
English satirical ditties as they did so. One of
the ring-leaders jumped on the box waving a great
Union Jack. On arriving in front of the Trans-
vaal Hotel, they stopped the carriage and read an
address to Sir Henry Loch. A number of Trans-
vaal burghers, seeing what was going on, drew the
carriage, in which I had remained seated alone,
to the Government Buildings. I need not say
that this incident made a very bad impression
on the minds of the burghers and added new
fuel to the already existing dislike of the English.
The Volksraad was sitting at the time and passed

248 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

a resolution asking the Government for an ex-
planation why no measures were taken to prevent
an exhibition so offensive to the people of the
Republic Soon after, a number of burghers
assembled in the town, having come up deter-
mined to prevent a repetition of these insults.

Meantime, the so-called National Union con-
tinued their work. They invited Sir Henry Loch
to visit Johannesburg; for they were fully aware
that it would be much easier to provoke a riot
there than at Pretoria. What they were working
for was intervention from England. I was fully
alive to the difficulties which must of necessity
arise from Sir Henry Loch's visit to Johannes-
burg, and advised him most earnestly not to go.
I even went ao far as to say to him, in private
conversation, that the responsibility, should he
accept the invitation, must rest entirely with him.
He thereupon abandoned his proposed visit to
Johannesburg. His whole public attitude was,
in fact, perfectly correct. But how did he act in
secret? When the National Union discovered
that the visit to Johannesburg was not to take
place, they sent some of their members, including
Tudhope and Leonard, to Pretoria, with an
address to Sir Henry Loch. The address con-
tained the most insulting accusations against

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 249

the Government and the Volksraad. But this
caused no surprise to those who knew its source.
In public, Sir Henry Loch advised the deputation
to carry their complaints quietly before the Volks-
raad. In secret, he asked them how many rifles
and how much ammunition they had at Johan-
nesburg, and how long they could hold out
against the Government, until he was able to
come to their assistance with English troops from
outside.

How typically English was this conduct on
the part of a high-placed British official! It b
characteristic of the entire English policy in South
Africa. Lies, treachery, intrigues and secret
instigations against the Government of the
Republic: these have always been the distin-
guishing marks of English politics, which found
their final goal in this present cruel war. If,
encouraged by the question, which amounted
almost to a suggestion, the Johannesburgers did
not rise there and then, this is owing only to
the fact that they were without rifles and ammu-
nition. But it is not difficult to trace the con-
sequences of this advice in the events which, soon
afterwards, ensued.

I have been obliged to anticipate, in order
to give a connected picture of the nature and

t$o MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

aims of the National Union; but events of
great importance in foreign politics had taken
place in the meantime. In 1893, ^^^ second
Swaziland Convention was concluded In this
connection, a conference was held at Colesberg
between the High Commissioner and myself: it
led to no result, but was followed by a second
conference at Pretoria. Here came Sir Henry
Loch, with his wife, his two daughters and a
numerous staff, and was given a brilliant reception.
Judging by the festivities held in Sir Henry's
honour, an uninitiated observer would have thought
that a solemn welcome was being offered to a
true friend and ally of the Republic. The arrange-
ment which was soon come to ¥ras not of a
nature to give rise to much rejoicing; but it
was the best we could obtain. The chief points
were:

The Republic received the right to conclude
a treaty with the Queen of the Swazis by which
the suzerainty and right of administration passed
to the Republic, while the internal affairs of the
Kaffirs were left to the Queen and her council,
so that Swaziland could not be considered to
form a part of the Republic.

All the white male inhabitants of the country
were to obtain full burgher rights in the Re-

KRtTGETl'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 151

public, provided that they applied for them withm
six months.

The Dutch and English languages were to
enjoy equal rights in the law-courts.

The South African Republic confirmed her
renunciation, already conceded in the first Swazi-
land Convention, of her claims on certain districQi
in the north and north-west of the country*

This arrangement was not to become valid
until the Swazi Queen and her council gave their
consent

A strong opposition now sprang up among
the Swazis against our taking possesion of
their country, as we were to do in accordance
with the convention. This opposition was pro-
voked and strengthened by all sorts of English
Jingoes and adventurers, including a certain
Hulett, who had come from Natal. The latter
persuaded the Swazis to send a deputation to
England, to protest against the transfer of
their country into the hands of the Republic
The deputation achieved no result. As, however,
nothing but feuds and quarrels arose in Swaziland
and as, under existing conditions, it was impos*
sible for the South African Republic to suppress
them, an unbearable position arose and a new
meeting accordingly took place between Sir

242 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

rose higher than had been known within human
memory and did enormous damage.

In the year preceding the election of 1893,

which he had drafted in 1874, and, with the aid of his eloquence, had
induced the Volksraad to pass. He was opposed to the religious
convictions of the nation. He had abolished the religious basis
upon which the schools were founded. And therefore his law,
wherever he himself was not able to plead for it with the power of
his rhetoric, remained a dead letter.

After the War of Independence, one of the first cares of the
regency, at whose head Kruger stood as Vice-president, was to
obtain an Elducational Law that should satisfy the real needs and
wishes of the nation. Kruger thought he had found the man who
possessed the necessary experience and who shared the convictions
of the Boers in Dr. du Toit, and appointed him Superintendent of
Education. He drafted a law which was passed by the Volksraad in
1882, but, although his intention was good, the execution was faulty.
Du Toit was more of a politician than a schoolman, and he resigned
his office in 1889. The development of the gold-fields and the influx
of emigrants at that time made such demands upon the powers and
attention of the Government that it was unable to devote as much
care to the schools as it would have wished. And so the post of
Director of Education remained vacant for some time. After this,
when a new holder of this post was looked for, the division of the
people into different Church parties determined them not again
to appoint an ecclesiastic. Professor Mansvelt, the Professor of
Modem Languages at Stellenbosch, was therefore approached.
He at first refused, but, when again called upon and after a personal
interview with the President, accepted, at the end of 1891. After
he had satisfied himself by a long journey of inspection as to the
condition of the schools throughout the country, he drafted a new
law with the assistance of a committee appointed by the Volksraad
for that purpose. The law was first submitted to the people and
afterwards passed unanimously by the Volksraad.

In the main points, the outlines of the Law of 1882 were pre-
served, but in certain respects the new law was a great improvement

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 243

which placed me for the third time at the head
of the State, an association had been formed at
Johannesburg which exercised a most disastrous

and advance upon the old. President Kroger took part personally in
all the deliberations ; most of the sittings were even held in his house.
He had originally entertained misgivings as to three points in par-
ticular. The increased State grants caused him to fear lest private
initiative should be relaxed and the duty incumbent upon Christian
parents transferred to the State. He had seen in his own Churdi
how the heavy burdens which it owed towards the State Church had
strengthened its readiness to perform acts of self-sacrifice. But he
.was at last obliged to admit that the perception of the necessity for
supplying the best possible education to the children of a people that
was called upon to hold its own in the inheritance of its fiuhers against
a great European influx was not yet sufficiently general to allow him
to act in accordance with his idealistic views. Moreover, model
schools were required, and higher schools for the training of civil
servants out of the children of the country, and this necessitated
financial sacrifices that could not be borne by private individuals.
And so now, as again later, the President accepted the position,
without in any way surrendering his principle.

He also entertained misgivings regarding the demand of a general
proof of the possession of a certain degree of qualification among the
teachers, for he thought that this showed ingratitude towards the
old teachers, who had given their services almost gratuitously to the
land and people in bad times and who would now have to be dis-
missed. This objection was settled by a compromise, by which this
class of teachers was allowed to continue in the '* Outer" or *'fioer
Schools," at least if they were able to satisfy modest requirements.

The third point against which President Kruger at first raised an
objection was the subsidy to the Higher Girls' Schools. He feared
that this would result in changes and revolutions in the life of the
people, which had always considered that a woman's place was at
home. But he gave way to his advisers, and, afterwards, it was he
himself who reconmiended to the so-called Progressives the ad-
mission of clever {pirls into the State Gymnasium. And in 1894 he

254 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

profits on the joint goods and passenger traffic
should be divided in equal shares between the
three States whose railway-lines ran to Pretoria.
These three were Cape Colony, Natal and the
Transvaal. Cecil Rhodes, who was then for the
second time Premier of Cape Colony, and his
advisers thought differently. They asked for 50
per cent, for Cape Colony, leaving the remain-
ing 50 per cent to be divided between Natal and
the Transvaal. The Government of the Republic
would not hear o( this proposal, and a tariff war
ensued.

The Cape Government lowered their tariff as
far as Vereeniging, the frontier station between
the Orange Free State and the Transvaal (the
Free State railways were at that time still under
the control of the Cape Government). The South
African Railway, on the other hand, raised its
tariff on its own portion of the line, running from
Vereeniging to Johannesburg, in order to neutralize
the reduction in prices on the other portion. The
Cape Government now thought out a new plan.
In order to avoid sending their goods over the
expensive stretch of line, they had them unloaded
at Viljoensdrift, in order to convey them thence
to Johannesburg in ox-waggons. Now the customs
laws of the R^ublic OHitained a clause by virtue

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESJDENCY 255

of which the President was enabled to proclaim
certain places on the frontiers as '' import ports ; "
while no goods could be imported except at
places thus proclaimed When» therefore, the
Cape Government caused their goods to be carried
in ox-waggons, the Government of the Republic
(whose interest coincided with those of the Nether-
lands South African Railway Company, as they
had guaranteed the latter's profits) determined to
close the existing ''import ports," really fords,
or "drifts," to goods from over the seas. The
Government proclamation was directed only against
goods from over the seas, so as not to injure the
home trade of the Orange Free State and Cape
Colony.

What did Rhodes and his Government now
do? They asserted that the London Convention
had been violated. This Convention contained a
clause according to which no article coming from
any portion of the British Empire could be ex-
cluded, unless the importation of that same article
from any other country was also forbidden. The
Republic, therefore, had violated the Convention,
inasmuch as she had favoured Cape Colony, a
British possession, and the Orange Free State,
her Sister State, above the countries over the seas.
She must now either withdraw her decision, or

256 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

else resort to the odious measure of forbidding
the entire importation. Rhodes addressed his
complaint to the British Government A general
election had recently taken place in England, and
the same Government was in power that held office
at the time of the late war. Mr. Chamberlain was
a member of this Government and was, of course, at
once prepared to send the Republic an ultimatum.
He stipulated, however, that, if the ultimatum led to
a war, Cape Colony should bear half the cost, raise
a force of auxiliaries and lend her railway for the
free carriage of troops. To the shame be it spoken
of the Afrikanders who had seats in the Ministry,
they agreed to this suggestion forthwith. The
Republic received her ultimatum and was, of course,
obliged to give way and to undertake not again to
close the drifts.

The most striking event during my third pre-
sidency was Dr. Jameson's filibustering expedition,
an enterprise of which the responsibility does
not rest with Dr. Jameson. It is true that Mr.
Chamberlain, at the time of the raid, declared that
he knew nothing of the whole conspiracy. Later,
however, it was shown that the British Govern-
ment, or at least the Colonial Secretary, was fully
informed of Cecil Rhodes's plans and intrigues,
which resulted in Jameson's disgraceful raid.

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 257

Rhodes had long entertained the project of mak-
ing himself master of the Republic in one way or
another ; and he devoted his money, his influence
and his position as Premier of Cape Colony to this
object. The National Union, of which I have
already spoken, was employed by him to keep
men's minds at Johannesburg in a constant state
of ferment, and it soon became his chief tool in
the conspiracy against the existence of the country.
Through his instrumentality, arms and ammunition
were secretly smuggled into Johannesburg and con-
cealed in the Simmer-and-Jack Mine, in which he
was the largest shareholder. Rhodes was aware
that Johannesburg alone was not able to start a
revolution with any chance of success. He had
therefore to try to obtain a place of his own, on
the frontiers of the Republic, where he could collect
troops in support of a rising. With this object,
with the aid of his factotum. Dr. Rutherfoord
Harris, and a lady journalist called Flora Shaw,
he opened negociations with the British Govern-
ment in order to extend the territory of the Char-
tered Company, so as to include the necessary
strategic positions. The telegrams exchanged
between the above - named persons during the
negociations with the British Government show

that Mr. Chamberlain knew all about the matter.
17

258 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

One of Miss Shaw's telegrams to Rhodes ended
with the words:

"Chamberlain sound in case of interference
European Powers, but have special reasons to
believe wishes you must do it immediately."

Add to this the following telegram from Rhodes
to Miss Flora Shaw :

** Inform Chamberlain that I shall get through
all right, if he supports me, but he must not send
cables like he sent to the High Commissioner in
South Africa. To-day the crux is I shall win and
South Africa will belong to England."

And again :

"Unless you can make Chamberlain instruct
the High Commissioner to proceed at once to
Johannesburg, the whole position is lost High
Commissioner would receive splendid reception and
still turn position to England's advantage, but must
be instructed by cable immediately. The instruc-
tions must be specific, as he is weak and will take
no responsibility."

It must be remembered, moreover, that the
British Government laid only a portion of the

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 259

telegrams before the so-called Select Parliamentary
Committee on British South African Affairs, arid
probably kept back those which were most com-
promising. Why should this be done when an
enquiry is instituted to discover the truth? Is it
not the natural conclusion that Chamberlain was
equally guilty with Rhodes? However, no one
can seriously deny that the above-mentioned pub-
lished telegrams clearly prove Mr. Chamberlain's
complicity in the plot.

So soon as Rhodes was sure of obtaining the
desired strip of land from the British Government,
he at once began to take measures to collect the
troops of the South African Police at that point
and to equip them with horses and materials of
war so that they might be ready to invade the
Republic as soon as things at Johannesburg were
ripe for the attack. Meanwhile, he had entered
into correspondence with the leaders of the National
Union and sent his brother, Colonel Rhodes, to
Johannesburg to work in his interest and represent
him. Colonel Rhodes had his unlimited authority
to spend as much money as he considered neces-
sary. Mr. Lionel Phillips, one of the conspirators,
had gone to Cape Town, presumably to discuss
the details with Rhodes in person. He returned
suddenly, on the pretext of opening the new

26o MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

buildings of the Chamber of Mines, of which he
was chairman. The buildings, however, were not
even finished, and the opening was only an excuse
to give Mr. Phillips the opportunity of making
a political speech. It took place at the end of
November, and Phillips delivered a speech full of
violent attacks upon the Government Some time
earlier, one or two members of the National Union
had gone to Cape Town to discuss the execution
of the plan. In accordance with what was then
arranged, Dr. Jameson came to Johannesburg at
the end of November to concert the necessary
measures with the leaders of the Union. On this
occasion, he asked them to give him a letter in
which they appealed to him for his assistance and
which he could use at any time as an excuse for an
invasion. The letter contained the statement that
a collision was imminent between the Uitlanders
and the Government and that the women and
children and private property at Johannesburg
were in danger. This letter, which was signed
by Mr. Charles Leonard, Colonel Frank Rhodes,
Messrs. Lionel Phillips, J. Hays, Hammond and
Farrar, was left undated, so that Jameson might
be able to make use of it at any time. In the
meanwhile, the inhabitants of Johannesburg were
incited in every possible manner by the Rhodes

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 261

press in order artfully to prepare the way for an
outbreak. Towards the end of December 1895,
Leonard, as chairman of the National Union,
issued a long manifesto raising a series of accusa-
tions against the Government. Everything that
could serve to excite men's minds against the
Republic was dragged in. Of course, the fran-
chise question was one of the main grievances,
although Lionel Phillips, who was also a leading
member of the Union, had not long previously
written to his partner in London, a German
capitalist called Beit, who was closely connected
with Rhodes, that "we do not care a fig for the
franchise."

Just when the ferment at Johannesburg was at
its height, I returned to Pretoria from my usual
annual tour of the districts, and it was then that,
in reply to an address in which the burghers
pressed for the punishment of the rebellious ele-
ment, I used the words :

'*You must give the tortoise time to put out
its head before you can catch hold of it."

An attempt has been made to prove from these
words that I knew of the preparations for the
Jameson Raid, and that by the tortoise I meant
Jameson. But this statement is quite unfounded.
Neither I nor any of the Transvaal authorities at

262 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

that time thought such a deed possible, much less
expected it. It is true that horses, provisions
and fodder were being bought up by the English
even in the Republic ; but the English stated that
the assembling of the police on the western
frontier of the South African Republic was
intended for an expedition against the Kaffirs,
particularly against the Chief Linchwe. And the
burghers, therefore, entertained so little suspicion
that they themselves assisted in the purchase of
the military stores and in conveying the goods
to all the places which afterwards represented
roadside stations for Jamesons ride from Kim-
berley to near Krugersdorp. I myself had, but a
short while before, offered the British High Com-
missioner, Sir Hercules Robinson, the assistance
of the Republic for the protection of the women
and children against the Matabele, who were
giving trouble to the English, and Sir Hercules
had replied thanking me for my offer, but saying
that our assistance would not be needed for the
present. If I had had the smallest inkling of
Jameson's plan, I should assuredly not have
allowed him to push so far into the Republic.
In the days when the troops were being collected
for the Jameson Raid, General Joubert, the Com-
mander-in-Chief of the Boer forces, was not even

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 263

at Pretoria, but on his farm in the Wakkerstroom
District, and he did not return to Pretoria until
a couple of days before the raid.

What I meant by the tortoise was the National
Union, which was continually abusing the Cjovem-
ment and threatening to resort to force in order
to obtain the removal of their grievances. I
intended to convey that we must allow the move-
ment quietly to take its course, until it revealed its
true character and showed itself so undoubtedly
guilty that the Government could punish the
leading members, the real rebels, for high treason.
Had those men been arrested earlier, they could
still have tried to deny their misconduct and we
should then, perhaps, have been unable to con-
vince the world of their g^ilt.

Towards the end of December 1895, the state
of affairs at Johannesburg was such that thousands
left the town and fled for safety to the coast,
while the National Union, which henceforth
adopted the name of the Reform Committee,
raised corps of volunteers to whom it distributed
arms and ammunition. In order to avoid a
collision and prevent bloodshed, the Government
resolved to confine the police to barracks. We
did not look upon the rebellion as serious, as
it did not originate with the people, but was

264 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

artificially manufactured from above by in-
triguers. The whole thing would have presented
a farcical spectacle, if the results had been less
serious. The only man among the so-called
Reformers who understood his business was
Colonel Rhodes. All the others were theatrical
revolutionaries.^

I received different deputations from Johannes-
burg which made it clear that a large number
of the inhabitants did not wish to have anything
to do with the insurrection. I promised one of
these deputations that I would meet the U it-
landers in the matter of certain grievances and
propose a general g^ant of the franchise, and I
also issued a proclamation in which I declared
that the rioters formed only a small proportion
of the population of Johannesburg, and expressed
my confidence that the law-abiding inhabitants
would support the Government in its endeavours
to maintain law and order.

This injunction was issued on the 30th of

^ It has been related that the President kept his horse saddled in
his stable and his rifle loaded by his bed-side during the time of the
Jameson Raid Not a word of this is true, except in so far that some
Criends advised him to leave Pretoria because of the danger of an
attack, whereupon he replied :

'* If it comes to that, I shall take my horse and my gun and join
my commando." — Editor's Note,

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 265

December 1895. ^^ ^^^ same day, however,
General Joubert received a telegram from Mr.
Marais, Commissioner of Mines at Ottoshoop,
informing him that a commando of 800 of the
Chartered Company's troops, with Maxims and
guns, had gone past, at half-past five that morn-
ing, in the direction of Johannesburg, and that the
telegraph wire between Malmanie, Zeerust and
Lichtenburg had been cut.

General Joubert immediately dispatched tele-
grams to the different commandants, and first
to those of Rustenburg, Krugersdorp and Pot-
chefstroom, acquainting them with these reports
and charging them at once to summon the
bui^hers and stop the invaders. Meanwhile, the
Government had appointed a committee at
Johannesburg to maintain order. It is certainly
due to the tact displayed by this committee that
no bloodshed occurred. The Reformers now re-
solved to send a deputation to Pretoria to confer
with the Government. They were received, on
behalf of the Government, by General Kock and
Judges Kotz6 and Ameshoff, and demanded that
Dr. Jameson should be allowed to enter Johannes-
burg, in which case they would make themselves
responsible for his peaceful departure from the
town and his return across the frontier. In the

266 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

meanwhile, the High Commissioner, Sir Hercules
Robinson, who had succeeded Sir Henry Loch
at the end of 1895, offered his friendly mediation
and proposed to come to Pretoria in order to
prevent bloodshed. An answer was, therefore,
given to the deputation to the effect that, pend-
ing the arrival of the High Commissioner, the
Government would take no measures against
Johannesburg, provided the town conducted itself
quietly.

Meantime, Dr. Jameson had advanced with the
greatest rapidity in the direction of Johannesburg.
The High Commissioner issued a proclamation
calling upon Dr. Jameson and all his companions
to withdraw across the frontier (this proclamation
was shortly followed by Cecil Rhodes's resignation
of the premiership of Cape Colony). The pro-
clamation, together with a letter from Sir Jacobus
De Wet, the British Agent at Pretoria, was carried
to Dr. Jameson by Ben Bouwer, a Transvaal
burgher. Dr. Jameson, however, took not the
slightest notice of it. Lieutenant Eloff, of the
Krugersdorp Police, who rode out to meet him
and to charge him to turn back, was taken prisoner
by his orders. A number of Transvaal burghers,
however, under Commandants Malan, Potgieter
and Cronj^ had outstripped Jameson and taken

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 267

up their stand on the hills near Krugersdorp.
Jameson at once turned the fire of his guns on
the burghers' positions ; but, so soon as his troops
attempted a charge, they were driven back with
loss. When Dr. Jameson saw that he could not
get through, he faced about to the right, in
order to try to turn the Boer position. He was
stopped, however, during the night by Field
Cornet D. Fouch^, and the next morning, when
he moved still further to the right, he came
up against Cronj^'s burghers, at Doornkop, who
compelled him to surrender after a short engage-
ment.

It has been stated that Dr. Jameson surren-
dered on condition that his life and the lives of
his men should be spared. Commandant Cronj^
had, in fact, in a note to Sir John Willoughby,
the officer in command of Jameson's troops, in-
formed him that he would spare their lives on
the understanding that they surrendered with all
that they had with them and paid the expenses
entailed upon the South African Republic. But,
while Commandant Cronj^ was still in conversa-
tion with Dr. Jameson, Commandant Malan, of
Rustenburg, approached, asked what was being
done and, when he heard the conditions, said to
Cronj6 :

268 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

**We cannot make conditions of any kind;
that is a matter for the Government at Pretoria,"

Cronjd agreed, and thereupon Commandant
Malan caused Dr. Jameson to be informed, in
English, that he must clearly understand that
what Cronj6 had said was that the prisoners'
lives were only guaranteed as far as Pretoria,
where they would be handed over to the Com-
mandant General :

"At this moment," he continued, "we can-
not make any final conditions; those must be
left to the Government."

Jameson thereupon bowed and said :

" I accept your conditions."

It was not till that moment that the surrender
was completed and Dr. Jameson and his men
disarmed and taken to Pretoria.

In the meantime, the High Commissioner had
arrived and at once had an interview with
myself and my advisers. After expressing his
regret at what had happened, he immediately
began to speak of the grievances of the U it-
landers and of other necessary reforms. I cut
him short at once, however, by pointing out to
him that this was not the time to speak of
those matters, and that the only question that
could now be discussed was that of the measures

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 269

to be taken in order to avoid further blood-
shed,^ and how Johannesburg should be made
give up its arms. The High Commissioner
asked :

** On what conditions is Johannesburg to give
up its arms?"

I replied :

*' Unconditionally."

And, when the High Commissioner continued
to hesitate and to raise difficulties against my
demand, I added :

" I will give Johannesburg twenty-four hours
in which to surrender unconditionally. Other-
wise, I shall compel the town to do so by
force."

Sir Hercules could obtain no concession. I
continued inexorable, and the interview ended.

The burghers and their commandants were
in a condition of extreme excitement. It is easily
understood that, after being plagued and pro-
voked for so many years by the National Union,

^ Mr. Robinson had asked whether he might come to help to
bring about a peaceful settlement of the Jameson business, and
he received a reply saying :

" Yes, come, you can perhaps prevent bloodshed."
He took this to mean that he might do something to prevent the
insurgents from being shot ; but, when he was told that he could
advise the Johannesburgers to surrender and thus prevent bloodshed,
he was no longer so assiduous with his offer. — Editat^s Note.

270 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

they were not in the mood to allow Jameson and
the Johannesburg fire-brands to go unpunished.
The following will serve as an instance of the
spirit that prevailed among the burghers :

A commandant and some 400 burghers, who
were on their way to stop Jameson, when the
latter had not yet surrendered, passed through
Pretoria and took the opportunity of calling on
me to bid me good-day. I went out to thank
the burghers, when the commandant addressed
me in these words :

** President, we have come to greet you, and
at the same time to inform you that, when we
have captured Jameson, we intend to march
straight on to Johannesburg and to shoot down
that den with all the rebels in it They have
provoked us long enough."

I replied:

"No, brother, you must not speak like that.
Remember, there are thousands of innocent and
loyal people at Johannesburg, and the others
have been for the most part misled. We must
not be revengeful ; what would be the result of
such a step?"

The commandant answered :

" No, President, you speak in vain. What is
the use of clemency ? It is only because we have

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 271

shown the rebels clemency too long that they have
now gone so far. My burghers and I are de-
termined to put an end to this sedition for good
and all."

I thereupon lost my temper, or, at least,
pretended to do so, and said:

" Very well, if you will not listen to me, you
can depose me from the presidency and govern
the country after your own fashion."

The commandant now calmed down and
said :

'* No, President, I did not mean that ; we are
quite willing to listen to you, but we have been
terribly provoked,"

I too answered more calmly :

** Well, if you will listen to me, do what I say
and leave the rest to me."

At the meeting of commandants which,
together with the Executive Raad, was to
decide Jameson's fate, I had a hard battle to
fight My intention, which had already been
approved by the Executive Raad, was to hand
over Jameson and his companions to the British
Government, in order that the criminals might be
punished by their own Government according to
their own laws. But the commandants would not
hear of this, and it was only after Messrs.

272 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Fischer and Kleijnveld, of the Orange Free
State,^ had also advised them to follow my
wishes that I succeeded in obtaining their con-
sent to leave this matter to the Government

When the High Commissioner saw that I
insisted on the unconditional surrender of Johan-
nesburg, he instructed Sir Jacobus De Wet to
telegraph to that effect to the Reform Committee.
It is hardly necessary to say that they com-
plied before the twenty-four hours had expired,
for, with the exception of Colonel Rhodes and
perhaps one or two more, there was not one
among the conspirators but would have taken to
his heels so soon as the first shot was fired.
They had wooed and organized rebellion only in
the hope that England would pull the chestnuts
out of the fire for them. They did not think of
endangering their lives for the sake of a matter
for which one of their principal members had
declared, but a little while before, that he "did
not care a fig."

Meanwhile the Government had informed the
High Commissioner that it intended to hand over

^ Mr. Fischer is the gentleman who was afterwards dispatched
as one of the delegates to Europe. He and Mr. Kleijnveld had
been sent by the Orange Free State to see if it was necessary
for that State to come to the assistance of the Republic in
accordance with her obligations. — Ediiof^s Note,

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 273

Jameson and his men to the British Government
so that they might be brought to justice in
England. Mr. Chamberlain telegraphed to me
to thank me, in the name of Her Majesty, for
my magnanimous act. Subsequent events have
shown the depth of this gratitude and the way
in which England has rewarded my magnanimity.

Johannesburg gave up its arms, but in much
smaller quantities than was expected. Only some
1800 rifles and three dams^ed Maxims were
handed in. Soon after, Dr. Jameson and his
followers were delivered to the Governor of
Natal, who sent them to England The rank
and file were at once set at liberty by the British
Government. Jameson and a few of the other
officers received short terms of imprisonment and
were released before the expiration of their
sentence.

On the 9th of January, the Reformers were
arrested in their homes, or at their clubs, and
taken to Pretoria. On the loth, I issued a
proclamation to the inhabitants of Johannesburg
in which I declared that I only looked upon
a small number of crafty men within and with-
out Johannesburg as the conspirators, and pointed
out that the plot might have led to fearful

disasters. I promised to confer a municipality
18

274 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

upon Johannesburg, and ended by appealing to
the inhabitants to enable me to appear before
the Volksraad with the motto, ** Forgive and
forget."

It is not necessary to enter into details con-
cerning the trial of the conspirators. The Govern-
ment applied to the Orange Free State to allow
Judge Gregorowski to preside over the trial. The
object of this request, which was readily granted,
was to obtain a judge who was outside the quarrel
and who could not be regarded as in any way
prejudiced against the Reformers. Most of them
escaped with imprisonment or fines : only the
four leaders, Messrs. Lionel Phillips, Farrar,
Hammond and Colonel Rhodes, were condemned
to death ; but this sentence was commuted by the
Executive Raad to a fine of ;^2 5,000 apiece.
Thus ended the first act of the drama of which
the last act has just been finished on the blood-
stained plains of South Africa.

Before closing this chapter, mention should be
made of the great calamity with which Johannes-
burg was afflicted, on the 19th of February 1896,
by the explosion of a number of trucks loaded
with dynamite. A portion of the suburbs of Joris-
burg and Braamfontein was destroyed, very many
persons were killed and wounded, and hundreds

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 275

rendered homeless. The Uitlanders showed their
sympathy with the victims by subscribing a sum
of about ;^70,ooo within two days. To this the
Government added a gift of ;^2 5,000. I re-
paired without delay to Johannesburg, visited the
wounded in the hospital and praised the sympathy
displayed in this matter by the Uitlanders, which
it cheered my heart to see. I reminded them
of the words of the Gospel : " Blessed are the
merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

And so the attempt upon the independence
of the Republic failed. But now Mr. Chamber-
lain was to set to work to try whether he could
not be more successful. With his assistance,
Jameson's Raid was to be replaced by a gigantic
British Raid.

His first step was to invite me to come to
England to confer on Transvaal matters, while
he began by declaring that he was not prepared
to discuss Article 4 of the London Convention,
the only article which still in any way restricted
the foreign relations of the South African Republic.
One would really think, to judge from this invita-
tion, that it was the Republic and not England
that had to make amends.

At the same time, Mr. Chamberlain sent off
another dispatch, in which he proposed that a sort

276 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

of Home Rule should be granted to Johannes-
burg, and he published this dispatch in the London
official press before I had received it When one
reflects that it was the very question of Home
Rule for Ireland that caused Mr. Chamberlain to
withdraw from Gladstone's party and barter his
Radicalism for his present Jingoism, one must
stand astounded at the effrontery of his proposal,
especially under the existing circumstances.

The Government of the South African Re-
public at first received only a short excerpt from
the dispatch, embracing the principal points,
whereas the whole text had already been pub-
lished in the London official press, and to this it
sent the reply, in brief, that it was undesirable
and inadvisable to give previous publicity to views
which the British Government thought fit to adopt
towards the Republic, adding that the Republic
could not permit any interference in her internal
affairs. This reply was now also at once
published in the Staatscourant of the South
African Republic. Shortly after its receipt, Mr.
Chamberlain dispatched a telegram in which
he said that, if his proposal was not acceptable
to the parties concerned, he would not insist upon
it. Thereupon I telegraphed the conditions upon
which I would be willing to come to England.

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 277

The chief point was the substitution of a treaty
of peace, commerce and amity for the London
Convention. Into this Mr. Chamberlain refused
to enter. He continued to speak of admitted
grievances which must be removed, as that was
a matter of the highest importance to England
as the paramount Power in South Africa, stating,
furthermore, that, even if the London Conven-
tion was replaced by another. Article 4 of that
Convention must, in any case, be included in the
new agreement Where, then, would have been
the sense of undertaking that troublesome journey ?
And what would have been the use of substituting
a new convention for the old one, if the only
article by which the independence of the Republic
was in any way restricted was to be included.^
Mr. Chamberlain, seeing that he could not in-
duce me to visit England without giving some
guarantee that my journey would not be futile,
withdrew his invitation.

Meanwhile, it had become evident to the
Government that it must prepare for possible
events, and consequently a commencement was
made in the purchase of ammunition, rifles and
guns. This was the more necessary inasmuch as,
at the time of the Jameson Raid, the Republic
was practically defenceless. The burghers, at

278 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

that time, had none but Martini- Henry rifles and
many did not possess a rifle at all. There was
not sufficient ammunition to wage war for a fort-
night It must be added that, by the law of the
land, every burgher was bound to be armed ; and,
when it appeared, on the occasion of the Jameson
Raid, how sadly this duty had been neglected,
the Government took the necessary measures,
but no more, for the proper arming of the
burghers, in order that they might be ready
to protect themselves against further filibustering
raids.

Still greater supplies of ammunition, rifles and
guns were ordered after the investigation of the
so-called South African Committee had taken
place in London, because matters then came to
light which showed that Mr. Chamberlain was
not so innocent of the Raid as he represented.
This is proved by the telegrams which I have
already quoted and which were laid before the
committee, and still more by those which were
deliberately kept back, while, shortly after the
investigation, Mr. Chamberlain declared in the
House of Commons that Rhodes was a man of
honour, and that there existed nothing which
affected Rhodes's personal position as such. It
was impossible to avoid drawing the conclusion

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 279

that Mr. Chamberlain was Rhodes's accomplice,
and that he now publicly defended Rhodes because
he feared lest the latter should make statements
which would be anything but pleasant hearing
for the Colonial Secretary. This, at least, was the
view taken of the matter in the Republic ; and
it was confirmed in this view by the fact that
Dr. Jameson was released from prison on account
of illness and recovered his health immediately
afterwards.

In view of these facts, can the Government of
the South African Republic be blamed for making
preparations, so that it might not fall a prey to
England without striking a blow ? Nay, more :
was it not her bounden duty to take care, as she
did, that the country was placed on a defensive
footing? Yet this is the action which was con-
stantly thrown in my face, by way of reproach, by
the English ministers and the English press, and
which they afterwards quoted in order to justify
their unjust war.

Shortly after the closing of the South African
Committee, Mr. Chamberlain began his uninter-
rupted series of dispatches, which continued until
the war broke out, and which had no other object
than to embitter the British people against the
Republic and to make them believe that the

28o MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Republic was constantly sinning against England
and systematically violating the London Conven-
tion. Thus, for instance, in the early part of
1897, he sent a dispatch in which he declared
that the Republic had broken the London Con-
vention by the following acts : by joining the
Geneva Convention ; by the Press Law ; the
Immigration Law; the conclusion of an extra-
dition treaty with Portugal, etc. He based
his contentions particularly on the oft-quoted
Article 4 of the Convention,^ which lays down
that no treaty shall be in force until the same
has been approved by the British Government.

Mr. Chamberlain now contended that the in-
tention of this article was that, so soon as a treaty
was drawn up (and therefore before its comple-
tion), a copy must be delivered to Her Majesty's
Government, whereas the Government of the

^ This Article 4 reads as follows :

''The South African Republic will conclude no treaty or en-
gagement 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." — Editor's Note,

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 281

South African Republic maintained that this was
not to be done until after the treaty was finally
settled, and based its contention upon the words,
" Upon its completion," which occur in the article.
The Government, therefore, in its reply, laid stress
upon the fact that it did not agree with Mr.
Chamberlain's opinion, and suggested that, in view
of the difference that existed as to this point, it
would be best to submit the matter to an impartial
arbitrator. To this Mr. Chamberlain replied that
England was the suzerain of the South African
Republic and, in this quality, could not consent to
refer a difference to arbitration.

It is unnecessary to say that this reply of Mr.
Chamberlain's was in the highest degree vexatious
to the Government of the Republic. For what
other purpose than to obtain the abolition of the
suzerainty had we made the journey to London
in 1883 and endeavoured to secure a new con-
vention? And, since the Convention of 1884,
no one had entertained the very slightest doubt
but that the suzerainty was annulled. Even Sir
Hercules Robinson, who was himself one of the
authors of the Convention of 1884, declared in
an interview with a journalist^ that there was no

* Mr. Frank Harris, at that time editor of the Saturday Review.
—Editor's Note,

282 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

question but that the suzerainty had been abol-
ished by the Convention of 1884. In his greatly-
praised reply of the 16th of April 1898, Dr. Leijds
irrefutably established this fact. He was able,
moreover, to quote a dispatch of Lord Derby's,
of the 15th of February 1884, in which the then
Secretary for the Colonies enclosed a draft of a
new convention intended to replace the Convention
of Pretoria. This draft commences with a reprint
of the preamble of the Convention of 188 1, followed
by that of the Convention of 1884 and headed by
the following 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^

And now the whole preamble of 1881 is con-
tained within a black line ; moreover, the words
"subject to the suzerainty of Her Majesty, her
Heirs and Successors" have been struck out by
Lord Derby. It was especially important to prove
that the preamble of the Convention of 1881, in
which the suzerainty was mentioned, had lapsed,
because Mr. Chamberlain contended that this
preamble still existed and continued in force. In
addition to what has been shown above, that this

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 283

preamble was contained within brackets and had
therefore lapsed, we should, had Mr. Chamber-
lain's contention been correct, have had two con-
flicting preambles to one and the same convention.
Which would have been absurd.

Now any reasonable person would have thought
that Mr. Chamberlain would see that he was
wrong ; but no : he simply continued to maintain
that the suzerainty existed. It will be univer-
sally admitted that it is impossible to come to a
logical understanding with a man like that; and
we must blame the well-known English insolence,
where a small nation is concerned, which alone
can have permitted Mr. Chamberlain to keep up
his nonsensical argument.

The correspondence between the Government
and Mr. Chamberlain was interrupted and accom-
panied by two important events in the internal
life of the Republic : the negociations concern-
ing the work of the Industrial Commission and
the conflict between the judicial and State autho-
rities.

The Industrial or Mining Commission was
appointed to investigate the complaints of the
mining industry. That there were certain burdens
which pressed too heavily upon that industry and
which must be decreased was an undoubted fact,

284 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

and was shown in the report of the committee ;
but the principal reason why some mines gave
no profit and others less profit than the share-
holders would have liked to see was to be found
in over-capitalization, in the floating of companies
on worthless properties, in the reconstruction of
companies whose profits went to the financial
houses, and in the speculative fever which drove
up shares to such a height that it became impos-
sible for the purchaser to rely on receiving a good
dividend. The great financial houses had every-
thing in their hands and caused prices to rise or
fall as they pleased; and the public was the
victim of their manoeuvres.

The commission, which held its sittings at
Johannesburg and heard a crowd of witnesses,
made a series of suggestions in its report as to
how the demands of the industry could be met.
The principal suggestions were :

A reduction of the import-duty on food-stuffs.

An agreement with the other States of South
Africa to facilitate the engagement and cheapen
the transport of coloured labourers.

The appointment of a committee to enquire
into the possibility of abolishing the dynamite
monopoly. Meantime, it was recommended that
the Government should itself import dynamite

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 285

and sell it to the mines at cost price, with the
addition of an import duty of twenty shillings.

A reduction in the railway tariff equal to a
decrease of ;^500,ooo in the gross profits of the
company.

These were the principal suggestions ; a few
others of lesser importance may be passed oven
The Government submitted the report to the
Volksraad, which appointed a committee to
examine the report and make suggestions. After
long debates on the opinion of the Volksraad
committee, it was at last moved and carried
that the railway company should reduce its
charges to the extent of reducing its takings
by ;^200,cxx) and that the Government should
endeavour to find means for a cheaper supply
of dynamite to the mines. The Government
succeeded in reducing the freights, especially
for coal and food-stuffs and in diminishing the
price of dynamite by five shillings a case. More-
over, an arrangement was concluded with Portugal
by which large contingents of Kaffir labourers
were obtained from Portuguese territory. Mr.
Chamberlain afterwards accused the Govern-
ment of disregarding the suggestions of its own
Industrial Commission.

I have mentioned the conflict between the

286 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

judicial and State authorities, in other words,
between the Government and the Volksraad
on the one side and a section of the Supreme
Court on the other. The dispute arose as
follows. It was a generally accepted principle
that the resolutions of the Volksraad were valid
in law, even if they conflicted with the Con-
stitution. The Supreme Court, particularly
Judge Kotziy with whom the conflict now arose,
had, in former law-suits, as for instance in the
"Doms" case, accepted and acknowledged this
principle. Suddenly, in a subsequent case, it
refused to do so. Certain tracts of land in the
Krugersdorp District had been "proclaimed" as
gold-flelds, and, on the day when this proclama-
tion was to come into effect, thousands of people
assembled, each intending, as the law originally
provided, to peg out his claims or bewaarplaatsen
for himself They who first pegged out those
bewaarplaatsen, to the extent to which each was
entitled in law, became their owners, subject,
of course, to the payment of the legal dues.
The Government had been informed that there
was a danger of disorders arising out of this
manner of dividing the land, owing to the great
rush to the new gold-fields. They accordingly
determined, so as not to give England a fresh

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 287

opportunity for an undeserved attack, to ask the
Volksraad to pass a resolution to the eflfect that
the '* proclaimed " places should not, as the gold-
law prescribed, be pegged out, but drawn by lot
In this way, each applicant stood the same chance
of success, and all disorder would be avoided.
A certain Brown, however, took no notice of
this resolution, but, on the day when the procla-
mation (which had meantime been withdrawn)
was to take effect, pegged out a large number
of claims and tendered the legal dues, which
were refused. When Brown's case was brought
before the Supreme Court, which was sitting,
Chief Justice Kotz6 went back upon his former
decisions and declared that the Volksraad had
no right to pass resolutions which violated the
principles of the Constitution.

This decision would have upset the wholtf--
country, for a number of rules concerning the
gold-fields, the franchise and so on depended
on resolutions of the Volksraad. It was there-
fore impossible for the Government to acquiesce
in this decision, which would have caused un-
speakable confusion. In a country whose con-
ditions undergo such rapid alterations as must
naturally occur in a gold - producing country,
and which harbours so many speculators and

288 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

schemers as were constantly flowing into the
South African Republic, it was absolutely
necessary that, at any given moment, certain
interests could be protected and dangers averted
from the State by decrees of the Volksraad.
To give an instance : in November 1 896, the
revised gold-law, which had been passed in the
former session, was to come into operation. It
contained one clause, however, which was not
quite clear and which, unless the point in doubt
was elucidated by force of law, might seriously
injure the mining industry and deliver its rights
into the hands of speculators. What happened?
The mining industry naturally went to the
Government and called attention to the danger.
Dr. Leijds thereupon attended a sitting of the
Volksraad, explained the position and obtained
^ decree which removed the danger. Every one
looked upon this as the natural course. Now,
suddenly, a different view was taken ; and it was
this that caused the conflict

Sir Henry de Villiers, the Chief Justice of
Cape Colony, who, by the way, shared the
opinion of the Government, brought about
an adjustment : the judge promised to respect
the decrees of the Volksraad and I, on my side,
promised to move the revision of the Constitu-

KRUGERS THIRD PRESIDENCY 289

tion in the Volksraad. Not long before, a law
had been passed by which every judicial func-
tionary, on taking his oath of office, was to pro-
mise not to assume the right of toetsing^ that
is to say, of testing the laws as to their valid-
ness. In February 1898, however. Chief Justice
Kotz6 wrote to me saying that I had not effected
the revision of the Constitution which I had
promised him, that he therefore considered him-
self to be released from his own promise and
that he intended in future to test the validness
of all the resolutions of the Volksraad by the
Constitution. This was too much : I had had no
opportunity of introducing a bill for the revision
of the Constitution, seeing that the Volksraad
did not meet till May. I now gave the Chief
Justice his dismissal. The English press ranted
and raged, and Mr. Chamberlain afterwards turned
this incident into an ** Uitlander grievance."

Meanwhile Mr. Chamberlain had found the
man he wanted for his dealings with the South
African Republic. In 1897, Sir Alfred Milner
was appointed Governor of Cape Colony and
High Commissioner for South Africa. Sir Alfred

^ Testing, or criticizing. In my translation of President Kruger's
speech, printed in the Appendix, in which he ascribes the invention
of this right to the Devil, I have ventured to employ the phrase,
" the right of criticism," throughout. — TranslcUor's Note,

290 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

had formerly served his country in Egypt, and,
if he learnt anything there, it was to look upon
the fellahs as creatures of an inferior species.
The ideas which he had imbibed in Egypt he
brought with him to South Africa, so much so
that he forgot that the Afrikander is a different
creature from the Egyptian fellah. There is no
doubt that Mr. Chamberlain appointed Sir Alfred
Milner only with a view of driving matters in
South Africa to extremes. The appointment was
received by the Jingoes with loud jubilation.
The aim and principle of his policy are to be
found in the words which he spoke to a dis-
tinguished Afrikander :

" The power of Afrikanderdom must be
broken."

This tool of Mr. Chamberlain's has fulfilled his
mission faithfully, and to-day enjoys the satisfac-
tion of having turned South Africa into a wilder-
ness and robbed thousands of innocent people of
their lives. Lord Milner is the typical Jingo,
autocratic beyond endurance and filled with con-
tempt for all that is not English.

When this man assumed office, my term as
President had expired and new elections were
about to be held. This time three candidates
presented themselves : Kruger, Joubert and

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 291

Schalk Burger, a member of the Executive Raad
and Chairman of the Industrial Commission of
1897. This was the first election which, accord-
ing to the new law, was held by ballot

Meanwhile, new elections had also taken place
in the Free State, as President Reitz was obliged,
owing to long illness, to resign his office. Judge
M. T. Steijn was elected President in his place.
To give a portrait here of this man would be
superfluous. His heroism, his resolution and
his patriotism are known to all the world; and,
write what one may, it will always remain an
impossible task to give a description of the
feelings of attachment, respect and love that fill the
hearts of all true Afrikanders for President Steijn.
He will certainly be handed down in the memory
of his people to the furthest generation as one of
the greatest and noblest men that have seen the
light in South Africa.

Some time after President Steijn's election, a
new conference was held at Bloemfontein with the
object of bringing about a closer alliance between
the two Republics. The impulse towards this
closer alliance was felt on both sides and was
due, above all, to the Jameson Raid. I and
some of my councillors went to Bloemfontein
with this object; and it was during our stay

292 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

there, on the occasion of a dinner that was given
us, that I made a jest in the course of my speech
by saying that Queen Victoria was a ^^ kwaaie
vrouw'' Now, although' every one who knows
the Afrikander Taal understands that, by this,
I meant to convey only that Queen Victoria was
a lady with whom one must be careful what one
does, the Jingo press tried to make it appear as
though I had grossly insulted the Queen, whereas
the opposite, of course, was true.^

The conference between the two Governments
was eminently successful. It was resolved that
burghers of both States should be treated on an
equal footing, so that, for instance, the rights
which a Transvaaler enjoyed in the Free State
were also granted to a Free Stater in the Trans-
vaal, only the franchise being left untouched.
Furthermore, a political alliance was concluded,
which created a council of delegates, or federal
council, which was to sit every year, alternately
at Pretoria and Bloemfontein, and make recom-
mendations on matters that might lead to federa-
tion as well as suggestions for the assimilation of

^ The reader may take it that to call a woman a kwaate vrouw
in the Taal, or kwade vrcuw in European Dutch, is equivalent to
saying that she is *'a bad woman to deal with, to quarrel with,
to trifle with." The epithet, in short, can be used in Dutch in an
okjectivc as well as in a subjective sense. — Translaiet^s Note.

KRUGER'S THIRD PRESIDENCY 293

the laws of the two Republics. The Volksraad of
each State approved this treaty, and the only modi-
fication introduced was to resolve that a burgher
of either Republic should receive burgher rights
in the Sister State so soon as he had taken the
oath prescribed.

CHAPTER XII

PAUL KRUGER'S FOURTH
PRESIDENCY

CHAPTER XII

PAUL KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY

The Bunu Question — Sir Alfred Milner— F. W. Reitz — J. C. Smuts
—The agitation of the South African League — The Edgar Case
— The Crisis : the suffrage, the suzerainty — The Ultimatum —
The War — President Kruger during the War — On the way to
Europe — On foreign soil — Homeless — Conclusion.

THE result of the new election came as a
surprise to friends and enemies alike ; for,
although my re-election was certain, no one
suspected that I would obtain such an over-
whelming majority. The official figures were :

Kruger

12,858 votes

Schalk Burger

3750 M

Joubert

2,001 „

On the 1 2th of May 1898, I took the oath
for the fourth time as State President. On this
occasion I made a speech which took me almost
three hours to deliver, and in which I set forth
my religious and political views on the actual

297

298 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

situation and on the problems confronting the
State.*

During the session of the Volksraad of 1898,
Dr. Leijds was almost unanimously re-elected
State Secretary, but was shortly afterwards ap-
pointed Envoy Extraordinary of the Republic in
Europe. As his successor, Abraham Fischer was
elected, one of the ablest and most sagacious
statesmen in South Africa, and at that time a
member of the Executive Raad of the Orange
Free State. He refused, however, to accept the
proffered appointment, whereupon Mr. F. W. Reitz,
who had recently been promoted to a judgeship
in the South African Republic, was elected State
Secretary, a happy choice, for Mr. Reitz is looked
upon by friend and foe alike as one of the most
honest men that have ever played a part in
politics. Moreover, he possessed an abundant know-
ledge of affairs, thanks to his long political past.

At the same time, J. C. Smuts, a representative
of the younger generation of Afrikanders, was

* This speech, by far the longest speech that President Kruger
ever delivered, is really a series of addresses to the First and
Second Volksraad, the Executive Raad, the representatives of
the Orange Free State, the corps diplomatique^ the burghers, the
naturalized foreigners, the new immigrants, the judges, the clergy,
the schoolmasters and mistresses and the children. It will be
found in the Appendix. — Editor's Note.

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 299

appointed State Attorney. Smuts is one of the
cleverest lawyers in South Africa and a man of
versatile attainments besides. He is personally a
very simple man, and, to meet him, one would
not suspect that he possesses so iron a will and
so determined a character as he does. Although
scarcely 30 years of age and without the slightest
previous experience of military affairs, he de-
veloped, in the later phases of the war, into a
most brilliant general, so that he added to his
position as State Attorney that of an Assistant
Commandant General of the South African Re-
public. Smuts will yet play a great part in the
future history of South Africa.

Shortly after the swearing-in of Messrs. Reitz
and Smuts, the Bunu Question became urgent,
and Sir Alfred Milner received his first chance
to provoke and thwart the Republic.

The Bunu Question was briefly as follows :
according to the old custom,, the Swazi King
had the right to put any of his subjects to death
whenever he pleased. This condition was natur-
ally altered from the moment when the Republic
took over the administration of Swaziland. In
the early part of 1898, Bunu murdered one of his
indunas, named Umbaba, in addition to some
others. It was stated by eye-witnesses that Bunu

300 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

had killed Umbaba with his own hand. When
Bunu was summoned by the State Attorney to
appear before the court at Bremersdorp, he at
first refused to come, and, when eventually he
did come, arrived accompanied by an armed suite,
and adopted a threatening attitude towards Krogh,
the Special Commissioner for Swaziland Krogh
was consequendy obliged to let the matter drop,
and Bunu returned to his town.

The Government had no choice but to send
an armed force to Swaziland, in order to protect
life and property and to compel Bunu, if necessary
by force, to appear before the court Meanwhile,
the High Commissioner deemed it necessary to
interfere in the matter, probably with no other
object than to cause the Republic needless annoy-
ance. Perhaps, also, he thought that the Bunu
Question would give him the occasion to involve
the Republic in war with England He con-
tended, namely, that the Government had not
the right to summon Bunu before the Swaziland
Court, notwithstanding that the Swaziland Con-
vention contained an article stipulating that
criminal cases occurring in Swaziland should be
tried by the Supreme Court at Bremersdorp.
When Bunu saw that the Government of the
Republic was in earnest, he fled to Zululand and

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 301

placed himself under the protection of the British
Government In order to avoid getting into
difficulties for Bunu's sake, the Government was
obliged to conclude an agreement with the High
Commissioner which determined that Bunu should
be allowed to return, and that he should only be
punished with a fine. At the same time, a clause
was added to the Swaziland Convention, distinctly
deciding which cases should, in future, be within
the competence of the Supreme Court of that
country.

Already at that time, and shortly after the
settlement of the Bunu Question, the English in
and outside South Africa were adopting a defiant
attitude towards the Government of the Republic.
At Johannesburg, a branch of the South African
League had been established, at the undoubted
instigation of Cecil Rhodes. This league did its
utmost to involve the Republic in difficulties with
England. No methods were too base or too mean
to attain that end. When the Government arrested
some coloured persons, British subjects, because
they were without the passes which they were
obliged to carry by the Pass Law, a great hubbub
was raised and the League leaders called a meet-
ing in the Amphitheatre at Johannesburg to
protest against the action of the Republic. The

302 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

burghers' blood boiled at the attitude of this
Rhodes institution : they attended the meeting in
large numbers, with the result that a brawl arose
and the demonstrators were dispersed with sticks
by the burghers. That this brought grist to the
mill of the Jingoes, that it was probably just what
they desired is easily understood.

Shortly after, another incident occurred which
caused yet more excitement and which was repre-
sented by the English press in a shamefully dis-
torted fashion. Even Mr. Chamberlain did not
blush to make use of these misrepresentations,
although it would have been easy for him to learn
the whole truth. What was the question .«* On
the night of the i8th of December 1898, a certain
Foster, a British subject, was attacked by another
British subject, called Edgar, and so maltreated
that he was left lying for dead. He was taken
to the hospital and died a few days later in con-
sequence of the blows which Edgar had given him.
Immediately after the perpetration of his crime,
Edgar fled to his room, and soon a few police came
upon the scene, attracted by the screams of the
bystanders. Among the police was one named
Jones, a son of a former coachman to the Queen
of England, who had, however, in his quality as
a policeman, become a burgher of the Republic.

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 303

This Jones, thinking that Foster was dead, fol-
lowed Edgar to his apartment to arrest him for
murder. As Edgar was caught in the very act,
the police had the right, according to the laws
not only of the Republic, but of the whole of
South Africa and of England herself, to enter
his house, if necessary by force, and arrest the
culprit As Edgar had locked the door and
refused to open it, Jones broke it open and, while
doing so, was struck a violent blow by Edgar with
a bar of iron. Thereupon Jones shot Edgar dead.
Although every one will admit that the policeman
only did his duty, he was nevertheless prosecuted
by the State Attorney for manslaughter, in order
to remove any ground for complaint on the part
of England. He was, however, as was to be ex-
pected, acquitted by the court But how did Mr.
Chamberlain represent this matter ? As follows :
that policemen broke 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, and killed
him there and then, because, according to their
own account, he hit one of them with a stick!
Can malevolence go further than this ? And ought
not a minister to be ashamed thus to violate the
truth in an official dispatch?

304 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

We now come to the period immediately pre-
ceding the serious crisis. In the meantime, the
English and the English press, both in South
Africa and England, were agitating and vociferat-
ing against the Republic. An election had taken
place, in the previous year, in Cape Colony, in
which the Afrikander Party had gained the victory,
a fact which drove Rhodes and alf his Jingo clique
to fury. Sir Alfred Milner, instead of confining
himself to his rSU of Governor, showed himself in
his true colours and openly espoused the side of
the Jingoes in Cape Colony. It was evident to
all that a crisis was at hand which, if not care-
fully treated, could end only in catastrophe. But
where there are two parties, it avails nothing that
one party is yielding and compliant, when the other
party at all costs pushes matters to extremes and,
as in this case, to a war. That the Government
of the South African Republic, in the negociations
that preceded the war, was yielding and compliant
is shown by the manner in which the correspond-
ence with England was conducted at this time.

The question of the franchise was that which
Sir Alfred Milner and Mr. Chamberlain employed
as a pretext to force a war upon the Republic.
Before, therefore, discussing the negociations con-
cerning the franchise question, it is well to mention

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 305

the fact that, so early as the commencement of
1899, I had held meetings of the burghers at
Rustenburg and Heidelberg, in order to obtain
their support for my proposal to reduce the period
required for securing the full franchise from four-
teen years to nine years. From there I went to
Johannesburg, and there declared, at a public
meeting, that I hoped later to reduce the period
of nine years' residence to a still shorter period.
This fact deserves special mention, because it was
probably that which startled Mr. Chamberlain and
Sir Alfred Milner and impelled them to hurry on
the crisis. Firmly determined as they were to
force a war upon the Republic, these two men
saw that they must lose no time, since I myself
had begun to introduce reforms which might
presently deprive them of their pretext for going
to war. Sir Alfred Milner was in England
at that time, and doubtless turned his stay to
account to arrange with Chamberlain how they
must set to work to carry out their imperialist
programme. By the time he returned, the whole
thing was settled and arranged.

The League at Johannesburg began by draw-
ing up a petition to the Queen in which they
enumerated a mass of grievances which, as

British subjects, they claimed to possess against
20

3o6 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

the Republic, and ended by asking for the inter-
vention of the British Government. Mr. Fraser,
the Acting British Agent, refused to receive the
petition. For this he was rapped over the
knuckles by the Colonial Secretary, who was
just seeking an opportunity to meddle with the
internal affairs of the Republic, with the result
that, on a later occasion, Mr. Conyngham Greene,
the real representative of the British Crown at
Pretoria, who had also been to England with
Sir Alfred Milner, knew better what was ex-
pected of him. In the meantime. Sir Alfred
Milner had declared that an anti-British move-
ment existed among the Afrikander population
throughout South Africa. This, nota bene, after he
had cabled to England in 1897, on the occasion
of the Queen's Jubilee, that the Afrikanders in
Cape Colony were very loyal to England.

A second petition was drawn up by the League
and signed by 21,684 British subjects. The sig-
natures were collected by every kind of fraud.
The Government of the Republic obtained many
sworn declarations which stated that individuals
had signed as many names as came into their
heads. In the same way, the names of deceased
and absent persons were placed on the lists. This
is easily understood, when one realizes that the

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 307

persons who went round with the lists were paid
according to the number of names which they
obtained. A few days later the Government at
Pretoria received a petition with nearly 23,ocx:)
signatures, in which the signatories, Uitlanders
of every nationality, declared that they were
satisfied with the administration of the country.
But it was not Mr. Chamberlain's object to
receive a genuine petition, so long as he could
obtain a weapon with which to attack the Republic,
and this weapon was afforded him by the afore-
said petition, which was speedily dispatched to him
by the British Agent, Mr. Greene.

Meanwhile, at the commencement of May, Sir
Alfred Milner had sent a cablegram to England
which would have done credit to a sensation-
mongering journalist. In this dispatch, he declared
that Her Majesty's Government must give some
striking proof of its intention not to be ousted
from its position in South Africa, that thousands of
British subjects were kept permanently in the posi-
tion of helots and that the case for intervention
was overwhelming. Mr. Chamberlain thereupon
sent a dispatch, dated 10 May 1899, in which he
acknowledged the receipt of the petition to the
Queen, recapitulated all the grievances of the
Uitlanders and ended by suggesting to Sir

3o8 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Alfred Milner that a conference should take
place between him and Kruger at Bloemfontein
at which the question would be discussed. In
the meantime, prompted by a sincere desire to
put an end to the prevailing disquiet, President
Steijn, before the receipt of this dispatch, had
made the same proposal to both myself and Sir
Alfred Milner. We both accepted the invitation,
and the well-known Bloemfontein Conference met
on the 31st of May 1899 and lasted several days.
With me were Schalk Burger and A. D. Wol-
marans, members of the Executive Raad, and
J. C. Smuts, the State Attorney. Mr. Abraham
Fischer, a member of the Executive Raad of
the Orange Free State, kindly offered to act as
interpreter.

The conference came to nothing. Sir Alfred
Milner showed from the commencement that he
had not the least desire to come to an agreement
He demanded :

1. Franchise after five years' residence.

2. An alteration in the oath of naturalization.

3. Increased representation of the new burghers
in the Volksraad.

After several days' discussion, I offered :
I. Naturalization after two years' residence.
Full franchise after five years more (or seven

KRUGERS FOURTH PRESIDENCY 309

years in all, instead of fourteen, as the law then
stood).

2. Increased representation of the Uitlanders
in the Volksraad.

3. An oath of naturalization similar to that in
the Orange Free State.

I demanded, however, that the franchise should
be made to depend on the possession of a certain
amount of property and naturalization on the pro-
duction of proof that the individual concerned
possessed civic rights in his own country. I also
asked that, as a compensation for the concessions
which I was making, the British Government
should accept the principle of arbitration in the
case of differences between the two States. Sir
Alfred Milner, however, declared that the con-
cessions were quite insufficient.

During this conference, I pointed out to Sir
Alfred that a quantity of the signatures appear-
ing on the petitions to the Queen were spurious,
whereupon the latter answered :

**Very well, we will investigate the matter."
He asked me whether the petition which had
been addressed to the Government of the Republic
did not also contain false signatures. I denied
this positively, and said I was prepared at once
to appoint a committee to enquire into the genuine-

3IO MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

ness of both petitions. I said I was further pre-
pared to grant the British Government the right
of nominating Englishmen to act as members of
this committee. Only, the committee must not
be appointed from England or acquire an ofificial
character, as this might make it appear as
though the Republic were under British suzerainty.
Hereupon Sir Alfred would hear no more, and
said :

**Let us drop the subject."

For the rest, he continued to insist upon what
he called **his irreducible minimum." He declared
that he had other grievances, which would remain,
even if the franchise question were settled, and
refused to produce them until the franchise ques-
tion had been settled in his way.

The same evening, I sent to Sir Alfred asking
him to meet me again the next morning for further
deliberation ; but Sir Alfred answered that he
"considered this unnecessary and that the con-
ference was ended."

So soon as I had returned to Pretoria, the
State Secretary wrote a letter to the British
Agent touching the proposed arbitration tribunal,
towards which proposal Sir Alfred Milner had
adopted an apparently friendly attitude. This
letter was dated 9 June 1899, and in it the State

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 311

Secretary made the following proposal to the
British Government :

*'(i) All future differences between the two
Governments arising out of varying interpretations
of the London Convention shall, subject to what
is set forth under paragraph 3, at the instance
of this Government or of Her Majesty's Govern-
ment, be referred to an arbitration tribunal, on
the understanding, however, that no matters or
differences of trifling importance shall be sub-
mitted to arbitration.

*' (2) The arbitration tribunal shall consist of
an arbitrator to be nominated by this Govern-
ment and an arbitrator to be nominated by Her
Majesty's Government (as, for example, the Chief
Justices respectively of the South African Republic
and the Cape Colony or Natal). These two must
agree respecting a third person, who shall act
as President of the Arbitration tribunal, this person
not to be a subject of one of the arbitrating
parties ; and failing agreement upon this point,
the two Governments shall together name a
President ; the decision in every case to take place
by a majority of votes.

**(3) The Act of Submission shall in every
case be drawn up jointly by the two Govern-

314 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

On the 26th of June, the British Agent replied
to the arbitration proposals as set forth in Mr.
Reitz's letter. In this answer he stated that Sir
Alfred Milner could not recommend the accept-
ance of the proposal to the British Government,
as he considered that the question of finding a
remedy for the grievances of the Uitlanders should
first be disposed of. Furthermore, he intimated
that the scheme drawn up by Mr. Reitz was not
acceptable to Her Majesty's Government, seeing
that, to make no mention of other objections,
the President of the Court, according to that
scheme, could not be a subject of either of the
arbitrating parties.

At the commencement of July, the leaders
of the Afrikander Party, Messrs. Hofmeyer and
Herholdt, went from Cape Town to Bloem-
fontein and thence to Pretoria to persuade the
Government still further to simplify the new
Franchise Law in such a way as to make the
seven years' clause retrospective : so that every
one who had spent seven years or more in the
Republic could obtain the franchise at once ; those
who had been six years in the country would have
to wait one year more in order to obtain the
franchise ; those one who had spent three years in
the country must wait four years more, and so on.

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 315

Their suggestions found a ready hearing among
the members of the Government and the Volks-
raad, who were inclined to make even more con-
cessions for dear peace' sake.

On the 1 8th of July, probably after having been
informed by Messrs. Hofmeyer and Herholdt of
the result of their mission, the Cape Ministry issued
a note in which they expressed the conviction
that, in their opinion, there existed not the least
occasion for intervention on the part of England
in the internal affairs of the Republic.

On the 20th of July, the so-called Uitlanders'
Council telegraphed to England that they were not
satisfied with the Franchise Law which had just
been passed (the law of the 19th of July).

On the 27th of July, Mr. Chamberlain sent
a dispatch in which he recapitulated the events
since the Conference, persisted in his contentions
that not only the letter, but the spirit of the
London Convention of 1884 had been constantly
violated by the Government of the Republic, and
ended by maintaining his contention that the pre-
amble to the Convention of 1881 (respecting the
Suzerainty) still held good. He rejected the pro-
posed Arbitration Court, although he suggested
that certain questions might be submitted to some
judicial authority.

3i6 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

On the I St of August, Mr. Chamberlain tele-
graphed to the High Commissioner proposing that
England and the Republic should appoint a joint
commission to revise the Franchise Law which
had been passed, and to enquire whether this law
would afford a sufficient representation to the
Uitlanders and, if this were not the case, to see
what additions or alterations might be necessary to
attain this object. This proposal of Mr. Chamber-
lain's was a direct violation of the London Conven-
tion of 1884, for it is hardly possible to imagine a
clearer case of interference with the internal affairs
of the Republic

The State Secretary, accordingly, replied, on the
1 2th of August, calling Mr. Chamberlain's atten-
tion to the fact that, according to the Convention
of 1884, the British Government was not to
meddle in the internal affairs of the Republic, and
expressed the hope that, in making his proposal,
Mr. Chamberlain did not mean to encroach upon
the rights of the Republic. The State Secretary
further gave expression to the opinion that the
object which Mr. Chamberlain had in view in the
appointment of a joint commission could be as
easily attained by asking questions and obtaining
information about the measure. He also observed
to Mr. Chamberlain that a judgment could only

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 317

be formed as to whether a law answered its
purpose or not, if it had been in operation for
some time.

On the 15th of August, the State Attorney,
Mr. J. C Smuts, had an interview with the British
Agent, in which he asked him whether Her
Majesty's Government would consider the seven
years' retrospective franchise, with an increase of
seats for the Uitlanders in the Volksraad, to be
sufficient and, in that case, waive the joint com-
mission. Mr. Greene answered that he did not
know whether Her Majesty's Government would
consent to abandon their demand, but that the
position was very critical ; that Her Majesty's
Government had made promises to the Uitlanders,
and that they would, therefore, be obliged to
insist on their demands and, if necessary, to
employ force. He added that the only chance
for the South African Republic was to comply
without delay with the demands put forward by
Sir Alfred Milner at Bloemfontein.

On the 19th of August, the State Secretary
wrote to the British Agent making this alternative
proposal to Her Majesty's Government :

" (i) The Government are willing to recommend
to the Volksraad and the people a five years' retro-

3i8 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

spective franchise as proposed by His Excellency
the High Commissioner on June ist, 1899.

" (2) The Government are further willing to
recommend to the Volksraad that eight new seats
in the First Volksraad, and, if necessary, also in
the Second Volksraad, be given to the population
of the Witwatersrand, thus, with the two sitting
members for the Goldfields, giving to the popula-
tion thereof ten representatives in a Raad of
twenty-six, and in future the representation of the
Goldfields of this Republic shall not fall below the
proportion of one-fourth of the total.

"(3) The new burghers shall equally with the
old burghers be entitled to vote at the election for
State- President and Commandant-General.

" (4) This Government will always be prepared
to take into consideration such friendly suggestions
regarding the details of the franchise law as Her
Majesty's Government, through the British Agent,
may wish to convey to it.

"(5) In putting forward the above proposals
the Government of the South African Republic
assumes —

**(a)That Her British Majesty s Government
will agree that the present intervention
shall not form a precedent for future
similar action, and that, in the future.

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 319

no interference in the internal affairs of
the Republic will take place.
" (d) That Her Majesty's Government will not
further insist on the assertion of the
Suzerainty, the controversy on this sub-
ject being allowed tacitly to drop.
*'{c) That arbitration from which foreign ele-
ment, other than Orange Free State, is
to be excluded, will be conceded as soon
as the franchise scheme has become law.
''(6) Immediately on Her British Majesty's
Government accepting this proposal for a settle-
ment, the Government will ask the Volksraad to
adjourn for the purpose of consulting the people
about it, and the whole scheme might become law,
say, within a few weeks.

** (7) In the meantime the form and scope of
the proposed tribunal are also to be discussed and
provisionally agreed upon, while the franchise
scheme is being referred to the people, so that no
time may be lost in putting an end to the present
state of affairs."

The State Secretary ended by saying " that the
Government trusts that Her Majesty's Govern-
ment will clearly understand that in the opinion of
this Government, the existing franchise law of this

320 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Republic is both fair and liberal to the new popu-
lation, and that the consideration that induces
them to go further, as they do in the above
proposals, is their strong desire to get the con-
troversies between the two Governments settled ;
and, further, to put an end to the present strained
relations between the two Governments, and the
incalculable harm and loss it has already occasioned
in South Africa, and to prevent a racial war, from
the effects of which South Africa may not recover
for many generations, perhaps never at all ; and,
therefore, this Government, having regard to all
these circumstances, would highly appreciate it, if
Her Majesty's Government, seeing the necessity
of preventing the present crisis from developing still
further, and the urgency of an early termination
of the present state of affairs, would expedite the
acceptance or refusal of the settlement here offered."
On the 2 1 St of August, the State Secretary
again wrote to the British Agent to explain and
complete his letter of the 19th of August In this
second letter, he makes it clear that the proposals
regarding the question of franchise and representa-
tion in the dispatch of the 19th of August must be
regarded as expressly conditional on Her Majesty's
Government consenting to the points set forth in
paragraph 5 of the dispatch, viz. :

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 321

(a) In the future no interference in the internal
affairs of the South African Republic.

(d) No further insistence on the assertion of
the existence of the Suzerainty.

These proposals were made after the State
Attorney had had a new interview with Mr.
Greene, the result of which was to convince him
that the British Government would be prepared
to take those proposals into consideration. This
would cause the proposal for a joint commission
to lapse.

On the 25th of August, the so-called Uitlanders'
Council and the South African League declared
that the franchise reforms were still insufficient,
and demanded further ** reforms," such as the dis-
arming of the Boers and the demolition of the forts.

On the 26th of August, Mr. Chamberlain
made a speech on the occasion of a garden-party
at his place at Highbury, in which, among other
things, he said :

'* Mr. Kruger dribbles out reforms like water
from a squeezed sponge, and he either accompanies
his offers with conditions which he knows to be
impossible, or he refuses to allow us to make a
satisfactory investigation of the nature of these

322 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

reforms. . . . The sands are running down in
the glass. . . . The knot must be loosened . . .
or else we shall have to find other ways of
untying it."

On the 30th of August, he sent a dispatch in
which he stated, among other things, that Her
Majesty's Government assumed that the adoption
in principle of the franchise proposals would not
be hampered by any conditions which would impair
their effect ; that Her Majesty's Government were
unable to appreciate the objections entertained by
the Government of the South African Republic
to a Joint Commission of Enquiry ; that Her
Majesty's Government, however, would appoint a
commission on their side to institute an enquiry
into the law and to make the necessary sugges-
tions to the Government of the Republic, and
trusted that different conditions, as to previous
registration, qualification and behaviour, would
be omitted from the proposed new law. With
regard to the conditions of the Government of the
South African Republic, Mr. Chamberlain said, as
regards intervention. Her Majesty's Government
hoped that the fulfilment of the promises made
and the just treatment of the Uitlanders in future
would render unnecessary any further interference
on their behalf, but that Her Majesty's Govern-

KRUGERS FOURTH PRESIDENCY 323

ment could not debar themselves from their rights
under the Conventions. (N.B. — The Convention
of 1 88 1 had lapsed, as is known.) With regard
to the Suzerainty, Mr. Chamberlain referred the
Government to a former dispatch, in which he
maintained that the Suzerainty still existed. With
regard to the proposed tribunal of arbitration, he
agreed to a discussion of the form and scope of
such a tribunal, from which, however, foreigners
and foreign influence were to be excluded. He
moreover proposed that a further conference
should take place between myself and the High
Commissioner at Cape Town, and ended by
reminding the Government of the South African
Republic that there were other matters of differ-
ence which could not be settled by the grant of
political representation to the Uitlanders and
which were not proper subjects for reference to
arbitration.

Mr. Chamberlain afterwards declared that, in
this dispatch, he accepted the proposals of the
Government of the South African Republic as set
forth above. He is probably the only man in the
world who read his dispatch in this light : every
impartial judge will think the opposite.

On the 31st of August, Sir Alfred Milner
telegraphed to Mr. Chamberlain :

324 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

' * The purport of all the representations made
to me is to urge prompt and decided action ; not
to deprecate further interference on the part of
Her Majesty's Government. British South Africa
is prepared for extreme measures. ... I fear
seriously that there will be a strong reaction of
feeling against the policy of Her Majesty's Govern-
ment if matters drag."

In reply to Mr. Chamberlain's dispatch of the
30th of August, the State Secretary, on the 2nd
of September, wrote to the British Agent at
Pretoria that the Government of the South African
Republic had heard with the deepest regret that
Her Majesty's Government had not seen their
way to accept the proposals which were set forth
in the Notes of the 19th and 21st of August,
under the conditions attached thereto, the more so
as the Government had supposed from semi-official
discussions that it might infer that its proposal
would have been acceptable to Her Majesty's
Government. In consequence, the Government of
the South African Republic considered that its
proposal had lapsed. With regard to the uni-
lateral enquiry, the Government was willing, if it
should appear that the existing franchise law might
be made more effective, to lay proposals before the

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 325

Volksraad, It appeared, however, to it that the
findings of a unilateral Commission, especially
when made before the working of the law had
been properly tested, would probably be of little
value. Passing to the remarks made by Mr.
Chamberlain in connection with the conditions
attached to the proposals in the Note of the 19th
of August, the State Secretary observes :

** (a) That this Government has never, with
reference to the question of intervention, either
asked nor intended that Her Majesty's Govern-
ment should abandon any right it may have, as a
matter of fact by virtue of either the Convention
of London of 1884 or of General International
Law, to take action here for the protection of
British subjects.

** (d) That with regard to the alleged existence
of suzerainty, the denial of its existence by this
Government according to its view has already
been so clearly explained in its dispatch of i6th of
April 1898, that it would be superfluous to repeat
the facts, arguments and consequences mentioned
therein : it merely wishes to observe that it adheres
to its contentions stated in that dispatch."

With reference to a tribunal of arbitration
the Government was pleased to see that Her
Majesty's Government were prepared to enter into

326 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

negociations with regard to the form and scope of
such tribunal. It was however not clear to it :

"(a) If Her Majesty's Government consents
that burghers of the Orange Free State may also
be appointed as members of such tribunal.

*'{6) What subjects shall be submitted to the
decision of such court.

''{c) What are the subjects Her Majesty's
Government thinks cannot be laid before such
court Her Majesty's Government states that there
are such points, but does not specify them."

The object contemplated by the Government
of the South African Republic, t.e. the securing of
a final regulation of all points at issue would, it
opined, be altogether frustrated by these limita-
tions. With reference to the recommendation of
a Conference to be held, the Government would
await further communications from Her Majesty's
Government. The State Secretary went on to
remark that the proposal made by his Govern-
ment with reference to the franchise and repre-
sentation of the Uitlanders was extremely liberal,
and, as a matter of fact, went further than
the propositions of the High Commissioner put
forward at the Bloemfontein Conference ; that
the condition^ attached by his Government did
not demand from the side of Her Majesty's

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 327

Government any abandonment of existing rights
under the Convention of London of 1884 ; that the
Government of the South African Republic could
never have expected that the answer of Her
Majesty's Government to its proposal would be
unfavourable ; that it continued to cherish the hope
that a solution of existing differences might be
arrived at ; and, in order to attain this peaceful
solution, the State Secretary ended his letter by
accepting the Joint Commission formerly proposed
by Mr. Chamberlain.

On the 1 2th of September, Mr. Greene, on
behalf of the British Government, answered Mr.
Reitz's dispatch of the 2nd of September, and said
that Her Majesty's Government could not now
consent to go back to their former proposal of a
Joint Commission; that Her Majesty's Govern-
ment were still prepared to accept the proposals,
provided that the enquiry which Her Majesty's
Government had proposed, whether joint or uni-
literal, showed that the scheme would not be
encumbered by conditions which would nullify
its intentions. His Government assumed that
the new members of the Volksraad would be
permitted to use their own language. He ended
his letter by pressing for an immediate reply,
and stating that, if the reply was negative or

328 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

inconclusive, Her Majesty's Government reserved
to themselves the right to reconsider the situation
de novo and to formulate their own proposals for
a final settlement.

To this the State Secretary replied, on the
15th of September, that his Government learnt
with deep regret that Her Majesty's Government
withdrew their invitation and substituted in its
place an entirely new proposal ; that the proposal
contained in the Notes of the Government of the
19th and 2ist of August was induced by sug-
gestions given by the British Agent to the State
Attorney, and these were accepted by his Govern-
ment in good faith, and on express request, as
equivalent to an assurance that the proposal
would be acceptable to the British Government ;
that his Government could not disguise from
itself that, in making the proposal contained in
its Note of the 19th of August, it probably ran
the danger not only of its being disclaimed by
the Volksraad and by the people, but also that its
acceptance might affect the independence of the
State by, as therein proposed, giving an immediate
vote in the Legislature of the State to a large
number of inpouring foreigners, but it set against
that the continuous threatening and undoubted
danger to its highly prized independence aris-

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 329

ing from the claim of suzerainty made by Her
Majesty's Govermnent, from the interference of
that Government in the internal affairs of the
Republic and from the want of an automatically
working manner of regulating differences between
Her Majesty's Government and the Government
of the Republic, and was in consequence pre-
pared to recommend to the Volksraad and to the
people to run the danger attached to the offier
made in order to avoid the certainty of the
greater danger; inasmuch, however, as the con-
ditions attached to the proposal, the acceptance of
which constituted the only consideration for its
offer, had been declared unacceptable, it could
not understand on what grounds of justice it could
be expected that it should be bound to grant
the rest. As regards the question that the new
members should speak their own language in the
Volksraad, the Government could not enter into
this and denied having made any such promise.
The State Secretary ended his letter by expressing
the hope that the British Government would abide
by their own proposal for a Joint Commission and
thus put an end to the present state of tension.

To this letter of the State Secretary the British
Agent replied, on the 25th of September, that
Her Majesty's Government had on more than one

330 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

occasion repeated their assurances that they had
no desire to interfere in any way with the inde-
pendence of the South African Republic {N.B. —
They were always doing so) ; that they had not
asserted any rights of interference in the internal
affairs of the Republic other than those which were
derived from the Conventions {N.B. — There was
only one!) ; and ended by saying that it was useless
to further pursue a discussion on the lines hitherto
followed, and that Her Majesty's Government were
now compelled to consider the situation afresh,
and to formulate their own proposals for a final
settlement of the issues which had been created
in South Africa by the policy constantly followed
for so many years by the Government of the
South African Republic.

On the 17th of September, the State Secretary
asked the High Commissioner for explanations
regarding the concentration of troops on the fron-
tiers of the South African Republic. The High
Commissioner replied that those troops were there
to defend British interests and in order to be
prepared for "possibilities."

On the 22nd of September, the mobilization of
an army corps for South Africa was announced in
England, and, on the 28th of September, it was
announced that the greater part of that army corps

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 331

would leave for South Africa without delay. The
Government thereupon commandeered the greater
part of the burghers to take up their position near
the frontiers of the Republic, in order to be pre-
pared for a sudden attack on the part of England.

On the 30th of September, the State Secretary
informed the British Agent that he would be
glad to know the decision of the British Govern-
ment {t.e. with reference to the " own proposals "
announced in the dispatch of 25 September).
Mr. Chamberlain answered, on the 2nd of October,
that the dispatch of Her Majesty's Government
was being prepared, but that it would not be ready
for some days. It is clear that Mr. Chamberlain
only desired to gain time, in order first to have
sufficient troops in South Africa, before sending his
promised dispatch, which was nothing else than an
ultimatum.

Before the final steps were reached. President
Steijn of the Orange Free State had intervened
in order to make every effort, on his side, to
avoid war. On the 19th of September, the High
Commissioner telegraphed to President Steijn that
a detachment of troops, ordinarily stationed at
Cape Town, was being sent to assist in securing
the line of communication between the Colony
and the British territories lying to the north of

332 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

it; and that, as this force, or a portion of it,
might be stationed near the borders of the Orange
Free State, he, the High Commissioner, thought it
desirable to acquaint His Honour with this move-
ment, and the reasons for it, in order to prevent
any misconception. He added that Her Majesty's
Government were still hopeful of a friendly settle-
ment of the differences which had arisen between
them and the South African Republic, but that,
should this hope unfortunately be disappointed,
the British Government looked to the Orange
Free State to preserve strict neutrality.

President Steijn replied, on the same day, that
he was unable to see that the differences justified
the use of force as their only solution. Seeing the
state of tension in South Africa, he noted with
apprehension and regret the stationing of troops
near the borders of the Orange Free State, as the
burghers would consider this a menace to that
State. If, therefore, unwished-for developments
should arise, the responsibility would not rest with
the Government of the Orange Free State. His
Honour concluded his telegram by stating that
he would view with deep regret any disturbance
of those friendly relations which hitherto had
existed between Great Britain and the Orange
Free State.

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 333

On the 27th of September, the Volksraad of
the Orange Free State adopted a resolution in
which it declared that no cause for war existed,
that such a war would be morally a war against
the whole white population of South Africa, but
that, come what might, the Orange Free State
would honestly and faithfully observe its obliga-
tions arising from the political alliance with the
South African Republic. At the same time the
Government were instructed to do everything in
their power to contribute by peaceful efforts to-
wards the solution of the existing differences.

That same day, the 27th of September,
President Steijn sent a dispatch to the High
Commissioner in which he reminded him of the
ties of blood and friendship by which the Orange
Free State was bound both to the Cape Colony
and the South African Republic, and, in addition,
of the close political alliance between the two
Republics. He said that it was this strong feel-
ing of amity towards both Great Britain and the
South African Republic that led him to bring
about the conference between the High Com-
missioner and myself; that it was largely due
to the Orange Free State and other friends of
peace that such radical reforms had been effected
by the South African Republic in so short a

334 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

time ; that the Orange Free State ever kept
in view the spirit in which it assumed that the
British Government was willing to act, viz.,
"to adopt an attitude of friendly suggestion and
not of dictation in the internal affairs of the
Republic ; " that, while the Government of the
Republic, encouraged thereto by the advice of
the Free State, were busy in meeting the wants
of the Uitlanders, the British Government had
departed from the basis of not interfering in the
internal affairs of the Republic ; that the request
for the Joint Commission of Enquiry emphasized
that fact beyond any shadow of doubt ; that, not-
withstanding this, the Government of the Orange
Free State advised the South African Republic to
accept the invitation of the British Government,
in the hope that an impartial investigation might
inaugurate a renewal of the employment of friendly
methods of n^ociation ; that great, therefore, was
the disappointment of the Government of the
Orange Free State when it transpired that the
British Government now rejected its proposal and
that the unfortunate tension seemed to be only
increasing; that the Government of the Orange
Free State were still prepared to tender their
services to procure a peaceful solution of existing
difficulties, but that they felt themselves hampered

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 335

now as in the past (a) by a want of knowledge
as to the definite object and extent of the
demands of the British Government, compliance
with which that Government considered them-
selves entitled to insist on ; (d) by the fact that,
notwithstanding the repeated assurances of the
British Government that it did not wish to inter-
fere in the internal affairs of the Republic nor
to disturb its independence, that Government had
pursued a policy which seemed to justify a
contrary conclusion. As an instance in support
of this contention, His Honour mentioned the
enormous and ever - increasing military prepara-
tions on the part of the British Government,
indicating a policy of force and coercion, notwith-
standing the alleged friendly nature of the nego-
ciations. His Honour, therefore, trusted that Her
Majesty's Government might see their way clear,
pending the arrival of the further dispatch in-
timated as about to be sent, to stop any further
movements or increase of troops on or near the
borders of both States, and further to give an
assurance to that effect, and added that his
Government would be glad to be favoured with
the precise nature and scope of the concessions,
the adoption of which Her Majesty's Government
considered themselves entitled to claim, or which

336 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

they suggested as being necessary or sufficient
to ensure a satisfactory and permanent solution
of existing differences.

On the 2nd of October, President Steijn in-
formed the High Commissioner that, in view of
the totally undefended state of the border and in
view of the prevailing unrest and the continual
increase and movement of troops on two sides
of the Orange Free State, he had deemed it
advisable to call up his burghers in order to
satisfy them that due precautions had been taken
in regard to guarding their borders, adding that
he was still looking forward to a reply to his
dispatch of the 27th of September.

The High Commissioner replied, on the same
day, regretting that the President had called up
the burghers and declaring that His Honour was
aware that the South African Republic had placed
a very considerable army on the borders of Natal.
The President replied, on the 3rd of October,
that the concentration of burghers on the Natal
frontier by the South African Republic was only
the natural result of the constant increase of British
troops and their movement in the direction of the
Transvaal border. He did not, however, anticipate
any immediate aggressive action on the part of the
South African Republic, unless further forward

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 337

movements of British troops should indicate an
intention of attack upon the Transvaal. He
went on to press for an answer to his dispatch of
the 27 th of September.

The High Commissioner answered, on the same
day, that all the movements of British troops had
been necessitated by the natural alarm of the in-
habitants in exposed districts and were not com-
parable in magnitude with the massing of armed
forces on the borders of Natal by the Government
of the South African Republic.

The President replied, also on the 3rd of
October, that he did not consider that the move-
ments of British troops had been necessitated by
the natural alarm of the inhabitants in exposed
districts, nor in fact had he ever thought that there
were any fair grounds justifying such movements.
On the contrary, the ever-increasing military pre-
parations, both in England and South Africa, had
retarded and hampered the efforts that had been
directed to effecting a fair settlement. He ascribed
the failure to arrive at a solution of existing diffi-
culties to the bitter and hostile tone of the utter-
ances made, both by responsible men and by
the English press in South Africa and England,
bristling with misrepresentations and constant

menace to the Transvaal, accompanied by ever-

338 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

increasing military preparations, not only in South
Africa and in England, but throughout the British
Empire, which were openly stated as being directed
against the Transvaal. He wished to place on
record his earnest conviction that on those in
authority who introduced the military element,
and who thereby inaugurated a policy of menace
and forcible intervention, would rest the responsi-
bility, should all efforts fail to secure peace and
an honourable settlement. He could not but
recognize the fact that, in view of the action of
the British authorities already alluded to, the
Transvaal Government could not be blamed for
acting as they had done. He was the more con-
firmed in this view by the fact that, whilst he was
still without any reply to his telegraphic dispatch
of the 27th of September, the reasonable request
therein made that the increase and further move-
ment of British troops should be stayed, which if
acceded to would probably have prevented the
calling out of the burghers both in the South
African Republic and in this State, had not only
been ignored but activity in military preparations
and the dispatch of troops had been going on more
persistently than ever. He was not in a position
to judge whether the movement of British troops
on the border of the South African Republic was

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 339

comparable or not in magnitude with the recent
massing of armed force of the South African
Republic on the borders, but it must not be for-
gotten that on all sides in the English press and
otherwise the assertion constantly found expression
that the British troops already in the country were
more than a match for the undisciplined burgher
force of the Republic. Moreover, troops were
being dispatched almost daily from England, which
would justify a conviction in the minds of the
burghers of the South African Republic that
England had abandoned any idea of attempting to
arrive at a solution of differences except by force.

On the 4th of October, the High Commissioner
replied that there was, he thought, a conclusive
reply to His Honour's accusation against the policy
of Her Majesty's Government, but that no good
purpose would be served by recrimination ; that
the present position was that Burgher forces were
assembled in very large numbers in immediate
proximity to the frontier of Natal, while the British
troops occupied certain defensive positions well
within those borders. He would not despair of
peace and felt sure that any reasonable proposal,
from whatever quarter proceeding, would be
favourably considered by Her Majesty's Govern-
ment.

340 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

On the 5 th of October, the President replied
that he was prepared to make a proposal, but that
he considered it would not be practicable to induce
the Government of the South African Republic to
make or entertain proposals or suggestions, unless
not only the troops menacing their States were
withdrawn farther from their borders, but an assur-
ance were given by Her Majesty's Government
that all further dispatch and increase of troops
would at once and during negociations be stopped,
and that those now on the water would either not
be landed or at least would remain as far removed
as could be from the scene of possible hostilities.
The President urged upon His Excellency the
urgent necessity of intimating to him without delay
whether His Excellency saw his way clear to give
effect to those his views and wishes ; and if so he
would take steps to obtain an assurance from the
South African Republic to safeguard against any
act of invasion or hostility against any portion
of Her Majesty's territories. He would further
support all reasonable proposals which would
possess the element of finality and give the assur-
ance of a lasting peace.

The High Commissioner replied, on the 6th of
October 1899, that he regretted that the President
should suggest, as a condition precedent to further

►

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 341

negociations, an assurance from Her Majesty's
Government hampering their freedom of action
with regard to the disposition of British troops in
British territory. Such an assurance it was im-
possible for him to ask Her Majesty's Govern-
ment to give. If, on the other hand, the President
could obtain an assurance that, pending negocia-
tions, no act of hostility would be committed, he
was prepared to advise Her Majesty's Govern-
ment to give an assurance to the like effect

Steijn replied, on the same day, that he could
not be expected to ask the South African Re-
public to continue negociations in the face of
the fact that from all sides of Her Majesty's
dominions troops were being poured into South
Africa with the avowed object of coercing the
South African Republic into accepting whatever
terms Her Majesty's Government might decide to
impose. The President added that he had no
doubt that, in so far as Her Majesty's troops were
intended for the defence of Her Majesty's posses-
sions, the same purpose could be effected in another
way, and he would be willing to assist in its being
effected ; but the point which he thought it fair to
urge was that it would be taken by the South
African Republic as virtually amounting to an act
of hostility on the part of Her Majesty's Govern-

342 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

ment to be continuously increasing their forces
during the negociations.

On the 7th of October, His Honour received
a reply to his dispatch of the 27th of September,
in which the British Government stated that they
had repeatedly explained their views on the quest-
ions at issue between them and the Government
of the South African Republic, and did not think
their position open to misunderstanding; but, if
the President of the Orange Free State desired
elucidation of any special point, they were pre-
pared to give it. As regards their military pre-
parations, they had been necessitated by the policy
of the South African Republic converting that
country into a permanent armed camp. In view
of the rejection of their last proposals by the
Government of the South African Republic, Her
Majesty's Government were reconsidering the
situation, having regard to the grave fact that
both Republics had now placed themselves on a
war footing.

On the same day, 7 October 1899, a royal
proclamation appeared in England, summoning
Parliament and calling out the reserves ; at the
same time, an order was issued for the mobilization
of an army corps for South Africa.

On the 9th of October, President Steijn sent

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 343

a telegram to the High Commissioner demurring
to the statement that the military preparations
made by Her Majesty's Government had been
necessitated by the action of the South African
Republic. He again urged the withdrawal of
forces on both sides, such withdrawal to include
an undertaking by Her Majesty's Government
to stop the further increase of troops.

I have now given the course of negociations
and described events precisely as they occurred.
Any one who views these matters impartially
must admit that the British Government, and
particularly the High Commissioner and Mr.
Chamberlain, did their utmost to cause the
negociations to fail and to bring on a war.

The Government of the South African Republic
clearly saw what the British Government wanted,
that a collision was inevitable, that the British
Government were only waiting to send their ulti-
matum until sufficient troops had arrived in South
Africa to overwhelm the Republic from every side.
When it realized that a war was inevitable, that
to make concessions availed nothing and that its
only chance lay in compelling the British Govern-
ment to display their real intentions before all
the British troops were landed, the Government
of the South African Republic had recourse to

344 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

extreme measures, and, on the 9th of October,
wrote a letter to the British Agent, the so-called
^* Ultimatum." In this document the Government
once more set forth how England had not the
slightest right to interfere in the internal affairs
of the Republic ; how the Republic had yet found
occasion to discuss in a friendly fashion the fran-
chise and the representation of the people with
Her Majesty's Government; how on the part
of Her Majesty's Government the friendly nature
of those discussions had assumed a more and
more threatening tone ; how Her Majesty's
Government had finally broken off all friendly
correspondence on the subject ; how the Republic
was still waiting for the proposal which the
British Government had promised to make for
a final settlement; how, in view of the British
military force on the frontiers, the Republic had
been obliged, as a defensive measure, to send a
portion of the burghers to protect the frontiers ;
how Her Majesty's unlawful intervention in the
affairs of the Republic, in conflict with the Con-
vention of London, 1884, had caused an intoler-
able condition of things to arise whereto the
Government felt itself obliged, in the interest
not only of the Republic but of all South Africa,
to make an end as soon as possible, and

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 345

therefore felt itself called upon and obliged to press
earnestly and with emphasis for an immediate ter-
mination of this state of things, and to request Her
Majesty's Government to give it the assurance :

**(a) That all points of mutual difference shall
be regulated by the friendly course of arbitration,
or by whatever amicable way may be agreed
upon by this Government with Her Majesty's
Government ;

*'{6) That the troops on the borders of this
Republic shall be instantly withdrawn ;

'*{c) That all reinforcements of troops which
have arrived in South Africa since the ist June
1899 shall be removed within a reasonable time,
to be agreed upon with this Government, and
with a mutual assurance and guarantee on the
part of this Government that no attack upon, or
hostilities against, any portion of the possessions
of the British Government shall be made by the
Republic during further negociations within a
period of time to be subsequently agreed upon
between the Governments, and this Government
will, on compliance therewith, be prepared to with-
draw the armed burghers of this Republic from
the borders ;

''{d) That Her Majesty's troops which are

346 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

now on the high seas shall not be landed in any
port of South Africa."

The dispatch ended by requesting Her
Majesty's Government to return an answer before
or upon Wednesday the nth of October, not
later than 5 o'clock p.m., adding that, in the event
of no satisfactory answer being received within
that interval, the Republic would with great
regret be compelled to regard the action of Her
Majesty's Government as a formal declaration
of war and would not hold itself responsible for
the consequences thereof, and that, in the event
of any further movements of troops taking place
within the above-mentioned time in the nearer
directions of the borders of the Republic, the
Government would be compelled to regard that
also as a formal declaration of war.

On the nth of October, Mr. Greene brought
the reply of the British Government to the effect
that the conditions demanded by the Govern-
ment of the South African Republic were such
as Her Majesty's Government deemed it impos-
sible to discuss. At the same time, he asked for
his passports, in order to enable him to leave the
country. And so, in spite of all the concessions,
all the patience and indulgence of the Republic,

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 347

the war broke out The Volksraad, which was
still sitting, adjourned when it became evident
that hostilities were soon to commence ; both our
Volksraad and that of the Orange Free State
unanimously declared themselves ready to risk
their lives and property for their rights and for
their liberty ; and both repeated this vow in their
last session during the turmoil of war.^

The course and the vicissitudes of the War do
not come within the scope of these Memoirs, as
I took no personal part in the fighting. I had
a different work before me, which kept me
employed day and night. All looked to me for
advice, hints and consolation. Daily I sent off
telegrams to all the commandoes, encouraging,
advising and exhorting the burghers. These
labours fully occupied the mornings from eight to
twelve and the evenings from two to four or
five o'clock. Not till then did I leave the
Government Buildings. I went to bed at eight,
only to get up again at eleven to go through
the telegrams that had come to hand. I rose
once more at two, to inspect any dispatches that
had arrived in the meantime, and it was often

^ Official reports of President Kruger's speech at the closing of
the First and Second Volksraad and of the speeches of both
Presidents at the last meetings of the Volksraads of the Transvaal
and Orange Free State will be found in the Appendix. — Edit&r^s NoU,

348 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

four o'clock before I could seek my rest again.
In the later stage of the war, when the federal
troops were being driven back on every side,
my sleep was interrupted regularly three times
every night, and frequently as often as four
times, in order that I might deal with the tele-
grams without delay. I was thankful for every
success and did not lose courage when reverses
were announced, as many of my telegrams could
show, had they not been scattered to the winds.

After the relief of Ladysmith, I went myself to
Natal to exhort the burghers to keep courage. At
Glencoe, where the burghers had once more taken
up their position, I addressed them in a long speech,
pointing out the urgency of keeping up the fight
General Joubert spoke to them to the same effect

I had scarcely returned to Pretoria, when I
went to Bloemfontein in order to proceed thence,
by waggon, to Poplar Grove, on the Modder
River, where I intended also to address and
encourage the burghers. But I could not come
so far, for I had only just reached General De Wet,
when I was obliged to go back, as French, with
his mounted troops, had effected a turning move-
ment and I was in danger of being cut off.
Heavy fighting took place on my arrival, for
the English general in command knew of my

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 349

presence, and I had only just time to retire: I
had hardly crossed the Modder River, when
French arrived with his cavalry. Here, how-
ever, De la Rey, who had just arrived with his
staff, flung himself against him and held him in
check until the laager and guns were safe.
As I resumed my homeward course, the shells
were flying all around me, and one fell just
behind the cart in which I was seated. I was,
therefore, obliged to return to Pretoria, but went
straight on to Kroonstad, there to encourage
the burghers and attend a general council of
war. It was on this occasion that the deeply-
lamented Colonel de Villebois-Mareuil received
his promotion to General of the Foreign Legion.
Shortly after, I received a heavy blow through
the death of General Joubert, who had worked
together with me for so many years in building
up the Republic. His death was profoundly
mourned by the whole people, and there is no
doubt that the decease of this upright lover of his
country exercised a discouraging influence upon
his fellow-burghers. Fortunately, he had, before
his death, appointed a successor in the present
Commandant General Louis Botha, who has shown
that the confidence placed in him by the dying
general was well-deserved.

350 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Shortly before the capture of Bloemfontein,
the two Governments resolved to send a deputa-
tion to Europe to endeavour to secure interven-
tion. This deputation consisted of Mr. Abraham
Fischer, a member of the Executive Raad of
the Orange Free State, who had taken a pro-
minent part in the negociations during the crisis,
and who now acted as a delegate for both States,
with Mr. C. H. Wessels, President of the Volks-
raad of the Orange Free State, for his own
State, and Mr. A. D. W. Wolmarans, a member
of the Executive Raad of the South African
Republic, for his State. All three were men in
whom the Government and people of both Re-
publics placed the greatest confidence.

A while before that, after the surrender of
Cronj^, the two Governments had sent a dispatch
to Lord Salisbury, in which they declared that the
Republics were willing to make peace if their in-
dependence, the only thing for which they were
fighting, were acknowledged. Lord Salisbury
replied that he could not accept this proposal ;
for the Republics were not to be allowed to
retain a shred of independence : and that after
he had declared, only three months earlier, in a
public speech, that England sought no gold-fields
and no territory.

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 351

Although the preceding days made heavy
claims upon me, those that followed made even
more strenuous demands. After the relief of
Mafeking, when the British troops began to
stream into the Republic from every side, it
became daily more clear that, in my old age, I
should have to leave my wife, my home and all
that was dear to me, in order to seek a refuge
in the East of the Republic, and there commence
the struggle anew. The thought of this departure
lay heavy upon my heart, the more so as my wife
was so old and weak that I could not think of
taking her with me. The doctor had declared
that such a journey as this would mean death to
her ; and yet I felt sure that I should never see
her again in this life. The day of our separation
after a long and happy marriage came ever closer
and closer, and an uncertain future, full of dangers
and privations, faced me. It was with this know-
ledge that I opened the Volksraad at the com-
mencement of May.^ Many of the best-known
figures in public life were already at rest in their
graves, and their seats in the Volksraad stood empty.

Lord Roberts had at last pushed forward to
Johannesburg, and, as we were informed that he

^ For Kruger's speeches on this occasion, see the Appendix.
They show that he had not lost confidence.— £^//<>r^J Note.

352 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

intended, with a flying column, to cut the Delagoa
Railway line to the east of Pretoria, it was resolved
that I should leave Pretoria with the Government
and transfer the seat of government to the East
of the Republic. On the afternoon of my last
day at Pretoria, 29 May 1900, while my things
were being packed, I received the American lad,
Jimmy Smith, who brought me an address in
which thousands of school-boys in Philadelphia,
the children of a city which was the first to
declare its independence of Great Britain, "sent
a message of sympathy to the leader of the
people which was now engaged in defending its
independence against the same nation." He also
handed me a Transvaal flag which had been
embroidered in America. I thanked the boy and
the American gentlemen who had accompanied
him, and, one hour later, when it was already
dark, I drove with a few faithful friends to
Eerste Fabrieken, the first station on the eastern
line. From here I went by railway, over Middel-
burg, to Machadodorp, where the seat of govern-
ment was provisionally established. I lived in my
saloon-carriage, to which a telegraph apparatus
had been fitted: my work was no less arduous
than at Pretoria, and I was constantly sending
telegrams to encourage the burghers in the fight.

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 353

The first days of June are among the darkest
of my life. On the 5th of June, Lord Roberts
occupied Pretoria, and many of the burghers,
discouraged by recent events, listened to the
tempting proclamations by which that general
sought to seduce them from their allegiance and
their duty to the land and people, laid down
their arms and took the oath of neutrality. I
warned and admonished them, for my faith in the
future was still unshaken. On the 7th of June, I
sent the following telegram to all the officers:

** Tell the burghers that it will avail them

nothing to lay down their arms, as Lord Roberts

has issued a proclamation that, in future, he will

release no more burghers on their oaths, as he

has found that the burghers continue to fight in

spite of their oaths. He has moreover decided

to take all male persons above twelve years of

age prisoners, whether they be armed or not If

they are taken prisoners, they will be sent to St.

Helena. Children also are therefore no longer

safe. We have resolved to fight to the end. Be

faithful and fight in the name of the Lord, for

they who flee and leave their positions or run

away from commando are fleeing straight to St.

Helena."
23

354 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

And in longer telegrams I set forth the religious
grounds for my hopeful persistency.^

As Machadodorp is one of the coldest places
in the Transvaal, and at that time I was suffering
greatly from my eyes, I yielded to the pressure
of the burghers and moved on to Waterval Onder,
which lies on the Eland River, among high moun-
tains, and enjoys a very mild climate in winter.
Here I occupied a scantily-furnished little house,
where I spent the happiest two months that I have
known since my departure from Pretoria. The seat
of government, however, remained at Machado-
dorp ; and the State Secretary and the members of
the Executive Raad also remained there, but came
every morning by train to Waterval Onder to the
sittings of the Executive Raad, in order to attend
to the current business. From here, too, were
issued the decrees and requisitions, the provisoes for
furlough, the enactments against dilatory burghers
and officials, the orders for the reorganization of
the army ; and the necessary measures were taken
to frustrate the proclamations of the enemy and
their consequences. Towards the end of August,
President Steijn and his escort arrived at Waterval
Onder to discuss the position in the country.

^ Some of these telegrams will be found in the Appendix. —
Editor's Note.

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 355

It was at about the same time that Lord
Roberts, acting in conjunction with General Sir
Redvers BuUer, delivered his decisive attack on
Botha's positions at Dalmanutha. The result is
well known. After the burghers had fought for
eight days like lions and defeated every attempt
of the enemy to break through, BuUer at last
succeeded in capturing a weak post occupied by
79 men of the Johannesburg Police, and in thus
forcing his way into our men's positions. Botha
had about 4,000 men and had to defend a line
that extended for over 30 miles. Roberts attacked
him with over 50,000 men and a mass of heavy
guns. The result of this battle made it clear to
the Commandant General and the other officers
that it was not possible for their small force of
burghers to repel the enemy or to continue to
fight him in the way they had done hitherto,
and that it was better to send the President away,
so as to leave the commandoes freer in their
movements. We moved on to Nelspruit, a station
on the Delagoa Railway, about half-way between
Waterval Onder and the Portuguese frontier. The
removal of all the baggage, waggons, carts, horses,
mules and so forth gave great difficulty, but the
excellent manner in which the Netherlands South
African Railway Company had so far satisfied

356 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

every demand made upon it was now repeated
On arriving at the spot which had now been
selected as the seat of Government, we received
Lord Roberts' proclamation annexing the South
African Republic. I at once issued a counter-
proclamation :

** Whereas, in the month of October 1899, an
unjust war was forced upon the people of the
South African Republic and the Orange Free
State by Great Britain, and those two small
Republics have for ten months maintained and
are still maintaining an unequal contest against
the mighty British Empire ;

"Whereas I am informed that a certain pro-
clamation, dated i September 1900, has been
issued by Lord Roberts, Field Marshal, Com-
mander-in-Chief of the British Forces in South
Africa, stating that the South African Re-
public has been conquered by Her Majesty's
troops and that the South African Republic
is annexed to the British Empire, while the
forces of the South African Republic are still
in the field and the South African Republic
has not been conquered, and the aforesaid
proclamation is therefore opposed to international
law;

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 357

''And whereas the independence of the South
African Republic has been recognized by nearly
all the civilized Powers;

** Whereas I deem it desirable immediately to
inform all whom it may concern that the afore-
said proclamation is not recognized by the
Government and people of the South African
Republic :

"Now I, Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger,
State President of the South African Republic,
by the advice and consent of the Executive Raad,
in accordance with Article 147 of its Minutes of
the 3rd of September 1900, do hereby proclaim,
in the name of the independent people of this
Republic, that the aforesaid annexation is not
recognized, but is by these presents declared
null and void.

**The people of the South African Re-
public is and remains a free and independent
people and refuses to submit to British rule.

"Given under my hand at Nelspruit in the
South African Republic on the third day of the
month of September 1900.

"S. J. P. Kruger."

Meanwhile, it became evident that the hope
that we should be able to arrest the enemy s^

358 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

progress in the mountains, was futile, thanks to
his overwhelming superiority of numbers ; and,
when the enemy began to advance from every
side on Nelspruit, a decisive step became necessary.
A council was called, consisting of the members
of the Transvaal and Orange Free State Govern-
ments and a number of officers, including the
Commandant General, and resolved to delegate
me to Europe, to endeavour to promote the cause
of the Republics. General and Vice-president
Schalk W. Burger was to hold office as Acting
State President during my absence. A proclama-
tion was issued, giving notice of this resolution in
the following terms :

"Whereas the great age of His Honour the
State President render it impossible for His
Honour to continue to accompany the com-
mandoes ;

" And whereas the Executive Raad is per-
suaded that His Honour's invaluable services can
still be profitably employed in the interests of the
land and people :

** Now the Executive Raad does hereby re-
solve to grant His Honour a six months' fur-
lough in order to proceed to Europe and there
promote our cause. His place will be filled, in

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 359

accordance with the law, by Mr. S. W. Burger,
Vice-president

*' S. W. Burger,

" Vice-president.
**F. W. Reitz,
^^ State Secretary.

"Government Office, Nelspruxt, 10 September iqoo.'

If my departure from Pretoria was a bitter blow
to me, my departure, under such sorrowful circum-
stances, from the land to which I had devoted my
life was doubly bitter. I saw it swarming with the
enemy, who, in his arrogance, was already declar-
ing that the war was over and that only guerilla
bands now infested the country. I had to bid
good-bye to the men who had stood beside me
for so many years and to leave my country and
my people, my grey-haired wife, my children, my
friends and the little band of lion-hearted fighters
who, surrounded as they were on every side, had
now to make their way through an uninhabited
district to the North of the Republic, there to re-
organize and recommence the struggle. But I had
no choice. I must either submit to the decision
or allow myself to be taken prisoner. My age
prevented me from riding and it was, therefore,
impossible for me to accompany the commandoes

36o MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

further. On the other hand, it was a consolation
to leave the government in the hands of such
true men as Schalk Burger, Reitz, Louis Botha
and De la Rey, and I knew the loyal support
which they would receive from the noble President
Steijn. On the evening of the loth September,
we took leave of one another at Nelspruit and I
was left alone with the escort which the Executive
Raad had given me for my protection.

On the next day, after spending the night at
Crocodile Poort, I began my long pilgrimage to
Europe, a journey the result of which neither had
nor could have been anticipated. From Crocodile
Poort I travelled in the private railway-carriage
of the manager of the Netherlands South African
Railway Company. At Hectorspruit, I waited a
few hours for President Steijn and a few other
friends, who had come there to take leave of me,
and then continued my journey to Lorenzo Marques
over Komati Poort, the last station in the Republic,
and past the frontier station, Resano Garsea, where
the director of the Portuguese railway took charge
of the train. At Lorenzo Marqu^, the train was
not stopped at the station, but shunted to a siding,
so that, as darkness had already set in, I was able
to reach Consul-general Pott's house unobserved.
It was my intention to remain there until I could

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 361

embark for Europe on board the first outgoing
steamer, which would have been the steamship
Herzog^ of the German East African Line. But|
on the next day, the Portuguese Governor arrived
and said that he had been instructed to take me
to his own house as the guest of the Portuguese
Government. When I showed some hesitation,
the Governor declared that I must accompany him
at once and that, if I refused, he must employ
force. This action on the part of the Portuguese
Government must undoubtedly be ascribed to the
pressure brought to bear upoh it by the British
Government, for the Portuguese Governor governed
only in name: the real governor was the British
Consul at Delagoa Bay. Governor Machado, who
was probably fulfilling a disagreeable task greatly
against his own wish, treated me with great kind-
ness, but would not allow me to move without
accompanying me. None of the members of my
escort, who were also quartered at the Governor's
house, was allowed to set foot in the town unless
accompanied by an aide-de-camp ; and even then
they were not permitted to enter into conversation
with any one. At first, the two gentlemen who
travelled with me, as well as a few other friends,
were at least allowed to visit me; but this, too,
was very soon forbidden, on the ground, as we

362 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

were informed, that the British Consul had com-
plained. This position lasted some weeks, during
the whole of which time I was practically a prisoner
in the Governor's house; and it was there that I
kept my seventy-fifth birthday. I was not allowed
to receive the congratulations of the burghers
who thronged the town and who were reduced
to shouting good luck to me from the street
outside.

The first ray of light that broke through this
night of affliction was the Queen of Holland's offer
to carry me to Europe on a man-of-war, an act
which was appreciated in the highest degree by
the whole Boer nation. Now, at least, all un-
certainty was removed as to my being able to
pursue my journey. As the ship, however, was
still at some distance from Delagoa Bay, I was not
able to embark until the 21st of October, and then
the Gelderland, whose captain and officers re-
ceived me *with every mark of friendship and
loving-kindness, had first to take in coal. The
journey from Delagoa Bay to Dar-es-Salam, where
the Gelderland arrived on the morning of the fifth
day, passed off very well. It is true that, at first,
I suffered a little from sea-sickness, for the first
time in my life; but I was soon able to light up
my pipe again, a certain proof that the sickness

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 363

was past At Dar-es-Salam, some German officials
came on board and invited me to a dinner which
they wished to give in my honour* I begged,
however, to be excused, in view of the sorrowful
circumstances of my country. The same thing
happened at Djibouti, where we arrived on the
2nd of November. From here the journey was
continued to Suez. Every ship that passed the
Gelderland saluted, and I was cheered by the pas-
sengers on board those which came close enough.
One French ship even went out of her course to
salute the Gelderland, and the only exceptions
were most of the English ships, of which, at
one time, as many as five were in sight, near
Sardinia. From Suez we proceeded to Port Said,
where we stopped to take in coal. The voyage
from here to Marseilles was exceedingly un-
pleasant, quite apart from the numbers of news-
paper correspondents who made fruitless attempts
to interview me. A storm raged which sent the
waves flying over the ship ; and the vessel pitched
and rolled to such an extent that my sickiiess
returned.

At the end of the voyage, the captain of the
Gelderland invited my friends and myself to an
official dinner. The saloon was decorated with
the Dutch colours and with a Transvaal banner,

364 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

the same flag which the American school-boys
had sent me, with an address, from Philadelphia.
In consequence of the bad weather, we arrived one
day late, on the 22nd of November, in the harbour
of Marseilles.

A few days before our arrival, the members of
the South African Deputation, with the exception
of Wolmarans, who was unwell, had gone to Mar-
seilles, with Dr. Leijds and some other gendemen,
to receive me. Professor Hamel, of the Univer-
sity of Groningen, kindly acted as interpreter.
From the deck of the man-of-war, to which the
members of the deputation put out in a long-
boat, one saw nothing but one mass of people, all
cheering and waving their handkerchiefs. Even
the steamers lying at anchor in the harbour
swarmed with people.

I went on shore, after cordially thanking the
captain of the ship and his officers for the kind-
ness and consideration which they had shown me :
I still retain the pleasantest recollections of my
vogBge on the Gelderland. Thousands of people
were shouting their greetings with the loudest
enthusiasm. The president of the Committee for
the Independence of the Boers, which had been
lately formed, "interpreted the feelings of all
Marseilles,*' as he himself said when he welcomed

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 365

me and added that the enthusiasm which I beheld
around me would convey more to me than any
words which he could utter. I declared that I
gratefully accepted the welcome offered me, al-
though, in view of the sorrow in which my
country was wrapped, I had not come in order
to be festively received:

"The war in South Africa," I continued, "has
exceeded the limits of barbarism. I have fought
against many barbarous Kaffir tribes in the course
of my life ; but they are not so barbarous as the
English, who have burnt our farms and driven
our women and children into destitution, without
food or shelter. I hope that God will not aban-
don the Boer nation. But, if the Transvaal and
the Free State are to lose their independence,
it shall only happen when both nations have been
annihilated with their women and their children."

On the road to the hotel stood thousands of
people, who cheered me continually as I passed,
and, during the afternoon, a number of deputa-
tions came to welcome me.

This splendid reception was a thorn in the
side of the English at Marseilles, and they
tried to spoil the procession by throwing coppers
from the windows of an hotel among the popu-
lace, in order to raise a tumult. But this pro-

366 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

ceeding narrowly escaped having serious results,
as the people, furious at this behaviour, stormed
the hotel, so that police protection had to be
sent for.

Immediately after my arrival, I telegraphed
to President Loubet to salute him and to thank
him for the sympathy of his Government and
people. The Prefect of Marseilles called on me
on behalf of the President.

On the 24th of November, I started by special
train for Paris, and was cordially cheered through-
out the journey. The train stopped at one or
two stations, and great crowds had gathered to
welcome me. I stepped out of the train at Lyons,
to receive the welcome of the crowd, and the
mayor handed me a beautiful medal as a souvenir.
At Dijon, where we spent the night, the drive to
the hotel was accomplished to a salute of guns.

On the next morning, we continued our journey
to Paris, where a solemn reception took place and
several speeches were delivered. In reply to the
address of the Vice-president of the Municipality
of Paris, I said that, ''so soon as I had set foot
on Parisian soil, I had acquired fresh confidence,
for the arms of the city, a ship floating on the
waves, assured me that the Republics would not
go under."

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 367

On the way to the hotel, immense masses of
people had gathered, who cried, "Long live
Kruger ! Arbitration for ever ! " and continually
flung nosegays into the carriage. The people in
front of the hotel called out for me to appear on
the balcony, and I had to do so three or four
times a day, before the crowds would disperse.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, President
Loubet received me at the Elys^e, sending me a
company of cuirassiers as an escort, and imme-
diately afterwards paid me a return visit

During my stay in Paris, from the 26th of
November till the ist of December, I visited
some of the sights, including the Eiffel Tower,
the H6tel de Ville, the International Exhibition,
at which I was greatly touched to read the inscrip-
tions on the walls of the Transvaal pavilion, con-
taining every good wish for the Boers, In the
sessions-hall of the Hdtel de Ville, where the
whole Town Council had assembled, the chair-
man expressed the admiration of the people for
the heroism of the Republics and said that, **i{
the Republics were silent, the nations must speak,"
and thus bring about arbitration.

The president of the Canseil gtniral also made
a speech. In my reply, I said that, ''if the
Boers, who were not yet defeated, but would go

368 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

on fighting much longer, could hear of the re-
ception which had been given me in France, they
would be still further strengthened in their resolve
to keep up the struggle." I also thanked the
press for the light which they had thrown on the
English methods of warfare and added :

**If you were able to send reporters straight
to the seat of war, they would stand astounded
at the atrocities that are being perpetrated by
England."

After receiving a series of deputations, I left
Paris on the ist of December, amid scenes of
undiminished enthusiasm and escorted by the
authorities and private societies, for Cologne. On
the way to the French frontier, the same scenes
were repeated which had marked the journey
from Marseilles to Paris. At every station where
we stopped, I was received by great crowds. The
same thing happened in Belgium. The enthusiasm
which I witnessed in France not only delighted
me, but confirmed me in my hope that my journey
would not be in vain.

This hope, however, was doomed to be very
soon frustrated. On the evening of the same day,
we reached Cologne, where an enthusiasm reigned
such as Cologne has, perhaps, never beheld before.
Unfortunately, an accident occurred at the railway-

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 369

station which cost one of the spectators his life.
The crowd was such that two people fell through
an opening on to the platform, one of whom broke
his leg and died of the results of the fall Owing
to the size of the crowds, I had to drive by a
circuitous route to my hotel. Here, shortly after
my arrival, I received a telegram from the German
Emperor, saying that His Majesty could not
receive me at that time, as he had a hunting
engagement. We then resolved to proceed to the
Hague ; but, before leaving Cologne, I received
a series of deputations, who gave me every mark
of sympathy. I also received the wife of the
man who had died of the accident at the station
and assured her of my heart-felt condolence. I
did not miss the opportunity of visiting the famous
cathedral.

It is really not necessary for me to say that,
throughout my journey through Germany and
Holland, I met everywhere with the same sym-
pathy for the cause of the Boers as at Cologne.
At station after station, I was received by the
representatives of the different towns, in addition
to corporations and societies with their banners and
badges. The train drew up at the Hague in the
evening, when it was already growing dusk. The

precincts of the railway-station and all the streets
24

370 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

leading to the hotel at which I was to stay* were
closely packed with an endless crowd of cheering
people. I had telegraphed to the Queen, on reach-
ing the Dutch frontier, to offer her my homage.
Immediately after my arrival at the hotel, Her
Majesty's ministers called upon me^ and, on the
next day, I went to the Court, to wait upon the
Queen and to thank her for her great kindne^ in
sending a man-of-war to bring me to Europe. I
was afterwards invited to dine with the Queen,
and Her Majesty's Consort, the Prince of the
Netherlands, called on me at the hotel.

After a short delay, I paid a visit to Amster-
dam, where a great reception was held in the
Paleis voor Volksvlijt, and a solemn service in the
principal church. On returning to the Hague,
where I had not originally intended to stay, as it
was necessary that I should as soon as possible
consult a good physician about the condition of
my eyes, I fell seriously ill : I had probably caught a
•cold, which very soon developed into inflammation of
the lungs. I recovered, however, and proceeded
to Utrecht, where I stayed for two mcMiths and a
half, during which period I underwent a success-
ful operation on both eyes, effected by Professor
Snellen and my own physician, Dr. Heymans.
From there, I moved to Hilversum, where I lived

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 371

for eight mcmtiis, at the Villa Casa Cara, with my
suite. Our stay was interrupted by a visit of
some weeks to A. D. W. Wolmarans at Scheven-
ingen and by a long-promised visit to some of the
other Dutch towns. At Rotterdam, I was shown
a tree which I had planted in the Zoological
Gardens in 1884, ^^^ took a trip up the Maas,
on board the Lehmann, which the Fop Smit
Steamship Company had placed at my disposal.
I was proud, on this occasion, to see the old
church at Dordrecht where the Synod of 161 8
to 1 619 was held which exercised so great an
influence upon the Church to which I belong. I
also revisited Kampen, the Mecca of the Protestant
Church. In both towns my reception was of the
most cordial nature imaginable.

Shortly after my return to Hilversum, I re-
ceived the heaviest blow of my life^ A cablegram
informed me that my wife was dead. My pro-
found sorrow was consoled by the thought that the
separation was only temporary and could not last
long ; and my faith gave me the strength to write
a letter of encouraging consolatbn to my daughter,
Mrs. Malan. Wolmarans invited me to spend
another fortaight with him> at Scheveningen^ to
distract my thoughts a little* I then went back
to Hilversum, where I lived in absohite retins-

372 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

ment/ interrupted only by the necessary con-
ferences, and devoted myself entirely to the
perusal of my Bible.

At the commencement of the winter, on the
loth of December 1901, I moved to the Villa
Oranjelust, on the Maliebaan, at Utrecht Here I
received the news of De la Rey s brilliant victory
over Lord Methuen. I rejoiced exceedingly at
the victory, but, when some one observed, during
the reading of the news, that it was to be hoped
that De la Rey would keep Methuen a prisoner,
I said :

" I could not approve of that, and I hope
that De la Rey will release him without delay;
for we Boers must behave as Christians to the
end, however uncivilized the way in which the
English treat us may be."

When I learnt that Methuen was released, I
expressed my sincere gratification. A series of
further favourable tidings arrived from home, so
that the position of things seemed to justify the
greatest hope.

For the rest, I had, throughout the war,
replied to every enquiry from the scene of
war that my confidence was still unshaken, but
that it must be left entirely to the generals in
the field to decide whether and how, under the

KRUGER'S FOURTH PRESIDENCY 373

stress of circumstances, they wished to alter
their previous resolutions. During the peace
negociations, I had only one answer to all the
questions put to me as to what I thought of
peace, namely, that all would happen as God
wished. And, when peace was at last concluded,

1 applied to the generals the text in the Bible,

2 Cor. viii. 3 :

"For to their power, I bear record, yea, and
beyond their power they were willing of them-
selves."

Nor, in so far as I myself am concerned,
will I consent to lose courage because the peace
is not such as the burghers wished it. For,
quite apart from the fact that the bloodshed
and the fearful sufferings of the people of the
two Republics are now ended, I am convinced
that God does not forsake His people, even
though it may often appear so. Therefore I
resign myself to the will of the Lord. I know that
He will not allow the afflicted people to perish.
He is the Lord and all hearts are in His hand
and He turneth them whithersoever He will.

THE END

■I

APPENDIX A

Speeches delivered at the Solemn Inaugura-
tion OF His Honour S. J. P, Kruger as
State President of the South African
Republic, on Thursday 12 May 1898

Mr. President of the First Volksraad addressed
His Honour the State President in the following
words :

Mr. State President,

I welcome you in the name of the First and
Second Volksraad on the occasion of this solemnity,
at which you have for the fourth time taken the
oath of office as State President of the South
African Republic.

Already fifteen years have passed since you
first appeared as the Head of this State. Yes,
what shall I say, it is not only for fifteen years
that you have served the country : you have also
served it in other capacities, such as that of a

378 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

member of the Triumvirate and as Vice-president,
to take office later as State President As I
and many others know, the task of serving the
country was laid upon your shoulders from your
youth ; and, while you were still young, it was
the Lord's will to place you in a position where
you could be of political service to this country.
You have served the country for no short lime,
and you have naturally encountered many diffi-
culties and obstacles in your path, because, as
we know, man's path, as God leads him upon
earth, is not one of roses. Many days of adversity
came, and many dark and difficult days, as all
must admit; but we, as a Christian people, must
ever believe that it was God's will and guidance.
Your Honour, I feel, and the Raad and all
those who labour in the field of politics feel, that
it is no easy task that to-day has once more
been laid upon your shoulders, that of acting as
the Head of this young State; which has always
to fight so great a struggle. I seem, however,
to see clearly that our consolation lies in this^
that the people of the South African Republic
remains true to you and clings to you. It must
of course be a great comfort to you to think of
the last elections, which show how the people
remains attached to your person and that it

APPENDIX A 379

still places ks entire confidence in you, because
it is naturally convinced of the excellence of your
government during the fifteen years that you have
served the country as State President A great
proof of this is the great interest which the public
shows in seeing you, who are now foil of years,
once more invested, by the taking of your oath
of office, as State President

I sincerely congratulate you, Mr. State Presi-
dent, in the name of the First add Second Volks-
raad, and I would add that, as Christians, we must
always fix our hopes on^ the Lord, for, if the Lord
were to leave us to ourselves, to rule the country
according to our own wisdom and' understanding,
then we should have to succumb and to yield up
everything, for our own understanding does not
give us the penetration required to govern the
country. But there is one thing that I know
and that I may say, which is that you know
your God and that you daily consult your Creator,
and we, as Christians, are always with you on
this point, to ask the Lord for understanding,
wisdom and strength. We know what it means
when a man is unable to see through a single
moment and often his eye becomes so dimmed
that it seems as though dark clouds were
hanging before it ; but God has always shown

38o MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

us the light again and thus also shown Himself
to be our Counsellor, Who leads us according to
His counsel. This faith in God and that proved
attachment of the people to your person will, I
think, be your comfort on this day. May God,
while lending you His aid, also vouchsafe you
His grace and His blessing. The people con-
tinues to be faithful to you and to stand by you.
Therefore, in the name of the First and Second
Volksraad, I wish Your Honour God's best bless-
ing, and I hope and trust that God may spare
you in our midst and grant you the strength that
you may require, and that my prayer may be heard
so that, by God's strength, you may be enabled to
fulfil your arduous task.

And we and the people also trust that God
will guide you and that you will, as you always
have done, protect the rights of the people, such
as the independence of the country, that have
been placed in your hands.

I wish Your Honour, in the name of this
body, understanding, wisdom and strength. May
God strengthen you and aid you in your old
days to fulfil your difficult task and may we
always work together in harmony. I venture,
in the name of the Volksraad, to promise you
that the Raad will meet and assist you every

APPENDIX A 381

possible way, so as to support you with all its
strength, as this body always does, because we
know that we have placed the government of
our country in trustworthy hands. Therefore I
promise you the best support of the Volksraad,
and I hope that the good God will g^nt that
the work of the Volksraad and the Government
may be bound together by fraternal ties, for, so
long as the Executive Raad and the Volksraad
act with wisdom and work together, hand in
hand, like brothers, I do not doubt but that the
promise will be fulfilled to us: "Where true
love reigns, God gives His blessing."
I have spoken.

The President of the Volksraad, then turning
to the assembled multitude, spoke as follows:

Inhabitants of the Country, People of the
South African Republic,

I present to you His Honour Stephen John
Paul Kruger, State President of the South
African Republic, who has once more taken the
oath in that capacity before the First Volksraad
{three cheers). Burghers, I think this is a solemn
day for you and me.

Here stands our State President For fifteen

382 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

years he has served the country in that capacity ;
and this, year we have once more seen that the
people of the South African Republic places its
confidence in His Honour, as appears from the
last elections {prolongid churs).

Burghers, His Honour has obeyed your sum*
mons ; the public has called upon him and, in
his old age, he has listened to your voice,
because His Honour heard in it the voice of
God. His Honour has taken the oath ; but
what is now our duty as burghers of the
country? We must support His Honour with
strength, obedience, love and harmony {cksers).

When the people remains unanimous and when
the people preserves the ties of affection that bind
the Afrikander Nation, that gives His Honour
strength to perform his duties of office with a
more and more willing and cheerful mind; but
you know that, where discord reigns, this always
makes it difficult and arduous for the Head of
a State. Therefore I hope and trust that every
burgher will take this to heart and assist His
Honour not only with worldly assistance, but also
with his prayers to God.

Let every burgher bow down to God and
beseech the Lord to give strength and force to
our State President, so that His Honour may

^'.

APPENDIX A 383

be fortified by God's hand. For we know that
we owe the exiatence of the South African
Republic to the strength of our Omniscient Creator^
Who has guided us*

I hope, therefore, that you will be obedient
and loyal to His Honour.

I have spoken {prolonged 4he$rs).

His Honour the State President now spoke as
follows :

Mr. President of the First, Mr. President
OF TH£ Second, and Honourabi^e Members

OF BOTH THE FiRST AND SeCOND VoLKSRAAD,

But first let me ask that the< secretary may
take down my words, so that my speech may not
later, for one reason or the odier, be misunder-
stood.

Honourable sirs,

I stand here before you, in obedience to the
voice of the people, in which I believ;e< I recognize
Gods voice, in order onoe more, as Slate Pre-
sident, to take upon myself the government of the
country.

Honourable sirs, when I look back upon my
past career, knowing, as I do, by experience all
the burdens and great difficulties attached to this

384 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

arduous post, I cannot but frankly confess that I
consider myself incapable and blind: I repeat,
incapable and blind. When I look back and see
how the Lord has guided the people and that
God has set the people free, then I know, now
that I am to govern the people, what would follow
if I were to falter, for I have not only to give an
account to you, honourable gentlemen, but also
to God, and my life is short; I shall have to
appear before Him, and when I think of that,
my heart fails me, and I can only pray.^

His promise is that to them who expect aid
and strength from the Lord He will teach the
plain path, and him that feareth the Lord He will
guide. He who acknowledges this in his heart
looks to the Lord, our faithful God of the
Covenant, for light, wisdom and divine strength.
He will give us everything out of His infinite
wealth of mercy ; yes, I trust in that faithful God
of the Covenant, because He has so clearly led
us along various paths. And so I accept this post
in the fear of God and in all uprightness ; yes, it
is my innermost desire and the wish of my heart
to live for Him and to govern the people according
to His will.

^ President Kruger here quoted a stanza from the Dutch hymnaL
^Translatof^s Note.

APPENDIX A 385

My earnest endeavour will be none other than
to keep in view the welfare of the people and
the progress, prosperity and independence of the
country. Honourable sirs, I shall scrupulously watch
the circumstances of the country, in which we have
sometimes observed such swift and rapid progress,
yes, and in particular, in this inevitable progress,
I shall constantly have an eye to it that the in^
dependence of the country is not in the smallest
degree endangered and also that not the smallest
right is abandoned that might undermine the in-
dependence of the country, for I should bring down
a judgment on myself if our independence were
violated through me. For God has so clearly led
us that the blindest heathen and the greatest un-
believer must acknowledge that it was God's hand
that gave us our independence.

Honourable sirs, I rely upon you as the body
of the legislative power to support me in these my
views and, in your wisdom and in the most serious
interests of the land we dwell in, to suggest
measures whereby the country may be maintained
in its independence and prosperity in every quarter.
Yes, honourable gentlemen, and I rely in particular
that you will take into earnest consideration the
needs of all the inhabitants of the country^ without
distinction of persona or nationality*^

386 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

I have learnt to my deepest regret that such
great depression prevails in the Gold Fields, mostly
among the poorer and less well-to-do. I assure
you of my sympathy with their fate, and I trust
that this great depression may soon pass away.
The Government are doing all that they can to assist
the Gold Fields, as is shown by, first, the decrease
in the railway tariff by ;^ 200,000 ; secondly, the
decrease of the import duties, by about ;^700,ooo,
on food and other articles that are required for the
immediate use of the mines ; thirdly, the order that
has been issued to import natives of Mozambique
as workmen, in order to assist the mines ; fourthly,
the reduction in the price of dynamite. You all
know that, in 1893, when the contract was con-
cluded for the erection of the dynamite factory,
dynamite was imported at about £6 per case.
The company reduced this price to ;^5, which was
gradually reduced to £4, 5s. per case and has
now again been brought down to jCs^ 15s., and
I hope and trust to be able to reduce the price
still further. I am still engaged upon this. As I
have already said at public meetings, the dynamite
factory was not erected to oppress the mining
industry, but to support and help it, and principally
the weak mines, and I hope that these will keep
going until I have succeeded, for both the mining

APPENDIX A 387

industry and the dynamite factory belong to the
State and must support one another, and you shall
be convinced that I shall not swerve from this
determination, but shall succeed in making the
dynamite cheap for the mines.

I learn to my deepest regret that there are
banks and other institutions in the Gold Fields
which are totally ruining the poor and less well-
to-do. When, some years ago, the mines were
flourishing, they borrowed money and, I am told,
on good security, in order to extend their sphere of
activity ; and now, when a time of depression has
set in, the mortgages are being called in and they
have to pay back the money, although the security
is quite as good as before, and, in so doing, their
property is sold beneath its value. If this be true,
then those banks cannot be branded otherwise than
as godless and un-Christian ; for they bring hunger
and oppression upon the poor and force every-
thing into the hands of the rich. Honourable
sirs, we already have the Diamond Fields as
a warning lesson, and, if what I am informed
is true, the Volksraad will have to take meas-
ures to protect the poor and less well-to-do, and
the Government will be obliged to withdraw the
licences of those banks or to refuse to renew
them ; for in this way they serve rather for the

388 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

oppression and undermining of the poor than for
their support. God sees all, and the Lord says,
" Deliver the poor from the snare of the fowler."
Such things may not exist among us.

Then it has also come to my ears that contracts
are being made in Europe with poor workmen
who do not know but that the price of victuals is
the same here as there, so that, when they arrive,
they are caught in a trap, as they are not able to
live on the wages stated in the contract. I hope
that you will take measures that no contract made
abroad will be binding here, before it has been
approved and confirmed by an official appointed
for the purpose, with the consent of both parties,
the hirer and the hired. Such fraud and deception
must not exist among us, though I hope that
things are not as stated.

Then, again, I am informed, honourable sirs,
that companies are being floated here on properties
which have not even been properly examined to
see if they contain gold. Shares are sold and
allotted in Europe to persons who do not know
but that the ground is good and who do not
discover until they come here that the estates are
valueless, and then the blame is cast upon the
Government The shareholders in Europe are as
much entitled to the protection of the Government

APPENDIX A 389

as the people here. I hope, therefore, that such
rules shall be made that no company shall sell or
allot its shares before the State Mineralogist or
the State Engineer has examined the ground and
issued his report, so that the European public
shall no longer be deceived, which then thinks
that it is the fault of the Government; and that
must be prevented.

In conclusion, let me say that there are two
matters which we must keep in view, and the
second of these, I say, because of God's Word.
The first matter is that you shall not grant any
privileges that would injure our independence ; and
the second, that you shall not close your ears to
the lamentations of the poor, whether friends or
foreigners, but shall try to snatch those poor from
the snare of the fowler, and then God will be in
our midst and bless us in this. Yes, gentlemen, if
we stand firm, and if you support me in these
matters, then it is true that " Concord gives
Strength," and God shall be in our midst

Gentlemen of the Executive Raad,

A short word to you too. In the first place, I
thank you sincerely for the support which you have
given me hitherto, for the support which you have
given me, when necessary, in the deliberation of

390 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

affairs and for the support which you have given
me in their execution. In the second place, I
thank you, right honourable members, for all that
you have done for the country and for your loyalty
and your love of independence, so that you are
ready to sacrifice your lives and properties for the
independence of the country. I thank you again,
and I shall rejoice if you will continue in this
course, to support me when necessary, and if you
will continue loyal to your country, so that we
may stand up as one man for the independence
that God has given us and be ready to sacrifice
our property, together with the burghers who have
shown that they too are willing to sacrifice every-
thing for that object Let us remain loyal and
true, and do you pray for me, as I do for you, so
that together we may work as the Executive power.

Right Honourable Sirs, Members of the
Executive Raad and Legislative Assembly
OF OUR Sister State,

In the first place, I thank you for the interest
which you have displayed by attending these pro-
ceedings. We are very closely allied, and you
agree with me that there is nothing better than
peace and amity, especially between two Sister
States, and when such co-operation exists, then,

APPENDIX A 391

though the whole world rages, God will bless us,
for, where love and concord reign, He gives His
blessing, we obtain His grace and He dwells
amidst us for ever and ever.

Then, turning to the Corps diplomatiqtie, His
Honour spoke as follows :

Diplomatic and Consular Officers of the
Foreign Powers,

A short word to you too. You are well aware,
from my past career, that nothing is dearer to
me than to live in peace and amity with foreign
Powers, to keep each other's interests in view and
to assist one another to the best of our power.
It is my wish that this Government may so rule
our State that the foreign Powers will never have
occasion to urge lawful grievances against us. I
hope to continue in this way, and it will always be
my earnest endeavour. Therefore I trust that I
may receive your kind support, for then the bonds
of friendship will be drawn ever more closely
between us and, where this co-operation, love and
friendship prevail, God grants His blessing, for
there He dwells in the midst of us. I wish you
every blessing, each for his own country. May
peace and friendship reign ! I shall not fail, when-

S93 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

ever you bring before me the interests of the State
of which you are the diplomatic representative or
the consul, to support you, so that no grievances
may arise against us.

Now turning to the public, His Honour spoke
as follows :

All of you who stand before me, g^ve me your
attention so that you may understand me in what I
wish to say to you. In the first place, I wish to
speak to the burghers of the country; in the
second, to the new burghers who have been
naturalized; in the third, to the foreigners who
do not wish to change their nationality, but who
wish to live among us as foreigners.

Now THEN, YOU BURGHERS OF THE CoUNTRY !

I have listened to your voices by accepting the
appointment that has fallen to me by your election
and again taking up the government of the country
as State President In the first place, I thank you
for the confidence which you have placed in me.
When I stand before you like this and look at your
faces, I see so many who have struggled, prayed
and fought with me for the land of our abode
and of our independence. Oh, then an array of
thoughts comes up within me, all of which lead to

APPENDIX A 393

one point, namely, that we must observe God's
ways. To go over all these with you I have not
now the time; but I trust that you will recall
everything in your own thoughts to consider those
ways, those proofs of the faith that God has shown
us, that He has rescued us from oppression and
given us other blessings, and the ways in which
God has punished us and we have been oppressed
by our adversaries. Then we were weak, but
unanimous, striving to obtain assistance from God.
Then we performed mighty deeds. Let me go
back with you in thought to Paardekraal, where
we were weak and helpless. But the people, the
Volksraad and the Executive Raad were unani-
mous, one in mind and one in heart, to call on God
for help, and then God led us through wonders and
miracles. Burghers, let it be a lesson to us what
concord did, in which God always blessed us ; let
us therefore strive to stamp out discord, where it
exists among us, and let us strive in unison to
suppress the evil spirit that leads us to opposition.
I say that evil spirit ; and mind, I exclude no one,
not even myself, when I speak of the evil spirit
that tempts us to break Gods words and His
commandments. God s ninth commandment says,
''Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy
neighbour;" and it has truly become a habit

394 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

among us for one brother to bear false witness
against the other. Let none point with his finger
to the other, but be upright : let each place his
hand in his own breast, and he will find that it
comes out leprous.

Let us place ourselves sincerely this day before
God's countenance. We see that God's arm is
stretched out : He is chastising us ; and we shall
find that everywhere we are breaking God's com-
mandments. Let me quote an instance to you.
Suppose that a father is rich and has many goods,
and that his child has nothing and has to live on
him ; and his father gives him his goods and says,
** Child, take these goods and use them, and I shall
tell you when I want any of them, but do not
abuse them." Then will not the father be angry
when, after the son has gone away, he sends for
some of his own goods, and the son will not give
them up or gives only the worst? We often
ask, Why does the Lord chastise us so? But
is this not so that we may return to Him ? Yes,
we really act with God like one who makes a
marriage-contract Our worldly goods hold us
back and make us serve the world with them,
while we want God to care for our souls. Let
each of us search into his heart, brothers, so
that we may become convinced of God's pleas-

APPENDIX A 395

ure. Behold, God gives us worldly goods ; but
for what purpose? So that we may live for
the honour of God. Naked we came out
and naked we shall return ; we shall take
nothing with us. God, therefore, gives us those
goods, meat and clothes, so that we may live;
but also for churches, schools, the poor, etc
etc. What do we do, brothers and fellow-
countrymen, what do we do? We give of our
worst and commonest goods when there is a
need ; but see what happens when there is a
circus, a play, a lottery or a race-meeting: then
each encourages the other and even lends the other
money to pursue worldly pleasures; but, when
God calls to us to put something into the poor-
box to help to support the poor, then there are
many who go to church but put nothing in the
box or select the least they have. For what do
they use their goods, God's goods? Is it not
true, what God says, that we rob Him, that we
take His goods from Him and give them to the
world and will not serve Him with them? See,
brothers and fellow-countrymen, let every one who
has an immortal soul look to it See God's hand.
Pestilence holds sway among men and beasts.
The locusts are eating the grass of the veldt
and heavy droughts have prevailed and it grows

396 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

worse from year to year and shall grow worse
from year to year until we turn back. God will
not desert His people. Read Psalm 89.^ The
Lord will not retract that, but He chastises us so as
to bring us nearer to Him. You will ask, How
can David say that he kissed the rod and with
his heart? Yes, if you love your father, and
possess nothing, and have to live on him, then,
when you have committed a sin and he says,
" Leave my sight," you will go on your knees
and say, *' No, strike me, but do not send me
away." That is why David was able to say that,
when he lived in luxury, he strayed from God;
but that, when He chastised him, he returned
to Him. He felt this in his heart

Let us feel this too, that the Lord rather
chastises us than rejects us. Listen to His voice
and, when you hear His voice, do not harden
your hearts, but let yourselves be guided; for
why would you wish to die.^ Will you continue
as you are doing .^ See how merciful the great
God is. He says, " Return to Me, you rebellious
children, and I will heal your trespasses. Yes,
try Me," says God, *' if you will not believe, and
see if Heaven's windows do not open and shower

^ President Kruger here quoted two stanzas from the Dutch
metrical psalm-book. — Translator's NoU.

APPENDIX A 397

down blessings upon you. I shall upbraid the
devourer so that your bams may be filled and your
fields filled with herds; but turn to Me, you re-
bellious children, and I will heal your trespasses."
Brothers and fellow-countrymen, do not think
that I exclude myself. I have also much to do
myself and I too am guilty in this matter; but
let us confess our sins together, before it is too
late, and God will help us.

You NEW Burghers,

This last reminder was also for you and for
all that have an immortal soul ; but still, a short
word to you separately. I call you new burghers,
who have been naturalized and given up your
nationality. You have surely understood that God
says, "No one can serve two masters, or else
he will hold to the one and despise the other,"
and therefore you have given up the country of
your birth, in all honour and decency, and accepted
this country as a new motherland. Endeavour
now to agree with the old burghers and to live
with them in harmony, for then you also will be
contributing to the progress of the country. Obey
the laws of the land and, if you do so, you will
have contributed greatly not only to the growth
and prosperity of the country, but also to your

398 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

own interests; and, where harmony and concord
reign, there God bestows His blessing.

You Foreigners,

A word also to you, who do not wish to give
up your country and to be naturalized, but prefer
to live among us as foreigners. If you are
obedient to the laws of the land, you are welcome
among us. Seek your profit and endeavour to
make your fortunes : we shall help you and wish
you well Live with us, obey the laws and, in
so far as possible, I assure you of my support,
to the utmost of my power, even if you do not
wish to become burghers of the country; and
then you will be promoting not only your interests,
but ours as well. If you foreigners make your
fortunes and work with us, you shall enjoy the
same protection of the laws as any other; and,
when you go, I shall be sorry to see so good a
friend departing ; and, should you return again to
make your fortune, you will be received with open
arms ; we shall rejoice that you come back to us,
knowing that you are a true friend to us, even
if you would not give up your country. Be
assured that all sensible men will aid and receive
you, so that you too may live in joy and glad-
ness in our midst (ckeers).

APPENDIX A 399

His Honour then turned to the judges and
spoke as follows:

Right Honourable the Chief Justice and
Judges of the Supreme Court and State
Attorney,

You are responsible for a weighty task, for
you, by virtue of your office, represent the solidity
of the State. It depends on you to confirm
confidence in the country, but it also depends
on you that confidence in the country should
not be shocked. Let me first, however, stop
to consider what concerns the confirming of
confidence in the country ; and do all of you,
who stand here, note my words. Our ancestors
were led hither, clearly seeing that it was God's
hand. All men, in their natural state, when there
is no law, lead a licentious and reckless life.
When, in 1836, the people trekked across the
Orange River, we came together, but it was not
permitted that we should live recklessly. We
took God's Word as our guide on our trek and
chose rulers to prevent crime and to decide all
differences. It is evident that this did not pro-
ceed from our nature, but from God's hand ; and so
we came to the Vaal River. I will not now speak
of the other trek, for that would take too long.

400 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

The people then elected a Volksraad as the
highest authority in the land, as the legislative
power. That body was instructed to make fixed
laws, as we had only the decisions and rules of the
court-martial. And so the Honourable Volksraad
chose a commission to draw up a constitution,
consisting of the late Mr. Lombard, the Landdrost
of Potchefstroom, the late Mr. Boomen, the grand*
father of our Predikant Boomen, and myself.
To our number was added Mr. Stuart, as secre-
tary, to assist us, and we laid down the Con-
stitution ; our names stand at the foot of it

And what is the principle that it contains?
In framing Article 8 of the Grondwet, we had in
mind how God had led the people and how God's
Word was a guide by which we must act Article
8 says : '' The people demands the greatest pos-
sible social liberty and expects this, because it has
kept its religious faith and its engagements, and
because it has submitted to law, order and justice
and maintained the same." Now observe whither
this article points. It points to God's Word
The people demands the greatest possible social
liberty: not a licentious or reckless liberty, but
one based upon God's Word. That is the principle
which this article contains. The people demands
liberty ; but it is not only a free, but also a civil-

APPENDIX A 401

ized peof^e, which does not demand a reckless or
licentious liberty, but one based upon God's Word.
And to what does that point ? What I am about
to say is important, and I cannot do better than
refer to what God tells us. Moses led Israel out
of Egypt and was the law-giver and fixed the law
by God's command ; and what does the law say ?
That you shall not do what seems right in your
eyes, but what God orders : that you diall do and
that you shall perform ; you shall do no more
nor less than that Moses selected the wisest and
oldest men out of the people and appointed them
to be officers and judges under him and laid down
rules which could not be departed from, but left it
to the judges to expound and administer the laws
according to their judgment and conscience; but
not to depart from the laws. That is God's com-
mandment The New Testament shows us the
Lord and Master ; but I will first say that Moses'
subordinate officers were not the law-givers, and
therefore had not to question whether the law was
right, for that the Law-giver had to answer for.
Only the Sovereign Power above Moses could
alter what the Law-giver had laid down, even as
God did at the rock which Moses struck with his
staff; but the judges must deliver justice according

to the law as they receive it, and then act as

402 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

faithful servants, by administering the laws to the
best of their knowledge and conscience.

So it is also with you right honourable judges.
The people by an article in the Constitution has ap-
pointed a Volksraad as the highest authority in the
land, the legislative body, which passes laws and
resolutions, and you must administer them to the
best of your knowledge and power. No one can
hinder you in that, and when you administer the
laws and resolutions as you receive them from the
legislative body, then you confirm confidence in the
country, for then all those who have received their
property by decrees know that they are safe and
that all laws and resolutions bearing thereupon shall
be maintained. Foreigners who come here and
who know the laws and resolutions passed by the
Volksraad and who are willing to submit to them
are able to secure their rights in this way, by
trusting in the Court, that it will not depart there-
from, but that the laws and resolutions laid down
by the highest authority in the land, under which
they have obtained their rights, will not be altered
by the Court, neither on the left hand nor on the
right hand, and then you confirm confidence in
the country, from the highest to the lowest judge.
Each must act according to orders, laws and rules
laid down by the legislative body that stands above

APPENDIX A 403

him. Even if, now and again, owing to man's
weakness, an article is wrongly applied and a
judgment of a lower court appealed against and
quashed by the High Court, then no one can be
reproached with this or punished for it, since he
has acted to the best of his knowledge and
conscience under his oath. There is no longer an
appeal from the High Court ; and if you, honour-
able judges, in your own judgment, set aside a
decree of the Volksraad, then you adopt this right
of criticism from the Devil ; but if, perhaps, from
human weakness, you pronounce a judgment which
is not purely in accordance with the law, but is
pronounced to the best of your knowledge and
conscience, then you are not indictable either
before God or man. From you there is no longer
any appeal, and therefore you are called "gods,"
but God stands in the midst of the council of the
"gods" and pronounces judgment upon good and
evil. If you act to the best of your knowledge
and conscience and remain within the law, then
one day it shall be said unto you also, "Thou
good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over
many things." Then not only shall confidence
in the country be confirmed, but also in you, who
stand by the law, and men will have confidence also

404 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

in the highest authority in the land and it shall
not be scoffed at. Then also the sovereign voice
will be confirmed, that it alone has the right to
condemn laws.

Let us return to the point of how you can
shock confidence, and look back to Moses. Moses
gave the law, but could not depart frcmi it, but
had to pronounce judgment as the law laid
down. Only the upper authority, the Sovereig^n,
God alone could condemn the law; and not the
subordinate. The Devil instituted the principle
of criticism in Paradise and criticized God's Word,
which said, '' Ye shall not eat of that tree, lest ye
die.'" But then comes the Devil and criticizes
that Word, saying, " Ye shall not surely die : for
God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof,
then ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil"
And that interpretation is over the whole earth«
Thus we see, under Moses, that Korah, Dathan
and Abiram assumed to themselves the right of
criticism on the principle of the Devil, and un-
settled the land. Rebellion and discord arose
against Moses, until God destroyed Korah, Dathan
and Abiram. God punished them heavily, because
they had acted agaii^ truth, against God's Wocd.
The right of criticism is a principle of the Devil.
Listen attentively to what I say and do not

APPENDIX A 405

underrate my words. We shall one day have to
appear before God» and I do not know if I shall
again have the opportunity of speaking to you.
It may be the last time. Let the teachers^ too,
hear what I say. You judges shock the whole
country if you take upon yourselves the right
of criticism; for those who have obtained rights
under whatever law or decree of the Volksraad
will then be shocked, for they cannot tell how
things will go when the Court has to decide, and
it is able to disr^ard a law. Then confidence
is destroyed in the country, and not only in the
country, but also in the Court, and the Vcdksraad
will be despised and scoffed at If you come to
this, then you are like the steward in the New
Testament, who did not obey the orders of his
Lord and Master, but acted according to his own
pleasure, and as the Devil says, "Ye shall be as
gods and ye shall not die." But he who arrogates
this to himself is dismissed from his post That
Christ teaches us. Then confidence in the country
is shocked, and, if we reflect upon this, we see that
God's Word teaches us that God can dwell in
the midst of us only if every one remains true in
his post

Right honourable sirs, you know that our
late Chief Justice, with some of his colleagues.

406 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

adopted the right of criticism and became as
wanton as a fish in the water that was free
to swim about as it pleased. However^ he
jumped out of the water, that is to say, out of
the law, on to dry land. The Volksraad then
passed a resolution, with reference to the laws of
the land, to the effect that, if a judge refuses to
submit to them, I must dismiss him. I did my
best, but the late Chief Justice was as slippery
as a fish that has just jumped out of the water,
so that I could not master him. Then his col-
league, the Chief Justice of Cape Colony, who
knew the ability of our late Chief Justice, came,
of his own accord, to my assistance, and we got
him back into the water, that is to say, the law.
Then I was glad, because I knew the ability of
the late Chief Justice and did not wish to lose
him. After that, the late Chief Justice again
became so wanton that he jumped so far out of
the water that I saw no chance of getting him
back and had to let him go, the more so as he
then roundly declared that he did not wish to
go back to it, because he refused to acknowledge
the law as I understood it. But what does the
late Chief Justice say now ? That it is my fault
He says that I did not keep my promise ; and
what I am now saying I want taken down on

APPENDIX A 407

paper, that all the world may read it He can
call it a promise, but I do not call it a pro-
mise, but I kept my word, when I told him to
revise the Constitution and that I would lay it as
soon as possible before the Volksraad. That was
about March, in any case long before the time when
the Volksraad was to sit. But now I see that, in
a speech delivered in Cape Colony, he has said, if
the papers report him correctly, that "as soon
as possible" means "to-day," The man seems to
have lost his senses. How can I bring a matter
before the Volksraad in March, when it does not
sit till May.^ So soon as the Volksraad sat, I
brought the matter before the Raad, and that
body, without delay, appointed a committee which
asked the late Chief Justice to help to revise the
Constitution, which, however, he refused to do,
notwithstanding his promise in writing. I do
not take it amiss of him, however, for in my
eyes he seems to have lost his senses. What
does he do next? He says, in a manifesto, that
if the people will not help him, he will apply to
England, that is, if I understand what he has
written properly. He knows that he has taken
the oath, not only as regards his office, but that
his oath is binding upon him as a burgher of
the country, and he knows that a burgher is

4o8 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

not allowed to appeal to another Power: if he
does, he is guilty. Moreover, he himself has
repeatedly declared that the suzerainty no longer
exists in our internal government, and yet he flies
to that But I do not take this amiss of him now,
lor in my eyes he seems to have lost his senses.
That is not all. He also drew a comparison say-
ing, ''Suppose the Volksraad passed a resolu-
tion depriving the people of its rights : who would
then protect the people ? " The late Chief Justice,
however, forgets to say that what he suggests the
Volksraad might do he himself has already done.
For, at the time of the claim lottery on the
Rand, he actually took away hundreds of pro-
perty-rights from the public and awarded them
to one or two; and there is no help for it,
because the Supreme Court has the final decision.
But, if the Volksraad were to take such a step,
then the people would come with petitions to
have that step annulled. What does the late
Chief Justice say further? He says that his
dismissal is a violation of the Convention,
because he was appointed by the Interr^num ;
but he knows that this is not true. He was a
judge in President Burgers' time, and, when the
Interregnum came, Mr. De Wet was appointed
Chief Justice. At least, so I am told, and I

APPENDIX A 409

believe that it is true. When we took oyer the
country again, die late Chief Justice went away.
We sent for him to Kimberley to take o£fice as
Chief Justice, but he was not appointed as such
by the Interregnum. He must have forgotten this,
or I must have read wrong. What does he do
next ? He himself really violates the Convention
by the principle which he acc^>ts ; for he refuses
to acknowledge any resolutions of the Volksraad
that are contrary to the Convention. By the
Convention we obtained land, but also hundreds
of places were cut off by the Convention for
which deeds of sale had already been issued, and
some had even been occupied, and the Convention
itself lays down that the Volksraad must decide
in the matter of the annulment of conveyances :
so that that was against the Constitution. Now,
if the principle of the late Chief Justice had
been maintained, then the Convention would
have been broken, and that we may not do, for
then we should come into collision with England.
That is where the maintenance of that principle
would have brought us. Then those places
would have had to fall back into our possession
and the conveyances restored, for the decrees
of the Volksraad concerning them were in con-
flict with the Constitution, which does not

410 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

recogfnize them. If, therefore, that principle was
correct, there would be nothing for it but for us to
take up the sword to go and fight against England.
Gentlemen, I appreciate the late Chief Justice's
abilities so highly that, if I thought it would
do any good, I would have him confined in a
lunatic asylum (for I liked him greatly), and wait
until he was cured to employ him again. His
abilities were great, but he went astray when
he accepted the Devil's principle, the right of
criticism. Let me speak my mind to you, for the
late Chief Justice has said that I dismissed him
illegally. Now all the world can hear how the
matter really happened.

You OTHER Officers and Officials, from the

HIGHEST TO THE LOWEST,

On you also depends much that concerns
the growth and prosperity of the country, on
you who stand under orders and instructions,
both verbal and written. If you scrupulously
and zealously observe your duty and each of you
fulfils it in his place, then you promote the wel-
fare of the country and contribute much to its
progress and prosperity, and not only in the
interest of the country, but in your own interest,
so long as you keep to your instructions, verbal

APPENDIX A 411

and written, each in his place. Do not under-
mine one another!

And you of the Army!

To you, right honourable Commandant General
and other officers, a short word also: from you
to the State President and down to the officer
lowest in rank, who all form part of the defences
of our country against the enemy. If the State
President receives news of a hostile invasion and
does not inform you of it, then that will be on
the State President's head and the blood that is
shed will be laid to his account and he shall be
punished for it ; and if you. Commandant General,
receive the news and do not keep watch or do
not post watches, then that will be on your head
and the blood that is shed will be laid to your
account and you shall be punished. But if you
have given your orders to your subordinates and
they do not keep watch, then the bloodshed will
be on their heads and they will have to bear
the responsibility and the punishment : so God's
Word teaches us. Let each watch in his own
department From the Volksraad down to the
lowest official, all form a machine of State with
many wheels, and when each wheel works in
its place with the others, then concord reigns,

412 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

and concord gives strength, on which God be-
stows His blessing. But, when a wheel does
not fit into the machine, then it must be taken
out and placed on one side, or shifted, as other-
wise the whole machine might go to pieces. If
that wheel does not fit in anywhere else, then it
must be placed on one side. If, however, it
does fit in some other place, then, if the
smallest wheel works in harmony with the largest,
the machine of State may be expected to go well,
and then everything will spread light, and on such
a co-qperation God's blessing rests.

His Honour then turned to the clergy :

Reverend Sirs, Servants of God's Word,

When I turn my eyes upon you, a favourite
text rises to my mind : '' How beautiful are the
feet of them that publish peace." I say, ''Pub-
lish peace;'' I know that that is your task
upon earth. The right of criticism was insti-
tuted by the Devil, for he said to Adam and
Eve, "Eat of the fruit of this tree and ye shall
not die and ye shall be like gods ; '' and in this
way the Devil has led away thousands upon earth
to build on their own merits and thus to oppose
God's Word and unsetde all things, so that

APPENDIX A 413

there is no foundation; and, if an eye is not kept
to this preaching, you know what the Christians
upon earth, who stand by God's Word, have to
fight against I do not speak of minor points,
but of the main point, and he who holds fast to
that has to fight against the spirit of the air.

The Devil captured Cain's soul, and the latter
did not accept the punishment, he placed himself
on God's level, made his sacrifice, and expected
God to be content with what was beautiful in
Cain's eyes, and Cain sang hymns of praise to the
Lord which came from nature, but which he
thought were pleasing to God. But God rejected
them, because God found no r^tgion in Cain. He
was outside God's Word; but how beautiful are
the feet of them that publish peace, like Abel.
He acknowledged the judgment that fell in Para-
dise, that man was condemned, which the Devil
brought about together with the right of criticism,
and took a first-born lamb, and this refers to Christ,
yes, and prayed in the spirit that the punishment
which he had deserved might fall upon the Lamh,
as otherwise he would suffer eternal death. God
accepted the sacrifice and heard his prayer, and
there we have the Father, Son and Holy Ghost
The severity of the law is not respected by men,
because of the right of criticism of the Devil ; and

414 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

it is even so with Christ's work of redemption,
through the Holy Ghost Then preach these
words : ** How beautiful are the feet of them
that publish peace." Stand firm in the struggle.
The Devil goes further and respects nothing ; for
we read, " I will put enmity between thee and the
woman, and between her seed and thy seed; it
shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise her
heel." So at last he comes to the Son of God in
the wilderness, and with the same intention he
comes to the whole earth, and says to Jesus, "If
Thou be the Son of God, command that these
stones be made bread." But Christ says, "Man
shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Then he
sets Christ on the pinnacle of the Temple, and the
Devil says to Him, " If Thou be the Son of God,
cast Thyself down from hence : for it is written,
He shall give His angels charge over Thee, and
in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at
any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone."
But Christ answering says, "It is said. Thou shalt
not tempt the Lord thy God." Then the Devil
takes Jesus up into an high mountain and shows
Him all the kingdoms of the world, saying, " If
Thou wilt worship me, all this shall be Thine."
But Christ says, " It is written, Thou shalt worship

APPENDIX A 415

the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou

serve."

See there your preaching of the Gospel, you
servants of Christ, founded on God's Word, and
if you preach thus, you will be a help to the State,
for it rests upon God's Word, as shown in Article 8
of the Constitution. The people says that it has
liberty, and that is so, but based upon God's Word,
and thus was this land designed by our forefathers,
on the basis of God's Word, for the maintenance
of law and order. That is a thing that does not
proceed from men ; for I myself did not under-
stand one of the depths of that article, how God at
that time led us. Reverend sirs, predikants, stand
firm in the faith ; for how beautiful are the feet of
them that publish peace in Jesus Christ; for the
Devil's doctrine of criticism says that man has
become as gods and can secure his own happiness
by his own lights and his own reason and his own
merit, and therefore that he shall not die. No,
stand firm, and preach in accordance with God's
Word, for then you are truly the clergy of our
people ; and lead it in that road and always keep
the fear of the Lord before its eyes, so that the
people may walk in the right paths, both socially
and religiously, and, if your work is earnest and
true and sincere, then will you really be a support to

4i6 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

the State. Then there will be general harmony :
" Fear God and honour the King." We shall re-
spect you in your divine profession, in your precious
labours, in your heavenly work, for how beautiful
are the feet of them that publish peace. We
cannot, however, protect you further than our
power allows. We shall respect you and protect
you, yes, even help and assist you to help to
build up the Church, but also not further than
God's Word commands ; and know that, when the
earthly judge goes so far that he begins to meddle
with the internal government of the Church, then
he is inspired with the spirit of Antichrist, for
then he usurps the place of Christ, Who is the
Head of the Church. If the worldly power does
this, then it adopts the right of criticism of the
Devil, to get that into its claws and destroy re-
ligion. God has erected this Christian State and
a Christian government, which will protect the
Church outside us, and you too, reverend sirs,
but if you go outside the body that said, **Feed
my lambs, feed my sheep," then you meddle with
the body politic and are possessed of the spirit
of the Pope, and then your preaching is no longer
a beautiful preaching of the Gospel. So long as
each remains within his own sphere of activity,
there will be a healthy co-operation, and God's

APPENDIX A 417

spirit shall rest upon us and the Lord will
bless us.

Now, DEAR Children,

A short word to you. You are the ones upon
whom the State President keeps his eye, for I see
our future Church and State in your hands, for,
when all the old people are gone, you will be the
Church and State ; but, if you depart from the truth
and stray, then you will lose your inheritance.
Stand firm by God's Word, in which your parents
have brought you up. Love that Word. I shall
endeavour with all my might to assist churches and
schools, to let you receive a Christian education, so
that you may both religiously and socially become
useful members of Church and State, and I trust that
the teachers and ministers will also do their best
It is a great privilege that your Government has
ordered a Christian education, and you are greatly
privileged in being able to enjoy a Christian
education, and not you alone, for the object is to
extend it so that all may have the opportunity of
receiving it and turning it to account. It is a
great privilege that the Government and the legis-
lative power have thus laid down the law as to
Christian instruction. It is also a great privilege

for you that the Government and Volksraad have
27

4i8 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

accepted our language as the State language-
Keep to that, keep to the language in which your
forefathers, whom God led out of the wilderness,
struggled and prayed to God, and which became
ever dearer and dearer to them : the language in
which the Bible comes to you, and in which your
forefathers read the Bible, and which contains
the religion of your forefathers. And, therefore,
if you become indifferent to your language, you
also become indifferent to your forefathers and
indifferent to the Bible and indifferent to your
religion ; and then you will soon stray away
entirely and you will rob posterity of your Dutch
Bible and of your religion, which God confirmed
to your forefathers with wonders and miracles.
Stand firm, then, so that we may not trust you
in vain, and keep to your language, your Bible and
your religion. It is a good thing to learn foreign
languages, especially the language of your neigh-
bours with whom you have most to do ; but let
any foreign language be a second language to
you.

Pray to God that you may stand firm on
this point and not stray, so that the Lord may
remain among you, and then posterity will honour
you for your loyalty.

APPENDIX A 419

Schoolmasters and Mistresses,

A short word to you also. You have, as it
were, become the guardians of the children in the
place of the parents who have given their children
to God before the pulpit to be educated for the
Lord, in His service and to His honour. You have
taken them over to feed them, as Christ said, like
lambs, to the honour of God. You know that the
New Testament says that women brought their
children to Jesus. They were healthy and not
sick children. The unbelievers only take them
to the doctor; but none of them will send their
healthy children to the doctor. Here, however,
you see the women coming with healthy children
to Jesus, and the disciples rebuked them, but
Jesus said, ** Suffer little children to come unto
Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the King-
dom of Heaven." The mothers brought their
children to receive the heavenly blessing on the
inward vocation and to be healed inwardly. But
if you, schoolmasters and mistresses, do not know
the faith, how then will you bring the children to
Christ through the faith .»* I trust, however, that
you do know it; and, therefore, never forget to
bring the children to the Lord through the faith,
and take care that religion is not left in the back-
ground and only educational subjects taught, for

420 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

then you are attacking religion and it will be
forgotten. For, when man proceeds only accord-
ing to his nature and his knowledge, then he
begins to believe what the Devil has said, that
men shall be as gods, and then it can be said of
such a man, "The greater the mind, the greater
the beast." Then he rushes from place to place.
Therefore let religion not be neglected, for
that is the foundation of Church and State.
Stand firm by the Bible and teach the children
who are entrusted to you for that purpose, and
then it shall be said to you too: "Thou good
and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over
a few things, I will make thee ruler over many
things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord and
sit at My right hand."
I have spoken.

Certified as a true extract from the original
minutes of the Honourable First Volksraad of the
1 2th of May 1898.

{Signed) W. J. Fockens,

Secretary to the First Volksraad.

I certify that the above is a true and faithful
copy.

H. C. DE Bruijn Prince.

APPENDIX B

Speech of State President Kruger in the
First Volksraad on Monday i May 1899

To the Right Hon. Mr. President of the First
Volksraad and to the honourable members of
the First and Second Volksraad

Gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to me once more cordially
to welcome you in this your house of assembly and
to give my hearty thanks to God, Who rules the
Universe and Who has spared and saved you all, so
that you may again, with His help, devote all your
energies to the interests of our dear country and
people.

I. In those places where different members of
your honourable assembly retired last year in
rotation, I have ordered new elections for members
of the First and Second Volksraad The result
of those elections shall be laid before you.

421

422 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

2. As the vacancy arising through the election
of Mr. A. D. W. Wolmarans to be a member
of the Executive Raad must be filled as soon as
possible, I have issued a writ for the election of a
new member for the village and district of Pretoria.
The result of that election shall be communicated
to you.

3. The term of office of Mr. S. W. Burger,
member of the Executive Raad, will expire by
rotation on the 6th of this month ; I therefore ask
you to provide for the vacancy before that time,
and I take leave to remind you that the present
occupant is re-eligible.

4. I hope in this session to call your attention
as early as possible to certain proposals which I
wish to make to your honourable assembly with
regard to the franchise, the bewaarplaatsen and the
dynamite question.

5. It is a great pleasure to me to be able again
to state that the Republic continues in friendly
relations with foreign Powers. The correspondence
between our Government and the British Govern-
ment, arising from the difference of opinion regard-
ing the international relation of the Republic
towards Great Britain and Ireland, is not yet
finished; I trust, however, that this matter will
soon be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. It

APPENDIX B 423

is always my endeavour to do all in my power
to confirm those good relations.

6. The Raad of Delegates has this year held
its annual sitting at Bloemfontein. The report,
with the suggestions of that body, shall be laid
before you. Those suggestions, in which the
Government joins, deserve your earnest attention.

7. In accordance with the resolutions of your
honourable assembly touching the suggestions of
the Raad of Delegates for 1 898, the Governments
of the Republics appointed commissions to try to
make the Constitutions of the two States, in so far
as possible, similar. Those commissions met in the
month of February last at Pretoria. The report
of their deliberations shall be laid before you.
A commission consisting of the Chief Justices
of the two Republics has undertaken the duty of
making further suggestions for the assimilation of
laws in accordance with the resolutions passed in
your session of 1 898. This important work, how-
ever, requires long consideration and mature de-
liberation, and this commission has not yet quite
finished a work which, when it has once been given
force of law by the representatives of the people of
both States, will certainly promote the welfare and
the prosperity of the Sister Republics.

8. Negociations have been entered into with

424 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

the Orange Free State touching the payment of
registration fees for goods which, by treaty, are
imported free of duty into the South African
Republic, this in accordance with the resolution of
your honourable assembly, numbered 1,365, of the
4th of October 1 898. These negociations have led
to a provisional agreement between the Govern-
ments of the two States which shall be laid before
you for your approval.

9. In view of the threatening danger that the
terrible sickness known as the bubonic plague
might visit South Africa, at the suggestion of our
Government a conference was held, at the com-
mencement of the year, at Pretoria, consisting of
representatives of the Orange Free State, Mozam-
bique, Natal and Cape Colony, in order to frame
measures to prevent the entrance and spread of
the Asiatic pestilence in South Africa. The
report of the labours of the conference, which
is sure to be read by you with interest, will
be laid before you during this session for your
approval of the suggestions and proposals therein
contained.

10. An invitation has been received from the
Imperial German Government to dispatch a repre-
sentative of the Republic to attend the Inter-
national Veterinary Congress which will be held

APPENDIX B 425

at Baden-Baden in the month of August of this
year. Taking into consideration that this Congress
may be of great importance to the Republic,
the Government has thought fit to depute the
Governmental Veterinary Surgeon as its repre-
sentative, which will, I trust, meet with your
approval. He will, at the same time, make use
of this opportunity to study the bubonic plague
and the various remedies.

11. I am able to inform you that earnest
endeavours are being employed and that negocia-
tions have already been entered into for the
appointment of an able financial minister for the
South African Republic

12. I am very pleased to be able to inform
you that great progress has been made this year
in trade, especially in the first quarter, as appears
from the increased revenue of the State.

1 3. I call your attention to the resolution of your
honourable assembly, numbered 325 and passed on
the 15th of March 1899, in the matter of the grant
of a bonus to the retired member of the Executive
Raad, Mr. J. M. A. Wolmarans. I must express my
sincere regret that the right hon. gentleman has
been compelled by the state of his health to hand
in his resignation, he having always been a most
useful member of the Executive Raad, thanks to

426 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

his clear insight into affairs, his energy and his
great love for his country, in which he always
showed himself to have at heart the true interests
of land and people ; and I cannot omit to express
to him my thanks for all that he has done, hoping
that your assembly will come to a favourable
decision on the request already made by me, as
contained in the Government Message of the loth
of March 1899.

14. The Executive Raad has found it neces-
sary to dispatch a commando against the rebellious
natives of the tribe of Ramapulaan, under their
leader M'Pesu, in the Zoutpansberg District I
cannot find sufficient praise for the courage, the
skill and the sagacious prudence of our Command-
ant General and officers, by which they have
brought this war to a satisfactory conclusion, and
for the excellent and gallant behaviour of our
burghers, and I congratulate all of us on the rapid
and thorough manner in which this revolt has been
suppressed. We mourn the fact that this com-
mando has claimed some valuable victims and our
sympathy is with the survivors. The Government
has decided to found a village, to be called Louis
Trichardt, on the spot where the laagers stood,
and I am convinced that the action of the Govern-
ment meets with your approval.

APPENDIX B 427

1 5. Seeing that the Netherlands South African
Railway Company has resolved to repay the sum
of ;^2,ooo,ooo which it had borrowed from the
Government, the necessity for the conclusion of a
loan on the part of the Government disappears for
the present.

16. I must express, in my own name and that
of the Executive Raad, our great satisfaction with
the labours and transactions of our Envoy Extra-
ordinary, Dr. W. J. Leijds, who reported to us on
the occasion of his visit here.

17. It appears from various sources of informa-
tion that the mining industry has made the greatest
progress during the past year. The value of the
gold extracted was ;^i6,240,630, being an increase
of ;^4,886,905 over 1897. The total value of the
gold extracted in our country to the end of 1898
amounts to ;^70, 228,603. The results of 1898
place the South African Republic consideraWy
above any other gold-producing country, and re-
present 28 per cent of the estimated produce of
the whole world.

18. The Government has resolved to give
effect to the former resolutions passed in connec-
tion with the coolie question, with the result that,
from the ist of July 1899, coolies will be allowed
to reside only in those streets, quarters and loca-

428 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

tions of the different towns and villages which have
been set apart for their use.

19. There are many plans for public works,
principally bridges and buildings, which could not
be carried into execution or even discussed,
because the Executive Raad was overwhelmed
with so much other business and also because
financial arrangements must first be made with
this object.

20. In obedience to the order of your honour-
able assemblies, the Government has published
the Draft Constitution and the Criminal Procedure
Law in the Staatscourant for the approval of the
people* Your earnest attention is invited to those
important laws.

21. In obedience to your order, the Govern-
ment will again lay a pensions law before your
honourable assembly for discussion. I hope that
this law will enjoy your earnest consideration.

22. It has been my privilege to visit certain
districts and villages, and to hold meetings at the
following places : Heidelberg, Rustenburg and
Johannesburg. I hope, in the course of this session,
to xall your attention to the demands and wishes
of the burghers, in so far as these have been
brought to my notice.

23. The Government finds, from the various

APPENDIX B 429

reports, that about 746,500 head of cattle have
perished from the pest To my great gratitude,
however, I am able to inform you that this so
dreaded disease may now be regarded as sup-
pressed. In January last, a few cases still oc-
curred, but only at Lijdenburg, Krugersdorp and
Piet Retief; and, thanks to the immediate com-
pliance with the regulations contained in the Pro-
clamation and to the goodness of Providence, the
disease was confined within those limits and spread
no further.

24. The Government has given orders for the
survey of places for irrigation purposes, and the
report on the subject shall be laid before you.

25. A list of newly-appointed, resigned, sus-
pended and discharged functionaries shall be sub-
mitted for your approval.

26. The different reports of the Heads of
Departments shall be laid before you.

27. Different bills and modifications in the laws
shall be submitted for your approval.

28. The Government has given effect, in so
far as possible, to the instructions of your High
Assembly, as will appear from the papers and
reports that will be laid before you.

29. The Government proposes, in the course of
this session, to bring before your notice different

432 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

and He will decide, not on lies, but on the ground
of truth.

You are familiar with the course of events
and how the Volksraad and the people have
yielded in everything that was demanded. First,
it was a question of the franchise. Three times
we yielded in this matter and I repeat, so that it
may appear upon the minutes, that it is a lie to
say that we were not willing to treat those who
came from abroad as our equals.

When the Convention of 1881 was concluded,
there were only a few English here; and what
was it that they wanted ? They were quite willing
to be treated on an equal footing with our burghers,
but registered themselves as British subjects ; they
preferred to remain foreigners rather than become
subjects of this State.

You know, moreover, that, under the Con-
vention of 1884, at the time of the Blue Mountains
commando, they refused to take the field with
our burghers, although by so doing they would
have at once received the franchise. I brought
the matter three times before the Raad and begged
it to pass a resolution that they must defend the
country ; and the Volksraad confirmed that all who
took part in the war should obtain the franchise.
Then Loch came here and complained that the

APPENDIX C 433

English were not treated as the most favoured
nation. I thereupon s^ain issued another pro-
clamation, because I thought that there might
really be people to be found who wished to stand
on an equal footing with our burghers; I did
this, although the Convention expressly lays
down that they shall possess not equal political,
but equal commercial rights. Now think — we are
standing before the Lord and let each of us send
his prayer on high to the Lord — where can they say
that, with regard to trade, they were less favoured
than our own burghers? Nowhere. They were,
in this respect, even more favourably placed than
our burghers. They could take gold and anything
they liked out of the country and they could even
obtain political rights, but they would not have
them. The High Commissioner demanded that
we should extend the franchise and we had already
done more ; we even tried, afterwards, to treat
them, the Uitlanders, on an equal footing with our
burghers, but they declined.

In this respect, therefore, there is no injustice
on our side. We can aj^ear frankly before our
Lord. He will decide, and He decides not by
virtue of lies, but according to justice and truth.
Let us therefore send up our prayers to Him on

high, that He may guide us, and then, if thousands
28

434 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

come, the Lord will guide us in right and justice
until, perhaps, we shall be freed once and for all
from all these cares. I place myself wholly in His
hands.

I will accuse no one of being a false prophet ;
but read Psalm io8, verse 7, which came to
my mind while I was struggling in prayer. You
must not read it because I say so, but be-
cause it is God's Word. It was no dream that
stood before my spirit, for false dreams mis-
lead us and I do not trouble about them : I take
my stand on God's Word alone. Now read that
psalm attentively and associate your prayers with
that: then will the Lord guide us; and, when
He is with us, who shall be against us ? There-
fore I say to you, go among your burghers and
exhort them continually to pray in this struggle.

We so often forget what the Lord has done.
I will not speak again of the War of Independence,
in which the Lord so visibly and wonderfully aided
us. But was it otherwise in the Jameson Raid?
They aimed thousands of shells and balls at us,
while we shot only with rifles ; and how wonder-
fully was the course of the bullets ordered ! Three
of us fell, while the enemy had hundreds killed
and wounded. And who ordered the flight of the
bullets ? The Lord. He spared us then, to prove

APPENDIX C 435

to us that He rules all things. The Lord will also
protect you now, even if thousands of bullets fly
around you. That is my faith and also my con-
stant prayer for myself, for the burghers and for
all who fight with us. I will say once more that
the Lord will guide us : He will decide and show
to us that He rules and none other.

The Second Speech delivered cU the Sitting of

2 October 1899

The State President spoke a second time, after
the Presidents of the First and Second Volksraad
had supported him in enthusiastic speeches :

It gives me great confidence to see that the
Raad is with me. I know that, like myself, it
believes in God's Word. If you search that Word,
you will find that God, when He punishes and
chastises His people, does not do so in such a way
that He delivers that people wholly into the hands
of its enemies. We too, when we chastise our
children, do not allow others to beat them. When
the people, that is, the people of Israel, fell away
from God and committed idolatry, it was punished
and almost fell into slavery. But you see in the

436 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Old Testament how, when thousands of enemies
then come to annihilate God's people, the people
trusts to God, its Creator and Redeemer.

Gentlemen, you have heard how they mock at
us for appealing to the Lord. That is a blas-
phemy against God, and we trust therefore that
the Lord will not let it go unpunished. The Lord
chastises us, but He will not suffer Himself to be
blasphemed.

One short word more. Moses was a man of
God, and the Lord spoke with him ; but, at a time
of great stress and combat, his friends had to stay
up his hands, for he was but a weak mortal
Aaron had to support him in the faith. So let us
too remember our generals and fighting-generals
in our prayers, and unceasingly offer our prayers
to God. Let us support them in their faith and
let us not forget to strengthen the men who have
to conduct the Government with cmr prayers.

APPENDIX D

Opening Speech of President Steijn at the
Annual Session of the Volksraad of the
Orange Free State at Kroonstad, 2 April
1900

Mr. President and Gentlemen,

Although the enemy is in possession of Bloem-
fontein and I have been obliged temporarily to
remove the seat of government to Kroonstad, I
nevertheless open your usual annual session fult
of firm confidence in the future, and I heartily bid
you welcome.

I. In spite of your efforts and the efforts of both
Governments to preserve peace, a war has been
forced upon the South African Republic by the
British Government. And the Orange Free State
has been true to her obligations, and, in accordance
with your resolution, ranged herself on the side of
the Sister Republic when, on the 13th of October,

4S7

438 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

war broke out between the South African Republic
and the British Government.

2. The Republics picked up the gauntlet with no
other object than that of defending their independ-
ence, which cost our forefathers so much blood
and which is so dear to us, to the uttermost
Thanks to the Almighty, our arms were blessed
in a manner which not only struck the world with
amazement, but far exceeded our own expectations.
Although the capture of General Cronj^ and his
gallant burghers and the occupation of Bloem-
fontein were heavy blows to us, I am nevertheless
glad to be able to say that our burghers are still
full of courage and determined to continue to
fight for the preservation of our dearly-purchased
independence, and, if necessary, like so many of
our dear ones, to die as brave and never-to-be-
forgotten heroes. With the deepest regret I
have to inform you of the decease of the Vice-
president and Commandant General of our Sister
Republic, Petrus Jacobus Joubert, a man in whom
not only the Sister Republic, but all South Africa
has lost a faithful friend, a true patriot and an
upright Christian, who devoted his best years to
the service of his nation. May his life serve as an
example to all of us and his death stimulate us,
under God's blessing, to continue the struggle

APPENDIX D 439

which he had hitherto led with such ability in the
Sister Republic and to bring it to a happy peace !

3. The enemy, not content with his greatly
superior force, has sought to obtain still further
advantages by a constant abuse of the Red Cross
and the white flag, against which abuse I have
been obliged to make a protest to the neutral
Powers. Ay, the mighty British Empire has not
disdained, in this conflict with two small Republics,
to make use of crafty proclamations in order to
divide our little people. I have pointed, in a
counter-proclamation of my own, to the craftiness
and danger of this communication, and am glad
to be able to say that, so far as I know, com-
paratively few have been so cowardly and faint-
hearted as to surrender voluntarily.

4. In order to prevent further bloodshed and to
assure th^ civilized world once more that it is not
our intention to annex the neighbouring colonies,
but that we are pursuing an entirely different
object, namely the defence of our liberty and our
rights, His Honour the State President of the
South African Republic and I have written a
letter to His Excellency the Prime Minister of
Great Britain with a view to the restoration of
peace. But, instead of aiding us in our endeav-
ours, he has sent us a reply which will be laid

440 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

before you and which clearly shows that this war
had no other object from the commencement than
the destruction of the two Republics.

5. Even as I, and the Executive Raad with me,
had already attempted everything in order to pre-
serve peace, so we lose sight of nothing to-day
that could serve to restore peace. The Govern-
ment of the South African Republic and our
own Government have therefore decided to send
a commission consisting of Messrs. A. Fischer,
member of the Executive Raad, C H. Wessds,
President of the Volksraad, and A. D. Wolmarans,
member of the Executive Raad of the South
African Republic, to Europe and America to ask
the civilized Powers for their intervention for
the prevention of further bloodshed. That their
labours may be blessed with success is and must
be the object of all our prayers.

6. By virtue of the plenary powers that have
been given me, I have concluded a loan with the
South African Republic.

7. It will be impossible for us to proceed to
the usual debates. I would therefore propose to
you to adjourn them to a later date and to discuss
only those questions and decrees that shall be laid
before you.

I conclude with the sincere prayer that, in the

APPENDIX D 441

name of the Thrice Holy God, we may all be
granted strength to keep up the sacred struggle
for freedom and justice upon which we entered in
all seriousness and to continue it energetically to
the end. For God forbid that we should lightly
surrender the independence which we bought with
our blood. I have done.

APPENDIX E

Opening Speech of President Kruger at the
Ordinary Annual Session of the First
AND Second Volksraad of the South
African Republic at the Joint Sitting
OF 7 May 1900

Gentlemen,

I once more have great pleasure in cordially
welcoming you in this house of assembly and in
venturing to give thanks to God, Who rules the
Universe and Who has protected and preserved
you, so that you can once more, with His help,
devote all your strength to the interests of our
dear country and people.

1. Some members of your Raad have informed
me that, in consequence of the war, which compels
their presence with the commandoes, they were un-
able to obey the summons to attend this meeting.

2. The war in which our country is engaged
with England has, in addition to the many valu-

442

APPENDIX E 443

able victims which it has already exacted from
among the burghers of both States, also demanded
its victims from the legislative and executive
bodies, in consequence of which we have to
lament the deaths of our meritorious fellow-members
J. H. Barnard, C J. Tosen, J. H. Kock and our
beloved Vice-president and Commandant General
P. J. Joubert. One of them died a glorious
death at Derdepoort in the defence of his father-^
land against wild Kaffir hordes commanded by
British officers ; the other from the wounds which
he received at the Battle of Elandslaagte when
leading our burghers; while both Mr. Tosen
and the Vice-president and Commandant General
were taken from us by disease, the result of
privations. A word of deep-felt esteem for
those dead brothers, who were snatched from us
in the midst of their prosperous career, is not, I
think, out of place at this time. Posterity will
rate at its right value the work of our late
Commandant General, whose attitude inspired
even the enemy with respect and whose humane
and glorious conduct assured our State a name
of standing among the civilized nations.

3. New elections for the vacant seats in the
Volksraad have not been able to take place
because of the extraordinary circumstances.

444 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

4. I have nominated Mr. S. W. Burger as Vice-
president of the South African Republic : this
nomination is provisional until the First Volks-
raad has found time to settle the matter.

5. As Commandant General I have appointed
Louis Botha, also provisionally, until an election
can be held. It was the deceased Commandant
General's wish that Mr. Botha should succeed
him in this important post. I am convinced that
this provisional appointment has also met with
the approval of the nation.

6. I am deeply touched by the proof of loyalty
on the part of the people of our Sister Republic,
who has shown by this act that she was deter-
mined to fulfil the obligations which she had
made by treaty with the people of the South
African Republic. In such a glorious fashion
have the old ties been confirmed ^nd strengthened
which already existed between the peoples in-
habiting either bank of the Vaal River. The
Sister Republic clearly saw that united action was
necessary; for an attack on the independence
of the South African Republic also implies a
threat against the independent existence of the
Orange Free State. The energy and the im-
bounded faith in the future of the Afrikander
Nation which our Sister Republic displayed in

APPENDIX E 445

her attitude have set the people and the Govern-
ment of the South African Republic a magni-
ficent example, have strengthened us in the
struggle for our existence which has been forced
upon us by the war with Great Britain and are
of even greater moral value for the outer world
and for all who follow the struggle of a small
people for its existence. The least, therefore,
in my opinion, that our duty towards our loyal
brothers and fellow-Afrikanders in the Orange
Free State demands of us is that I should, at
this place of your assembly, express, as your
interpreter, our sincere and deep-felt sense of
gratitude God bless them for their devotion to
the cause of freedom !

7. It is a satisfaction to me to be again able
to inform you that, with the exception of the
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Re-
public continues in friendly relations with foreign
Powers.

8. While visiting the various laagers, I was also
at Bloemfontein, where I agreed with His Honour
the State President of the Orange Free State
to send a joint dispatch to the British Govern-
ment, in which, after referring to the fact that
we had not sought war and desired no increase
of territory, we proposed to open friendly nego-

446 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

ciations on the basis that both Republics should
be recognized as sovereign international States and
receive the assurance that those of Her Majesty's
subjects who had assisted us in this war should
suffer no damage in person or property. From
the reply of the British Government, which shall
be laid before you, you will see that that
Government was always and is still determined
to destroy the independent existence of the two
Republics.

9. Even if our legislation in past years and
our negociations with the British Government had
not shown that we were ready to do everything
to preserve peace, we are, now that war has
broken out in spite of our efforts to , prevent it,
prepared to do everything and to leave nothing
untried to restore peace. With this object, I
have agreed with His Honour the State President
of the Orange Free State to send Mr. A. Fischer,
the respected member of the Executive Raad of
the Orange Free State, for both Republics, Mr.
C. H. Wessels, President of the Volksraad of
the Free State, for his State, and Mr. A. D. W.
Wolmarans, member of the Executive Raad, for
our Republic, to Europe and America with the
commission, in the name of the people and the
Governments of the South African Republic and

APPENDIX E 447

the Orange Free State, to petition for the restora-
tion of peace on the basis of the independence
of the two Republics.

10. The presence in our fighting lines of
attaches who have been deputed by different
States to follow the progress of the war points
to the great interest which the Governments of
those States take in the methods of warfare of our
Republics. At the same time I rejoice to find that
the sympathy of well-nigh the whole world is on
our side in this struggle for right and liberty and
that different countries have sent detachments of
the Red Cross as ambulances to the battle-fields,
to allay the pain and suffering of our wounded,
while at the same time funds are being collected,
not only in Europe, but also in America and
Asia, to help the widows and orphans of the
slain. I am, therefore, but carrying out your
wishes when I here express our gratitude for
those self-sacrificing actions of noble humanity.

11. I have been compelled to malce a protest to
the different neutral Powers against various actions
which are in conflict with international law and
with warfare as practised between civilized nations,
as, for instance, against the abuse of the Red
Cross and the white flag, the ill-treatment of the
wounded on the battle-field and of prisoners of

448 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

war, and the employment of natives to fight
against the Republics.

12. In spite of the difficult circumstances in
which the war has placed the country, I rejoice to
find that the treasury has been able to meet the
great expenses of the war and that the mines
are developing progressively.

15. I have made use of your authorization and
concluded a loan with the Orange Free State.

16. By virtue of your authorization by Resolu-
tion 1,416 of the 28th of September 1899, the
Cxovemment has issued and enforced decrees as
circumstances demanded. The Government trusts
that its action, in so far as it relies upon those
plenary powers, has received your approval, and
asks for instructions that it may continue in the
same way.

17. It will not be possible to dispatch the
ordinary business of our annual session, and I
therefore suggest to you that you should discuss
only those matters which will be laid before you
and adjourn all others to a later date.

And with this, gentlemen, I conclude. May
the Ruler of Nations vouchsafe to g^rd us with
strength to bring to a desired end this unequal
and violent strife, upon which we have entered
in His name and for our sacred right May the

APPENDIX E 449

burghers and officers, inspired from on high with
strength and with a sense of duty both towards
those brave men who have given their lives for
the preservation of the fatherland and towards
the coming generation that expects to receive
a free fatherland at their hands, feel impelled to
continue the war and to remain steadfast. And
thus may the South African Race, whose future
was always hopeful, now at last develop into
a mighty tree and prove by its actions that we
are worthy of taking up our place in the ranks
of the nations. God in His Heaven help us to
attain that end ! I have done.

APPENDIX F

Speech delivered on the 7th of May by
President Kruger in explanation of his
Opening Speech at the Ordinary Session
OF 1900

Right Honourable the Presidents and Hon-
ourable Members of the two Volksraads,

Although it is not my custom, allow me to add
a few words to my speech : the situation of the
country is such that I make this public request
to be permitted to give an explanation of my
address.

You know how the franchise was insisted
upon before the war began. You know that the
Government yielded, after obtaining the consent
of the Raad, although this body saw objections
to such a course, until even the burghers made
representations, as though we were about to
surrender almost all our rights. The Government
had in view the prevention of bloodshed. The

450

APPENDIX F 451

Raad then agreed to the seven years' franchise and
also that all persons who had been here for more
than seven years could acquire the franchise
immediately. There were then nearly 30,000 who
were able to acquire the franchise at once, and so
much had been yielded that, if all of these had
obtained the franchise, they could have outvoted
the old burghers. It was only to prevent blood-
shed that we yielded so much as this. Never-
theless, they were not contented, and declared that
they wanted to have the franchise after five years.

Our burghers were against this, and there were
also members of the Raad who would not grant
it ; but, notwithstanding, the Government made a
proposal, because they had perceived that it was
not a question of the franchise, but that this was
a pretext full of pharisaical hypocrisy; for docu-
ments had been found showing that, as early
as 1896, it had been decided that the two in-
dependent Republics must cease to exist. I can
express myself in no other terms than by calling
it a ** devilish fraud." They talked of peace, while
the decision had already been taken to destroy us.
Even, therefore, if we had yielded more, if we had
even said that the franchise could be acquired
after one year s residence, that would not have been
accepted. For it had appeared from documents

452 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

that this people should no longer be a free people.
As I stated in my speech, the Government, in
order to avoid bloodshed, made a far-reaching
proposal to Chamberlain and Salisbury ; and
what was the answer? You have read that
document, and, although I cannot repeat the
text of the document word for word, it amounts
to this, that they are angry at ever having recog-
nized us as an independent nation, and that,
in spite of all the conventions that had been
made, they will never acknowledge that this
nation is independent

Honourable sirs, I must speak out and say what
I have in my mind. Psalm 83 speaks of the attacks
of the Evil One on Christ's Kingdom, which must
no longer exist And now the same words come
from Salisbury, for he too says, "This people
must not exist," and God says, " This people shall
exist" Who will win.^ Surely, the Lord You
now see the artifices which already at that time
were being employed ; also how our people was
willing to surrender its rights, and that the Execu-
tive Raad went so far in yielding that we almost
lost our country. It was not, however, their in-
tention to obtain those rights : they wanted our
country, which was no longer to be independent
All the rest would not have satisfied them.

APPENDIX F 453

Let us take note of this and observe the artful
cunning which this matter implies. They wrote
to the Orange Free State that they had nothing
against that State, but only against this Republic.
They thus hoped to separate the two Republics,
whereas it has appeared from the documents that
neither of the two was to continue to exist. See
the deceit contained in this. For the documents
show that, as early as 1896, after the Jameson
Raid, this was decided upon ; and yet they per-
sisted in declaring that, if the Orange Free State
would lay down her arms, that country would
continue to exist. The Orange Free State then
resolved not to lay down her arms, and together
we began.

We were 40,cxx:) men; but we had to guard
against Kaffirs on every side, and the Com-
mandant of Mafeking had even written to us
that certain Kaffir captains would assist him, and
we know that, altogether, those numbered 30,cxx)
fighting Kaffirs. That number of Kaffirs alone
was almost as great as the number of our com-
batants, while in addition there arrived over 200,cxx:)
English troops. And that was what we had to
fight against.

Honourable sirs, mark the dispositions of God.
Is it not wonderful that 40,000 men should have

454 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

to fight against hundreds of thousands and, in
addition, against a nation of blacks, and that
we should still be alive? Acknowledge God's
hand in this. For it is remarkable that, where
we come in touch with the enemy, we stand almost
in proportion of ten to a hundred, and yet the
Lord has hitherto spared your lives.

I will not take it upon myself to prophesy, but
I will point out to you the guidance contained in
God's Word. That is extraordinary. This war is
a sig^ of the times. It amounts to this, that the
Beast receives the power to persecute the Church
and shall succeed so far until the Lord says,
" Hitherto, but no further." And why ? Because
the Church must be tried and purified, for there
is much evil among us. That is why this war
is an extraordinary one and a sign of the times.

And everyone must be convinced that God's
Word is evident in this. They say that the people
must not exist, but God says, ''It shall exist, but
must be purified." It lies so clear and open in
my mind that the day of Grace is not far off, that
the Lord will show that He is the Ruler and
that nothing shall happen without His consent
When He permits that punishment descends
upon us, we must submit and humble ourselves,
confess our sins and return unto the Lord. Then,

APPENDIX F 455

when the whole nation stands in humility, seeing
that it can do nothing, but only the Lord, then
assuredly we shall at once obtain peace. But this
humility does not yet lie deep enough in our
hearts, and we must do our duty earnestly, as
Peter says in i Peter v. verses 7 and 8 : " Casting
all your care upon Him ; for He careth for you ; "
but in verse 8, however, stands : " Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a
roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour." This is the point respecting which we
must watch and, if we fall into unbelief, we shall
bring ourselves into perdition.

I ask you, brothers, is that a way of acting, as
was done, that Kaffirs should be called up by
letter, and that these, as at Derdepoort, should
murder even women and children ? The English
declared that no Kaffirs were employed against
us, but it is a fact that Montioa, with his Kaffirs,
is in Mafeking and is being employed to fight
against us. More than half of the people in Mafe-
king consists of Kaffirs, who fight against us.

Honourable sirs, you must not think that all
who fight against us belong to the Beast; there
are certainly hundreds of the children of God
among them, who, however, are forced to act as
they do from fear of the Beast; but God knows

456 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

all hearts. We did not seek that the blood that
lies on the ground should be shed, for we had
surrendered all our rights ; but when they wished
to murder us, we could yield no more.

How did it go with Ahab? The mighty
enemy came before the walls of the city, and the
people had lost courage. Then came the prophet
of God and said, " Fear not" Then God arose,
and in that God we must place our trust, for He is
still the same God. Let us, therefore, not live
as though there were no God. He rules. In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was
God, and the Word was made flesh and dwelt
among us. Take note of history, which must
serve us as an example. It is still the same
God Who led Israel from the wilderness and
hardened Pharaoh's heart to the end, until at last
all the first-bom of the Egyptians died, whereupon
Pharaoh allowed the Israelites to depart. It is
still the same God Who stills the winds and storms
upon the sea, and His arm is not shortened.

Some ask. But does that point only to the
Church in the two Republics? No. See the
three youths in the fiery furnace. Did these
rejoice alone ? No, but God's people over the
whole earth. Was it only for Daniel, what
happened in the lion's den ? No, but for all

APPENDIX F 457

Christians over the whole earth. Thus the Lord
often employs a small band, to whom He displays
His miracles as an example for the whole Christian
world.

Look at the blood that has been shed here on
earth. What is the cause of it ? We want peace
and our liberty, ever since 1836, and the Lord has
given them to us, and shall the Lord ever lay His
hand to a thing to withdraw it again .^ No, but
let us humble ourselves before the Lord. There
is no doubt that eventually the Lord will lead us
to victory. The day of Grace is not far off for
His people. Let us not doubt, but remain true
to God's word and fight in His name. When the
water shall rise to our lips and we humble ourselves
earnestly before the Lord, then shall the day of
Grace have come. Let each then acknowledge
that it is the Lord's hand that sets us free and
none other, so that man may not glorify himself.
The Lord only employs man to carry out His will.

I have laid my speech before you, and I hope
that the Volksraad will not sit longer upon it than
to-morrow at latest, as many of the members are
burghers in the field or officers. This is not the
time to discuss ordinary business, and let only
those matters be discussed which I submit to you.
Then I have appointed an Acting Commandant

458 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Genera], for I have lost my right hand, although
I do not mean to convey that I have not more of
such men. I have lost the late Commandant
General, Messrs. Kock and Wolmarans, formerly
members of the Executive Raad. The State
Secretary also is a new appointment, and I alone
remain of all the old members of the Executive
Raad ; nevertheless I find much help and support
in the present members, and God too will support
us, He will give us strength. Let us therefore
fight in the name of the Lord to the end. For the
Lord is our Commander-in-Chief; He g^ves orders
and He knows when to say, " Hitherto, but no
further."

It is wonderful to see how unanimously the
other Powers are on our side, and how all Europe
prays for us with one voice; and shall the Lord
reject those prayers.^ Oh no, trust in the Lord
and let us persevere under Him, and He will
perform miracles. Even if it goes so far that I
am sent to St Helena. For then the Lord will
bring back the people and set it free ; and the same
judgment shall fall upon Babylon, the cause of all
the blood that has been shed. We are fighting
for the liberty that God gave us. I say again :
if brothers from this Raad and private persons,
who fought in the name of the Lord and believed,

APPENDIX F 459

should fall by the sword, then, God s word says it,
they are sacrificed on the altar to the greater glory
of His name and of the glorious Church which is
waiting to be revealed in this sign of the times.
The Church must be tried and purified, and there-
fore I cannot believe that it will be permitted that
we shall be destroyed by this extraordinary war.
The war will last until the Lord says, " Hitherto,
but no further." Keep to that and fight with me.
I place myself in the hands of the Lord. What-
ever He may have decided for me, I shall kiss the
rod with which He strikes me, for I too am guilty.
Let each humble himself before the Lord. I
have spoken.

I certify that the above is a true and faithful
copy.

H. C. DE Bruijn Prince.

APPENDIX G

Circular Dispatch from State President
Kruger to the Commandant General,
Assistant Commandants General and
Officers

Machadodorp, lo June 190a

Flinch not and fall not into unbelief; for the
time is at hand when God's people shall be tried
in the fire. And the Beast shall have power to
persecute Christ, and those who fall from faith
and their Church will know Him not, nor shall
they be allowed to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
But those who are true to the faith and fight in
the name of the Lord, wearing their glorious
crown of victory, they shall be received in the
church of a thousand years and enter into glory
everlasting. Brothers, I beseech you abandon
not your faith, but hold fast by it, and so go
forth and fight in the name of the Lord. Look
well into your hearts. If cowardice hiding there
whispers to you. Fly, you are blasphemers, for

480

APPENDIX G 461

listening to the Tempter you deny your God,
your faith is dead. Believe as you would be
saved that nothing happens here below without
the will of God. Victory and the sword are in
His hands and He gives both to those who fight
in His name. Is not our God the same God Who
led Israel under the power of His miracles out of
the land of Pharaoh.^ Did He not lead them
safely through the Red Sea.^ Did He not hide
them in the thick cloud which was darkness
to the enemy, but light to His children ; for the
column of cloud was built upon the word of
the Lord, and, if we trust Him as they trusted
Him, it shall be our guide also through the dark-
ness, leading our feet safely to the Light. But
he who ceases to believe the word of the Lord
shall perish in the dark prison of his unbelief.
Is not our God the same God Who made water
flow from a rock, refreshing all Israel ? Was He
not the Father of those three youths who chose
death rather than deny Him.^ He is the same
God Who guarded Daniel in the lions' den. The
lions harmed him not, but, when the King com-
manded that Daniel's persecutors should be thrown
into the den, the lions devoured them. Is He not
the same God Who walked upon the waves of the
sea, and, when He commanded Peter to come to

462 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Him, did not Peter, in his faith, obey ? But, when
the strength of his faith left him and he became
afraid of the water, he sank, and the Lord took
his hand and saved him and admonished him for
his want of faith. Is He not our Lord to-day, the
same Lord Who, when the storm raged, laid silence
upon the waves? Is He not the same Lord Who
laid His hands upon the lepers and they were
healed? Is He not the same Lord our Saviour
Who said to His children, " Fear not, be strong
of heart, I will not forsake you, for you be-
lieve in My Father and in Me.** And He pro-
phesied war and judgments of war that we might
not be affrighted ; for these things must be- Is not
our Saviour the same Saviour Who took upon
Himself death and Who rose the third day, remain-
ing for forty days longer among mankind although
the world saw Him not? But they saw Him
when He ascended into Heaven before their
eyes, telling them to fight the good fight and
He would come again. And this same God our
Lord and Saviour, Who has brought us here from
our distant home and given us our liberty and
performed miracles on our behalf, dare we doubt
that He Who commenced this work will finish
it ? No, what He has raised up He will not allow
to fall to the ground. I repeat. He is the same

APPENDIX G 463

God Who helped Gideon and his three hundred
warriors, Who led and strengthened them in battle
and in Whose Hand lies every victory. Dear
brothers, dear brothers, I beseech you, lose not
your faith. Depend each one upon himself and
fight in the name of the Lord. I am told that
every one wishes to go to his own district, in order
to fight there. That will cause confusion, and the
result will be bad or at least without value. Let
everybody fight where he happens to be, under
whatever officer he finds himself; be courageous,
firm, obedient and loyal, for that means victory.
Observe the reports of our Commission from
Europe. Observe the proclamation of Lord Roberts
in the Orange Free State, and you will see that it
is nothing but a decoy-bird. According to Psalm 83,
the enemies of old said that the people shall not
exist in Christ's Kingdom. Salisbury and Chamber-
lain stand convicted by their own words : ** They
shall not exist." But the Lord says, "This
people shall exist," and Christ is our Commander-
in-Chief, Who leads us with His Word. Dear
brothers, once more I pray you, let us not fall
from faith, but follow His commands. He often
leads His children through the barren desert, where
it seems as if they could never get through. But
if we will only trust Him, I assure you He will be

462 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Him, did not Peter, in his faith, obey ? But, when
the strength of his faith left him and he became
afraid of the water, he sank, and the Lord took
his hand and saved him and admonished him for
his want of faith. Is He not our Lord to-day, the
same Lord Who, when the storm raged, laid silence
upon the waves ? Is He not the same Lord Who
laid His hands upon the lepers and they were
healed? Is He not the same Lord our Saviour
Who said to His children, ** Fear not, be strong
of heart, I will not forsake you, for you be-
lieve in My Father and in Me." And He pro-
phesied war and judgments of war that we might
not be affrighted ; for these things must be. Is not
our Saviour the same Saviour Who took upon
Himself death and Who rose the third day, remain-
ing for forty days longer among mankind although
the world saw Him not.^ But they saw Him
when He ascended into Heaven before their
eyes, telling them to fight the good fight and
He would come again. And this same God our
Lord and Saviour, Who has brought us here from
our distant home and given us our liberty and
performed miracles on our behalf, dare we doubt
that He Who commenced this work will finish
it ? No, what He has raised up He will not allow
to fall to the ground. I repeat, He is the same

APPENDIX G 463

God Who helped Gideon and his three hundred
warriors, Who led and strengthened them in battle
and in Whose Hand lies every victory. Dear
brothers, dear brothers, I beseech you, lose not
your faith. Depend each one upon himself and
fight in the name of the Lord. I am told that
every one wishes to go to his own district, in order
to fight there. That will cause confusion, and the
result will be bad or at least without value. Let
everybody fight where he happens to be, under
whatever officer he finds himself; be courageous,
firm, obedient and loyal, for that means victory.
Observe the reports of our Commission from
Europe. Observe the proclamation of Lord Roberts
in the Orange Free State, and you will see that it
is nothing but a decoy-bird. According to Psalm 83,
the enemies of old said that the people shall not
exist in Christ's Kingdom. Salisbury and Chamber-
lain stand convicted by their own words : " They
shall not exist." But the Lord says, "This
people shall exist," and Christ is our Commander-
in-Chief, Who leads us with His Word. Dear
brothers, once more I pray you, let us not fall
from faith, but follow His commands. He often
leads His children through the barren desert, where
it seems as if they could never get through. But
if we will only trust Him, I assure you He will be

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462 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Him, did not Peter, in his faith, obey ? But, when
the strength of his faith left him and he became
afraid of the water, he sank, and the Lord took
his hand and saved him and admonished him for
his want of faith. Is He not our Lord to-day, the
same Lord Who, wh^n the storm raged, laid silence
upon the waves ? Is He not the same Lord Who
laid His hands upon the lepers and they were
healed? Is He not the same Lord our Saviour
Who said to His children, " Fear not, be strong
of heart, I will not forsake you, for you be-
lieve in My Father and in Me." And He pro-
phesied war and judgments of war that we might
not be affrighted ; for these things must be. Is not
our Saviour the same Saviour Who took upon
Himself death and Who rose the third day, remain-
ing for forty days longer among mankind although
the world saw Him not? But they saw Him
when He ascended into Heaven before their
eyes, telling them to fight the good fight and
He would come again. And this same God our
Lord and Saviour, Who has brought us here from
our distant home and given us our liberty and
performed miracles on our behalf, dare we doubt
that He Who commenced this work will finish
it ? No, what He has raised up He will not allow
to fall to the ground. I repeat, He is the same

APPENDIX G 463

462 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Him, did not Peter, in his faith, obey ? But, when
the strength of his faith left him and he became
afraid of the water, he sank, and the Lord took
his hand and saved him and admonished him for
his want of faith. Is He not our Lord to-day, the
same Lord Who, when the storm raged, laid silence
upon the waves ? Is He not the same Lord Who
laid His hands upon the lepers and they were
healed? Is He not the same Lord our Saviour
Who said to His children, " Fear not, be strong
of heart, I will not forsake you, for you be-
lieve in My Father and in Me." And He pro-
phesied war and judgments of war that we might
not be affrighted ; for these things must be. Is not
our Saviour the same Saviour Who took upon
Himself death and Who rose the third day, remain-
ing for forty days longer among mankind although
the world saw Him not.^ But they saw Him
when He ascended into Heaven before their
eyes, telling them to fight the good fight and
He would come again. And this same God our
Lord and Saviour, Who has brought us here from
our distant home and given us our liberty and
performed miracles on our behalf, dare we doubt
that He Who commenced this work will finish
it? No, what He has raised up He will not allow
to fall to the ground. I repeat. He is the same

APPENDIX G 463

God Who helped Gideon and his three hundred
warriors, Who led and strengthened them in battle
and in Whose Hand lies every victory. Dear
brothers, dear brothers, I beseech you, lose not
your faith. Depend each one upon himself and
fight in the name of the Lord. I am told that
every one wishes to go to his own district, in order
to fight there. That will cause confusion, and the
result will be bad or at least without value. Let
everybody fight where he happens to be, under
whatever officer he finds himself; be courageous,
firm, obedient and loyal, for that means victory.
Observe the reports of our Commission from
Europe. Observe the proclamation of Lord Roberts
in the Orange Free State, and you will see that it
is nothing but a decoy-bird. According to Psalm 83,
the enemies of old said that the people shall not
exist in Christ's Kingdom. Salisbury and Chamber-
lain stand convicted by their own words : *' They
shall not exist.'* But the Lord says, "This
people shall exist," and Christ is our Commander-
in-Chief, Who leads us with His Word. Dear
brothers, once more I pray you, let us not fall
from faith, but follow His commands. He often
leads His children through the barren desert, where
it seems as if they could never get through. But
if we will only trust Him, I assure you He will be

462 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Him, did not Peter, in his faith, obey ? But, when
the strength of his faith left him and he became
afraid of the water, he sank, and the Lord took
his hand and saved him and admonished him for
his want of faith. Is He not our Lord to-day, the
same Lord Who, when the storm raged, laid silence
upon the waves ? Is He not the same Lord Who
laid His hands upon the lepers and they were
healed? Is He not the same Lord our Saviour
Who said to His children, *' Fear not, be strong
of heart, I will not forsake you, for you be-
lieve in My Father and in Me." And He pro-
phesied war and judgments of war that we might
not be affrighted ; for these things must be. Is not
our Saviour the same Saviour Who took upon
Himself death and Who rose the third day, remain-
ing for forty days longer among mankind although
the world saw Him not.^ But they saw Him
when He ascended into Heaven before their
eyes, telling them to fight the good fight and
He would come again. And this same God our
Lord and Saviour, Who has brought us here from
our distant home and given us our liberty and
performed miracles on our behalf, dare we doubt
that He Who commenced this work will finish
it ? No, what He has raised up He will not allow
to fall to the ground. I repeat, He is the same

APPENDIX G 463

God Who helped Gideon and his three hundred
warriors, Who led and strengthened them in battle
and in Whose Hand lies every victory. Dear
brothers, dear brothers, I beseech you, lose not
your faith. Depend each one upon himself and
fight in the name of the Lord. I am told that
every one wishes to go to his own district, in order
to fight there. That will cause confusion, and the
result will be bad or at least without value. Let
everybody fight where he happens to be, under
whatever officer he finds himself; be courageous,
firm, obedient and loyal, for that means victory.
Observe the reports of our Commission from
Europe. Observe the proclamation of Lord Roberts
in the Orange Free State, and you will see that it
is nothing but a decoy-bird. According to Psalm 83,
the enemies of old said that the people shall not
exist in Christ's Kingdom. Salisbury and Chamber-
lain stand convicted by their own words : *' They
shall not exist." But the Lord says, "This
people shall exist," and Christ is our Commander-
in-Chief, Who leads us with His Word. Dear
brothers, once more I pray you, let us not fall
from faith, but follow His commands. He often
leads His children through the barren desert, where
it seems as if they could never get through. But
if we will only trust Him, I assure you He will be

462 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Him, did not Peter, in his faith, obey? But, when
the strength of his faith left him and he became
afraid of the water, he sank, and the Lord took
his hand and saved him and admonished him for
his want of faith. Is He not our Lord to-day, the
same Lord Who, when the storm raged, laid silence
upon the waves ? Is He not the same Lord Who
laid His hands upon the lepers and they were
healed? Is He not the same Lord our Saviour
Who said to His children, *' Fear not, be strong
of heart, I will not forsake you, for you be-
lieve in My Father and in Me." And He pro-
phesied war and judgments of war that we might
not be affrighted ; for these things must be. Is not
our Saviour the same Saviour Who took upon
Himself death and Who rose the third day, remain-
ing for forty days longer among mankind although
the world saw Him not? But they saw Him
when He ascended into Heaven before their
eyes, telling them to fight the good fight and
He would come again. And this same God our
Lord and Saviour, Who has brought us here from
our distant home and given us our liberty and
performed miracles on our behalf, dare we doubt
that He Who commenced this work will finish
it ? No, what He has raised up He will not allow
to fall to the ground. I repeat. He is the same

APPENDIX G 463

God Who helped Gideon and his three hundred
warriors, Who led and strengthened them in battle
and in Whose Hand lies every victory. Dear
brothers, dear brothers, I beseech you, lose not
your faith. Depend each one upon himself and
fight in the name of the Lord. I am told that
every one wishes to go to his own district, in order
to fight there. That will cause confusion, and the
result will be bad or at least without value. Let
everybody fight where he happens to be, under
whatever officer he finds himself; be courageous,
firm, obedient and loyal, for that means victory.
Observe the reports of our Commission from
Europe. Observe the proclamation of Lord Roberts
in the Orange Free State, and you will see that it
is nothing but a decoy-bird. According to Psalm 83,
the enemies of old said that the people shall not
exist in Christ's Kingdom. Salisbury and Chamber-
lain stand convicted by their own words : ** They
shall not exist.'* But the Lord says, "This
people shall exist," and Christ is our Commander-
in-Chief, Who leads us with His Word. Dear
brothers, once more I pray you, let us not fall
from faith, but follow His commands. He often
leads His children through the barren desert, where
it seems as if they could never get through. But
if we will only trust Him, I assure you He will be

462 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Him, did not Peter, in his faith, obey ? But, when
the strength of his faith left him and he became
afraid of the water, he sank, and the Lord took
his hand and saved him and admonished him for
his want of faith. Is He not our Lord to-day, the
same Lord Who, when the storm raged, laid silence
upon the waves ? Is He not the same Lord Who
laid His hands upon the lepers and they were
healed? Is He not the same Lord our Saviour
Who said to His children, " Fear not, be strong
of heart, I will not forsake you, for you be-
lieve in My Father and in Me." And He pro-
phesied war and judgments of war that we might
not be affrighted ; for these things must be. Is not
our Saviour the same Saviour Who took upon
Himself death and Who rose the third day, remain-
ing for forty days longer among mankind although
the world saw Him not? But they saw Him
when He ascended into Heaven before their
eyes, telling them to fight the good fight and
He would come again. And this same God our
Lord and Saviour, Who has brought us here from
our distant home and given us our liberty and
performed miracles on our behalf, dare we doubt
that He Who commenced this work will finish
it? No, what He has raised up He will not allow
to fall to the ground. I repeat, He is the same

APPENDIX G 463

464 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

our guide. He who trusts in God's guidance is
under the protection of the King of Kings and
safe through the darkest night. His word is
truth everlasting. See Psalm 92.

Let this be read to all officers and burghers,
for our present sufferings are nothing compared
with everlasting glory. Let us obey our Saviour.

APPENDIX H

Telegram from the State President to the

Commandant General

Machadodorp, t July 190a

Officers and burghers, place all your faith in

the Lord. He is our highest General, Who turns

all hearts whithersoever He will, and He says,

" This danger is Mine," and the final victory is

also in His hand. Now follow our fight from

the beginning until to-day : see if the Lord does

not still stand on our side with miracles, see how

He has blessed our arms, so that as a rule so

few men fall on our side and so many on the

enemy's that, in spite of the great multitude of

troops and guns opposed to us and the thousands

of shots fired at us, the enemy's arms have not

been blessed. Brothers, we rAust have become

unbelievers and lost sight of God's authority, if

we doubt that He is on our side. The enemy

has until now flooded our country with his vastly

superior forces, which we have not been able to
30

466 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

repel on every side ; he has not done so by force
of arms, so that there is no doubt but that an
end will come to this flood and that the victory
will be ours. So do not flinch in the faith and
do not be alarmed because some of us fall away.
The Apostle Paul has already said this before
me in i Timothy. But I look at the matter thus :
some of our burghers, who, overpowered by the
enemy, were obliged to lay down their arms, I
excuse, if they join again at the first opportunity,
in order to go on fighting ; but, when others go
so far as to lay down their arms and take the
oath and not return, then that, according to the
Scriptures, is a falling away from God, though, to
be sure, such men will say, even as the Beast,
that they believe in the Lord. But the Lord says,
•* Show Me thy faith by thy works." And, when
they then perform the works of the Beast, in
order to betray their brothers, then they assume
a faith which is dead. See Revelation xiv. 9, lo :
'' If any man worship the Beast and his image,
the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of
God," and so on. Brothers, any of you who may per-
haps have gone so far, turn back and humble your-
selves before the Lord : He will forgive you ; and
then fight bravely in His name. Read this tel^rram
to the officers and burghers at every opportunity.

APPENDIX I

Circular Dispatch from the State President
TO the Commandant General, Assistant
Commandants General and Officers

Machadodorp, 2^ July 1900.

I see by your report and many other reports
that the spirit of unbelief walketh about like a
roaring lion seeking to make our men lose heart.
Brothers, you must understand, when you let the
enemy pass you and you begin to hesitate whether
you shall attack him or not, you drive the others
who still remain behind, in the whole country,
wherever they hear this, to hesitate and doubt in
their turn ; but, when you do your duty and attack
him wherever he shows himself, then you inspire
our men who have remained on the farms in the
Republic and who hear this with courage to help
in the fighting, though they and we too be but
few. For the victory is not in the hand of the
greater force, but in the hand of the Lord, and
the Lord gives it to them who fight in His name,

4«7

468 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

however few we may be. Listen to the words
of the Lord: **When He forsakes the people.
He blunts its sword and does not bless it ; " and
see, we are convinced of that, that the Lord has
not blunted our sword, but, on the contrary, has
blessed it wonderfully against the enemy. Wher-
ever the enemy attacks us and fires thousands and
thousands of shots at the few of us, our few shots
hit many more of his men than do his of ours.
Is it not the spirit of unbelief that hovers through
the air, to bring us to doubt and thus to make
us guilty before the Lord and to let us doubt
that all is within the power of the Lord? And
has it not yet become evident to you that, as I
said in my former sentence, we live in a time
when we are being tried by faith? He who
stands firm in the Lord can say, with the Apostle
Paul and with Timothy : " Be not discouraged
when you see blasphemers, for some must fall
away." And the Lord Jesus Himself says, in
Matthew xxiv., that there shall be wars and
rumours of wars : '* But see that ye be not
troubled, for all these things must come to pass,
but the end is not yet." Remember i Peter v.
verses 7 and 8 : ** Casting all your care upon
Him ; for He careth for you." And verse 8
says : '* But be sober, be vigilant against the

APPENDIX I 469

Devil, whom resist stedfast in the faith, for he
walketh about like a raging lion seeking whom
he may devour." Then see in Matthew, when the
Evil Spirit took the Lord Jesus into a high mount-
ain and said, ** All these things will I give Thee,
if Thou wilt fall down and worship me." Then
the Lord Jesus said, **Get thee hence, Satan;
thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him
only shalt thou serve." Brothers, mark me, that
is the good fight, to win the crown. And he who
cannot fight the good fight shall not win the
crown. For then he falls and is joined with the
evil spirit of the air, who flies with his great force
over the earth. And so he receives the mark of
the Beast in the forehead and will drink with the
Beast of the wine of the wrath of God. Read
Revelation xiv. verses 9, lo, 12 and 13. Note,
in particular, verse 12, which says: "Here is the
patience of the saints; here are they that keep
the commandments of God and the faith of the
Lord Jesus." No, no, my brothers : let him who
has grown faint-hearted fly to the Lord and re-
main faithful to Him. And by your faithful acts
you will convert thousands more to the faith,
so that they may fight for the liberty which the
Lord has given us. He who says that he believes
in the faith of the Lord Jesus and His works and

470 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

goes with the Evil Spirit, that man's faith is a
dead faith, for the Lord says, "Show me thy
faith by thy works." And see the promise of
the Lord in Psalm io8, where He says that
they who fight through God shall do so valiantly,
and the Lord will deliver them and tread down
their enemies. Keep courage therefore, you God-
fearing band ; the Lord will display His strength
to your weakness. Also I will call your attention
to the history of the American War of Independ-
ence, where they had to fight against hundreds
and thousands, and, although their number was
at length reduced to less than 2,000 men, yet
they conquered and the Lord gave them back
their liberty. Now each of you knows as I do
how unjust and godless the war is, as we were
willing to yield almost everything, if we could
only keep our liberty and our independence. See
Psalm 83, how the evil spirit of the air said
that the valiant fighter named Israel must not
exist, and the Lord says, ** He shall exist."
And see in our declaration, which we sent to
Salisbury, that we only wished to keep our
independence. Then the same spirit answered
that this nation must not exist, or, to use his
own words : "I will not permit your nation to
continue to be a nation." Dear brothers, through

APPENDIX I 471

God's Word I am sure of this, that the victory
is ours. But let us remain true and fight in the
name of the Lord, on the strength of His promise,
and I request the officers often to read and re-read
this notice to the burghers.

INDEX

478 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Annexation of South African Republic by Great Britain in 1877—
Sir T. Shepstone's Mission to Pretoria, etc^ 129.
Annexation accomplished, 135.
Arrival of Sir T. Shepstone in Pretoria, 131.

Burgers', President, Mistakes used to justify Annexation, 127, 12S.
Carnarvon, Lord, Burghers' Petition to, 147.
Commission appointed to discuss Matters with Sir T. Shepstone,

Mr. Kruger a Member of, 131.
Confederation with British Dominions in South Africa, proposed —

Mr. Kruger's Opposition, 132.
Deputations to protest against Annexation —
Commission of Delegates to Europe and America ^pointed to
appeal for Intercession of Foreign Powers, etc^ 138, 143.
Failure to obtaip Intervention, 145.
Second Deputation despatched to England, President Kruger a
Member of, 147.
Expenses, Provision for, 147.
Frere, Sir Bartle, Deputation's Interview with, 148.
Hicks-Beach's, Sir M., Attitude — Refusal to receive Deputa-
tion, Reply to Memorial, etc, 149.
Mass Meeting at Wonderfontein to report on results, 1 54.
Executive Raad's Protest, 136.

** Inherent" Weakness Argument — Failure of Republic to subdne
Secucuni used as pretext for Annexation, 129, 131.
Secucuni's Petition for Peace — ''Duumvirate* Commission to
investigate, Mr. Kruger's Opposition, etc., 132.
Jooste's, Dr., Letter on Nature of Opposition — Mr. Kruger's
Suggestion of a PUbiscite rejected by British Government, 144.
Jorissen's, Dr., Opinion as to the Annexation, 144.
Kruger's, President, Attitude — Sir T. Shepstone's Misstatement,

144, 146.
Kruger's, President, Prevision of Sir T. Shepstone's Intentions-
President Burgers' disregard of President Kruger's Warning,
129.
PUbiscite resolved on, 145.
Result oiPUbisciU^ 147.
Shepstone's, Sir T., Opposition, 146.

INDEX 479

Annexation of South African Republic — continued.
Protest to be taken to England — President Burgers' Proposal,

135.
Repeal of Annexation, Boer endeavour to obtain —

Arrest of Pretorius and Bok on charge of High Treason,

162.
Cape Colony, Appeal to, 1 59.

Cetewayo, Alliance with, proposed — President Kruger's Opposi-
tion, 157.
Gladstone, Failure of Appeal to, i66.
Independence, War of (see that Title).
Kleinfontein Meetings —
Frere, Sir B., Reception o^ IS7*
Joubert's Speech, 156.
Kruger's, President, Speech, 156.
Last Petition to Governor of the Transvaal, 172.
Orange Free State, Support of Request for Repeal, 159.
Petition to British Government, proposed -— Sir B. Frere's

Agreement to forward Petition, 158.
Preparations for War, 166.
Proclamation of British Government offering Self-Govemment

— President Kruger's Opinion on, 163.
Resort to Force proposed, 155, 156.
Kruger's, President, Endeavours to maintain Peace, 155.
Kruger's, President, Warning, 160.
Wonderfontein Meeting —
Kruger's, President, Warning to Butchers, i6a
Popular Resolution against Annexation, 161.
Sand River Convention — ^Annexation a Violation o( 135.
Shepstone's, Sir T., Declaration that he was authorized and pre-
pared to annex the South African Republic — President
Kruger's Protest, 134.
South African War partly due to the Annexation, 136.
Village Population favouring Annexation, 128.
Volksraad Extraordinary Meeting, 131.
Burgers', President, Attempt to exclude Burghers who refused
to pay the Secucuni War Tax, 133.

48o MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Annexation of South African Republics by Gre&t Britain in 1900,

356, 472.
Kruger's, President, Counter Proclamation, 356.
Steijn^ President, Proclamation, 472.
Annexation of the neighbouring Colonies on Outbreak of the War of

1899 — Mr. Steijn's Speech in the Volksraad, 439.
Anstnither, Colonel — Death at Battle of Bronkhorstspniit, 174.
Appendices—A, 377 ; B, 421 ; C, 431 ; D, 437 ; E, 442 ; F, 450 ; G,

460 ; H, 465 ; I, 467 ; J, 472.
April (Kaffir Servant of President Kruger), Literary Attainments of, 16.
Exposure — ApriPs Resentment, 18.
Kaffir Missionary's Difficulties caused by, 18.
Arbitration on Points in Dispute between Great Britain and the
South African Republic — President Kruger's Proposals —
Bloemfontein Conference, 309.
Chamberlain's, Mr., Rejection of Proposals, 281.

Dispatch of 27th July 1899, 315.
Foreign Element other than Orange Free State, Exclusion of —
Condition laid down in Alternative Proposal to Mr. Chamber-
Iain's Joint Commission Proposal on the Franchise Question,
319, 321.
Chamberlain's, Mr., Dispatch of 30th August 1899, and Mr.
Reitz's Reply, 323, 325.
Reitz's, Mr., Letter of 9th June 1899, 31a

Reply, 314.
Ultimatum of 9th October 1899, 345.
Armaments of the South African Republic — Purchase of Arms and
Ammunition after the Jameson Raid —
Defenceless Condition of the Republic, 277.

Further Purchases on Discovery of Mr. Chamberlain's Complicity
in the Raid, 278, 279.
Army of the South African Republic —
Commandant General —
Botha, Mr. Louis, Appointment of, 349.
Joubert, General, Death of, 349.
Kruger's, Mr., Address to, on his Election as President (12 May
1898), 411.

INDEX 481

Army of the South African Republic — continued.
War between Great Britain, South African Republic and Orange
Free State (see that Title).

Balloon Ascent by President Kruger in Paris, 150.

Ballot—First Election by Ballot for the Presidency of the South

African Republic, 291.
Bantjes, Jan — President Kruger's Identity discovered to Mrs. Strij-

dom by, 94.
Bartley West — Diamond Fields discovered in 1870, 119.
Basuto War, First Basuto War — Orange Free State Troubles with
Chief Moshesh, 66.
Kruger's, President, Successful Mediation, 67-70,
Basuto War of 1865—
Council of War at Malap's Town, Decision of, 109.
Brand's, President, Refusal to endorse — Withdrawal of South
African Republic Burghers, i la
Katskatsberg, Fight at— Number of Cattle captured, etc., 109.
Kruger, President, sent to assist the Orange Free Staters, 107.
Malap Mountains, Attack on, 109.
Surprise of Boer Camp by Moshesh, 108.
Belgium — Enthusiasm of President Kruger's Reception in 1900^ 368.
Bezuidenhout, Field Comet — Distress laid on Waggon, 169.
Armed Resistance to Forced Sale — Beginning of the War of
Independence, 170.
Big Game Hunting — President Kruger's Experiences, 19-37.
Birth of President Kruger 3.

Bismarck, Prince — Reception of Boer Delegates in 1884, 201.
Bodenstein, Field Comet — Recapture of Cattle raided by Moshesh

from Orange Free Staters, 66.
Bloemfontein —
Conference between Sir A. Milner and President Kruger at
Bloemfontein, 31st May 1899, 308.
Compliant attitude of the South African Republic and Un-
yielding Attitude of Sir A. Milner, 304, 308, 31a
Kruger's, President, OfTers and Demands, 308.
31

482 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Bloemfontein — continued,

Milner's, Sir. A., Demands, 308.
Conference between South African Republic and Orange Free
State, with the object of bringing about a closer Alliance,
291, 292.
Blue Mountains, Malapoch Punitive Expedition — Efforts of British

Subjects to escape Military Service, 245, 432.
Bok, Mr. W. E.—
Arrest on Charge of High Treason, 162.
Commission of Delegates to England and America, Secretary to^

143-
Secretary to Executive Raad, Appointment, 213.

Secretary to Second Deputation of Protest against Annexation»

147.
BoshofT, President of Orange Free State —
Boer Representative in Transfer of Orange Free State from

British to Boers, 62.
Compact between Orange Free State and South African Republic
^BoshofPs intended Violation averted by President Kniger,
65, 66.
Pretorius^s, M. W., Claims on Orange Free State — Boshoifs
Alliance with Commandant General Schoeman to resist, 63.
Kruger's, President, Opinion on BoshofT's Action, 64.
Retirement, 77.
Botha, Mr. Louis — Appointment as Commandant General, 349, 444.
Boundary between Orange Free State and South African Republic —
President Kruger appointed to represent South African Re-
public in deciding Question, 95.
Brand, President (Orange Free State) —
Basuto War — Refusal to endorse Resolution passed by Council

of War at Malap's Town, i la
Civil War — Advice as to Final Settlement, 102.
Death, 220.

Independence, War of— Peace Negociations, 179.
Offensive and Defensive Alliance between Orange Free State and
South African Republic, Rejection of, 208.
Third Proclamation, Opposition to Publication of, 181.

INDEX 483

British Government —
Annexation of South African Republic in 1877, Attitude as to—

Lord Carnarvon's Statements, 137.
Diamond Fields of South Africa, Contention as to Ownership

(see Diamond Fields).
Jameson Raid Enquiry — Charge against the Government of with-
holding Telegrams proving Mr. Chamberlain's Complicity,
258, 278.
Orange Free State, Handing over to Pretorius on behalf of Boer
Emigrants, 62.
British Policy in South Africa —
Chamberlain's, Mr., Policy of Provocation, 275.
Character of— Lies, Treachery, Intrigue, 122, 249.
Annexation of 1877 a typical Case, 135, 145.
British South African Company (see Chartered Company).
Bronkhorstspruit, Battle of, 173.

Treachery, Charge of, against Boers, 174.
Brown— Bewaarplaatsen Allotment Litigation, Chief Justice Kotz^
disputing validity of Volksraad Resolutions, 286.
Dismissal of the Chief Justice, 289.
Kruger's, President, Defence, 406.
Bubonic Plague Conference — President Kruger's Announcement in

the Volksraad, 424.
Buffalo-hunting — President Kruger's Experiences, 26, 29.
Bunu Question (see Swaziland).
Burger, Mr. S. W. —
Acting President of the South African Republic during President

Kruger's Absence in Europe — Appointment, 358.
Adendorff Trek — Opposition to President Kruger, 232.
Expiration of Term of Office — President Kruger's Aimouncemen

in the Volksraad, 422.
Vice-president of the South African Republic, Nomination,

444.
Burgers, President —

Advanced Views of—- Opposition of Burghers, etc., 124.

Constitution — New Constitution drawn up by Burgers, 133.

Rejection by People, 134.

484 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Burgers, President— cofUinued.
Dissatis&ction among Boighers with the President's Government,

128.
Election as State President, 122.
Kruger's, President, Statement at Inauguration of President
Burgers, 122.
Kruger's, President, Offer to secure Re-election if Burgers would

defend Independence of the South African Republic, 13a
Railway from Lorenzo Marqu^ to Pretoria Project — ^Journey to
Europe to raise Loan, 123.
Opposition of Burghers, 124, 128.
Religious Views, Liberality of-^President Kruger's Disapproval,

etc., 124, 125.
Secucuni War of 1870 (see that Title).
Secucuni War Tax — ^Attempt to exclude from Volksraad Burghers

who refused to pay Tax, 133.
Shepstone's, Sir T., Interviews with, 131.

Shepstone's, Sir T., Mission to Pretoria — President's Disr^^ard of
President Kruger's Warning, 129.
Burgher Rights —
Conditions upon which a Burgher of either Republic should re-
ceive Burgher Rights in the Sister State, 293.
Swaziland Convention, Terms of, 250.

Caledon River Encampment, 6.

Calveyn Chief— Rebellion in Marico District, 192.

Cannibalism among Kafiirs — Evidences discovered by President

Kruger during Expedition to Avenge Potgieter's Murder, 52.
Cape Colony-
Annexation of the South African Republic — Burghers' Appeal to

Cape Colony to support their request for Repeal, 159.
Governor — ^Appointment of Sir A. Milner, 289.
Kaffir Cattle Raids— Boers' Cattle impounded for War Costs after

Recovery by Owners, 3.
Moshette — Montsioa War, Volunteers from the Colony, 192.
Slave Emancipation prior to Trek of 1835, 4.

INDEX 485

Cape Colony — continued.

Tariff War with the South African Republic (see Tariff War).
Carnarvon, Lord (Secretary of State for the Colonies)—
British Government Attitude on the Annexation Question, State-

ments as to, 137.
Petition against Annexation of South African Republic addressed
to, 147.
Celliers, Sarel — Defeat of Matabele Attack on Vechtkop Laager, 8.
Cetewayo's Rebellion (see Zulu War of 1879).
Chamberlain, Mr. J. —
Arbitration — Rejection of South African Republic Proposals, 315.
Dispatches with the object of embittering the British People

against the Republic, Alleged, 279.
Franchise Question, Stages of (see Titles Franchise Question and

Franchise Law).
Home Rule for Johannesburg, Proposed, 279.
Publication of Dispatch in the London Press before it had
reached the Government of the South African Republic,
276.
Invitation to President Kruger to come to England to confer on
Transvaal Matters — Discussion of Article 4 of the London
Convention precluded, 275.
Kruger's, President, Counter Conditions, 276.
Jameson Raid —

Chamberlain's, Mr., Gratitude to the South African Republic
for handing over the Culprits to the British Government,

273-
Complicity, Charge of^ 256, 278.

Enquiry — Charge against the British Government of with-
holding Telegrams proving Mr. Chamberlain's Com-
plicity, 258.
Telegrams cited in evidence of the Charge, 256, 258.
London Convention of 1884 — Violation by the Government of the

Republic, Alleged, 315.
" Second Volksraad of no practical Use " Contention, 224.
Suzerainty Question — Contention that the Convention of 1881
held good, 199, 315.

486 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Chamberlain, Mr. J. — continued.
Tariff War between Cape Colony and the South African Republic
— Mr. Chamberlain's Ultimattmi to the Republic on con-
dition that Cape Colony bore half the cost of a War, 256.
War between Great Britain, South African Republic and Orange
Free State— Reply to Mr. Kruger's Application for Peace
Negoctations — President Kruger's Comments, 452.
Chartered Company —
Formation of, 219.

Shares given to Influential People in England, 218.
Strategic Positions necessary for the Jameson Raid, Negociations

for Extension of Territory, 257.
Swaziland Convention binding South African Republic to assist
the Company, 231.
Chastisement and Punishment, Distinction between, 66.
Chelmsford, Lord — Commander-in-Chief in Zulu War of 1879,
152.
Ulundi, Victory at, 153.
Chief Justice disputing validity of Resolutions of the Volksraad

(see Kotz6).
Chief Justice and Judges of the Supreme Court and State Attorney
— President Kruger's Address to, on his Election as President
(12 May 1898), 399.
Childhood of President Kruger, 4.

Cattle-herding during the Trek of 1835,
Children —
Boer Custom of giving two Animals to each Child as his Special

Property, 5.
Education of Boer Children during Great Trek, 12.
Education, Religion, etc. — President Kruger's Address on his

Election as President (12 May 1898), 240, 417.
Kruger's, President, Children by Second Wife, 15.
Christelijk Gerefomteerde Church —
Kruger's, President, Membership, 83.
Political Disabilities attaching to Membership, 83.

Removal, 84.
Union of Churches in 188 1 not joined by, 233.

INDEX 487

Christiania, Village of— Remnant of Diamond Territory secured by

South African Republic, 122.
Churches of South African Republic —
Dopper or Canting Church —

Kruger's, President, Membership, 83.
Political Disabilities attaching to Membership, 83.
Removal, 84.
State Church — Intention of substituting Dopper for Hervormde as

State Church attributed to Mr. Kruger by Schoeman, 87.
Union between Hervormde and Nederduitsch - Gereformeerde
Church in 1881, 233.
Abandonment of Union — Church Property Dispute, 233, 234.
Conference in 1891 — President Kruger's Attempt to Compose

Quarrel, 234, 235.
Dopper Church remaining outside the Union, 233.
Civil War of 1 861-1864 — Commandant General Schoeman's Violation
of the Constitution-— Armed Opposition to Grobler's Pre-
sidency, etc., 79.
Aapjes River, First Shot fired at, 86.
Abolition of Volksraad and Conferring of Legislative Power on

Executive Raad — General Schoeman's Proposal, 79.
Boundary Question — President Kruger appointed to represent the

South African Republic, 95.
Council of War in Pretoria, 91, 95.
Fighting North of Potchefstroom — President Krugcr's Action,

Flight of General Schoeman, 89.
Fines Collected by President Kruger, 92.

Fresh Complications, President Kruger again called on to inter-
pose, 83.
Heidelberg District Meeting, 92.
Kruger's, President, Amusing Experience on the way to the
Meeting, 92-95.
Jeppe, Steijn's demand for Surrender of, 81.
Joint Commission Meeting near Potchefstroom, Failure to secure

Peace, 87, 88.
Krugei^s, President, Action previous to Outbreak of Hostilities,
79i 831 85.

488 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Civil War of iS6i-i^4-^ofUimted.
Kruger's, President, Refusal to pursue the Enemy after Zwaxtb^je,

98.
Kruger's and Fourie's, Messrs., Mission to the Orange Free State

to carry out Terms of Peace Conference, 102.
Opposition Commission nominated to see that the Government

adhered strictly to the Peace Conference Decisions, loi.
Peace Conference after Zwartkopje, Constitution and Decisions

of, 100, lOI.
Potchefstroom, Fighting at —
Artillery Duel, 88.

Kruger's, President, Stratagem to obtain Release of Prisoners
taken, etc, 95-97.
Pretoria Meeting — Resolution to carry out Volksraad Decision,

85.
Second Joint Commission, President Kruger's Proposals carried,

etc, 90, 91.
Settlement —
Amnesty — President Kruger's Proposal agreed to by the

Volksraad, 102.
Brand's, President, Advice, 102.

Special Court appointed by Volksraad to settle Matters in Dis-
pute, 82, 85.
Court Summoned — Decision in Case of Andries du Toil, 91.
Schoeman's, Commandant General, Action, 83, 85.
Second Joint Commission, Decisions of, 91.
Volksraad's Decision — Deposition of Commandant General
Schoeman, etc, 82, 83.
State Church — President Kruger charged with Intention to com-
pel substitution of Dopper for Hervormde Church as State
Church — Report spread by Schoeman, 87.
Kruger's, President, Statement to Jan Kock, 88.
Steijn, Johannes, Appointment by Schoeman as Commandant

General, 79.
Zwartkopje — Defeat of Schoeman's Party, 98.
Clergy — President Kruger's Address to, on his Election as President
(12 May 1898), 412.

INDEX 489

Closing the Drifts (see Tariff War).

Colesberg — Swaziland Convention, Conference between President

Kruger and Sir H. Loch, 250.
Cologne — President Kruger*s Reception in 1900, 368.
Colonizing Expedition of 1845, President Kruger's Share in, etc.,

14, 15-
Commandant General of the South African Republic —
Botha, Mr. Louis, Appointment of, 444.
Joubert, General Piet, Election of, 171.

Re-election in 1884, 202.
Kruger, President, Election of, 91.

Re-election after the Civil War, 103.
Pretorius, M. W., Appointment, 62.
Communication of the South African Republic and Orange Free
State with the Outer World-
Boer Attempt to acquire Harbour at Durban, la
British Annexation of Sambaanland and Umbigesaland, Trans-
vaal's last Outlet to the Sea cut off, 252.
Company Promoting on Valueless Property — Preventive Measures,
President Kruger's Speech in the Volksraad (12 May 1898),
388.
Confederation of South Africa under the British Flag — Messrs.
Joubert and Kruger deputed to urge Cape Parliament to Opposi-
tion, 164.
Constitution of the South African Republic —
Assimilation of the Constitution of the Orange Free State to that

of the South African Republic, 423.
New Constitution drawn up by President Burgers, 133.

Rejection by the People, 134.
Revision of— President Kruger's Promise —
Kotz^'s, Chief Justice, Opposition to President Kruger's Policy —

Dismissed from Chief Justiceship, 289.
Kruger^s, President, Defence of his Action in regard to Chief
Justice Kotzd, 406.
Schoeman's, Commandant General, Violation of (see Civil War).
Coolies — Residing only in Quarters set apart for them, Mr. Kruger's
Announcement in the Volksraad, 427, 428.

490 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER"

Criticism, Right of—
Kotz6, Chief Justice, adopting the ''Devil's Principle" — Dismissed
from Office, 289 and note.
Kruger's, President, Defence, 406, 41a
Law requiring Judicial Functionaries not to assume the right of
toetsing the Validity of the Laws, 289.
Cronj^, General Piet —
Bezuidenhout's Waggon, Forced Sale of— Cronjd's Armed Resist-
ance to Sale, 17a
Jameson Surrender, 267.
Massouw's Entrenchments, Storming of, 202.

Triumvirate's Proclamation, Printing of— Cronj^s Mission to
Potchefstroom, 172.
Customs Duties Dispute (see Tariff War).
Customs Union for South Africa — President Kruger's Refusal to

Consider, 228.
Convention of 188 1 (see Pretoria Convention).
Convention of 1884 (see London Convention).

David, Kaffir Missionary to Kaffirs, 18.

Delagoa Bay— President Kruger*s Detention at the Portuguese

Governor's House on the way to Europe in 1900, 361.
Delagoa Bay Railway —
Burgers', President, Project, 124.

Opposition of Burghers, 124, 128.
Concession granted to Private Persons — Foundation of Nether-
lands South African Railway Company, 20a
Kruger's, President, Defence of Concession, 201.
Petitions against Concession, 201.
Volksraad's Agreement to Concession, 202.
Grant voted by the Volksraad to enable Burghers to inspect the

whole Railway, 253.
Loan — Failure of Attempt to raise Loan in Holland, 200.
Opening, 253.

Portuguese Government, Conditions imposed by, 229.
Portuguese Offer to Build, 20a

INDEX 491

Delvers Committee Established, 206.
Derby, Lord —London Convention Negociations, 198, 199.
Dispatch enclosing Draft of the London Convention, 282.
Diamond Fields in South African Republic Territory —
Depression among the Poorer Classes-
Relief Measures, etc., President Kruger's Speech in the Volks-
raad (12 May 1898), 386.
Discovery in 1870, 119.

Dispute as to Ownership of Diamond Territory —
Arbitration agreed to by President Pretorius — President

Kruger's Disapproval, 12a
British Government Contention that the Diamond Territory
belonged to Native Chiefs Montsioa and Gasibone,
12a
Christiania, Village o^ retained by South African Republic,

122.
Commission appointed by South African Republic to attend
Discussions of Arbitration Court — Protest against Governor
Keate's Judgment and Pretorius's Action, 122.
Keate's, Governor, Decision in favour of Chiefs, 120.
Mobilo's, Chief, Evidence, 121.

Pretorius, President, Resignation due to Result of Arbitration,
122.
Kruger's, President, Reception by English Miners, 119.
Dikketon^ Value of, 6.

Dingaan's Horde— Attack on Boer Settlers in Natal, la
Dinizulu, Son of Cetewayo— Land granted to Boers in return for

Assistance against Usibepu, 208.
Doornkop— Surrender of Dr. Jameson to Commandant Cronj^,

267.
Dopper or Canting Church —
Derivation and Meaning of Dopper^ 83, 84.
Foundation in 1859, 83.
Kruger, President, a Member, 83.
Political Disabilities attaching to Membership, 83.

Removal, 84.
Tenets of, etc, 84.

494 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Farrar, Mr. —
Jameson Raid, Signature of Johannesburg Letter of Appeal, 26a
Sentence for Conspiracy at Johannesburg and Complicity in the
Jameson Raid, 274.
Father of President Kruger, 3.

Portuguese Frontier Delimitation, Commissioner in 1844, '4-
Federal Council, Constitution of, for the two Republics, 292.
Federation of South Africa under the British Flag — Messrs. Joubert
and Kruger deputed to urge Cape Parliament to Opposition, 164.
Fick, Chief Commandant of Orange Free State —
Basuto War — ^Attacks on Malap Mountains and Katskatsberg, 109.
Kruger's, President, Mission to Moshesh — General Fick serving
as Escort, 67.
Field Comet, Appointment of President Kruger as, 41.
Financial Condition of the South African Republic in 1885, 203.

Gold-fields Discovery, Effect of, 205.
Fischer, Mr. Abraham —
Jameson Raid, disposal of Culprits — ^Advice to the Commandants,

272.
State Secretary of the South African Republic — Refusal of Ap-
pointment, 298.
War of 1 899-1 902, Intervention of Foreign Powers — Member of
Deputation to Europe, 350.
Floods in the South African Republic in 1893, 241.
Foreign Relations of the South African Republic —
Kruger's, President, Speech in the Volksraad, 422.
(See also Titles Intervention and London Convention.)
Foreigners (see Uitlanders).

Forts in Chartered Company's Territory built by Mr. Rhodes, 219.
Foster, Mr. B. — Connection with Adendorf Trek, 231.
Foster, Murder of, by Edgar in 1898, 302.
Fouch^, Field Comet D. — Officer who prevented Dr. Jameson from

turning the Boer position near Krugersdorp, 267.
Fourie —
Mission to the Orange Free State, 102.

Peace Conference after Zwartkopje — Delegate] for Schoeman's
Party, loa

INDEX 495

France —
Kruger's, President, Visit in 1877 — Failure to obtain Intervention,

145.
President's Reception of Boer Delegates in 1884, 200.
Press Exposi of English Methods of Warfare — President Kruger's

Thanks, 368.
Welcome to President Kruger on his Journey through France in
1900, 364-368.
Franchise Question— Uitlanders' Grievances —
Bloemfontein Conference (see that Title).

British Government Decision to formulate their own Proposals for
a Final Settlement (25 September 1899), 329, 330.
Reitz's, Mr., Inquiry as to the Promised Dispatch, and Mr.

Chamberlain's Reply, 331.
Steijn's, President, Correspondence with Sir A. Milner, 335,

342.
British Subjects refusing to take the Field with the Burghers in

1884 — President Kruger on, 432.
Chamberlain's, Mr., Highbury Speech — "The Sands are running

down in the Glass,** 321.
Commission, Appointment of, by the British Government— Mr.

Chamberlain's Dispatch (30 August 1899), 322.
Reitz's, Mr., Reply, 324.
Conference between President Kruger and Sir A. Milner — Mr.

Chamberlain's Proposal (30 August 1899), 323.
Reitz's, Mr., Reply, 326.
Draft Law of 1899, Provisions of, 313.

Failure of Negociations, Causes of — President Steijn's Corre-
spondence with Sir A. Milner, 337.
Gold-fields, Representation in the Volksraad, Increase in, proposed,

318.
Great Britain's Demands —
" Devilish Fraud " — President Kruger's Protest against British

Pharisaical Hypocrisy, 451.
Kruger's, President, Speech in the Volksraad, 431, 432.
Inadequacy of Reforms — Further Demands by the Uitlanders'

Council and the South African League, 321.

496 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Franchise Question — continued.
Intervention by Great Britain (see that Title).
Joint Commission for Revision of Law of 1899-^Mr. Chamberiain^
Proposal (i August 1899), 316.
Acceptance by Government of South African Republic (2 Sep-
tember 1899), 327.
Alternative Proposal by Government of South Africa, 317, 3i8»
320, 328.
Chamberlain's, Mr^ Reply of 30th August, 323 — Mr. Cham-
berlain's Contention that he had accepted Proposal, 323.
Lapsing of Proposal — Mr. Reitz's Letter of 2nd September,

324.
Reitz's, Mr., Reply of 12th August, 316.

London Convention, Violation of— Charge against Mr. Chamber-
lain, 316.
Smuts's, Mr., Interviews with Mr. Greene, 317, 221.
Withdrawal of Proposal by the British Government —
Greene's, Mr., Letter and Mr. Reitz's Reply, 327, 328.
Steijn's, President, Dispatch of 27th September 334.
Kruger's, President, Proposals — Effect on Plans of Mr. Chamber-
lain and Sir A. Milner, 305.
Phillips's, Mr., Statement that '' We do not care a ^g for the Fran-
chise," 261.
Second Volksraad, Institution of, 222.
Burghers' Approval, 223.
Kruger^s, President, Responsibility, 222, 224.
Opposition to, 223.
Powers of Second Volksraad, 224.
Uitlanders' Dissatisfaction, 224.
Vote for, etc., Conditions of obtaining, 222, 223.
Seven Years' Franchise —
Retrospective Franchise —
Afrikander Leaders' Proposal, 314.

Smuts's, Mr., Interview with Mr. Greene on 15th Ai^^t 1899,
317.
Yielded by the Republic — President Kruger's Speech in the
Volksraad, 451.

INDEX 497

Franchise Question — continued,
Steijn's, President, Mediation — Correspondence between Sir A.
Milner and President Steijn, 331-342.
Negociations — Removal of British Troops from Borders of
South African Republic Stipulated for, 340.
Uitlanders' Council Dissatisfaction, 315.
Volksraad —
New Members— Permission to speak their own Language, Mr.
Greene's Letter of 12th September 1899, and Mr. Reitz's Reply

327, 329-
Opening — Announcement in the President's Speech, 422.

War of 1 899-1 902 forced on the Republic, Franchise Question

used as a Pretext, 304, 307.

Fraser, Mr., Acting British Agent in Pretoria— Refiisal to receive

Petition on Uitlander Grievances, 306.

Frere, Sir Bartle —

Annexation of 1877 —

Deputation of Protest against Annexation, Interview with Sir

B. Frere, 148.

Kleinfontein Meetings —

Dishonest Conduct of Sir B. Frere in the Matter of the

Burghers' Petition against Annexation, 158, 165.

Reception at, 157.

Open Letter to Messrs. Kruger and Joubert distributed among

Burghers, 154.

Arrival in Cape Town, 134.

Kruger and Joubert, Messrs., Invitation to, during their Mission to

Cape Town, 165.

Invitation refused, 166.

Zulu War of 1879— Request to President Kruger to accompany

Expedition, 152.

Kruger's, President, Refusal, 153.

Frontier Commission —

Appointment, etc., 196.

Massouw declared Independent, 202.

498 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Gangrene, Boer Remedy for, 37.
Gasibone, Chief-
Diamond Fields discovered in 1870— British Government cooten-
tion that Territory belonged to Montsioa and Gasibone,
12a
Expedition against — President Kruger Assistant General, Success
of Expedition, etc., 70-73.
Gelderland— Dutch Warship in which President Kruger journeyed to

Europe, 362, 363, 364.
German Emperor unable to receive President Kruger owing to a

Hunting Engagement, 369.
Germany —
Enthusiastic Reception of President Kruger, 368, 369.
Kruger's, President, Visit in 1877— Failure to obtain Interven-

tion, 145.
Reception of Boer Delegates in 1884, 201.

Veterinary Congress at Baden-Baden — South African Republic
Representative, President Kruger's Announcement, 424.
Gold-fields of the South African Republic —
Bewaarplaatsen^ Change in Method of Allotment — Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court challenging Validity of the Resolutions of
the Volksraad, 286.
Dismissal of the Chief Justice, 289.
Kniger's, President, Defence, 406.
Company Promoting of Valueless Property — Precautionary
Measures, President Kruger's Speech in the Volksraad (12
May 1898), 388.
Delvers Committee Established, 206.

Depression among the poorer Classes, Relief Measures — Warning
to the Gold Field Banks, etc — President Kruger's Speech
delivered at his Inauguration as President (12 May 1898},
386.
Discovery of, 203, 205.
Beneficial Results, 205.

South African War largely due to Discovery, 136, 203.
Johannesburg, Origin of^ 205.
Population of the Witwatersrand, Character of, 204.

INDEX 499

Gold-fields of the South African Republic— ^^/iriitf^^

Progress of Mining Industry — Value of Gold extracted, etc.,

President Kruger's Announcement in the Volksraad, 427.
Representation on the Volksraad — Increased Representation pro-
posed, 318.
Rhodes's, Mr., Determination to Secure, 22a
War of 1 899-1902 — Gold-fields the first and principal Cause of, 136,
203.
Goshenland —
Foundation of, 193.

Incorporation with Cape Colony due to Mr. Rhodes, 217.
Government of the South African Republic —
Charge of Secret Dealing with Rooigronders, 193.
Government resuming Office, Appointment of Triumvirate, etc,

171.
Self- Government offered by British Government — President

Kruger*s Definition of, 163.
War of 1 899-1902 — Transfer of the Government from Pretoria —
Machadodorp, 352.
Nelspruit, 355.
Great Britain — Relations with the South African Republic (see

Titles British Government, British Policy, Intervention, etc).
Great Trek of 1836, 7.
Education of Children during the Trek, 12, 13.
Losses sustained by Boers, 12.

Moselikatse's Attack on Vaal and Rhenoster Encampments, 8.
Resolutions enacted by Emigrants — ^Treatment of Natives,
etc, 7.
Greene, Mr. Conyngham — Withdrawal from Pretoria on Declara-
tion of War, 346.
Gregorowski, Judge —

Trial of the Johannesburg Reformers by, 274.
Griqualand, West — Diamond Fields discovered at Kimberley, 119.
Grobler, Johannes — Acting President of the South African Republic

during absence of President Pretorius, 78.
Grobler—Peace Conference after Zwartkopje — Government Dele-
gate, 100.

500 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Grobler, Piet—
Consul to Lobengula, Appointment, 214.
Murder by Khama's Kaffirs, 215.
Pension paid to Widow, 216.

Hague, President Kruger at, 369, 37a
Hammond, Mr. —
Jameson Raid, Signature of Johannesburg Letter of Appeal, 26a
Sentence for Conspiracy at Johannesburg and Complicity in the
Jameson Raid, 274.
Harris, Dr. Rutherfoord — Negociations on behalf of Mr. Rhodes for

Extension of Chartered Company's territory, 257.
Hays, Mr. J. — ^Jameson Raid, Signature of Johannesbui]g Letter of

Appeal, 260.
Heidelberg —
Franchise Reform Proposals — President Kruger's Meeting, 505.
Gold Fields, Discovery of, 205.

Meeting during Civil War — President Kruger's Meeting with the
young Boer, who announced that Kruger had better not come,
92.
Herholdt and Hofmeyer, Messrs. — Franchise Law Simplification,

Mission to Pretoria, 314.
Hevormde Church —
Resolution of Council, Conferring Equal Rights on Burghers of all

Evangelical Churches, 84.
State Church of the South African Republic, 83.
Substitution of Dopper Church as State Church — Intention
attributed to President Kruger by Schoeman, 87.
Union with Nederdeutsch-Gereformeede Church in 1881, 233.
Abandonment of Union — Property Dispute, 233, 234.
Conference of 1891 — President Krugei's Failure to Compose
Quarrel, 234, 235.
Hicks- Beach, Sir M., and the Boer Deputation of Protest against
Annexation —
Memorial, Reply to, 149.
Refusal to receive Deputation, 149.

INDEX 501

Hilversum, President Kruger at, 370, 371.

Hofmeyer, Jan. — Swaziland Convention, Work in securing First

Convention, 23a
Hofmeyer and Herholdt, Messrs. — Franchise Law Simplification,

Mission to Pretoria, 314.
Hogg, Major W. S. (H.M. Special Commissioner)— Letter to Com-
mandant General Pretorius requesting him to take over Orange
Free State on behalf of the Boer Emigrants, 62.
Holland —
Boer Delegates of 1884, Reception of, 200.
Kruger's, President, Visit in 1877— Failure to obtain Intervention,

145.
Kruger's, President, Life in, 369-372.
Queen of Holland and President Kruger —
Offer of Warships for Journey to Europe, 362.
Reception of President Kruger, 37a
Home Rule for Johannesburg —
Chamberlain's, Mr. J., Proposal, 276.

Publication of the Dispatch in the London Press before it reached
the Government of the South African Republic — Protest, 276.
Hudson — Dispute with President Kruger, as to name of South

African Republic, 185.
Hunting Experiences of President Kruger, 19-37.

Illness of President Kruger, 37a

Inunigration Restriction — President Kruger*s Views on, 19a
Importation of Goods — Registration Fees for Goods Imported Free
— Provisional Agreement with the Orange Free State — President
Kruger's Announcement in the Volksraad, 424.
Independence of the South African Republic —

Paardekraal Declaration, 171.

Salisbury's, Lord, Reply to Boer Demand during War of 1 899-1902,
Independence, War of (1880-1881) —

Ammunition, Scarcity of, among Boers, 173.

Ammunition taken from the English, 182, 183.

Armistice, English Request for, 178.

502 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Independence, War of (1880-1881) — conHnued.
Boer Generals serving in, 175.
Boer Losses, English Exaggeration o^ 182.
Boer Plan of Operations, 173.
Bronkhorstspruit, Battle of, 173, 174.

Treachery, Charge o^ against Boers, 174.
Heidelberg, Occupation of, 172.
Kaffirs called out against Boers, 173.
Kruger's, President, Mission to Magato's Kaffirs, I75~i78-
Majuba Hill, Battle o^ 175.
Number of Boer Forces, 173.
Number of Men engaged on either side, 183.
Paardekraal Mass Meeting, Meeting forbidden. Participants pro-
claimed Rebels, 171.
Resolutions, 171.
Peace Negotiations —
Boer and British Representatives, 178.
British Colonial Secretary's Instructions, 179.
Joritsen's, Dr., Third Proclamation drawn up by President
Kruger's Order, 8a
Brand's, President, Opposition to Publication, 181.
Pretoria Convention (see that Title).

Provisional Protocol, Signature by Messrs. Kniger and Joubert,
183.
Terms of, 183.

Wood's, Sir £., Attempt to evade Signature, 181.
Royal Commission —
Appointment and Constitution, 184.
Difficulties in Composition of, 179.
South African Republic deprived of Power of Interference in

Native Quarrels,
Swaziland taken from South African Republic, 227.
Potchefstroom — First Shot fired, 172.
Preparations for War, 166.
Taxes, Refusal to pay — Armed Resistance to forced Sale of

Bezuidenhout's Waggon, 17a
Territory claimed by Great Britain, 179, 183, 185.

INDEX 503

Independence, War of, in the Free State — A. W. J. Pretorius' Com-
mand, 41 noU,
Industrial Commission, Appointment of, 283.
Government Measures for carrying out Suggestions, 285.
Report, 284.
Industrial Resources, Development of—President Krugei's Views,

19a
Intervention of Foreign Powers —
Annexation of 1877 — Commission of Delegates empowered to

Appeal for, 138.
Failure to obtain Intervention, 145.
Kruger, President, a Member of Commission, 139, 143.
War of 1 899-1902 — Deputation to Europe, 350.
Intervention by Great Britain in the Internal Affairs of the Republic —
Cape Ministry's Note — Intervention unnecessary, 315.
Condition laid down in Alternative Proposal to Mr. J. Chamber-
lain's Joint Commission Proposal on the Franchise Question,
318, 321.
Chamberlain's, Mr., Dispatch of 30th August 1899, and Mr.
Reitz's Reply, 322, 325.
Independence of the Republic, endangered by Suzerainty Claim —

Mr. Reitz's Letter of 15th September 1899, S^^*
Milner's, Sir A., Telegram of 31st August 1899, urging prompt and

decided Action, 324.
Need for Intervention — Sir A. Milner's Dispatch to Mr. J.

Chamberlain, 307.
Steijn's, President, Dispatch of 27th September 1899, 334.
Ultimatum of 9th October 1899 — Final Protest by the Republic,

344.
Violation of London Convention of 1884 — Charge against Mr.

Chamberlain, 316.

Isandlhwana, British Defeat by Zulus, 153.

Jameson, Dr. —

Matabeles, Expedition against, 220.
Raid (see Jameson Raid).

504 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Jameson Raid —
Advance of the Raiders — Dr. Jameson ignoring all requests to

withdraw, 265, 266.
Chamberlain, Mr. J., Charge of Complicity, 256^ 278.
Committee of Enquiry — Charge against the British Govenunent
of withholding Telegrams proving Mr. Chamberlain's Guilt,
258.
Telegrams cited in Evidence of the Charge, 257, 258.
Deputation of Reformers to Pretoria demanding Permission for

Dr. Jameson to enter Johannesburg, 265.
Excitement among the Burghers — Desire to shoot down die

Johannesburg " den with all the rebels in it," 269.
Ignorance of the Transvaal Authorities, 261.
Johannesburg, Disturbed Condition of, Arms and Ammunition,
Concealment of, in the Simmer and Jack Mine, 257.
Committee to maintain Order, Appointment of, 265.
Deputations to President Kruger in support of the Government,

264.
Flight of thousands of Inhabitants, 263.
Mediation— Sir H. Robinson's Offer, 266, 268.
Phillips's, Mr. Lionel, Attack on the Govemment, 260.
Police confined to Barracks in order to avoid a Collision, 263.
Proclamations by President Kruger stating that the Conspirators

constituted only a small part of the population, 264, 273.
Reformers' Letter of Appeal — Undated Letter handed to Dr.

Jameson to serve as an excuse for Invasion, 260.
Unconditional Surrender— President Kruger*s Terms, 269, 272,

273-
Volunteer Corps organized by the Reform Committee, 263.

Work of the Transvaal National Union, in raising and maintain-
ing a ferment at Johannesburg, 257.
Kruger, President — Charge of keeping a Horse saddled ready for

flight, 264 fu>^e.
Krugersdorp Engagement, 267.
Letter from Sir Jacobus de Wet to Dr. Jameson, 226.
Proclamation by Sir H. Robinson calling upon Dr. Jameson and
his force to withdraw across the Frontier, 266.

INDEX 505

Jameson Raid — continued.
Punishment of Culprits —
Kruger's, President, proposal to hand over Jameson and his men

to the British Government, 271.
Chamberlain's, Mr. J., Gratitude, 273.
Objections by the Commandants, 271.
Penalties inflicted, 273.
Reform Leaders at Johannesburg — Arrest and Trial for Con-
spiracy, 273, 274.
Rhodes, Colonel, sent to Johannesburg to represent Mr. Rhodes, 259.
Rhodes's, Mr., Plans and Intrigues, 256.

Strategic Positions on the Frontier Negociations for Extension of
Chartered Company's Territory, 257.
Jeppe (only Printer in the South African Republic) —

Steijn's demand for Surrender o^ 81.
Johannesburg —
Dynamite Explosion of 19th February 1896, 274.
Franchise Reform, President Kruger's Proposals, 305.
Home Rule — Mr. Chamberlain's Proposal, 276.
Publication of the Dispatch in the London Press before it
reached the Government of the South African Republic —
Protest, 276.
Jameson Raid (see that Title).
Jorissen, Dr., appointed as Special Judge, 221.
Kruger's, President, Visit in 1887, 206, 207.
Kruger's, President, Visit in 1888, 221.
Insult to President Kruger, 224.

Riot before house where President Kruger was staying — Flag of
the Republic hauled down, 225.
Loch's, Sir H., proposed Visit, Abandonment of, on President

Kruger's Advice, 248.
Municipality — President Kruger's Promise, 221, 273.
Origin of, 205.
Railway Connection with President Kruger's Action, 305 (see

Railways).
South African League —
Branch at Johannesburg, Formation of, 301.

5o6 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Jameson Raid — continued.
South African League — continued.
Meeting to protest against Arrests for Contravention of the

Pass Law — Hostile Demonstration, 301.
Petitions to the Queen on Uitlander Grievances, 305, 306.
Jones, Policeman — ^Action in shooting Edgar in attempting to arrest

him for Murder — Mr. Chamberlain's Misrepresentations, 302.
Jooste's, Dr., Letter in the ZuidAfrikaan — ^Annexation opposed only
by a handful of Irreconcilables, 144.
Kruger's, President, Reply— Suggestion of a Plebiscite rejected by
British Government, 144,
Jorissen, Dr. —
Annexation of, 1877 —
Attitude as to, 144.
Commission appointed to discuss Affiurs with Sir. T. Shepstone,

Member o( 131.
Commission of Delegates to Europe and America, Member o^

139, 143-
Burgers', President, Discovery of a Useful Servant to the State, 123.

Burgers', President, Supported by, 133.

Dismissal from State Attorneyship— President Kruger's Protest, 197.
Independence, War of, — Peace Negociations of 1881 — Boer Re-
presentative, 178.
Third Proclamation drawn up at President Kruger's Request,
i8a
Brand's, President, Opposition, 181.
Special Judge for Johannesburg — Appointment, 221.
Joubert, Christian — Church Union of 188 1, Leader of Seceders from,

233.
Joubert, Commandant Frans — Battle of Bronkhorstspruit, Joubert's

Success, 174.
Joubert, Commandant — Secucuni War, Retreat due to lack of Re-
inforcements, 126.
Joubert, General —
Adendorff Trek— Opposition to President Kruger, 232.
Burgher Volunteers in the Moshette — Montsioa War — Mission to
Recall, 192.

INDEX 507

Joubcrt, General — continued.
Commandant General, Election as, 171.

Re-election in 1884, 202.
Commissioners for the Western Border, Appointment, 193.
Death of, 549.

Gold-fields Discovery, Reception of News, 2a4«
Independence, War of—-

Boer Losses, Extent of, 182.

Provisional Peace Protocol, Signature of, 183.
Massouw, Ejcpedition against, 202.
Military, Capacity of, 175.
Peace, Maintenance of^ in 1879—

Failure of Mission to Natal, 156.

Support of President Kruger, 155.
Presidency of South African Republic —

Candidature in 1882, 189.

Candidature in 1888, 213.

Candidature in 1893, 235.
Second Deputation of Protest against Annexation, Member of,

147.
Shepstone's, Sir T., Attack on, 149.
Triumvirate of 1880, Member of, 171.
Joubert, Petrus Jacobus —
Death of—
Kruger's, President, Comments in the Volksraad, 438.
Judges of the Supreme Court — Kruger's, President, Address on his

Election as President (12 May 1898), 399.
Judicial Functionaries and Criticism — Law requiring a Promise not
to assume the Right of ioetsing the Validity of the Laws,
289.

Kaffir Chiefs, Expeditions against (see Names of Chiefs).
Kaffirs (see Native Question).
Kampen — President Kruger's Visit, 371.

Keate, Governor of Natal — Decision as Arbitrator in the Diamond
Fields Dispute, 12a

5o8 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Khama — Piet Grobler murdered by Khama's Kaffirs, 215.

Pension paid to Grower's Widow, 216.
Kimberley —
Diamond Fields discovered in 1870, 119
Rebellion of Mining Population, 206.
Klerksdorp Gold-fields, Discovery of, 205.
Klopper, Christian — President of the South African Republic

VoUcsraad, 82.
Kock, Jan— Joint Commission at Potchefstroom, State Church

Question, 87.
Korannas (see Massouw, Chief).

Kosi Bay — Cession to Transvaal by Swaziland Agreement, 230.
Kotz^ Chief Justice —
Disputing Validity of Resolutions of the Volksraad, 286.
Dismissal of the Chief Justice, 289.
Kruger's, President, Defence, 406.
Jorissen, Dr., Dismissed by, 197.
Presidency, Candidate for, in 1893, 235.
Kraep, Jan. — Secretary to Messrs. Kruger and Fourie on their

Mission to the Orange Free State, 102.
Kruger, Caspar Jan Hendrik, Father of President Kruger, 3.
Portuguese Frontier Delimitation Commissioner, 1844, 14.
Kruger, Gert (Unde to President Kruger), 3.
Kruger, Mrs. (First Wife>— Death of, 15.
Kruger, Mrs. (Second Wife) —
Death of, 371.
Separation from the President on his departure from PFetoria,

351-
Kruger, Nicholas (Brother to President Kruger), 27.

Kruger, Piet (Son of President Kruger) — Member of Mission to

Magato's Kaffirs, 176.
Kruger, Theunis (Uncle to President Kruger), 3, 23.
Hunting Experiences shared with President Kruger, Panther-
killing, 32.
Krugersdrop —
Gold-fields, Discovery o^ 205.
Jameson Raid Engagement at, 267.

INDEX 509

**Kwaaie Vrouw" — President Kruger's reference to Queen Victoria,
292.

Language (see Dutch Language).
Lanyon, Sir O. —

Kleinfontein Meeting, Presence at, 158.

Succession to Sir T. Shepstone — the fitness for Post, etc, 1 54.
Leijds, Dr. —

Envoy Extraordinary of the South African Republic in Europe,
Appointment, 298.

Kruger, President, bringing Dr. Leijds from Holland, 201.

State Secretary of the South African Republic, Election as, 213.
Re-election, 298.

Suzerainty Question, Reply of i6th April 1898, 282.

Swaziland Agreement, Draft Proposals — Dr. Leijds's Denial that
he had signed and approved Draft Deed, 229, 25a

Western Border Disturbances, Mission of Dr. Leijds, 195.
Leonard, Mr. Charles —

Jameson Raid, Signature of Johannesburg Letter of Appeal,' 260.

Uitlanders' Grievances, Manifesto, 261.
Liebenberg Vlei — Home of Kruger Family, la
Lion-hunting — President Kruger's Experiences, 21, 22.

Canine Fidelity, 22, 23.

First Lion Hunt, 19.

Roar produced by treading on Body of Lion shortly after death,
20.
Livingstone — Arms repaired and stored for Bechuana Chief Secheli,
44.

Little Free State — Permission granted to Transvaal to Annex, 230.
Lobengula —
Matabele Disturbances (see Matabeleland and Mashonaland).
Relations with South African Republic Consul, Request for Ap-
pointment of, 214.
Murder of Consul Piet Grobler by Khama's Kaffirs, 215.
Treaty placing Country under Protectorate of South African
Republic, 214.

5IO MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Loch, Sir Henry —
Interview with President Kniger at Nerval's Point, 225.
Pretoria Visit —
British Demonstration offensive to the Burg^hers, 247.
Volksraad Resolution, 248.
Swaziland Question —
Conference at Blignautspont, 228.
Draft Proposals, 229.
Transvaal National Union —
Deputation — Correctness of Sir H. Loch's Public Attitode^

Charge of Treachery, 249.
Johannesburg proposed Visit, Abandonment o^ on President
Kruger's Advice, 248.
Lombard, Stephanus — President of Commission Appointed to Act in

Schoeman Affair, 82.
London Convention, 1884 —
Article 4 — Foreign Relations of the Republic, Interpretation of—
Difference of Opinion between Mr. Chamberlain and the
South African Republic, 280.
Text of Article 4, 280 note.
Chamberlain's, Mr., Invitation to President Kruger to visit
England to confer on Transvaal Matters — Discussion of
Article 4 of the London Convention precluded, 275.
Kruger's, President, Counter Conditions, 276.
Closing the Drifts to Goods from over the Seas — Violation of the

Convention,255.
Deputation from South African Republic resulting in Grant of
London Convention, 196.
England willing to receive, 197.
Members of Deputation, 197.
Negociations with Lord Derby, 198, 199.
Railway Concession — Foundation of the Netherlands South

African Railway Company, 200.
Railway Loan, Failure to raise, 200.
Reception on the Continent on return Journey, 200, 201.
Robinson, Sir H., President Kruger's Collision with,
199.

INDEX 511

London Convention, 1884 — continued.
Franchise Question — President Kruger's Speech in the Volksraad,

431, 432, 433-
Intervention of Great Britain in the Internal Affairs of the

Republic (see that Title).
Natives, Dealings of South African Republic with — Conditions of

Convention, 194.
Signature of Convention, 199.
Stellaland and Goshenland Difficulties — Transvaal Government

unable to intervene under the Convention, 193.
Suzerainty Question (see that Title).
Terms of Convention, 198, 199.

Violation of, by the South African Republic — Mr. Chamberlain's
Contention —
Dispatch of 1897, 28a
Dispatch of 27th July 1899, 315.
Lorenzo Marques — Detention of President Kruger at the Portuguese

Governor's House on the way to Europe in 1900, 361.
Lorenzo Marques to Pretoria Railway (see Delagoa Bay Railway).
Lottering (Kaffir Girl) — Attempt to prevent Grobler's Murder, 215.
Loubet, President — Reception of President Kruger in 1900, 367.
Louis Trichardt, Village to be so called to commemorate the
Expedition against the rebellious Tribe of Ramapulaan —
President Kruger's Announcement in the Volksraad, 426.

Machado, Governor, Kindness of, during President Kruger's deten-
tion at Delagoa Bay in 1900, 361.

Machadodorp — War of 1899 1902, Transfer of the Government from
Pretoria to Machadodorp, 352.

Machem, Chief — Raids in Makapaanspoort District, President
Kruger's successful Expedition, etc, 11 2-1 14.

Magato, Chief-
Aid given to English in War of Independence — President

Kruger's Mission to Magato, 175-178.
Escape from Moselikatse, 11.
President Kruger introduced to Moshesh by Magato, 67.

512 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Mahura, Chief-
Diamond Fields Dispute — Mahura included with Chiefs Waters

boer and Montsioa in Arbitration, 120.
Gasibone Expedition, Action in — Submission, Appointment as
Chief in place of Gasibone, etc., 72, 73.
Majuba Hill, Battle o^ 175.

War of 1 899-1902 — " Revenge for Majuba Hill," A cause of, 13S.
Makapaan, Chief— Expedition to avenge Attack on Women and
Children travelling between Zoutpansberg and Pretoria, 48, 49^
End of Resistance — Kaffirs starved into surrender, etc^ 52.
M akapaanspoort —
Kruger's, President, Visit to Kaffir Chiefs in 1868, 114.
Machem, Chief^ Subdued by President Kruger, 112-114.
Capture of Kaffir Women, 113.
Restoration in consideration of Machem's good behaviour, 1 14.
Makatese Tribes — Submission to Zulu Chief, Moselikatse, 8.
Malan, Commandant — Conditions of Dr. Jameson's Surrender, 267

268.
Malan, Jacob— Conmiand of Aapjes River Post in Civil War, 85.
Malapoch, Expedition against — British Subjects' Efforts to escape

Military Service, 245, 246, 432.
Malmaine Gold Fields, Discovery o^ 205.

Mamagati, Chief— Trial and Punishment for fiedse Informaticm lead-
ing to Potgieter's Attack on Strijdpoort, 12.
Mampur — Murder of Chief Secucuni — Expedition to punish Mampor,

191.
Mankoroana, Kaffir Chief—
Montsioa, Assistance to, in his War with Moshette — Ofier to
English Volunteers, 192.
Mansvelt, Prof., Education Laws of 1882 drafted by, 242 note.
Mapela, Chief—
Kruger, President, "fetching Mapelo down firom his Mountain,' 68.
Moshesh, Connection with, 68.
Potgieter, Herman, Murder o^ 47, 48.
Expeditions to avenge Murder — President Kruger Assistant

General, 49, 53, 54.
Trial, 68 note.

INDEX 513

Mapoch, Chief, Protection of Mampur, Secucuni's Murderer —

Expedition against Mapoch, 191.
Maraba's Town — Expedition to recover stolen Cattle, commanded by

President Kruger, 53.
Marabastad — Chief Settlement in Zoutpansberg District, 112.
Marais, Commandant Jan, Officer of Schoeman's Party induced to

accompany President Kruger to Pretoria, 92.
Mar6 — Boer Representative in Peace Negociations of 188 1, 178.
Marriage — Civil Marriage regarded as Natural Rite by the Boers

14 note.
Marriage of President Kruger —
First Marriage in 1842 [Miss Maria du Plessis], 13.
Second Marriage [Miss G. S. F. W. du Plessis], 15.
Marseilles — Welcome of President Kruger on Arrival in 1900, 364,

365.
Mashonaland — Mr. Rhodes's Intrigues (see Matabeleland and

Mashonaland).

Massouw —

Moshette — Montsioa War, Share in — Offer of Land to White

Volunteers, 192.

Defeat of Opponents, 193.

Revolt in 1885 — Success of Boer Expedition— -Massouw is killed,

etc., 202.

Matabele Disturbances —

Boer Encampments, Matabele Attack on, during Great Trek, 8.

Protection of Women and Children, South African Republic offer

of assistance to the British Government, 262.

Zeerust, Defeat of Matabele by Boers at, 9.

Matabeleland and Mashonaland — Cecil Rhodes's Intrigues to avert

ascendancy of South African Republic, 214, 216.

Annexation of Territory, 219.

Charter granting Right to certaia Monopolies and Independent

Action, Means used to obtain, etc., 218, 219.

Chartered Company, Formation oi^ 219.

Concession obtained from Lobengula, 218.

Gold, Failure to discover, 226.

Irish Faction in British Parliament, Attempt to unite, 218.

514 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Matabeleland and Mashonaland — continuecL
Massacre of Mashonas by Lobengulai Punishment of— Death of

Lobengula, 22a
Matabeleland and Mashonaland, Intrigues to avert ascendanqr of
South African Republic —
Murder of Grobler due to Mr. Rhodes, etc«, 216.
Robinson, Sir H., Treaty with Lobengula, 217.
Meijer, Lucas — Election as President of New Republic, 208.
Menit jes — Delegates for Schoeman's Party at the Peace Conference

after Zwartkopje, loa
Methuen, Lord, Capture of, by De la Rey — President Kmger's Desire

for Lord Methuen's Release, 372.
Military Service —
Exemption of Persons not in possession of full Burgher Rights on

payment of a certain sum of Money, 247.
Malapoch Expedition, Efforts of British Subjects to escape
Military Service, 245, 246, 432.
Milner, Sir A. —
Anti-British Movement among the Afrikander Population, Alleged,

306.
Autocratic Character of, 29a
Governor of Cape Colony and High Commissioner for South

Africa, Appointment in 1897, 289.
Partisanship, Charge of, 304.

Policy — '' The power of Afrikanderdom must be broken," 29a
Swaziland, Bunu Question — Interference of Sir A. Milner,

30a
Uitlander Grievances —
Conference with President Kruger at Bloemfontein, 31st May

1899 — Unyielding Attitude of Sir A. Milner, 308.
Intervention, Need for — Dispatch to Mr. Chamberlain, 307,

324.
Mining Committee established, 206.

Mining Industry —
Bewaarplaatsen^ Change in Method of Allotment — Chief Justice
of Supreme Court challenging Validity of Volksraad's Resolu-
tions, 286.

INDEX 515

Mining Industry — continued.
Dismissal of Chief Justice, 289.

Kruger's, President, Defence, 406.
Company Promoting on Valueless Property — Precautionary
Measures, President Kruger's Speech in the Volksraad (12
May 1898), 388.
Delvers Committee established, 206.
Depression among the Poorer Classes — Relief Measures, President

Kruger's Statement (12 May 1898), 386.
Industrial Commission, Appointmemt of, 283.
Government Measures for carrying out Suggestions, 285.
Report, 284.
Progress in — Value of Gold extracted — President Kruger*s An-
nouncement in the Volksraad, 427.
Mission of President Kruger — Early Prophecy, 4.
Missionaries — Boer Attitude towards, 44, 45.
Mobilo, Chief— Evidence in the Diamond Fields Arbitration, 121.
Montsioa, Chief-
Appeal for Protection to South African Republic, 194.
Proclamation by South African Republic of Protectorate over
Chiefs Moshette and Montsioa, 194.
British Government disallowing Proclamation — Proclamation
recalled, 195.
Diamond Fields discovered in 1870 — British Government Con-
tention that Territory belonged to Montsioa and Gasibone,
12a
Expedition against, in 1853 — President Kruger's Action, etc,

55-58.
Moshette, War with, 192.

Suzerainty of Great Britain over Montsioa's Territory declared, 195.

Moselele, Chief— Murders committed by, in South African

Republic, 42.

Moselikatse, Chief —

Friendly Relations with South African Republic, 214.

Great Trek of 1836—

Attack on Boer Encampments, 8.

Defeat by Boers at Zeerust, 9.

5i6 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Moselikatse, C\i\ti— continued.
Potgieter's Expedition of 1839, Failure of, la
Raids of— Expedition against, 22.
Tyranny of, 8, 121.
Moselikatse Pass — Potgieter's Attackon, in 1840^ 11.
Moshesh, Chief—
Basuto War of 1865 (see that Title).
Gift of Saddle Horse to President Kruger, 70.
Orange Free State, Troubles with, 66.

Kruger's, President, Success in negodating Peace, 67-70.
Polygamy, Views on, 69.
Moshette, Chief-
Protectorate proclaimed by South African Republic, 194.

Proclamation disaUowed by Great Britain and recalled, 195.
War with Montsioa— Offer of Land to English and Boer Volun-
teers, 192.
Defeat of Opponents, 193.

Stellaland and Goshenland founded by White Volunteers, 193.
Transvaal Proclamation forbidding Burghers to volunteer, 192.
Volunteers' Refusal to Obey, 192.
Mother of President Kruger, 3.

Name of the South African Republic — Name Transvaal State
retained under Pretoria Convention, 185.
Kruger's, President, Persistance in Use of Name South African

Republic, 185.
Restoration of Name South African Republic by London Conven-
tion, 185.
Natal-
Boer attempt to treat for Acquisition of Land, Failure of, la
Railway Communication with Johannesburg, Schemes for —
Kruger's, President, Rejection of, 205, 207, 208.
Scheme agreed to by President Kruger at First Swaxiland
Convention, 231.
National Union (see Titles Transvaal National Union and Reform
Committee).

INDEX 517

Native Chiefs —
Arms, Smuggling of— Livingstone's Breach of Sand River Con-
vention, 44, 45.

Expeditions against (see Names of Chiefs).
Independence, War of—

Aid given to English by Magato, 176.
Kaffirs called out against Boers, 173.
Raids into Cape Colony, 4.
Royal Commission of 1881 — South African Republic deprived of

Power of Interference in Native Quarrels, 192.
Swaziland Convention — South African Republic debarred from
treating with Natives in North and North- West by First
Convention, 231.
Native Question —
Arms for the Natives — Livingstone's Breach of Sand River Con-
vention, 44, 45.
Boer Treatment of Natives —
Children captured in Warfare, Disposal of, 52, 114.
Great Trek of 1836 — Resolutions, etc, 7.
Principle followed in dealing with Native Tribes, 45.
Cannibalism, Evidences discovered by President Kruger during

Expedition to avenge Potgieter's Murder, 52.
Krugei's, President, Opinions on — Speeches of 1882 and 1888, 46

noUy 19a
Labour —
Difficulties in dealing with Kaffir Servants, 15.
Industrial Commission, Suggestions and Government Measures,
284, 285.
Political Nature of Question — President Kruger*s Attitude towards
the Natives, 45 note.
Native Territories (see their Names).
Naturalization Laws of the South African Republic, 222.

Bloemfontein Conference Proposals, 308, 309.
Nederduitsch - Gereformeerde Church — Union with Hervormde

Church, 233.
Nelspruit, Transfer of the Government of the South African Republic
during the War of 1899-1902, 355.

520 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Phillips, Mr. Lionel —
Attack on the Government, Speech at Opening of Chamber of

Mines New Buildings, 260.
Franchise— Mr. Phillip's Statement that **Wc do not care a fig

for the Franchise," 261.
Jameson Raid, Signature of Johannesburg Letter of Appeal, 26a
Sentence for Conspiracy at Johannesburg and Complicity in the
Jameson Raid, 274.
Pittius, Gey van. Administration of Goshenland, 193.
Plague— Bubonic Plague Conference — President Kruger's Announce-
ment in the Volksraad, 424.
Plessis, Louw du — Serving the Guns in Battle against Secheli, 43.
Plessis, Miss Gezina Suzanna Frederika Wilhelmina du.

Marriage with President Kruger (see also Kruger, Mrs.).
Plessis, Miss Maria du —

Marriage with President Kruger, 13.
Death, 15.
Population— Number of Male White Population of South African

Republic, 147.
Portugal, Attitude of, during the War of 1 899-1902 — President

Kruger's Detention at Delagoa Bay, 361.
Portuguese Possessions in South African Frontier — Commissions of

1884 to determine, 14.
Postma, Dr. — Founder of Christelijk'Gertformeerde Church, 83.
Potchefstroom — Wedding of President Kruger, 14.
Potgieter, Andries (son of Herman) — Murder by Chief Mapela,

48.
Potgieter, General Piet — Command in Expedition to avenge Murder
of Herman Potgieter, 49.
Death— Rescue of Body by President Kruger, 51.
Potgieter, Hendrik —
Commandant and Leader of the Great Trek of 1836-37,
Election as Commandant for Life, 41 note.
Expedition of 1839 against Moselikatse —
Failure of, la

Kruger, President, taking part in, 10^ 11.
Matebele, Pursuit and Defeat of, at Zeerust, 9.

INDEX 521

Potgieter, Hendrik — continued.

Moselikatse Pass — Storming of Kaffir Town in 1840, 11.
Strijdpoort — Attack on Rooi Kaffirs due to false Information,
12.
Potgieter, Herman — Murder by Chief Mapela, 47, 48.

Expedition to Avenge — President Kruger's Exploits, 50, 52.
Pott, Consul-General — President Kruger's Visit on his way to

Europe, 360.
Presidency of the Orange Free State —
Boshof^ President, Retirement of, jy.
Pretorius, M. W., Election of, 77.
Reitz, F. W., Election of, 220.
Steijn, Judge M. T., Election of, 291.
Presidency of the South African Republic —
Acting President during President Kruger's absence in Europe —

Appointment of General Schalk Burger, 385.
Ballot — First Election under the New Law, 1897, 291.
Burgers, Thomas Francois, Election of, 122.
Candidates in 1893, 235.

Election of 1893— Violence of Electoral Struggle, 235.
Grobler, Johannes — Acting President during absence of Pretorius,

78.
Joubert's, General, Candidatures, 189, 213.
Kruger, President —
Acting as President after the Annexation of 1877, 139.
Candidature in 1882, 189.
First Candidature, 129.
First Presidency, 190.

Expiration, 209.
Fourth Presidency, 1898, 297.

Speech on Installation, 297 note, 298.
Inauguration — Speeches (12 May 1898).

Kruger's, President, Speech, 383.
Requested to become a Candidate, 122.
Second Presidency, 1888, 213.
Third Presidency, 1893-1898, 239.
Protest by Joubert Party, 239.

522 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Presidency of the South African Republic — continued,
Pretorius, M. W. —
Election in 1858, 63, 77.
Resignation of, 78, 122.
Robinson's Candidature supported by President Krug«r, 122.
Volksraad Resolution that State President should hold no other
OflSce, 78.
Pretoria —
Kruger, President, Departure of, 359*
Loch's, Sir H., Visit.
British Demonstrations offensive to the Burghers, 247.
Volksraad Resolution, 248.
Occupation by Lord Roberts in June, 1900^ 353.
Railway to Lorenzo Marques (see Delagoa Bay Railway).
Swariland Convention — Conference between President Kruger and
Sir H. Loch, 250.
Pretoria Convention of 188 1 —
Dissatisfaction among Burghers — Convention accepted with

Reservation, 184.
Kruger's, President, vain Appeal to Gladstone, 184.
Name "Transvaal State," Retention of, 185.
Suzerainty Clause, Opposition to, 185.
Pretorius — Murder by Basutos, 107.
Pretorius, Commandant General A. W. J. —
Death of, 61.
Independence, War of. Command in — Election as Commandant

General of Potchefstroom and Rustenburg Districts, 41 note.
Montsioa, Chief, Expedition against, 56.
Potgieter's, Herman, Murder, Avenging Expedition conunanded

by, 46, 49-
Sand River Convention, 41.
Pretorius, President —
Annexation — Election as Chairman of Plebiscite Committee, 146.
Arrest on Charge of High Treason, 162.
Liberation of Pretorius by Force — ^Attempt prevented by Kruger

and Pretorius, 162.
Release on Bail, 162.

INDEX 523

Pretorius, President — amtinued.
Civil War-
Joint Commission — Pretorius serving for Schoeman's Party on

Second Joint Commission, 90.
Opposition Commission, Member of, loi.
Peace Conference after Zwartkopje — Delegate for Schoeman's
Party, 100.
Commandant General of the South African Republic, Appoint-
ment, 62.
Diamond Fields Dispute, Agreement to Arbitration in — President

Kruger's Disapproval, 120.
Gasibone, Expedition against — Appointment of President Kruger

as Assistant General, 7a
Kruger's, President, Mediation between Orange Free State and

Moshesh, Pretorius sharing in, 66.
Orange Free State —
Claims to Government of, 62, 63.
Boshoffs, President, Armed Resistance, 63.
Compromise effected, 65.
Kruger's, President, Mediation, 64.
Election of Pretorius as President, 77.
Resignation of Presidency, 98.
Peace, Maintenance of, in 1879 — Support of President Kruger,

155-
Peace Negociations of 188 1, Boer Representative in, 178.

Presidency of South African Republic —
Election in 1858,63,77.
Resignation, 78.
In Consequent of Upshot of Diamond Fields Dispute, 122.

President of Government of South African Republic, Appoint-
ment, 63.

Proclamation of the British Government offering Self-Govemment
tolthe South African Republic — Reading at Nauwpoort, etc,
163.

Return from Orange Free State, 82.

Secucuni War — President Kruger's Recommendation of Pretorius
to serve as Fighting General, 125.

524 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Pretorius, President — continued.
Triumvirate of 1880, Member of, 171.

Zoutpansberg Expedition — Failure to supply President Kmgerwidi
Ammunition, iii.
Prinsloo — Peace Conference after Zwartkopje — Government Dele-
gate, loa
Proes, State Attorney of South African Republic, 82.
Punishment and Chastisement, Distinction between, 66.

Queen Victoria — ^^kwaaie vrouwi^ President Kruger's Jest, 292.

Railways —
Extension of Railways — President Kruger's Views on, 190.
Johannesburg, Access to, by Rail — President Kruger refusing Re-
quests of Cape Colony and Natal till Delagoa Railway should
be finished, 205, 207.
Indignation in Cape Colony, 208.
Kosi Bay and Strip of Land ceded to Sooth African Republic for

Railway Construction, 230.
Natal Scheme for Railway to Johannesburg —
Kruger's, President, Acceptance of Scheme, 228.
Swaziland Convention Scheme agreed to, 231.
Orange Free State Railways, President Kruger's Proposals, 207.

Acceptance of, 221.
Profits Division Proposal (see Tariff War).

Tariff, Reduction of — Industrial Commission Suggestions and
Government Measures, 285.
Ramapulaan Native Tribe Revolt, Expedition against — President

Kruger's Announcement in the Volksraad, 426.
Red Cross Abuses, alleged, during the War of 189^1902 (see War).
Reform Committee —
Arrest and Trial of Reform Leaders in January 1896, 273, 274.
Deputation to Pretoria to demand permission for Dr. Jameson to

enter Johannesburg, 265.
Name adopted by the Transvaal National Union, 263.

INDEX 525

Reform Committee — continued.
Rhodes, Colonel, the only man who understood his business, 264.
(See also Transvaal National Union.)
Reitz, F. W.—
Character of, 220.

Franchise Question, Stages of (see Title Franchise Question).
President of Orange Free State, Election as, 220.
State Secretary of the South African Republic, Election as, 298.
Religious Advancements of South African Republic — President

Kruger's Views on, 19a
Rensburg, Adrian van — Hunting Experiences shared with President

Kruger — Elephant Hunting, 29, 32.
Rensburg, President van —
Civil War — ^Joint Commission at Potchefstroom, Proposals, 87.
Special Court Established by Joint Commission summoned by
President, 91.
Nomination as Acting State President of the South African
Republic, 83.
Retief, Piet, Murder of, la
Rhenoster Encampment — Moselikatse's Attack, 8.
Rhinoceros-hunting — President Kruger's Experiences —
Adventure with Cow Withamoster^ 23, 26.
Thumb blown off by Explosion of Rifle, 34.
Rhodes, Cecil —
Adendorff Trek, Opposition to, 231, 232.
Character Political Creed, etc, 216, 218.
Closing the Drifts, Retaliatory Action as Premier of Cape Colony

255, 256.
Delvers Conmiittee, Member of, 106.
Financial Influence, 217.
Gold-fields of South African Republic, Determination to secure

22a
Imperialistic Dreams, 214.
Jameson Raid (see that Title).
Kruger's, President, Attempt to win over, by offer of Delagoa Bay,

217 note.
Political Career in Cape Colony, 217.

526 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Rhodes, Cecil — continued.
South African Repubhc Western Frontier Question^ Mr. Rfaodes's

Mission, 193, 196.
Stellaland and Goshenland — Incorporation with Cape Colony doe

to Cecil Rhodes, 217.
Swaziland Question —
First Convention, Influence in, 231.
Presence at Conference, 228.
Rhodes, Colonel, and the Jameson Raid —
Only man among the Reformers who understood his businesSi

264.
Representative of Cecil Rhodes in Johannesburg, 259.
Sentence for Conspiracy at Johannesburg and Complicity in the

Jameson Raid, 274.
Signature of Johannesburg Letter of Appeal, 26a
Ring presented to Mr. Kruger by English Friend of the Boers, 15a
Roberts, Field Marshal Earl —
Bronkhorstspruit, Battle of— Revival of Charge of Treachery

against the Boers, 174.
War of, 1 899-1 902 (see War).
Robertse, Frans, wounded by first shot fired in War of Independence,

172.
Robinson — Candidate for Presidency supported by President Kruger,

122.
Robinson, Sir H. (High Commissioner)—
Johannesburg, Disturbed State of— Offer of Mediation, 266, 268.
Kruger*s, President, Esteem for, 199.
London Convention Negociations — Collision with President

Kruger, 199.
Matabele Disturbances —
Reply to South African Republic offer of Assistance, 262.
Treaty with Lobengula, 217.
Suzerainty Question, Opinion on, 281.
Swaziland, Opinion as to Annexation of Swaziland by South

African Republic, 227.
War of Independence, Peace Negotiations, Royal Commission-
Sir H. Robinson, a Member of, 184.

INDEX 527

Roets, Field Comet of Heidelberg District — Friendly Reception of
President Kruger, 92.

Rooi Kaffirs of Strijdpoort — Potgieter's Attack on, due to false In-
formation, 12.

Rooigrond, Capital of Goshenland, 193.

Roos, Tielman — President Kruger's Teacher, 13.

Rooyen, Van — Assistance rendered to President Kruger during
Battle against Secheli, 43.

Rotterdam — President Kruger's Visit, 371.

Rowlands, Colonel — Command of Secucuni Expedition, 151.

Royal Commission of 1881 (see Independence, War of, Peace
Negociations).

Rustenburg — President Kruger's Meeting with reference to Franchise
Reform, 305.

Salisbury, Marquis of, and the War of 1 899-1 902 —
Reply to President Kniger's Application for Peace Negociations —

President Kruger's Comments, 439, 452.
Statement that the Republics would not be allowed to retain a
shred of Independence, 35a
Sambaanland —
Annexation by England, Protest of the Transvaal, 252.
Incorporation with the Transvaal, proposed, 228.
Sand River Conventions-
Annexation of 1877, A violation of, 135.
Kruger, President, Accompanying Pretorius,
Livingstone's Breach of — Storing and repairing Arms for
Natives, 44.
Scheveningen — President Kruger's Visit to Mr. Wolmarans, 371.
Schoeman, Commandant General —
Agreement to assist President Boshoff, 63.
Mapela Expedition of 1858, Command of, 54.
Violation of the Constitution of the South African Republic (see
Civil War).
Schoeman, Marhtinus — Escorting President Kruger on his Mission
to Moshesh, 67.

528 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Schoemansdaal, Village 6f^ abandoned owing to Kaffir Attacksi

III.
Scholtz, Chief Commandant — Command in ^echeli Expedidoo of

1849, 42*
Confiscation of Livingstone's Arsenal, 44.
Schoolmasters and Mistresses — President Kniger's Address on bis

Election (12 May 1898), 419.
Schoonkloof Farm — President Krugei's Accident, i iol
Schutte, Commandant— Expedition against Montsioa, endeavour to

dissuade Kniger from attacking, 57.
Secheli Expedition of 1849.
Kniger, President Deputy Commandant — Share in Fighting, etc,

42,44-
Secheli's Accusation against President Kruger, 44.

Second Volksraad (see Franchise Question).
Secucuni, Chief-
British Claim to Territory of^Expedition under Colonel Row-
lands, 151.
Murdered by Mampur, 191.
Wolsele/s, Sir G., Subjection of, 159.
Secucuni War of 1876.
Annexation of South African Republic by Great Britain, Failure of

Secucuni War a Pretext for, 129, 131.
Burgers', President, determination to accompany the Commando

— President Kruger's Refusal to Command, 125.
Causes of, 124.
Failure of Main Attack, 126.

Fighting Generals recommended by President Kniger, 125.
Magali Chief, Successfiil Attack on, 126.
Peace, Secucuni's Petition for, 126, 131.

Tax levied by President Burgers for Maintenance of Outposts —
Burghers refusing to pay Tax, 127.
Burgers', President, Attempt to exclude non-paying Burghers
from the Volksraad, 133.
Kruger's, President, Opposition to Tax as illegal, 127.
Secucuni's Town—President Kruger's Thumb blown oiT by Explosion
of Rifle, 34.

INDEX 529

Self-Govemment offered to South African Republic by British

Government, President Kruger's Definition of, 163.
Shaw, Miss Flora — Telegraphic Correspondence with Mr. Rhodes,
showing Mr. Chamberlain's knowledge of the Jameson Raid,
257, 258.
Shepstone, Offy — Adviser to King of Swaziland, Appointment, 227.
Shepstone, Sir Theophilus —
Annexation of the South African Republic vin 1877 — Mission to

Pretoria, etc. (see Annexation).
Kruger's, President, attitude on the Annexation Question, Mis-
statement as to, 144.
Presence in Pretoria during the Secucuni War Tax Dispute, 127.
Reply to Petition against Annexation — Attack on Messrs. Kruger

and Joubert, 149.
Zulu War of 1879— Request to President Kruger for Assistance,

153-
Simmer and Jack Mine — Arms and Ammunition concealed in, at

the time of the Jameson Raid, 257.
Sister Republic (see Orange Free State).
Slaves — Emancipation by the English prior to Trek of 1835, Method

of Payment of Compensation, 4.
Smit, General —

Independence, War of—
Peace Negotiations — Proposal to renew Hostilities, i8a
Services in, 175.
London Convention Deputation, Member of, 197.
Smit, Nicholas — Fighting General in the Secucuni War, Appoint-
ment on President Kruger's Recommendation, 125.
Smith, Jimmy — Presentation of American Children's Address to

President Kruger, 352.
Smuts, Mr. J. C. —
Character Sketch, 299.

State Attorney of the South African Republic, Appointment, 298.
Snijman, Commandant General —
Civil War— Order to surround Schoeman, etc., 86.
Nomination as Commandant General of the South African
Republic, 83.
34

530 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

South African Committee — Charge against the British Government
of keeping back Telegrams which proved Mr. Chamberiain's
knowledge of the Jameson Raid, 25S, 278.
South African League —
Franchise Question — Insufficiency of Reforms, Alleged, Further

Demands, 321.
Johannesburg Branch —
Formation of, 301.
Meeting to protest against Arrests for contravention of the Pass

Law — Hostile Demonstration, 301.
Petitions to the Queen on Uitlander Grievances, 305,
306.
Spain, King of— Reception of Boer Delegates in 1884, 2ool
Speeches by President Kruger in the Volksraad (12 May 1898), 383 ;
(I May 1899), 421 ; (2 October 1899X 43h 435 » (7 May 1900),
442 — Explanatory Speech, 450.
Speeches delivered at the Inauguration of President Kruger as State

President (12 May 1898), 377.
Standard Bank — Refusal to advance Money to the South AfiicaD

Republic in 1885, 203.
State Attorney of the South African Republic —
Jorissen, Dr., Dismissal of, 197.
Smuts, Mr. J. C, Appointment of, 298.
State President of the Sonth African Republic (see Presidency).
State Secretary of the South African Republic —
Fischer, Abraham, Election of—Refusal of Appointment, 298.
Leijds, Dr. —
Election of, 213.
Re-election, 298.
Reitz, Mr. F. W., Election of, 298.
Steijn, Douw, of Bulhoek Farm, Grandfather of President

Kruger, 3.
Steijn, Elisa, Mother of President Kruger, 3.
Steijn, Johannes —
Commandant General, Appointment by Conmiandant General

Schoeman, 79.
Jeppe, Demand for Surrender of, 81.

INDEX 531

Steijn, President —
Annexation of the Orange Free State by Great Britain — President

Steijn's Proclamation, 471.
Character Sketch, 291.
Election as President, 291.
Speech at Annual Session of the Volksraad of the Orange Free

State (2 April 1900), 437.
War between the South African Republics and Great Britain —
Orange Free State, Attitude of — Correspondence with Sir. A.

Milner, 331, 333.
Speech in the Volksraad — Orange Free State ranging herself on the
side of the Sister Republic, Announcement (2 April 1900), 437.
Stellaland and Goshenland —
Difficulties (see Western Frontier Question).
Foundation of, 193.

Incorporation with Cape Colony due to Mr. Rhodes, 217.
Strijdom, Mrs. — Mr. Kruger's amusing Experience with, 93.
Strijdpoort in Waterberg District, Potgieter's Attack on — Rooi Kaffirs

mistaken for Moselikatse's Men, 11.
Supreme Court — Chief Justice Kotz^ disputing the Validity of Resolu-
tions of the Volksraad, 286.
Dismissal of the Chief Justice, 289.
Kruger's, President, Defence, 406, 408.
Suzerainty Question —
Abolition of the Suzerainty by the Convention of 1884— South
African Republic Contention, 281, 282.
Derby's, Lord, Dispatch, 282.
Leijd's, Dr., Reply of i6th April 1898, 232.
Robinson, Sir H., Opinion of, 281.
Chamberlain's, Mr. J., Contention that the Convention of 188 1 held

good, 281, 283, 315.

Chief Justice, Dismissal of, Appeal to the English Suzerainty —

Mr. Kruger's Defence of the Dismissal of the Chief Justice, 408.

Condition laid down in Alternative Proposal to Mr. Chamberlain's

Joint Commission Proposal on the Franchise Question, 319, 321.

Chamberlain, Mr., Dispatch of 30th August 1897 and Mr. Reitz's

Reply, 323 325.

532 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Suzerainty Question — continued.
Independence of South African Republic endangered by British

Claim — Mr. Reitz's Letter of 15th September 1899, 328.
Kruger's, President, Statement in the Volksraad uncontradicted

by England, 201.
London Convention — Repeal of Suzerainty, 199.
Swaziland —
Annexation of Swaziland by South African Republic, Proposal,
227, 228.
Kruger's, President, Efforts in favour of, 228.
Opposition in England, 227.
Bunu— Murder of Umbaba and refusal to appear before the
Supreme Court at Bromersdorp, 299.
Armed Force sent into Swaziland by Govemm^t of South

African Republic, 300.
Flight of Bunu to Zululand, 30a
Milner's, Sir A., Interference, 30a

Punitive Measures — Agreement between the Government of the
Republic and Sir A. Milner, 301.
Convention of 1893, 231.
Conferences between President Kruger and Sir H. Loch at

Colesberg and Pretoria, 250.
Terms of, 25a
Convention of 1894, 252.
Clause deciding Cases within the Competence of the Supreme
Court, Addition of, 301.
First Convention, 231.
Government of Swaziland handed over to Committee of Boers and

Englishmen, 227.
King Umbandine's Request for a British Adviser, 227.
Preliminary Agreement — Draft Proposals, 229, 230.

Kruger's, President, Refusal to Accept, 23a
Swaziland Question — Swaziland taken from South African Re-
public by Royal Commission of 188 1, 227.
Transfer to South African Republic — Swazi Opposition, Deputa-
tion to England, 251.
Winton's, Sir F., Interview with General Joubert, 228.

INDEX 533

Swimming the Vaal in Flood, in order to visit his Betrothed —
President Kruger's daring, 13 note.

Tariff War resulting from Transvaal Government Scheme for equal
division of Railway Profits between Cape Colony, Natal and the
Transvaal, 254.
Cape Government Objections, Alternative, proposed, 254.
Cape Railways Reduction of Tariff, 254.

Closing the Drifts — Reply of the South African Republic to the
Cape Waggon Transport Policy, 255.
Chamberlain's, Mr., Ultimatum to the Republic — Condition that

Cape Colony should bear half the Cost of War, 256.
London Convention, Violation of, 255.
Netherlands South African Railway, Raising Tariff, 254.
Waggon Transport from the Cape Frontier to Johannesburg, 254.
Tempus (President Kruger's Horse) —
Death of^ due to tse-tse Flies, 32.
Habits of, 29.
Theunissen, N. (brother-in-law) — Hunting Experiences shared with
President Kruger —
Buffalo-hunting, 27.

Rhinoceros-hunt Adventure — Thrashing administered to President
Kruger for Recklessness, 25.
Toit, Andries du — Special Court Decision in Case of, 91.
Toit, Pastor du—
Commissioner of Western Border, Appointment, 194.
Education, Tenure of Office as Director of, 242 note.
Flag of South African Republic hoisted over '* Proclaimed'' Terri-
tory on Western Border, 194 note.
Jorissen's, Dr., Dismissal from State Attorneyship— Share in, 197.
London Convention Deputation, Member of, 197.
Tortoise—" You must give the Tortoise time to put out its Head ^ —

Significance of President Kruger's Phrase, 261, 263.
Trade and Commerce —
Increase in — President Kniger's Announcement in the Volksraad,
425.

534 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Trade and Commerce — continued,

Kruger's, President, Fears for Independent Trade — Refiisal to
allow opening of Railway Connections with Johannesburg
other than Delagoa Bay Railway, 205.
Tariff War (see that Title).
Transvaal National Union —
Formation of, at Johannesburg in 1892, 243.
Johannesburg, Disturbed State of, Work of the Reformers (see

Jameson Raid).
Loch, Sir H., and the Union —
Deputation — Correctness of Sir H. Loch's Public Attitude,

Charges of Treachery, 249.
Johannesburg Proposed Visit, Abandonment o^ on President
Kruger's Advice, 248.
Name, Alteration of, to Reform Committee, 263.
Nature and Aims of, 244.

Punishment of Leaders — Interpretation of President Kruger's
Phrase, ^ You must give the Tortoise time to put out its
Head," 261, 263.
Uitlanders' Grievances — Manifesto, 261.
(See also Reform Committee.)
Transvaal State — President Kruger's Refusal to use Name, Restora-
tion of name South African Republic, 185.
Trek of 1835—
Black Servants remaining in the Colony, 6.
Causes of, 4, 5.
Triumvirate of 1880 —
Kruger, President, a Member of^ 171.
Proclamation drawn up by, 172.
Printing at Potchefstroom, 171.

Uitlanders —
Dynamite Explosion at Johannesburg, Uitlanders* Sympathy with
the Victims, 275.

Education of— Erection of Schools at the Cost of the State, 244
note.

INDEX 535

U i tlanders — continued.
Grievances of the Uitlanders —
Bloemfontein Conference (see that Title).
British Government Promises to Uitlanders— Employment of

Force to secure Demands made by Sir A. Milner, 317.
Executive Raad empowered to deal with, 222.
Franchise Question (see that Title).
Intervention of Great Britain (see that Title).
Kruger's, President, Attitude towards Grievance Complaints,
207.
Mining Grievances — ^Appointment of the Industrial Commission,
283.
Government Measures for Carrying out Suggestions, 285.
Report, 284.
Negociations — Complaint Attitude of the South African Republic

and Unyielding Attitude of Sir A. Milner, 304, 308, 31a
Petitions —
Conmiittee to enquire into Genuineness of Petitions — President

Kruger's Offer, 309.
Queen Victoria, Petitions to, drawn up by South African
League —
First Petition — Mr. Eraser's Refusal to receive Petition — Mr.

Chamberlain's Censure, 305, 306.
Second Petition — Spurious Signatures, 306.
South African Republic Petition from Uitlanders to the Govern-
ment declaring Satisfaction with Administration of Country,

307.
False Signatures, Sir A. Milner's Allegation, 309.

Taxation Grievance — Reduction of Taxation, 207.

" Thieves and Murderers "—Misconception of President Kruger's

Speech at Commemoration of Declaration of Independence

at Paardekraal, 226.

Transvaal National Union Manifesto, 261.

Kruger's, President, Address on Election as President (12 May

1898), 398.
Reform Committee (see Titles Transvaal National Union and

Reform Conunittee).

536 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Uitlanders Council and the Franchise Question —

Dissatisfaction with the Law of 1899, 315.

Inadequacy of Reforms — Further Demands, 321.
Ulundi, British Victory at, 153.
Umbandine, Swazi King— Request to British Government for an

Adviser, 227.
Umbigesaland —

Annexation by England, Protest by the Transvaal, 252.

Incorporation with South African Republic Proposed, 228.
Union of South African Republic and the Orange Free State —

President M. W. Pretorius*s Aim, TJ^ 78.
United States of America — Jimmy Smith's Arrival at Pretoria with

School Children's Address to President Kruger, 352.
Usibepu, Zulu Chief— Defeat by Dinizulu, 208.
Utrecht, Holland, President Kruger at, 370^ 372.
Utrecht and Wakkerstroom Districts — British desire to keep back,

179-

Vaal Encampments — Moselikatze's Attack, 8.
Vaalbank Farm, Birthplace of President Kruger, 3.
Vechtkop — Matabele Attack on Boer Laager, 8.
Venter, Commandant Piet —
Boer Representative in Transfer of Orange Free State from British

to Boers, 62.
Commander of Orange Free State Contingent in Expedition
against Gasibone, 71.
Venter, Koos— Mr. Kruger's Offer to fight Venter on behalf of

President Pretorius, 64.
Veterinary Congress at Baden-Baden — South African Republic
Representative, President Kruger's Announcement in the Volks-
raad, 424, 425.
Vice-president of the South African Republic Election of Mr. Kruger,

133.
Nomination of Mr. S. W. Burger, 444.
Victoria, Queen— " Kwaaie vrouw," President Kruger's Jest,
292.

INDEX 537

Viljoen, Jan —
Commandant of Marico — Capture of part of President Kruger's

Escort at Potchefstroom, 95.
Schoeman Party in the Civil War, Adherence to, 87.
Village or Dorp — Meaning given to the word by Boers, 128

note.
Village Population, Foreign Element in — Petitions in favour of

Annexation, 128, 129.
Villebois-Mareuil, Colonel, Volunteer in the Boer Army—Promotion

to General of the Foreign Legion, 349.
Villiers, Sir H. de (Chief Justice of Cape Colony) —
Intervention in the Dispute between the Judicial and State

Authorities of the South African Republic, 288.
War of Independence, Peace Negociations — Sir H. de Villiers a
Member of the Royal Commission, 184.
Volksraad —
Orange Free Sute— Annual Session, Opening Speech by Presi-
dent Steijn, 437.
South African Republic —
Adjournment of Volksraad on Declaration of War with Great

Britain, 347.
Elections — Postponement in Consequence of the War, 443.
Executive Raad, Constitution of, 78 note,

Kruger's, President, Speeches in the Volksraad (12 May 1898),
383 ; (I May 1899), 421 ; (2 October 1899X 43^ 435 ;
(7 May 1900), 442 — Explanatory Speech, 450.
Resolutions Contrary to the Convention — Chief Justice Kotzd's
Criticism,
Dismissal from Office, 286-^89.
Kruger's, President, Defence, 409.
Second Volksraad, Institution of (see Franchise Question).
Session of 1866 — President Kruger's Accident on Return
Journey, no.
Vorster, M. W.— Resolution to take a PUbiscite on the Annexation,

145-
Vrijburg, Capital of Stellaland, 193.

Vryheid District, Formation of, 208.

538 MEMOIRS OF PAUL KRUGER

Wakkerstroom District — British desire to retain, 179.
War between Great Britain, South African Republic^ and Orange
Free State, 1 899-1 902.
Annexation of Neighbouring Colonies, Decision of the RepaUic
not to Annex — President Steijn's Speech in the Volksnad,

439.
Annexation of the Orange Free State by Great Britain — Presidat

Steijn's ' Proclamation, 412.

Annexation of the South African Republic by Great Britain, 356^

Counter Proclamation, 356.

Armaments of the South African Republic, Warlike Preparations

after the Jameson Raid, 277, 278, 279.

Army of the South African Republic Foreign Legion— PromodoD

of Colonel de Villebois-Mareuil, 349.

Number of South African Republic and Orange Free State

Combatants (40^000) — President Kniger's Speech in the

Volksraad, 453.

Boer Preparations —

Armaments, Increase in, after the Jameson Raid, 277, 278, 279.

Burghers' Concentration of, on Borders of Natal, 331.

Milner's, Sir A., Correspondence with President Steiju, 336.

British Preparations —

Mobilization of Army Corps, 330^ 342.

Proclamation calling out Reserves, 342.

Reinforcements, Withdrawal of— Ultimatum of 9th October 1899,

345» 346.
Troops concentrating on Frontiers of the Republics —

Explanation requested, 33a

Steijn's, President, Correspondence with Sir A. Milner,

331-342.
Ultimatum of 9th October 1899, 344, 345.

Withdrawal of Troops condition precedent to further Nego-
ciations, 34a
British War Office, Intelligence Department Preliminary Report-
Issue of ** Military Notes," 313.
Causes of the War —
Annexation of 1877, 136, 203.

INDEX 539

War between Great Britain, etc — continued.
Causes of the War — continued.
English Press Hostility to the Republic, 304, 337.
Franchise Pretext, 304.
Gold-fields Discovery, 136, 203.
Military Preparations of Great Britain, 338. ,
Circular Dispatch from President Kruger to the Commandant
General and Officers in the Field (20 June 1900), 460;
(14 July), 467.
Conduct of the War-
Barbarism of the English — President Kruger's Speech at

Marseilles, 365.
French Press Exposi of English Methods — President Kruger's

Thanks, 368.
(See also sub-headings Red Cross and White Flag Treachery.)
Dalmanutha — British Attack on Botha's Positions, 355.
Declaration of War (11 October 1899), 346.
Expenses of the War — Position of the South African Republic

Treasury, 448.
Glencoe — President Kruger's Exhortation to the Burghers, 348.
Government of the South African Republic, Transfer from
Pretoria —
Machododorp, 352.
Nelspruit, 355.
Intervention of Foreign Powers — Deputation to Europe —
Kruger's, President, Speech in the Volksraad (7 May 1900),

445, 446.
Steijn's, President, Speech in the Volksraad (2 April 1900), 440.
Kruger, President —
Delegation to Europe — Proclamation by the Executive Raad,

358.
Departure from Pretoria — Parting from Wife, 351.

Life at Waterval Onder, 354*

Speeches in the Volksraad (7 May 1900), 442, 45a

Unshaken Confidence in God and Resignation to His Will,

372.

Work of Advising and Encouraging the Burghers, 347.

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