Telegram by
saying that they are not prepared to assent to the independence
either of the South African Republic or of the Orange Free State.'
With this frank and uncompromising reply the Empire, with the
exception of a small party of dupes and doctrinaires, heartily
agreed. The pens were dropped, and the Mauser and the Lee-Metford
once more took up the debate.
CHAPTER 22.
THE HALT AT BLOEMFONTEIN.
On March 13th Lord Roberts occupied the capital of the Orange Free
State. On May 1st, more than six weeks later, the advance was
resumed. This long delay was absolutely necessary in order to
supply the place of the ten thousand horses and mules which are
said to have been used up in the severe work of the preceding
month. It was not merely that a large number of the cavalry
chargers had died or been abandoned, but it was that of those which
remained the majority were in a state which made them useless for
immediate service. How far this might have been avoided is open to
question, for it is notorious that General French's reputation as a
horsemaster does not stand so high as his fame as a cavalry leader.
But besides the horses there was urgent need of every sort of
supply, from boots to hospitals, and the only way by which they
could come was by two single-line railways which unite into one
single-line railway, with the alternative of passing over a
precarious pontoon bridge at Norval's Pont, or truck by truck over
the road bridge at Bethulie. To support an army of fifty thousand
men under these circumstances, eight hundred miles from a base, is
no light matter, and a premature advance which could not be thrust
home would be the greatest of misfortunes. The public at home and
the army in Africa became restless under the inaction, but it was
one more example of the absolute soundness of Lord Roberts's
judgment and the quiet resolution with which he adheres to it. He
issued a proclamation to the inhabitants of the Free State
promising protection to all who should bring in their arms and
settle down upon their farms. The most stringent orders were issued
against looting or personal violence, but nothing could exceed the
gentleness and good humour of the troops. Indeed there seemed more
need for an order which should protect them against the extortion
of their conquered enemies. It is strange to think that we are
separated by only ninety years from the savage soldiery of Badajoz
and San Sebastian.
The streets of the little Dutch town formed during this interval a
curious object-lesson in the resources of the Empire. All the
scattered Anglo-Celtic races had sent their best blood to fight for
the common cause.
