'I Can See Nothing Which Will Put A Stop To This Mischievous
Propaganda But Some Striking Proof Of The Intention Of Her
Majesty's Government Not To Be Ousted From Its Position In South
Africa.'
Such were the grave and measured words with which the British
pro-consul warned his countrymen of what was to come.
He saw the
storm-cloud piling in the north, but even his eyes had not yet
discerned how near and how terrible was the tempest.
Throughout the end of June and the early part of July much was
hoped from the mediation of the heads of the Afrikander Bond, the
political union of the Dutch Cape colonists. On the one hand, they
were the kinsmen of the Boers; on the other, they were British
subjects, and were enjoying the blessings of those liberal
institutions which we were anxious to see extended to the
Transvaal. 'Only treat our folk as we treat yours! Our whole
contention was compressed into that prayer. But nothing came of the
mission, though a scheme endorsed by Mr. Hofmeyer and Mr. Herholdt,
of the Bond, with Mr. Fischer of the Free State, was introduced
into the Raad and applauded by Mr. Schreiner, the Africander
Premier of Cape Colony. In its original form the provisions were
obscure and complicated, the franchise varying from nine years to
seven under different conditions. In debate, however, the terms
were amended until the time was reduced to seven years, and the
proposed representation of the gold fields placed at five. The
concession was not a great one, nor could the representation, five
out of thirty-one, be considered a generous provision for the
majority of the population; but the reduction of the years of
residence was eagerly hailed in England as a sign that a compromise
might be effected. A sigh of relief went up from the country. 'If,'
said the Colonial Secretary, 'this report is confirmed, this
important change in the proposals of President Kruger, coupled with
previous amendments, leads Government to hope that the new law may
prove to be the basis of a settlement on the lines laid down by Sir
Alfred Milner in the Bloemfontein Conference.' He added that there
were some vexatious conditions attached, but concluded, 'Her
Majesty's Government feel assured that the President, having
accepted the principle for which they have contended, will be
prepared to reconsider any detail of his scheme which can be shown
to be a possible hindrance to the full accomplishment of the object
in view, and that he will not allow them to be nullified or reduced
in value by any subsequent alterations of the law or acts of
administration.' At the same time, the 'Times' declared the crisis
to be at an end. 'If the Dutch statesmen of the Cape have induced
their brethren in the Transvaal to carry such a Bill, they will
have deserved the lasting gratitude, not only of their own
countrymen and of the English colonists in South Africa, but of the
British Empire and of the civilised world.'
But this fair prospect was soon destined to be overcast.
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