Chapter I: Introduction

A word in explanation of this English edition is perhaps not unnecessary.

It will be remembered that the arguments in the following pages appeared originally in the columns of _Le Siècle_, and from the correspondence between M. Yves Guyot and Dr. Kuyper and M. Brunetière (Appendix B), the reader will understand how the publication of _Le Siècle_ articles in pamphlet form arose.

In the month of May when M. Yves Guyot's _La Politique Boer_ made its appearance, the supply of literature by more or less competent judges on South African affairs was already so formidable in this country, that an English publication of his pamphlet was apparently not wanted. Moreover, as my master's arguments were written for readers on the continent and not for those of Great Britain, such a publication was not thought of at the time.

Of the first editions of _La Politique Boer_ placed before the reading public in various countries, a few thousand copies were sent to London. The demand, however, exceeded the supply to such a large extent, and so many letters were received at this office from British readers (unfamiliar with the French language) asking for a translation, that an English dress of _La Politique Boer_ was decided upon.

As the translation was proceeding various incidents of importance in connection with the South African crisis took place. These were commented upon by M. Yves Guyot in _Le Siècle_ and added to the existing pamphlet; the English edition is consequently more up-to-date than the original.

Our thanks for valuable assistance given in the translation are largely due to Mrs. Ellen Waugh and Mr. Charles Baxter.

M. Yves Guyot has renounced his author's rights, and the profits to _Le Siècle_, resulting from this publication, will be handed in two equal shares to the societies here and in South Africa which represent the interests of the widows and orphans of English and Boer combatants who have given their lives for their countries.

JULES HEDEMAN.

THE LONDON OFFICE OF _Le Siècle_ 32, CHARING CROSS, S.W.

_25th October, 1900._

CONTENTS.

PAGE
PREFACE.

1. State of the Question.--2. Pro-Boer Argument, and the Jameson Raid.--3. Profits of the Jameson Raid.--4. Logical Consequences of the Jameson Raid ix.

CHAPTER I.

BOER APOLOGISTS.

1. Disregard of Facts, and Subordination to the Vatican.--2. The Boers, the Natives and Slavery.--3. "Essentially a Man of War and Politics" 1

CHAPTER II.

ENGLISH AND BOERS.

1. The ideal of the Boers.--2. The English in South Africa.--3. "The Crime."--4. British Sphere of Influence in 1838.--5. England, the Transvaal and the Orange Free State 9

CHAPTER III.

THE ANNEXATION OF THE TRANSVAAL AND THE CONVENTIONS OF 1881 AND 1884.

1. The "Gold Mines" Argument.--2. Boer Anarchy.--3. The Boers saved by the English.--4.--The Annexation of the Transvaal, and the Conventions of 1881 and 1884.--5. The Convention of 1881 inapplicable.--6. Violation by the Boers 17

CHAPTER IV.

ARTICLES OF THE CONVENTION OF 1884.

1. Krüger's point of view.--2. England's Obligations.--3. Equality of Rights among the Whites according to Mr. Krüger in 1881.--4. Preamble of the Convention of 1881.--5. Articles, 4, 7, and 14 of the Convention of 1884 24

CHAPTER V.

LAW AND JUSTICE IN THE TRANSVAAL.

1. Contempt of Justice.--2. Confusion of Powers 31

CHAPTER VI.

POLICE, JUSTICE AND LAW, ACCORDING TO BOER METHODS.

1. Legal and Judicial System of the Transvaal.--2. The Police (the Edgar Case).--3. An ingenious Collusion.--4. The Lombaard Case 36

CHAPTER VII.

"SECURITY OF INDIVIDUALS" ACCORDING TO BOER IDEAS.

1. The Amphitheatre Case.--2. Valuation of Bail.--3. The Uitlanders' Petition.--4. Security of the Individual according to Boer Ideas.--5. The Murder of Mrs. Appelbe 42

CHAPTER VIII.

Boer Oligarchy 48

CHAPTER IX.

THE GOLD MINES.

1. "That Gold is mine!"--2. The Proportion of Gold per Ton.--3. Cost of Production.--4. A Gold Mine is an Industrial Exploitation.--5. Distribution of the Gold Production.--6. Cost of Production, and the Transvaal.--What the "Vultures" brought 52

CHAPTER X.

FINANCIAL POLICY OF THE BOERS.

1. Receipts of the Boer Exchequer.--2. Budget Assessment of the Burghers.--3. Salaries of Boer Officials.--4. The Debit side of the Boer Budget.--5. New Taxes.--6. Attempt to raise a Loan.--7. Fleecing the Uitlander 59

CHAPTER XI.

MONOPOLIES IN THE TRANSVAAL AND THE NETHERLANDS RAILWAY COMPANY.

1. Article XIV. and the Monopolies.--2. The Dynamite Monopoly.--3. Railways.--4. The Drift Question.--5. Methods of Exaction 66

CHAPTER XII.

CAPITALIST INTRIGUES AND THE WAR.

1. A war of Capitalists.--2. A Local Board.--3. A deliberating Council.--4. Timidity of the Chamber of Mines.--5. The Petition and the Despatch of May 10th 73

CHAPTER XIII.

THE FRANCHISE.

1. Impossible Comparisons.--2. Policy of Re-action.--3. The Bloemfontein Conference 80

CHAPTER XIV.

THE FRANCHISE AFTER THE CONFERENCE OF BLOEMFONTEIN.

1. A Krüger Trick.--2. The Bill passed by the Volksraad--3. Pretended Concessions.--4. The Joint Commission.--5. Bargaining.--6. The Conditions, and Withdrawal of Proposals.--7. The Franchise is Self-Government 87

CHAPTER XV.

THE SUZERAINTY OF ENGLAND AND THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC.

1. Who Raised the Question of Suzerainty?--2. The Suzerainty and the Conference of the Hague 95

CHAPTER XVI.

THE ARBITRATION QUESTION.

1. How the Transvaal interprets Arbitration.--2. Mr. Chamberlain's Conditions 101

CHAPTER XVII.

THE BOER ULTIMATUM.

1. Dr. Kuyper's Logic.--2. Despatches of 8th and 22nd September.--3. The Ultimatum 108

CHAPTER XVIII.

DR. KUYPER'S FINAL METAPHOR.

1. Where are the Peace Lovers?--2. Moral Worth of the Boers.--3. A Lioness Out of Place.--4. Moral Unity by Means of Unity of Method 113

APPENDIX.

_a._--ENGLAND, HOLLAND AND GERMANY 119

_b._--DR. KUYPER'S ADMISSION

1. Offer to Dr. Kuyper to Reproduce his Article.--2. Dilatory
Reply of Dr. Kuyper.--3. Withdrawal of Dr. Kuyper.--4. Mr.
Brunetière's Refusal.--5. The Queen of Holland and Dr.
Kuyper's Article 124

_c._--THE LAST PRO-BOER MANIFESTATION 130

_d._--SOUTH AFRICAN CRITICS 136

_e._--THE TRANSVAAL AND THE PEACE CONFERENCE HELD IN PARIS FROM SEPTEMBER 30TH TO OCTOBER 5TH, 1900 151