South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 4 (of 8): From Lord Roberts' Entry into the Free State to the Battle of KarreeCreswicke, Louis
History
South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. 4 (of 8): From Lord Roberts' Entry into the Free State to the Battle of Karree
Creswicke, Louis
South African War, 1899-1902; Transvaal (South Africa) -- History
the Colonial troops an immediate place at the front if they
were invited to contribute manageable units of 125 men each. If
the original offers of the Colonies had been accepted, there
would have been 1375 more mounted men at the front at an
earlier date, when no one contemplated that the force sent out
would be insufficient for its task. The Colonial Legislatures
have not changed their note in consequence of the
disappointments and reverses which have been experienced, but
have made further offers--an example which might well have been
followed nearer home. Altogether there had been accepted from
the Colonies 2075 unmounted and 4678 mounted men. The
proportion of mounted to unmounted troops in South Africa at
four different periods were: In the original garrison, 7600
unmounted and 2000 mounted; on October 9, the day of the
ultimatum, 12,600 unmounted and 3400 mounted; on January 1,
83,600 unmounted and 19,800 mounted; while the total number of
troops in South Africa, not including the Fourth Cavalry
Brigade, were 142,800 unmounted and 37,800 mounted, and in the
next fortnight or three weeks there would be out there 180,600
of all arms."
Sir Edward Grey said:--
"He was giving the right hon. gentleman some instances of the
value of the support from his side. The primary object of the
policy which had ended in the war was not to drive the Boers
from British territory, as they were not then on it. The
primary object was not to plant the British flag at Pretoria
and Johannesburg. These two things might be the result of the
war, but they were not the primary objects of the Government
policy. The objects which he wished to see attained, and which
he would pledge himself to give the utmost support to the
Government in attaining, were, first, equal rights between all
white men in South Africa, and by that he meant that never
again should a situation arise in any part of the British
sphere in which a modern industrial community should be placed
under the heel of an antiquated minority which was dominated by
prejudice and governed by corruption. The second object was
that never again in South Africa should it be possible for
arsenals to be formed or an accumulation of military material
under any control except British control. That was the end to
be attained, and to that end the Government would have
support."
On the 3rd of February Mr. Bryce expressed his opinions. He affected to
disbelieve that there had been any Dutch conspiracy to drive the British
from South Africa, and considered that, owing to the menace of the
Government in the arrangement of negotiations, the meek Boer had no
resource but to prepare for war.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account