"The British generals wish to treat as rebels the people of the South African Republics, previously recognised as belligerents, and mercilessly to pursue to the bitter end the exhausted combatants. With the help of God this object will not be attained. The citizens of the Republics will continue the struggle to their last breath. Have they not shown themselves worthy of their liberty and their fatherland? Will the world allow them to be crushed? The Powers have not intervened up to the present, perhaps abstaining from so doing as long as the war was regular; but will the restoration of peace never be pronounced, not even now when Great Britain tramples under foot by her theoretical annexations all the principles of International Law, and thus endeavours to acquire freedom of action in order to exercise her powers, and if possible annihilate completely the existence of a free people? In the name of justice and humanity we appeal to all peoples who sympathise with us to come to our aid even in this critical and supreme moment, and to save our country. We commit ourselves to God, trusting that our prayers will be heard." [Illustration: BARBERTON.] It may here be mentioned that Messrs. Fischer, Wessels, and Wolmarans had been sent in May as delegates to Holland and to America in the effort to enlist the sympathy of outsiders in the great quarrel. They went first to The Hague, where they hoped to secure the application of the resolution adopted by the Acts of the Peace Conference to the Transvaal question. Messrs. Fischer, Wessels, and Wolmarans were cordially welcomed, and expressed their satisfaction with the kindly reception accorded them by a people united to them by bonds of race and religion. (As an aside, it may be stated that not very long since, the Hollanders were wont to dub the Boers "White Hottentots," and disdain any connection with them. This on the word of a Dutchman.) The delegates then proceeded to America with the avowed object of securing the aid of the Americans. "We are going," said Mr. Fischer, "to a sister Republic, the people of which a century ago fought the same fight as our people are now fighting. We are going to a great free people, pre-eminent for their sentiments of liberty and justice. We go to rectify erroneous opinions and to make known the truth. Our enemies have said much that they cannot prove, and have thus misled many. We are certain that, once the truth is known, no civilised nation will refuse us support. The chief charge against us is that we desired or sought war. We shall try to dispel this error. We only desire peace and tranquil possession of what is as dear to us as it is to the American people--namely, our independence, without impairing the rights of other peoples. We do not appeal to one or the other political party, but to the American people, hoping that all parties will unite on a common platform,