In this frank epistle we were given the programme of future guerilla warfare, of Boer hopes, and Boer ambition. Whether the European politicians and press would continue to be purchasable at "a moderate price" remained to be seen, but this honest avowal revealed the secret of Pro-Boerism in its nakedness, and served to account most appositely for many curious and unjustifiable assertions which have been made regarding British actions in the course of the war. While Boer gold existed, Europe and even Great Britain would find Judases ready to do business. The Dutchmen, their political prospects in Great Britain blighted, now hung all their expectations on the chance that in America the Presidential election of 6th of November would bring about a change in their favour. Mr. M'Kinley, the President, in a private interview with the Boer delegates on the 2nd of May, had informed them of his intention to persist in a policy of impartial neutrality between Great Britain and the Boer Republics, and from that moment they looked to the Opposition--to Mr. Bryan and Democrat sympathisers--for the intervention that they still eagerly sought. But in America they met with even less luck than in England. The election resulted in an overwhelming victory for the Republicans. Mr. M'Kinley secured 292 electoral votes, while Mr. Bryan had to content himself with 155. [Illustration: BURNING THE FARM OF A TREACHEROUS BURGHER Drawing by R. Caton Woodville, from a Sketch by Melton Prior, War Artist] In France the Boer cause met with sympathy, and the late President of the Transvaal on arrival there was fêted. He was the lion of the moment--but political activity went no further than lionising. In Holland the gentle young Queen extended hospitality to a distinguished fellow-countryman; in Germany a straightforward line was taken, the Emperor refused an interview which might mar the hue of his neutrality; while in Russia the Tzar, though seriously ill, maintained his determination not to be lured into the imbroglio. But of these matters the burghers in the Transvaal were kept in ignorance, and they doggedly fought on--wearing themselves out and losing and taking life for a now hopeless cause.