What about British leniency and long-suffering? (the writer asked). Let it be remembered we are still an army on active service fighting a vigorous enemy. There are people to whom British magnanimity has always and will always spell weakness. We cordially welcome and will gladly receive our new fellow-subjects. We shall not make our welcome depend upon whether they fought against us or not. Those who stood in the enemy's trenches and fought bravely for what they considered to be their liberty will soon be convinced that their struggle was prompted by men who knew not liberty, and that Great Britain will extend to them a degree of freedom which they never knew before. But--and let us here emphasise the "but"--we will have no half measures. We do not ask the newly-conquered Free Staters to take up arms against their kinsmen now fighting against us, but we do ask and shall maintain, with sternness, if necessary, a strict and rigid neutrality on the part of those who have promised it by oath. Let all take to heart this decision, that while Great Britain will remorselessly punish all and any who interfere with those who claim her protection, so will she as sternly and severely bring heavy punishment on those who misuse her tolerance and leniency. The great extent of country through which the British army has to operate has made difficult to afford that adequate protection to those who have laid down their arms, convinced that they were risking their lives uselessly. In some cases these men have been molested and ill-treated by the enemy. Full punishment will be meted out to those who have been guilty of such acts. We have shown an example of leniency and tolerance towards rebels, taken with arms in their hand, which we did expect would have been followed by those who direct the affairs of our enemies, and we shall exact of the two Presidents a full and complete reparation for acts of cruelty and inhumanity committed by those under their control. * * * * * THE FRIEND. (_Edited by the War Correspondents with Lord Roberts' Force._) No. 17.] BLOEMFONTEIN, THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 1900 [Price One Penny. PROCLAMATION. The following Military Officers are hereby appointed Justices of the Peace for the District of Bloemfontein during pleasure:-- Major-General G. T. PRETYMAN, C.B., Military Governor. Lieutenant-Colonel C. V. F. TOWNSHEND, C.B., D.S.O., Assistant to Military Governor. Lieutenant-Colonel B. E. B. LORD CASTLETOWN, Special Service Officer. Major R. M. POORE, Provost Marshal. Captain W. A. J. O'MEARA, Chief Intelligence Officer. Captain P. HOLLAND-PRYOR, D.A.A., General. Given under my hand at Bloemfontein, this Fourth Day of April, 1900. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!