A resolution was passed unanimously expressing complete confidence in the Government to act in the best interests of South Africa in the present world crisis.  The burghers appeared to have taken their leader’s advice to heart, as they dispersed quietly to their homes.

All danger of a rebellious movement had apparently been averted.

The only difficulty was that the prophecy of “Oom Niklaas” was still standing.  The fact that the uprising had failed did not seem in the least to invalidate the vision.  If the mysterious number did not mean Aug. 15, then perhaps it did mean Sept. 15.

Accordingly, preparations were laid for a rebellion for the latter date.  The plot was engineered by Lieut.  Colonel Solomon G. Maritz and General Christian Frederick Beyers.  Maritz is a brilliant though unlettered Colonel who won distinction in the Boer war, while Beyers was the Commandant General of the South African Union forces.  Beyers is dead now; Maritz and some of the prominent men associated in the conspiracy are in prison awaiting trial.

Beyers and Maritz did not trust entirely to the prophecy of the seer of Lichtenburg.  Maritz had already obtained a guarantee from the authorities in German West Africa, with whom he had been in communication for some time, that in the event of Germany’s victory the Free State and the Transvaal would be given their freedom.  He had organized the back-veldt Boers into readiness to go over into German West Africa at a moment’s notice.  In the Free State, General de Wet was ready to aid the rebellion, and the Western Transvaal, already excited, could easily be swung into line.

The regiments of the west were to concentrate at Potchefstroom early in September for their annual training.  At that time the members of the Government, among them General de la Rey, who is a member of the Legislative Assembly, would be in Cape Town for the session of the Parliament.

Everything made the 15th of September look like an auspicious date for the conspirators and those who believed in van Rensburg.  But General de la Rey still remained the storm centre.  He was the factor which upset all plans.  He was the most difficult obstacle.  A large personality, his influence could never be discounted.  If he could be induced to join the conspiracy the cause was as good as won.  Should he oppose the movement it was lost, for neither Beyers nor Major Kemp, a leader in his district in West Transvaal, could hope to do anything against General de la Rey in the west.

General de la Rey believed in the Lichtenburg prophet.  A strong man, of extraordinary force and intelligence, the whole course of his plans might be altered by a new vision from van Rensburg.  Beyers knew this, says the report, and saw the way by which he should win the General to the conspiracy.

     There is evidence to prove that General Beyers set himself
     systematically to work in General de la Rey’s mind in order to
     induce him to join the conspiracy.