The diamond men, with Rhodes at their head, forgetting that the object of the war was the redress of the Outlanders’ wrongs in the Transvaal, began to bellow for relief even before the Boers had completed the investment of the town.  Telegrams couched in extravagant and almost hysterical language and betraying the egotism and the want of self-control of the senders were repeatedly despatched.  One of these, in which on October 19 the De Beers directors asked for information as to the plans of the military authorities at Capetown, “so as to enable us to take our own steps in case relief is refused,” was thought not unnaturally by Buller to hint at surrender; and although this was not the intention of the senders it is probable that they did not regret the interpretation that was put upon it.

Fortunately, however, Kekewich was a cool-headed man who did not suffer himself to be hustled.  While preserving amicable personal relations with Rhodes, he was careful to let Capetown know that the situation in Kimberley was by no means desperate and that it would be able to hold out for several weeks.

The impetuous and childish letters and telegrams sent out by the diamond men induced Buller, who said afterwards that “although I had every confidence in Colonel Kekewich’s military capacity I did not trust the other powers within the city,” to send Lord Methuen northwards on November 10 with instructions to help Kimberley by removing unnecessary non-combatants and natives, and “to let the people understand that you have not come to undertake its defence, but to afford it better means of maintaining its defence.”

The news of Methuen’s approach did not allay the excitement of the townsmen.  His movement was not an essential part of the general plan of campaign but only a raid in force with the object of putting men and supplies into Kimberley and enable it to hold on until pressure elsewhere upon the Boers should raise the siege automatically.

The dignity and the self-respect of the diamond men was affronted.  Like the Syrian captain Naaman, when offered relief of his leprosy by the prophet Elisha, they resented the simple process by which their own relief was to be effected.  They had looked to an Army Corps at least marching on Kimberley with all the pomp of war and speedily enabling it to resume its normal occupation of diamond grubbing; and now they found that the town was not considered of much account in the scheme of the military, who regarded it as a mere besieged place of little strategical importance; which, after some assistance, was to be left dependent for its safety upon its own exertions while the main army advanced through the Free State.