The next ordeal through which the Republicans had to pass began with the denudation of the two States.  As arms alone could not subdue the Boers, some other expedient had to be tried—­the starvation process was resorted to; all food-stuff had to be destroyed or removed, so that the burghers should not obtain sustenance.  The country had to be cleared of cattle and sheep—­in fact, of everything which could keep the Boers alive.  This was considered the most feasible way of defeating the so-called marauding bands of armed Boers.

But what about the women-folk, if the country is to be cleared?  Well, these must go to Concentration Camps, from which so many never returned.  We do not wish to dwell on the sufferings of Boer women and children; but what we are proud to note is that when military operations were conducted against the weak and defenceless, the burgher was touched to the centre of his heart.  Call a Boer by what name you please, but of this be assured—­he is a man who, above all, loves his family, and has pride and pleasure in his home, be it never so humble.  When, therefore, a destructive policy was adopted, who shall realise fully what passed through the minds of these as they stood watching the lurid flames of their burning homes, and heard how in the camps their families were dying in scores?  Cronje’s capture, Prinsloo’s surrender, and all the hard fighting they had to do, seemed but trifles as compared to this, by far the saddest, phase of the South African War.

Another dark day, and the curtain drops.  We refer to that day when the documents were signed and peace was concluded.  Then, indeed, the darkness seemed tangible Who shall number the tears shed on that day—­tears of men, women, and even children?  Tears of men who had fought for almost three years, who had sacrificed their all, who had but one object in view, one ideal to pursue; who loved liberty and independence, with an amazing love.  Tears of women, who had spent many months either in camps, or in the open veldt; women whose husbands and sons had fallen in the war, whose infants were laid low in many a graveyard.  Tears of children, who had lost their parents, children who never more would know the love of a mother, the protection of a father.  With one voice the whole people lamented the loss of their beloved Fatherland.

And how did the officers who had to subscribe to these terms of peace feel?  Let one[A] who was present speak: 

“Never shall I forget what I witnessed there.  General De Wet showed that there was no chance any longer of continuing the struggle ...  I see him yet, that unyielding man, with his piercing eyes, his strong mouth and chin—­I see him there still, like a lion fallen into a snare.  He will not, he cannot, but he must give up the struggle!  I still see the stern faces of the officers, who up to that moment had been so unbending.  I see them staring as if into empty space.  I see engraved upon