not been declared against the coloured races, they had the right to deal with armed natives in the most effectual manner possible, especially if these natives were not British subjects, but belonged to the Republics.  Besides, some of these natives gave no quarter to our men.  We could cite several instances where burghers had been murdered and mutilated in a ghastly manner.  To mention one instance, while peace negotiations were going on, 56 men were savagely cut up and mutilated by the Kaffirs in the district of Vryheid, Transvaal.

Eventually we were placed in such a position that we hardly knew what to do with armed natives.  What if they refuse to surrender?  Shoot them ... and then you are a murderer.  Let them go ... and then you will pay the penalty.  It was perplexing to know how the British wished us to act.  The Boers, regardless of consequences, did what they thought right.

For the sake of such as were interested in my trial, I submit in full the charges, my evidence, and the addresses of the prosecutor and counsel for the defence:—­

     Charge Sheet.

     The prisoner, Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger, a burgher of the late
     Orange Free State, and ex-Assistant Chief Commandant of the
     (so-called) Federal forces, is charged with:—­

     1st Charge:—­

     Murder.

     In that he, at Grootplaats, Murraysburg, on or about the 15th of
     February, 1901, killed and murdered Jafta and Solomon, natives,
     British subjects.

     2nd Charge:—­

     Murder.

     In that he, at Tweefontein, Graaff Reinet, on or about the 15th of
     February, 1901, killed and murdered John Thomas, a native, a
     British subject.

     3rd Charge:—­

     Murder.

     In that he, at Prinsfontein, Tarkastad, on or about the 18th of
     March, 1901, killed and murdered a native, a British subject.

     4th Charge:—­

     Murder.

     In that he, at Biscuitfontein, Bethulie, Orange River Colony, on or
     about the 15th of August, 1901, killed and murdered Koos and
     Willem, natives, British subjects.

     5th Charge:—­

     Destroying Railways.

     In that he, near Knutsford, Cradock, on or about the 27th of July,
     1901, cut the railway line, thereby causing a portion of a
     passenger train to be derailed.

     To be tried by Military Court by order of General French.

     The prisoner takes his stand at the place from which other
     witnesses give their evidence:—­

     The prisoner, Pieter Hendrik Kritzinger, being duly sworn,
     states:—­