Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!... 
If such there breathe, go, mark him well.

Walter Scott.

We shall now direct our attention to some of the disadvantages and difficulties which confronted us in our struggle for freedom.  This we do because many who were in sympathy with the Republics have been sorely disappointed in their surrender, and some suppose that they should have prolonged the struggle until victory ultimately crowned their efforts.  Those who reason in this way must be ignorant of the conditions of the Republics at the time of their surrender, neither do they know the disadvantages with which we had to grapple throughout the war.  It is therefore of importance that the South African War should be regarded in the light and under the circumstances in which it was begun, conducted and concluded.  When the obstacles the Boer had to encounter are taken into due consideration, then censure and disappointment vanish and make room for praise and admiration.

None know better than those who have been involved in war that its current does not run evenly.  Experience has taught them that war is much more than a series of exciting adventures or some kind of sport.  It brings before the contending parties problems hard to solve, difficulties and emergencies of a most perplexing and bewildering nature.  Boer and Briton alike had to face such difficulties and disadvantages.  The disadvantages, however, under which the English had to labour in South Africa dwindle into insignificance when contrasted and compared with those of the Boers, especially towards the latter part of the war.  The impartial critic must admit that eventually the vantage ground was altogether on the side of the British.  ’Tis only by sheer determination and superhuman efforts and sacrifices on the part of the late Republics that they defied the British Empire for two years and eight months.  None were perhaps more surprised and amazed at the protracted war than the Imperial Government itself.  Time and again an early termination of hostilities was announced.  Such was the case after Cronje’s capture, the occupation of Bloemfontein and Pretoria, and Prinsloo’s surrender.  When Lord Roberts left South Africa, the war, it was said, was practically over!

The British were placed at a great disadvantage at the outbreak of hostilities.  The Boer ultimatum, issued on the 9th of October, 1899, found the English Government only half prepared either to accept or reject its demands.  None thought that the Boer Republics would ever take such a bold step, and would be so audacious as to despatch an ultimatum to one of the mightiest Powers of the world.  They should have waited and waited until that strong Power was quite prepared to crush them at one stroke.  They should have waited, at least, till all the British forces were massed on their borders, then to cross, and take by force what peaceful negotiations failed to obtain.  Thus reasoned some, the Boers thought otherwise.  To them war seemed inevitable, and they believe that the man who strikes first strikes best.