But the appeal of British subjects in the Transvaal will claim a hearing for other reasons too!  Only the blindest can fail to realize how much is at stake, materially and morally, or can fail to see what is the real issue, and how the Mother Country stands on trial before all her children, who are the Empire.  Only those who do not count will refuse to face the responsibility in all seriousness, or will fail to receive in the best spirit the timely reminder of past neglect.  If the reproaching truth be a hard thing to hear, it is, for those whose every impulse jumps towards championing the great Home Land, a far, far harder thing to say.  Unpleasant it may be, but not without good, that England’s record in South Africa—­of subjects abandoned and of rights ignored, of duty neglected and of pledge unkept, of lost prestige and slipping Empire—­should speak to quicken a memory and rouse the native sense of right, so that a nation’s conscience will say ’Be just before you are generous!  Be just to all—­even to your own!’

Footnotes for Chapter XI

{49} It is stated that President Kruger, ever since the signing of the London Convention on Majuba Day—­February 27—­1884, has believed in certain lucky days, and has a kind of superstitious regard for anniversaries.  If that be so, the incidence of events has given him something to ponder over during the last three years.  Three notable schemes conceived by himself and carefully designed to strengthen his position, have by a curious coincidence matured upon dates of certain interest in Transvaal history.  All three have failed disastrously.  The first anniversary of the Reformers’ sentence day was the occasion of the Reformers giving evidence before the Industrial Commission, which so strongly justified their case.  The Peace Negotiations with the Capitalists were opened by Mr. Lippert upon the anniversary of Majuba.  The Bloemfontein Conference was opened upon the Reformers’ emancipation day, the expiry of the three years’ silence.  That his Honour really attaches importance to these things was shown when over two hundred ministers representing the Dutch Reformed Church in the Transvaal met in Pretoria to urge upon him the suppression of the Illicit Liquor trade.  In all innocence they had chosen May 24 on which to present their address.  Their astonishment was great when Mr. Kruger, passing lightly by the liquor question, gave the assembled pastors a thorough wigging for finding fault with his administration at all, but chiefly for their unpatriotic conduct in selecting the Queen’s birthday of all days on which to expose internal differences in their country.

{50} In addressing a meeting of burghers in Heidelburg three months later the President showed to what lengths he was prepared to go in defending the monopoly when in reply to a question he denied that any such offer had been received ’by the Executive.’ The explanation, which he did not give, is that the Government, i.e., the President and State Secretary, had received it—­and withheld it from the Executive!