“In February, 1902,” he said, “there was a meeting in Cotswold Chambers consisting of the twenty-two members of the House of Assembly who went by the name of ‘Rhodes’ group.’  It was at first discussed and ultimately decided to wait on the Prime Minister and to interview him concerning the expenditure of the war, which had reached the sum of L200,000 monthly.  Then, after some further discussion, we came to the conclusion to meet once more.  This was done on February 17th.  You must remember that war was still raging at the time.  At this second meeting it was agreed to formulate a scheme to be submitted to the Government which proposed the suspension of the Constitution in regard to five clauses.  The first was to be this very suspension, then a new registration of voters, a redistribution of seats, the indemnity to be awarded to the faithful English Colonials, and, finally, the reestablishment of the Constitution.  As to this last I must make a statement, and that is, that if I had known that it was meant to withdraw the Constitution for more than one month I would have objected to it, but I was told that it would be only a matter of a few days.”

At this point Mr. de Waal was interrupted by a Progressive member, who exclaimed that Dr. Jameson had denied that such a thing had ever been said or mentioned.

“I know he has done so,” replied Mr. de Waal, “but I will make a declaration on my oath.  A committee was then appointed,” he went on, “which waited on the Prime Minister and presented to him this very same petition.  Sir Gordon Sprigg, however, said that he would not be ruled by anyone, because they had a responsible Government.  The Committee reported, when it returned, that the Prime Minister was opposed to any movement started on the basis of the petition which they had presented to him, and that he would not move an inch from his declaration, saying energetically, ‘Never!  I shall never do it!’ Sir Gordon Sprigg had further pointed out that the result of such a step would be that the Cape would become a Crown Colony and would find itself in the same position as Rhodesia.”

Perhaps this was what Rhodes and the South African League had wished, but the publication of the details connected with this incident, especially proceeding from a man who had never made a secret of the ties which had bound him to Rhodes, and who, among the latter’s Dutch friends, had been the only one who had never failed him, drove the first nail into the coffin of Rhodesian politics.

It was common knowledge that de Waal had steadfastly stood by Rhodes even during the terrible time of the Raid.  Moreover, he was a man of high integrity, who alone among those who had attached themselves to the destinies of the Empire Maker had never taken part in the financial schemes of a doubtful nature which marked the wonderful career of Rhodes.  This declaration opened the eyes of many persons who, to that day, had denied the political intrigues which