[Footnote 7:  Le Siecle, March 27th, 1900.]

2.—­England’s Obligations.

When Mr. Gladstone committed the error of entering into the Convention of 1881, he fully believed that he was guaranteeing the rights of English and foreign residents in the Transvaal, of the Boers who might have compromised themselves with the English, and also of the natives.

At a meeting in Birmingham, on March 8th, 1881, on the motion of Sir Wilfrid Lawson, a resolution was passed demanding that “satisfaction should be given to the claims of the Boers, without prejudice always to the rights of the natives and English residents.”  On July 25th, Sir Michael Hicks-Beach reminded the House of the necessity for exacting the necessary guarantees, and of ensuring the tranquillity and security of the English possessions.[8] He reminded the House of the position of those 3,700 Boer petitioners who had asked for annexation, and of the British residents who had invested capital in the Transvaal, upon the guarantee of the British Government.  Mr. William Rathbone proposed a resolution demanding equal political rights for all the white population in the Transvaal.  Mr. Chamberlain stated that “loyal settlers” should be protected in their legal rights, lives, and property.  Mr. Gladstone, at the close of the debate, stated that “they would all be in a position of most perfect equality with the other inhabitants.” (July 25th, 1881.)

Thus, the British Government deliberately affirmed its obligations towards the foreign, British, and black population of the Transvaal, and its determination not to forsake them.

[Footnote 8:  Britain and the Boers.  “Who is responsible for the War in South Africa?” By Lewis Appleton.]

3.—­Equality of Rights among the Whites according to Mr. Krueger in 1881.

The Blue Book of May, 1882, contains the report of the meeting of the British and Transvaal Commission of May 10th, 1881.

Mr. Krueger was a member of the latter, Sir Hercules Robinson was Chairman.  Here is a dialogue between the Chairman and Mr. Krueger:—­

     “The Chairman:  ’Before the Annexation, did British subjects enjoy
     the rights of complete freedom of trade throughout the Transvaal? 
     Were they on the same footing as the citizens of the Transvaal?’”

     “Mr. Krueger:  ’They were on the same footing as the burghers.  In
     accordance with the Sand River Convention there was not the
     slightest difference.’”

     “Sir Hercules Robinson:  ’I presume you do not object to that
     continuing?’”

     “Mr. Krueger:  ‘No.  There will be equal protection for everybody.’”

     “Sir Evelyn Wood:  ‘And equal privileges?’”

     “Mr. Krueger:  ’We make no difference so far as burgher rights are
     concerned.  There may be, perhaps, some slight difference in the
     case of a young person who has just come into the country.’”