It is somewhat imprudent of Dr. Kuyper to refer to the educational expenditure.  The expenditure amount allocated for the education of the children of Uitlanders in 1896, was L650, or at the rate 1s. 10d. per head, while the gross estimate for education in the budget for that year amounted to L63,000, which works thus out at a cost of L8 6s. 1d. per head for the Boer children.  Dr. Mansveldt, Head of the Education Department of the Transvaal, a Hollander, seems to have but one aim:  to enforce the use of the taal, the Boer patois—­a language spoken by no one else—­the use of which keeps them in isolated ignorance.  The English language is banned.

5.—­New Taxes.

This revenue, employed almost exclusively for the benefit of the Boers, did not suffice for the insatiable government in Pretoria.  At a meeting of the Chamber of Mines, on November 21st, 1898, Mr. Rouliot summarized a statement by Mr. Krueger in the Raad, as follows:—­

“But recently, Mr. Krueger had said he would give the mines the chance of establishing themselves before a percentage should be imposed upon their returns; and that no tax would be levied till the diggings had been completed, and the machinery set up.  It appeared to him, however, that the government intended to appropriate some of their profits, although it had given no facilities for the preparatory works on the mines, during which it should be remembered that their capital had been burdened by exceptionally heavy indirect taxation.  The moment that capital began to be productive, it was to be taxed.” (Blue Book, No. 9345, p. 48.)

In four-and-twenty hours, Mr. Krueger had unexpectedly managed to pass a law levying a new tax of 2-1/2 per cent. of the gross production from mynpachts (mining leases), and 5 per cent. from the gross production of other mines.  In his report of January 26th, 1899, Mr. Rouliot says:  “Had this new tax formed part of a general scheme for the readjustment of taxation, it might have been defended, but those who are considered best qualified to express the views of the government, content themselves by saying that it has the right to take a share of the profits realised by the mines and add that this tax is only a beginning.”

6.—­Attempt to Raise a Loan.

Not content with increasing taxation, the government now wished to raise a loan.  The attempt failed.  The Government of Pretoria blamed the mining companies for the failure.  Mr. Rouliot said, on January 26th:  “It is true that the companies did not actually support the government in its efforts;” but he added:—­