Lord Milner's Work in South Africa: From its Commencement in 1897 to the Peace of Vereeniging in 1902

other inconsistencies are as in the original. The author's spelling has been maintained. LORD MILNER'S WORK IN SOUTH AFRICA FROM ITS COMMENCEMENT IN 1897 TO THE PEACE OF VEREENIGING IN 1902 containing hitherto unpublished information BY W. BASIL WORSFOLD with portraits and map "What would have been the position to-day in South Africa if there had not been a man prepared to take upon himself responsibility; a man whom difficulties could not conquer, whom disasters could not cow, and whom obloquy could never move?"— Lord Goschen in the House of Lords, March 29th, 1906 LONDON JOHN MURRAY ALBEMARLE STREET W 1906 This Edition enjoys copyright in all countries signatory to the Berne Convention, as well as in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and all British Colonies and Dependencies. Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury. PREFACE In sending this book to press I have only two remarks to make by way of preface. The first is wholly personal. It has been my good fortune to reside twice for a considerable period in South Africa—first in the neighbourhood of Capetown (1883-5), and afterwards in Johannesburg (1904-5). During these periods of residence, and also during the long interval between them, I have been brought into personal contact with many of the principal actors in the events which are related in this book. While, therefore, no pains have been spared to secure accuracy by a careful study of official papers and other reliable publications, my information is not derived by any means exclusively from these sources. My second remark is the expression of a hope that the contents of this book may be regarded not merely as a chapter of history, but also as a body of facts essential to the full understanding of the circumstances and conditions of South Africa, as it is to-day. Since the restoration of peace—an event not yet five years old—a great change has been wrought in the political and economic framework of this province of the empire. None the less, with a few conspicuous exceptions, almost all of the principal actors in these pages are still there; and, presumably, they are very much the same men now as they were before, and during, the war. And in this connection it remains to notice an aspect of the South African struggle which transcends all others in fruitfulness and importance. It was a struggle to keep South…