The Boer War

Equally noteworthy was the rapid advance of the British in South Africa. Since the founding of the German colonies by Bismarck in 1884, and the discovery of gold in the Transvaal in 1886, British interest in the interior lands of Africa had vastly increased. During the years that followed, to 1895, British colonists had pushed northward through Bechuanaland into the land afterward called Rhodesia. By 1896, British territory in South Africa comprised Cape Colony, Rhodesia, British Central Africa or Northern Rhodesia, and Nyassaland. Telegraph lines were carried through the new territory, and a railroad, which in 1898 was extended to Salisbury, was planned to connect in Uganda with the Egyptian road already built as far south as Khartum. This rapid advance of the British cut off the Boer states from the interior; and, in consequence of a special arrangement made by Great Britain with Portugal, who possessed Mozambique, they were cut off also from the ocean.

By the treaty of 1884, the British suzerainty over the Boers had been restricted to foreign relations, and not very strictly observed even at that. But the discovery of gold brought so many immigrants into the Transvaal, that Johannesburg became a city, not of Boers, but of foreigners. Discontent soon arose, owing to the narrow policy of the Boers, and the foreign residents in the Transvaal found it impossible to obtain a redress of grievances by peaceful means. Therefore, in 1895, a conspiracy was formed for the overthrow of the Boer government. Dr. Jameson, of the British chartered company, with a band of followers, invaded the Transvaal, but was surrounded and captured, December 25, 1895. This unfortunate attempt greatly injured the cause of the foreigners, and threw power into the hands of the reactionary party of the Boers, whose leader was President Kruger. From 1896 to 1899, relations between Great Britain and the Transvaal became more and more strained, until finally, in October, 1899, Kruger issued an ultimatum, which brought on war.

The Boer war lasted from October, 1899, to the summer of 1902. The British were at first repulsed, and, in the battles of Stormberg (December 10), Magersfontein (December 11), and Colenso (December 15) were badly defeated. In January, 1900, Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener took the command; and, during that year, notwithstanding the heroic defence of the Boers, occupied both republics, and proclaimed their annexation to Great Britain. But the Boers, under De Wet, Botha, and Delaney, fought on, inflicting great losses, until, on May 31, 1902, a treaty of peace was signed and on June 16 the last Boer company laid down its arms. The war redounded to the glory of the Boers, who showed themselves to be brave men and skilful strategists.

QUEEN VICTORIA.From a photograph taken late in life.

It showed Lord Kitchener to be not only a fighter, but a shrewd and tactful administrator. By the terms of peace, the Boers lost their independence, but received concessions that were designed to transform them into loyal subjects of the British empire.

The Elections of 1900

The Conservatives, notwithstanding the distractions of the war, were able to consider many important legislative measures. In 1900 they determined to dissolve parliament and try their strength with the country. The electoral campaign was contested largely on the war issue, since the Liberals were without definite programme, and could do little more than stand on their own platform of peace, retrenchment, and reform. The Conservatives came out victorious, with a majority of one hundred and thirty-four; while the party favoring the Boers was overwhelmingly defeated. The Liberals and Irish Nationalists made strenuous efforts to reorganize their parties, but without success.