The War in South Africa Its Cause and Conduct   By: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)

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Obsolete spellings have been retained.

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA

Its Cause and Conduct

by

A. CONAN DOYLE

Author of 'The Great Boer War'

Published by Smith, Elder, & Co., 15 Waterloo Place, London, S.W.

All Copies for the Colonies and India supplied by G. Bell & Sons, London and Bombay

1902

[All rights reserved]

PREFACE

For some reason, which may be either arrogance or apathy, the British are very slow to state their case to the world. At present the reasons for our actions and the methods which we have used are set forth in many Blue books, tracts, and leaflets, but have never, so far as I know, been collected into one small volume. In view of the persistent slanders to which our politicians and our soldiers have been equally exposed, it becomes a duty which we owe to our national honour to lay the facts before the world. I wish someone more competent, and with some official authority, had undertaken the task, which I have tried to do as best I might from an independent standpoint.

There was never a war in history in which the right was absolutely on one side, or in which no incidents of the campaign were open to criticism. I do not pretend that it was so here. But I do not think that any unprejudiced man can read the facts without acknowledging that the British Government has done its best to avoid war, and the British Army to wage it with humanity.

To my publisher and to myself this work has been its own reward. In this way we hope to put the price within the reach of all, and yet leave a profit for the vendor. Our further ambition is, however, to translate it into all European tongues, and to send a free copy to every deputy and every newspaper on the Continent and in America. For this work money will be needed a considerable sum. We propose to make an appeal to the public for these funds. Any sums which are sent to me or to my publisher will be devoted to this work. There cannot be too much, for the more we get the more we shall do.

I may add that I have not burdened my pages with continual references. My quotations are reliable and can always, if necessary, be substantiated.

A. CONAN DOYLE. UNDERSHAW, HINDHEAD: January, 1902.

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

I. THE BOER PEOPLE 9

II. THE CAUSE OF QUARREL 23

III. THE NEGOTIATIONS 41

IV. SOME POINTS EXAMINED 61

V. THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE 73

VI. THE FARM BURNING 84

VII. THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS 94

VIII. THE BRITISH SOLDIER IN SOUTH AFRICA 107

IX. FURTHER CHARGES AGAINST BRITISH TROOPS 123

X. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE QUESTION 133

XI. CONCLUSIONS 150

THE WAR:

ITS CAUSE AND CONDUCT

CHAPTER I

THE BOER PEOPLE

It is impossible to appreciate the South African problem and the causes which have led up to the present war between the British Empire and the Boer republics without some knowledge, however superficial, of the past history of South Africa. To tell the tale one must go back to the beginning, for there has been complete continuity of history in South Africa, and every stage has depended upon that which has preceded it. No one can know or appreciate the Boer who does not know his past, for he is what his past has made him.