XI. CHAP. this had no sooner been forwarded than another telegram followed-within an hour-to Lord Kimberley, telegrams. saying: "I suggest wait a day or two, as shall not Curious be ready for another week, and then I must act Lord Kimberley, in his reply of the 5th March, approves of the message sent to the President of the Orange Free State, but adds: "We await answer from Boer leaders to communication made by Sir G. Colley to Kruger before giving you any fresh instructions." 2 Until Mr Kruger's reply came, it was evident that state he did not receive any answer to his message or letter, and I read Mr Bok's letter, which was not received until Sir George was dead.' Message ends." 1 No. 85.-Sir Evelyn Wood to Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Received, Colonial Office, 4 A.M., 5th March 1881.) "4th March. "I suggest wait for a day or two, as shall not be ready for another week, and then I must act if Potchefstroom is to be saved, as I hear they have bread-stuff only till 15th, and then mealies, but how much I do not know. When I move I am confident, with God's blessing, of success." 2 No. 86.-Secretary of State for the Colonies to Sir Evelyn Wood. "5th March. "Your telegram of 4th. We approve your message to President XI. no further instructions - beyond those contained in CHAP. the telegram sent on the 16th February to Sir George Colley,could well be given; certainly none to move forward. On the 5th March Sir Evelyn Wood telegraphs: Joubert asks how far I will co-operate in Brand's propositions. I have offered to meet him to-morrow near Laing's Nek; if he answers this evening, shall follow strictly the lines of your instructions." 2 The only instructions were those given to Sir George Colley by telegram of 16th February. Thus, without waiting for Mr Kruger's reply, without fresh instructions from his Government, without any pressure being put upon him, and though delay was certainly Brand. We await answer from Boer leaders to communication made "CAMP, NEWCASTLE, 5th March, 1.30 P.M. 1 See ante, p. 390. 2 No. 88.-Sir Evelyn Wood to Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Received, Colonial Office, 9 P.M., 5th March 1881.) "NEWCASTLE, 5th March, 4 P.M. "Joubert asks how far I will co-operate in Brand's propositions. I have offered to meet him to-morrow near Laing's Nek; if he answers this evening, shall follow strictly the lines of your instructions." XI. CHAP useful, as he was not in a position to attack or move forward, Sir Evelyn Wood would appear to have again taken the initiative to bring on negotiations. Another very lengthy-telegram to Lord Kimberley followed on the same day. Although dated four hours before the foregoing one, it would seem to have been sent after, and was received at the Colonial Office eight hours later. This message discusses questions which may be likely to crop up and prove troublesome, and how best to avoid them, so as not to interfere with the progress of the negotiations he, Sir Evelyn Wood, was endeavouring to bring about. Lord Kimberley is also told that Sir Evelyn Wood had "sent Times,' with debate on Ryland's motion, to Swart Dirk Uys, leading Wakkerstroom rebels now on Laing's Nek."1 Lord Kimberley, perhaps not being moved by the 1 No. 89.-Sir Evelyn Wood to Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Received, Colonial Office, 5 A.M., 6th March 1881.) "NEWCASTLE, 5th March, noon. "I anticipate hearing from Joubert soon. Fear until Boers are defeated, leaders, if altogether excluded from amnesty, will continue hostilities if they can; but, on the other hand, the very unfavourable weather and their admitted certainty of eventual suppression may cause dispersion. Sir G. Colley was very averse to pardon leaders, and your telegram of 10th implies such cannot be granted. Instruct me fully on this point, for much will turn on it; and, reflecting on similar struggles in history, I do not attach much importance to punishing leaders, as did Sir G. Colley, though I would not recommend allowing them to remain in Transvaal, nor would I accept them as representatives of people. In discussing settlement of country, my constant endeavour shall be to carry out the spirit of your orders; but, considering the disasters we have sustained, I think the happiest result will be, that after accelerating successful action, which I hope to fight in about fourteen days, the XI. same motives for haste, replies on the night of the CHAP. 6th March: "I will send further answer to yours of 5th as soon as possible,"1—that is, after the receipt of purport of Mr Kruger's reply on the 7th, and the decision of her Majesty's Government thereon had been taken the following day. Before, however, this telegram of the 6th March could be received, the Secretary of State for the Colonies is informed by further messages, dated the 6th March, that an eight days' armistice had been agreed to-" object of armistice to allow time for Kruger to reply to communications from the late Sir George Colley and subsequent Boers should disperse without any guarantee, and then many now undoubtedly coerced will readily settle down. "In any negotiations Joubert will probably make dispersion contingent on amnesty. I may be cut off from communicating with you, and if you wish to avoid further fighting, I suggest, while giving me no instructions for the future settlement, you should empower me, if absolutely necessary, to promise life and property, but not residence, to leaders. This I would not do, if dispersion could be effected without it. Consider whether you be disposed to give me names of proposed Commissioners for information of Boers, as such knowledge might have favourable effect. I sent Times' with debate on Ryland's motion to Swart Dirk Uys, leading Wakkerstroom rebels now on Laing's Nek. Mr Nelson arrived; left Potchefstroom on 19th February. Garrison on half, short of water (?) sometimes; after 15th March will have had tinned meat and mealies, but not firewood. Winsloe talked of firing off all ammunition before he surrendered. I hope to relieve them by end of month." 1 No. 90.-Secretary of State for the Colonies to Sir Evelyn Wood. (Despatched from Colonial Office, 9 P.M., 6th March 1881.) "If by my telegram of 10th you mean mine to Colley of 9th February, I never intended to imply that pardon could not be granted to leaders, but only to reserve that and other similar questions for decision of her Majesty's Government. "I will send further answer to yours of 5th as soon as possible." 1 No. 91.-Sir Evelyn Wood to Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Received, Colonial Office, 10.20 P.M., 6th March 1881.) "MOUNT PROSPECT, 6th March, 3.30 P.M. "Have signed agreement with Joubert for suspension of hostilities till midnight, 14th March, for the purpose of receiving Kruger's reply and any further communications. We have power of sending eight days' supplies to our garrisons, and Joubert has undertaken to pass them through Boer lines, and on arrival of provisions at such garrisons, the blockading and besieging parties will cease hostilities for eight days. I hope you approve." No. 92. Sir Evelyn Wood to Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Received, Colonial Office, 1 P.M., 7th March 1881.) "FORT AMIEL, 6th March, 6 P.M. "The following are the conditions of an armistice agreed to this day between Joubert and myself. Object of armistice to allow time for Kruger to reply to communications from the late Sir George Colley and subsequent communication with view to peaceable settlement of question. We mutually agree to cessation of hostilities from noon on 6th till midnight 14th March. "Conditions: 1. In that period both promise not to make forward movement from present positions, but each retains liberty of movement within own lines. "2. Sir Evelyn Wood is free to send eight days' provisions, but no ammunition, for all Transvaal garrisons, the Boer officers undertaking to pass it to such garrisons. "3. Joubert undertakes to send notice of the armistice conditions to respective garrisons and to Boer commanders, and will use his influence to induce these commanders to allow withdrawal of the British wounded from these garrisons into Natal." . No. 93. Sir Evelyn Wood to Secretary of State for War. "FORT AMIEL, 10.30 P.M. "Want of food prevents advance for about ten days. Ingogane and Incandu are impassable. I have therefore lost nothing in suspending hostilities, and gained eight days' food for garrisons most in want. Hope and his Royal Highness approve." you |