A POLITICAL MEETING

195

whom I had met in Ceylon. Mr. Wilson, like all the other deputies I have come across, was greatly pleased with the reception that Mr. Chamberlain had given to the deputation, and he explained to those assembled the information regarding the settlement of claims, compensation, and other matters that had been communicated to the deputation by the Colonial Secretary. Both Dutch and British put questions to Mr. Wilson until all had arrived at a fairly clear understanding of the situation. It was a perfectly harmonious meeting, and both British and Dutch seemed to be quite satisfied with Mr. Chamberlain's decisions. The complete confidence which the ex-burghers of the Free State placed in Mr. Chamberlain, their faith in his wisdom, and the honest admiration with which all in the country-with the exception of a handful of extremists-regarded him were pleasant to observe and argued well for the future of the country. The people now believed in the good intentions of the British Government. Both at this meeting and later on while mixing with the townspeople, I was much struck by the wonderful accord that prevailed in the Lindley district between British and Boers. Apparently the reconciliation of the races had already been realised by these dwellers in the ruins.

All the British in Lindley fought for our flag during the war, while every Dutchman did battle for his country. Here I found these men, who had been fighting against each other, often in the same battle, but a few months before, all on the best of terms. They discussed the war and their mutual experiences in the most friendly fashion. They were partners in business, and it is no exaggeration to say that, in the place of which I am speaking, British and Boers appeared to have become as one race. I heard nothing of bitterness

of feeling, and the hatchet had indeed been buried in the ruins of Lindley. All this was pleasing to notice; and thus might it be throughout South Africa, even in the Cape Colony itself, if those men who intrigue, though they never fought, would leave the people alone. The most dangerous of the mischief-makers are the British renegades, men who in Capetown and Bloemfontein stir up the hatred of the people against the 'hands-uppers,' and otherwise keep alive strife and bitterness.

The statements made by Mr. Chamberlain with regard to the system that would be adopted in dealing with claims were received with great satisfaction. His words have made thousands of people happy and hopeful who despaired of ever obtaining the compensation due to them, in view of the utter confusion that prevailed in the bodies appointed for the settlement of these matters. There is no doubt that numbers of just claims were unfairly dealt with, but all these are now to be reconsidered.

On one occasion during the war, for example, it was notified that all claims had to be sent in within thirty days or they would be disregarded. Now many whose stock of grain had been requisitioned were at that time serving with British columns and were unable to make out and send in their claims within the stipulated period. When at last they sent them to the proper quarters the claims were disallowed. Again, one would have supposed that a receipt given by a British officer for grain requisitioned was worth its face value; but I may recount one out of many cases tending to show that some officials took another view. An ex-burgher, of British blood, who was of great service to us throughout the war--on several occasions going out at the risk of his life to convey the peace proposals to the com

A BOER RECEIPT FACTORY

197

mandos at the request of one of our generals supplied a quantity of grain to the military authorities, transporting it at his own cost and risk through Basutoland. The sum of £600 was the perfectly fair price agreed on, and the man was given a receipt for this amount. When he sent in his claim, with the receipt attached, he received a letter informing him that by a certain date he would get a cheque for £240 in full satisfaction of his account. But these claims are to be reconsidered, and people who lost everything they possessed are hopeful once more, confident that Mr. Chamberlain has so arranged matters that there will be a just settle

ment.

Mr. Chamberlain's statement to the effect that a commission of British officers, assisted by the resident magistrates, would deal with the claims for compensation pleased everybody to whom I spoke on the subject. As I have stated, the one grievance of the 'bywoners' whom I met on the road was the appointment of Dutchmen as compensation and repatriation officers. It was maintained that the Dutch officials would favour their own friends, whereas British officers would be impartial, and do their utmost to be absolutely fair. It is not without reason that British farmers, whom I know, refused to send in their claims to the local boards because these were composed of Dutchmen whom they could not trust. There is no doubt that some of our recent foemen, whom we placed in responsible positions, have abused our confidence. A regular secret receipt factory had been established in the country at which ex-burghers who wished to put in claims for the requisitions made on them by Boer commandants during the war were provided with properly filled in receipts to attach to their claims. These

receipts were signed by ex-Boer commandants, who antedated them so as to convey the impression that they were drawn up at the time of the alleged acts of requisitioning.

Many ex-burghers who remained in the field to the end, or who were taken prisoners, and therefore not entitled to compensation under Lord Roberts's proclamation, are employing lawyers to draw out their claims. This will probably prove to have been a sheer waste of money on their part, for it seems doubtful if many of this class of claimants will receive anything. They are entitled to their share of the three millions that was granted for the purpose, and this sum will probably be divided pro rata among those whose claims are approved. But these people have already received considerable assistance from the Repatriation Board, which has disbursed enormous sums. The price of everything that has been advanced to a man by the board will, of course, be deducted from what he will receive as his portion of the three millions. This is likely to leave him a very small balance, if any; and it is estimated that the sum that will ultimately have to be divided will be comparatively insignificant.

With regard to the Repatriation Board, there is no doubt that many availed themselves of its assistance who had no right to do so. Quite rich men, for example, have been drawing rations. It was recognised that the distribution of rations to the able-bodied should be stopped as soon as possible, for it was rapidly pauperising a section of the community. A Boer loathes regular work, and considers it somewhat beneath his dignity to work under another man for hire. But now that the Boers are becoming too numerous for the land to support them they must labour like other white men,