In answer to an enquiry with respect thereto, addressed to His Excellency the
High Commissioner, this Government received, to its great astonishment, in
answer, a veiled insinuation that from the side of the Republic (van Republik-
einsche zydeT an attack was being made on Her MaiestV s Colonies and at the
same timi a my^erious reference to possibilities whieby it was strengthened
in its suspicion that the independence of this Republic was being threatened.
As a defensive measure it was therefore obliged to send a portion of the
Burghers of this Republic in order to offer the requisite resistance to similar
possibilities. Her Majesty's unlawful intervention in the internal affairs
of this Republic in conflict with the Convention of London, 188i, caused by
the extraordinary strengthening of troops in the neighbourhood of the borders
of this Republic, has thus caused an intolerable condition of things to arise



67

whereto this Government feels itseK obliged, in the interest not only of this
Republic but also [ ?1 of all South Africa, to make an end as soon as possible,
and feels itself caUed upon and obliged to press earnestly and vnth emphasis
for an inmaediate termination of this state of things and to request Her
Majesty's Government to give it the assurance

(a) That all points of mutual difference shall be regulated by the friendly

course of arbitration or by whatever amicable way may be agreed upon
by this Government with Her Majesty's Government.
(b) That the troops on the borders of this Republic shall be instantly with-

drawn.
