lf responsible for the consequences thereof, and that
in the event of any further movements of troops taking place within the
above-mentioned time in the nearer directions of our borders this
Government will be compelled to regard that also as a formal declaration
of war.

REPLY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

_October 10, 1899._

Her Majesty's Government have received with great regret the peremptory
demands of the Government of the South African Republic conveyed in your
telegram of 9th October, No. 3. You will inform the Government of the
South African Republic, in reply, that the conditions demanded by the
Government of the South African Republic are such as Her Majesty's
Government deem it impossible to discuss.

CHAPTER V.

DUAL ALLIANCE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND THE ORANGE FREE STATE.

_Resolution of Orange Free State, September 27, 1899._

The Volksraad, having heard the second paragraph of His Honor's opening
speech and the official documents and correspondence relating thereto
which have been handed in, having regard to the strained state of
affairs in South Africa which have arisen in consequence of the
differences between the Governments of South African Republic and Her
Britannic Majesty, which constitute a threatening danger for bringing
about hostilities, the calamitous effect of which would be incalculable
for all white inhabitants of South Africa, being bound to the South
African Republic by the closest bonds of blood and alliance and standing
in most friendly relations towards Her Majesty's Government, fearing
that should a war break out a hatred would be generated between the
European races in South Africa, which still in the far future will
impede and restrain the peaceful development of all States and Colonies
of South Africa, being sensible that serious obligations rest on the
Volksraad to do all that is possible to prevent the shedding of blood,
considering that in the course of negotiations with the British
Government which have extended over several months, every endeavor has
been made by the Government of the South African Republic at a peaceful
settlement of the differences which have been brought forward by
Uitlanders in the South African Republic and which have been adopted as
its own cause by the Government of Her Majesty, which endeavors,
unfortunately, have only had the result that British troops have been
concentrated on the border of the South African Republic and are still