r to accept or
reject its demands. None thought that the Boer Republics would ever take
such a bold step, and would be so audacious as to despatch an ultimatum
to one of the mightiest Powers of the world. They should have waited and
waited until that strong Power was quite prepared to crush them at one
stroke. They should have waited, at least, till all the British forces
were massed on their borders, then to cross, and take by force what
peaceful negotiations failed to obtain. Thus reasoned some, the Boers
thought otherwise. To them war seemed inevitable, and they believe that
the man who strikes first strikes best.

That the war presented many difficulties to our opponents cannot be
denied. They were unexpectedly brought to a crisis, and were but half
prepared to meet it. Their reinforcements were delayed in being
transported thousands of miles. Their own subjects rose in rebellion and
assisted the Boers. They were at first unacquainted with the country in
which they had to fight.

How the enemy confronted and overcame these difficulties, and how their
disadvantages gradually vanished like smoke, is well known. Troops,
more troops, and still more were despatched to South Africa, until
finally the Republics were literally flooded by the gentlemen in khaki.
By the end of February, 1900, Lord Roberts had at his disposal tens of
thousands, by whom General Cronje was surrounded and captured, and who
paved the Field-Marshal's way for him to Bloemfontein and Pretoria. The
difficulty and disadvantage arising from their not knowing the
geographical features of the country in which they had to operate was
gradually solved and cleared. Cape colonials enlisted in the British
ranks, and these acted as guides and scouts. They knew the features of
the country as well as the Boers, and could thus render very efficient
service to the British. Still later, services of inestimable value were
rendered to the British forces by natives, and, alas! even republicans
themselves, who joined the enemy's ranks. When these enlisted, the
English were provided with the best of guides, scouts and spies.

The disadvantages of the enemy were, to a large extent, the advantages
of the, Boers. They had a very accurate knowledge of the country where
they were fighting. The value of such a knowledge can hardly be
over-estimated. If they had not known the country as well as they did,
the English forces would certainly have been more successful in
effecti