disloyalty, Sir
Alfred Milner issued the following proclamation, dated October 28:--

"Whereas it has been reported to me that a proclamation has
been made by or on behalf of the Government of the South
African Republic purporting to declare as part of the territory
of the Republic certain portions of that part of this Colony
situated north of the Orange River, and which have been invaded
by the forces of the said Government; and whereas it is
necessary to warn all Her Majesty's subjects, especially those
resident in the aforesaid portions of this Colony, of the
invalidity of such proclamation:

"Now therefore, in virtue of the authority committed to me as
Governor of this Colony, I do hereby proclaim and make known
that any such proclamation, if made, is null and void and of no
effect, and I do hereby further warn and admonish all Her
Majesty's subjects, especially those resident in the aforesaid
portions of this Colony, that they do, in accordance with their
duty and allegiance, disregard such proclamation, as being of
no force and effect whatsoever, and observe their obligations
to her Majesty, her Crown and Government, and in no way
voluntarily accept or recognise the Government of the South
African Republic in any part of this Colony which may have been
proclaimed territory of that Republic.

"And I do further warn that any one failing, in contravention
of the law, to obey the terms of this proclamation, will render
himself liable to be prosecuted for the crime of high treason."

To Mr. Chamberlain he wrote on the subject on the same date:--

"It is impossible accurately to find out what has happened as
regards the alleged annexation by the Government of the South
African Republic or Orange Free State of portions of the Cape
Colony.

"No copies of any proclamation by either Government to that
effect have reached me here, but news coming from various
parts of districts west and north of Kimberley clearly show
that the people there credit the annexation theory.

"It seems, however, more probable on the whole that it is the
Government of the South African Republic which has annexed the
district north of the Vaal River.

"With the consent of Ministers, I issued yesterday the
proclamation contained in my previous message, in or