the following communication to the Government of the South
African Republic: 'The Imperial Government have received with
great regret the peremptory demands of the Government of the
South African Republic conveyed in the telegram of October 9.
You will inform the Government of the South African Republic
that the conditions demanded by the Government of the South
African Republic are such as Her Majesty's Government deem it
impossible to discuss. With the delivery of the above,' the
Imperial Government add, 'as the Transvaal Government stated in
their Note that a refusal to comply with their demands would be
regarded as a formal declaration of war, the British Agent is
instructed to ask for his passports.'"

Of course, this news caused intense excitement, and all who had remained
sanguine of peace now gave up hope. At Bloemfontein President Steyn
simultaneously issued a Proclamation to the Burghers of the Free State.
He said that "the sister Republic is about to be attacked by an
unscrupulous enemy, who has long looked for a pretext to annihilate the
Afrikanders."

He went on to say that the people of the Orange Free State were bound to
the Transvaal by many ties, as well as by formal treaty, and solemnly
declared, in the presence of the Almighty, that they are compelled to
resist a powerful enemy owing to the injustice done to their kith and
kin.

Solemn obligations, continued the Proclamation, have not protected the
Transvaal against an annexation conspiracy. When its independence
ceases, the existence of the Orange Free State as an independent State
will be meaningless. Experience in the past has shown that no reliance
can be placed on the solemn promises and obligations of Great Britain
when the Administration at the helm is prepared to tread treaties under
foot.

After giving a historical sketch of the wrongs which he alleged had been
done to the Transvaal, President Steyn said: "The original Conventions
have been twisted and turned by Great Britain into a means of exercising
tyranny against the Transvaal, which has not returned the injustice done
to it in the past. No gratitude has been shown for the indulgence which
was granted to British subjects, who, according to law, had forfeited
their lives and property. Compliance with the British demands would be
equivalent to the loss of our independence, which has been gained by our
blood and tears. For many