unprogressiveness--I will not say the
retrogressiveness--of the Government of the Transvaal and its
deep suspicion of the intentions of Great Britain which makes it
devote its attention to imaginary external dangers, when every
impartial observer can see perfectly well that the real dangers
which threaten it are internal.

[Sidenote: Milner's appeal to the Dutch.]

"Now, I wish to be perfectly fair. Therefore, let me say that
this suspicion, though absolutely groundless, is not, after all
that has happened, altogether unnatural. I accept the situation
that at the present moment any advice that I could tender, or
that any of your British fellow-citizens could tender in that
quarter, though it was the best advice in the world, would be
instantly rejected because it was British. But the same does not
apply to the Dutch citizens of this colony, and especially to
those who have gone so far in the expression of their sympathy
for the Transvaal as to expose themselves to these charges of
disloyalty to their own flag. Their good-will at least cannot be
suspected across the border; and if all they desire--and I
believe it is what they desire--is to preserve the South African
Republic, and to promote good relations between it and the
British Colonies and Government, then let them use all their
influence, which is bound to be great, not in confirming the
Transvaal in unjustified suspicions, not in encouraging its
Government in obstinate resistance to all reform, but in inducing
it gradually to assimilate its institutions, and, what is even
more important than institutions, the temper and spirit of its
administration, to those of the free communities of South Africa,
such as this Colony or the Orange Free State. That is the
direction in which a peaceful way out of these inveterate
troubles, which have now plagued this country for more than
thirty years, is to be found."[36]

[Footnote 36: _Cape Times_, March 4th, 1898.]

Here was a bolt from the blue! All South Africa stood to attention. No
such authoritative and inspiring utterance had come from the High
Commissioners for South Africa since Frere had been recalled, now
eighteen years ago. The Afrikander nationalists saw that their action
and policy were exposed to the scrutiny of a penetrating intellect,
and grew uneas