LITMIR.BIZ

      Published by Good Press, 2019

       [email protected]

      EAN 4057664626516

Table of Contents

       PREFACE

       THE WAR: ITS CAUSE AND CONDUCT

       CHAPTER I

       THE BOER PEOPLE

       CHAPTER II

       THE CAUSE OF QUARREL

       CHAPTER III

       THE NEGOTIATIONS

       CHAPTER IV

       SOME POINTS EXAMINED

       CHAPTER V

       THE NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE

       CHAPTER VI

       THE FARM-BURNING

       CHAPTER VII

       THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS

       CHAPTER VIII

       THE BRITISH SOLDIER IN SOUTH AFRICA

       CHAPTER IX

       FURTHER CHARGES AGAINST BRITISH TROOPS

       Expansive and Explosive Bullets.

       Conduct to Prisoners on the Field.

       Executions.

       Hostages upon Railway Trains.

       CHAPTER X

       THE OTHER SIDE OF THE QUESTION

       CHAPTER XI

       CONCLUSIONS

PREFACE

       Table of Contents

      For some reason, which may be either arrogance or apathy, the British are very slow to state their case to the world. At present the reasons for our actions and the methods which we have used are set forth in many Blue-books, tracts, and leaflets, but have never, so far as I know, been collected into one small volume. In view of the persistent slanders to which our politicians and our soldiers have been equally exposed, it becomes a duty which we owe to our national honour to lay the facts before the world. I wish someone more competent, and with some official authority, had undertaken the task, which I have tried to do as best I might from an independent standpoint.

      There was never a war in history in which the right was absolutely on one side, or in which no incidents of the campaign were open to criticism. I do not pretend that it was so here. But I do not think that any unprejudiced man can read the facts without acknowledging that the British Government has done its best to avoid war, and the British Army to wage it with humanity.

      To my publisher and to myself this work has been its own reward. In this way we hope to put the price within the reach of all, and yet leave a profit for the vendor. Our further ambition is, however, to translate it into all European tongues, and to send a free copy to every deputy and every newspaper on the Continent and in America. For this work money will be needed—a considerable sum. We propose to make an appeal to the public for these funds. Any sums which are sent to me or to my publisher will be devoted to this work. There cannot be too much, for the more we get the more we shall do.

      I may add that I have not burdened my pages with continual references. My quotations are reliable and can always, if necessary, be substantiated.

      A. CONAN DOYLE.

      Undershaw, Hindhead:

       January, 1902.

THE WAR:

       ITS CAUSE AND CONDUCT

       Table of Contents

CHAPTER I

       Table of Contents

THE BOER PEOPLE

       Table of Contents

      It is impossible to appreciate the South African problem and the causes which have led up to the present war between the British Empire and the Boer republics without some knowledge, however superficial, of the past history of South Africa. To tell the tale one must go back to the beginning, for there has been complete continuity of history in South Africa, and every stage has depended upon that which has preceded it. No one can know or appreciate the Boer who does not know his past, for he is what his past has made him.

      It was about the time when Oliver Cromwell was at his zenith—in 1652, to be pedantically accurate—that the Dutch made their first lodgment at the Cape of Good Hope. The Portuguese had been there before them, but, repelled by the evil weather, and lured forward by rumours of gold, they had passed the true seat of empire, and had voyaged farther, to settle along the eastern

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