THE SURRENDER OF THE GOLDEN CITY
In attempting to chronicle the events which surround the surrender of
Johannesburg, the mind involuntarily pauses, and a picture, which
reminds one of the fairy-tales of one's childhood, is called up in
imagination.
In 1886 Johannesburg could only boast of a few tin shanties--the
beginnings of a mining camp; fourteen years later the British troops
marched through the streets of a modern city. And what has been the
history of these fourteen years?
In the history of the older European nations development and progress
are slow, and social and economic cause and effect can be traced with
almost scientific accuracy. In Johannesburg, however, ordinary human
agencies do not seem to have been at work. The man who has the leisure
at his disposal to ascertain the true facts of that period before the
war, would present to the world a history so interesting and
fascinating that he would be accused of having indulged in fiction in
his narrative of events. It would be out of place in this book,
however, to enter into these historical events, and we must confine
ourselves to the details of the period with which this story deals.
Ever since the beginning of the war it was the intention of the
Republican Government to defend both Pretoria and Johannesburg, and
had the outbreak of the war not been precipitated, and the necessary
cannon ordered from France arrived in time, this would have been done.
Even after the fall of Bloemfontein the idea was not entirely
abandoned, and Commandant Krause was instructed to provision the
Johannesburg Fort and make other necessary preparations. A promise was
made that several cannon would be left at Johannesburg by the Boers
during their retreat. It was hoped that such defence would retard the
British advance and enable the Boers to recover from the panic which
had seized them ever since the surrender of Cronjé at Paardeberg.
When, however, General Botha on Tuesday, May 29th, 1900, passed
through Johannesburg, Commandant Krause was ordered to abandon the
defence of the town, to distribute all provisions collected amongst
the families of the men on commando, and to get rid of all men capable
of fighting. These orders were promptly carried out.
On the following day, Wednesday, May 30th, between ten and eleven in
the morning, Major Francis Davis appeared with a flag of truce and
requested to see Dr. Krause.
At the time the Commandant was at the fort attending to General
Grobelaar and about 500 men who were retreating in the direction of
Pretoria. During the day bodies of armed burghers were continually
passing through the town.
On arrival at his office Dr. Krause found Major Davis in the company
of two old Johannesburg residents. The latter were dressed in mufti.
Both these men had taken an active part in the agitation which
preceded the war.
Major Davis in soldierly manner addressed Dr. Krause by saying that he
was commanded by Lord Roberts to demand the immediate and
unconditional surrender of the town, in the name of Her Majesty Queen
Victoria.
Dr. Krause's reply was very short: "No, sir, not immediately and not
unconditionally."
Major Davis thereupon said that Lord Roberts had also expressed a
desire that the Commandant should grant him an interview, at which the
matter could be discussed. Dr. Krause assented to this proposition.
What the Boers wanted was delay--and if Commandant Krause could delay
the forward advance of the British troops a great advantage would be
gained.
Lord Roberts was encamped just above the Victoria Lake, close to
Germiston. On arrival at the camp Dr. Krause was met by Lord Roberts
on the verandah of the house occupied by him and his staff.
A private interview then took place between the two officers, at which
the terms of surrender of Johannesburg were agreed upon, and which
will be found in the letter set out hereunder.
The chief reason for an armistice advanced by the Boer Commandant was
that if the British were at once to enter the town, street-fighting
would undoubtedly take place, as the many armed burghers passing
through the town would only obey the orders of their own respective
Commandants and Field-cornets. Such street-fighting would be a serious
menace to the women and children and to the other peaceful citizens of
the town. Lord Roberts agreed to this, adding that he had once, in
Afghanistan, experienced street-fighting and would not like to see it
again.
Another incident of this interview is worth recording, viz. the
protest made by Dr. Krause at the presence of the two civilians who
accompanied Major Davis. Lord Roberts asked for the reason of this
protest, and was informed that, according to the view of the people in
Johannesburg, these men, through the part they played in the
mendacious political agitation which was carried on prior to the war,
were partly responsible for the war, and further that he (Dr. Krause)
had in his possession a warrant for the arrest of one of these men for
high treason, issued prior to the commencement of hostilities, and
consequently their presence in the town was looked upon with a great
deal of disfavour and resentment.
Lord Roberts expressed his regret, and said that these men had
accompanied his officer only because he was told that they would be
excellent guides, knowing the locality and the officials.
The terms of surrender were agreed to, including an armistice of
twenty-four hours. This delay undoubtedly helped to save the
Republican forces from utter destruction and certainly enabled General
Botha and the other Boer officers to retreat with their men beyond
Pretoria and to collect their scattered forces.
Dr. Krause returned to Johannesburg after this interview and
immediately set about making the necessary arrangements to carry out
his part of the bargain. A Proclamation was issued, calling upon all
armed burghers and other capable men to leave the town; all officials
were ordered to be in readiness the next day at the respective
offices, for the purpose of handing over their administration to their
successors.
Early the next morning Mr. William Shawe, the Deputy Sheriff, was
dispatched to Lord Roberts, with a formal letter, confirming the terms
of surrender agreed to at the above interview. This historical
document is, I believe, here printed for the first time and reads as
follows:
"JOHANNESBURG,
"_May 30th, 1900._
"Lord Roberts,
"Commander-in-Chief of Her
"Majesty's troops in South Africa.
"YOUR LORDSHIP,
"Referring to the verbal interview I had with Your Lordship this
morning, with reference to the surrender of the town,
Johannesburg, I now wish to confirm the following in writing:
"(a) That all officials and other Government employees will be
treated with the necessary respect and consideration. On their
behalf I can give Your Lordship the assurance, that until the
surrender is complete, everything will be done by them to
facilitate Your Lordship's work, in so far as their honour
allows.
"(b) With reference to the protection of women and children
(including the women and children of Burghers on
Commando),--that these persons will not be molested by the
troops,--Your Lordship having already given the necessary
instructions in this connection.
"(c) That property will be protected, also forage, except in so
far as military requirements necessitate it.
"(d) That as regards the 13,000 Kaffirs still on the mines, the
necessary precautions will be taken by Your Lordship:--in this
respect the Special Mine Police corps, till now under my
command, will render Your Lordship all assistance.
"(e) Enclosed I send Your Lordship a copy of a notice
distributed by me, which speaks for itself, and from which Your
Lordship will learn that all fighting and armed burghers have
been ordered to leave the town at once.
"(f) It grieves me to have to inform Your Lordship, that
notwithstanding our arrangement, that no armed men would enter
the town till to-morrow at 10 o'clock, several armed persons
entered the town (evidently without Your Lordship's knowledge,
and contrary to instructions), and several of whom are under
arrest; one who attempted to disarm a burgher was wounded, and
is at present in the hospital here.
"Finally, I must request Your Lordship not to enter the town
with too great a force (for reasons already communicated to Your
Lordship). I shall send some one who will conduct Your Lordship
personally (or the officer in command) to the Government offices
to there carry out and complete the necessary formalities of
handing over the town. All chief and other officials have been
notified by me of this arrangement, and they have been ordered
to hold themselves in readiness to hand over their offices to
the persons appointed thereto.
"I have the honour to be,
"Respectfully yours,
"(Signed) F.E.T. KRAUSE.
"Acting Special Commandant."
On the morning of May 31st, 1900, the sun rose in his bright winter
splendour--the sky was blue, and not a cloud appeared upon the
horizon. Mother Nature seemed to emphasise the darkness and bitterness
in the hearts of the staunch and free Republicans by her dazzling
brightness. The new era had dawned, heralding the victory of the
invading forces and giving practical proof of the old adage, "Might is
right."
At about 10 o'clock Commandant Krause received a message from Lord
Roberts announcing his presence on the outskirts of the town (at
Denver) and expressing a desire that the Commandant should personally
come and meet and conduct him to the Government offices, there to hand
over the "keys" of the city. This request was complied with. The
British were then seen entering the town, headed by Lord Roberts, Lord
Kitchener, and Commandant Krause. On arrival at the Government offices
the different officials were presented to Lord Roberts, who requested
them to remain in office until they were relieved of their duties by
an English officer.
The surrender of the Golden City was an accomplished fact!
[Illustration: THE SURRENDER OF THE GOLDEN CITY]
In conclusion, and as a contrast to this terrible period for the
Republicans, I may here be permitted to publish a letter written by
Lord Roberts to Dr. Krause, which will show in what manner the Golden
City was previously administrated and afterwards handed over to the
British troops on May 31st, 1900.
"ARMY HEAD-QUARTERS,
"JOHANNESBURG,
"_June 2nd, 1900._
"DEAR DR. KRAUSE,
"I desire to express to you how fully I appreciate the valuable
assistance you have afforded me in connection with the entry
into this town of the force under my command.
"I recognise that you have had DIFFICULTIES OF NO ORDINARY
NATURE TO CONTEND WITH OF LATE, and any weakness in the
administration of the town and suburbs at such a juncture would
doubtless have been taken full advantage of by the disorderly
element which necessarily exists in an important mining
community. THANKS TO YOUR ENERGY AND VIGILANCE, ORDER AND
TRANQUILLITY HAVE BEEN PRESERVED, and I congratulate you
heartily on the result of your labours.
"Permit me also to tender to you my personal thanks for the
great courtesy you have shown me since I first had the pleasure
of meeting you.
"Believe me to be,
"Yours truly,
"ROBERTS, F.M."