DUAL ALLIANCE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC AND THE ORANGE FREE STATE.
_Resolution of Orange Free State, September 27, 1899._
The Volksraad, having heard the second paragraph of His Honor's opening
speech and the official documents and correspondence relating thereto
which have been handed in, having regard to the strained state of
affairs in South Africa which have arisen in consequence of the
differences between the Governments of South African Republic and Her
Britannic Majesty, which constitute a threatening danger for bringing
about hostilities, the calamitous effect of which would be incalculable
for all white inhabitants of South Africa, being bound to the South
African Republic by the closest bonds of blood and alliance and standing
in most friendly relations towards Her Majesty's Government, fearing
that should a war break out a hatred would be generated between the
European races in South Africa, which still in the far future will
impede and restrain the peaceful development of all States and Colonies
of South Africa, being sensible that serious obligations rest on the
Volksraad to do all that is possible to prevent the shedding of blood,
considering that in the course of negotiations with the British
Government which have extended over several months, every endeavor has
been made by the Government of the South African Republic at a peaceful
settlement of the differences which have been brought forward by
Uitlanders in the South African Republic and which have been adopted as
its own cause by the Government of Her Majesty, which endeavors,
unfortunately, have only had the result that British troops have been
concentrated on the border of the South African Republic and are still
continually being reinforced:
"Resolves to instruct the Government still further to do everything in
its power to preserve and establish peace and to contribute by peaceful
methods towards the solution of the existing differences, always
provided that it can be brought about without injury to the honour and
independence of this State or of the South African Republic, and wishes
unmistakably to declare its opinion that there exists no cause for war
and that if a war is now begun or occasioned by Her Majesty's Government
against South African Republic, this would morally be a war against the
whole of white population of South Africa and would in its results be
calamitous and criminal; and further, that Orange Free State will
honestly and faithfully observe its obligations towards South African
Republic arising out of the political alliance between the two
Republics, whatever may happen."
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND ORANGE FREE STATE.
_Sir Alfred Milner to President Steyn, October 11, 1899._
In view of resolution of Volksraad of Orange Free State communicated to
me in Your Honour's telegram of 27th September, I have the honour to
request that I may be informed at Your Honour's earliest possible
convenience whether this action on the part of the South African
Republic has Your Honour's concurrence and support.
_President of Orange Free State to Sir Alfred Milner, October 11, 1899._
I have the honour to acknowledge Your Excellency's telegrams of this
evening. The high-handed and unjustifiable policy and conduct of Her
Majesty's Government in interfering in and dictating in the purely
internal affairs of South African Republic, constituting a flagrant
breach of the Convention of London, 1884, accompanied at first by
preparations, and latterly followed by active commencement of
hostilities against that Republic, which no friendly and
well-intentioned efforts on our part could induce Her Majesty's
Government to abandon, constitute such an undoubted and unjust attack on
the independence of the South African Republic that no other course is
left to this State than honourably to abide by its Conventional
Agreements entered into with that Republic. On behalf of this
Government, therefore, I beg to notify that, compelled thereto by the
action of Her Majesty's Government, they intend to carry out the
instructions of the Volksraad as set forth in the last part of the
Resolution referred to by Your Excellency.