A Womans Part in a Revolution | Page 2

which shall be framed by competent
persons selected by representatives of the whole people, and framed on
lines laid down by them; a constitution which shall be safeguarded
against hasty alteration.
'3. An equitable Franchise law and fair representation.
'4. Equality of the Dutch and English languages.
'5. Responsibility to the Legislature of the heads of the great
departments.
'6. Removal of religious disabilities.
'7. Independence of the Courts of Justice, with adequate and secured
remuneration of the judges.
'8. Liberal and comprehensive education.
'9. An efficient Civil Service, with adequate provision for pay and
pension.
'10. Free Trade in South African products.'
It was further planned to hold another meeting of the 'National Union,'
and afterward make a last demand upon the Government to redress our
wrongs.
Arrangement meanwhile was made with Dr. Jameson, who was
encamped on the western border of the Republic with a body of the
Chartered Company's troops. In case of a disturbance he was to come
to the aid of Johannesburg with at least a thousand men and 1,500 guns.
It was also distinctly understood between him and the five gentlemen
who were the recognised leaders of the movement, that he should not
start until he had received instructions to do so directly from them.
I gathered my household about me, explained the situation, and gave

the servants their choice, whether they would go into town or remain in
the house. The four white servants decided to remain, but the native
boys begged leave to depart under various pretexts. One to get his
missis from Pretoria because he was afraid the Boers might kill her.
Another to tell his mother in Natal that he was all right. Another
frankly said, that as the white men were going to fight among
themselves, this was no place for Kaffirs.
I arranged to leave Mr. Hammond's secretary in charge of the house.
We hastily packed up a few of our most precious belongings, and left,
to take possession of four tiny rooms at the hotel in town. With a full
heart I looked back at my pretty home. The afternoon shadows were
beginning to lengthen; I saw the broad verandah, the long easy chairs
suggestive of rest; my books on the sill of the low bedroom window;
the quiet flower garden, sweet with old-fashioned posies associated
with peace and thrift. We were going to--WHAT?

II
My diary carries the story on:--
DECEMBER 30.--We find the town intensely excited, but there is no
disorder. Men are hurrying about in cabs and on foot with
determined-looking faces, but no other visible evidence of the day's
tragedy.
My husband ran in to see how we were faring about 8 o'clock this
evening. I had not seen him since early morning. He told me that a
Reform Committee had been formed of the leading men of the city.
Also that the Americans had called a meeting in the course of the
afternoon to hear the results of a Special Deputation, consisting of
Messrs. Hennen Jennings and Perkins, to President Kruger. Mr.
Jennings reported the President as having listened to them attentively
while they conveyed to him what they believed to be the sentiment of
the Americans on the Rand. They assured him that, although the
Americans recognised the rights of the Boers as well as those of the
Uitlanders, unless he could in some way meet the demand of the
unenfranchised people of the Transvaal he could not expect their
support when the revolution came. They also told him that the

Americans wanted to see the Republic preserved, but on a truer basis.
And when questioned by the President if in case of rebellion the
Americans would be with or against the Government, they answered
bluntly, 'They would be against the Government.'
President Kruger dogmatically declared 'this was no time for discussion,
but a time for the people to obey the law,' and with this they were
dismissed.
A Committee of three is appointed to visit Pretoria to-morrow and
again lay before the President a statement of the demands of the
Uitlanders, the attitude of the Americans and their wish to preserve the
integrity of the Republic, but also to warn him that, if the Government
insists upon ignoring these just demands, and thus precipitates war, the
Americans must array themselves on the side of the other Uitlanders.
A large mass meeting is called to receive these gentlemen on their
return from Pretoria and to decide upon the Americans' future course of
action.
The mail train to Cape Town was crowded with hundreds of
terror-stricken women and children sent away by anxious husbands to a
place of safety. The ordinary accommodation was far too inadequate to
supply the sudden rush. They were crowded like sheep on cattle trucks.
I fear the journey