Before we begin relating the events with which this book is actually
concerned, and which took place, as we have said in the previous chapter,
exclusively in and around the capital, I must ask my reader to turn his
attention for a few moments to that great mining centre, Johannesburg, "The
Golden City" of South Africa.
If
it was hated by the Boers before the war as the cause of all the unrest in
their beloved country, the unwelcome revolution in the calm simplicity of
their hitherto peaceful life, it is not to be wondered at that their hatred
and resentment had been intensified by the way in which the war was brought
about.
This feeling had risen to its height of concentrated fury when it became
known to the burghers that the sweeping advance of the British forces in
overwhelming numbers would soon make it possible for the English to take
full possession of those coveted mines.
At
the time of the Republican successes there had been no suggestion that it
would be politic to destroy the mines, but as reverses became more frequent,
and it became evident beyond a doubt that the British troops were about to
cross the Vaal, a strong section of the Government, supported by popular
feeling, openly advocated the destruction of the mines as well as the town
of Johannesburg. The precedent quoted for such a course was the burning of
Moscow by the Russians, in order to retard the victorious advance of
Napoleon.
Very soon it became apparent that the members of the Government who were
advocating this policy were gaining the upper hand, as instructions were
actually given to certain officials of the Mines Department to make the
necessary arrangements for blowing up the mines. Another section of the
Government, among whom were General Louis Botha and Dr. F.E.T. Krause,
strenuously opposed the carrying out of this policy.
This section eventually gained the upper hand at the time when Commandant
Schutte was compelled to relinquish the position of Special Commandant for
the Rand, and Dr. Krause was appointed in his stead, although the
circumstances leading to this change had at first in some measure
strengthened those who advocated destroying the mines. The change was
brought about in consequence of the terrible explosion at Begbie's
Engineering Works, which had been converted into a bomb factory by the
Government, and where several persons were killed and many injured.
The cause of this explosion after investigation was alleged to have been the
work of British spies, and it was only natural that those persons advocating
the destruction of the mines should avail themselves of this circumstance to
further their scheme, but the bold and determined opposition of Dr. Krause,
supported as he was by the mines police, a special body of men organised for
the purpose of protecting the mines, had the effect of inducing the
"Destroyers" to mature their scheme in secret.
The probable fate of the mines was openly and freely discussed in the
capital, and I have a faint recollection of a debating society having taken
for its subject, at this time, the question, "Would the result of blowing up
the mines be beneficial or detrimental to the Boer cause?" Many were the
pros and cons, and what conclusion was arrived at I do not know.
At
Harmony, mother and daughter followed the subject with the keenest interest
and anxiety, realising the important effect which the destruction of the
mines would have on the later development of the war.
There were several weighty considerations which the "Destroyers," in their
thirst for revenge, seemed to have overlooked entirely.
In
the first place, the blowing up of the mines would have failed in its object
of punishing the mining magnates against whom the resentment of the
Republicans was specially directed, and the chief sufferers would be
innocent shareholders in every part of the world, members of the
middle-classes who had invested their little all in the fabulously rich gold
mines of the Rand. Another very important consideration which was discussed
by the more thoughtful section of the community was the probable destruction
of the farms by the British forces by way of retaliation for the fate of the
mines. Could the burghers have foreseen that the entire country would be
laid waste in any case as the war proceeded, nothing could have saved the
mines. But the devastation of Boer homesteads was not to begin until a much
later period, and to this fact the "Destroyers" no doubt owed the
frustration of their schemes.
I
have to thank friends who were principally concerned in the matter for the
following account of how the mines were saved and for the interesting
description of the surrender of the Golden City, appearing in Chapter III.
At
this time the British troops were advancing rapidly. The Boers were
panic-stricken, and had it not been for the determined efforts of the
administration in Johannesburg, chaos would have resulted.
About ten days before the surrender of the town, the scheme of the
"Destroyers" was unwittingly disclosed through the foolishness of the man
who had been apparently chosen to carry it out. Judge Kock, who was a friend
of Dr. Krause's, came over to Johannesburg for the purpose of making a last
and determined effort to destroy the mines. Being a great friend of the
Krauses, he was invited to stay at their house. In a burst of confidence he
produced a letter signed by a very high-placed official of the Executive
Council, whereby he was empowered, in indefinite terms, to call for the
co-operation of any military official whom he pleased. He showed Dr. Krause
this letter and requested him to instruct the mine police and certain other
mine officials to assist him. He was met with a blank refusal, and a threat
that if he persisted in this undertaking he would be arrested. Judge Kock,
or, as he then styled himself, "General" Kock, had gathered together a
cosmopolitan force of about 100 men.
About this time events were rapidly changing. The determined advance of the
British forces and the panic-stricken retreat of the Boers had the effect of
encouraging "General" Kock and his men. Dr. Krause's hands were full in
attending to the military necessities of the situation. Urgent messages from
Botha and the President were hourly passing over the wires. General French,
who was advancing on Johannesburg from the east, had pressed forward to such
an extent that the Boers retreating from Vereeniging were practically hemmed
in by the British columns.
Commandant Krause on the Sunday afternoon hastily gathered as many fighting
men as he could muster, and with them occupied the hills surrounding Van
Wyk's Rust, in order to check the advance of French and give the Boers an
opportunity of retreating safely. On the Monday, while fighting was going
on, he was obliged to leave his men—who by that time had been reinforced by
the retreating Boers—for Johannesburg, on receiving an urgent message that
chaos was reigning in town, and that the goods sheds at the station, where
Government provisions and food-stuffs were stored, were being looted. On his
return order was speedily restored.
Tuesday, May 29th, was the eventful day in the history of the saving of the
mines, as on this date Dr. Krause personally arrested "General" Kock and
dispersed his band of followers. It happened in this way.
During the progress of the war the Government had been working some of the
mines, and, at the time of the rapid advance of the British from
Bloemfontein, instructions were given that all the gold should be conveyed
to Pretoria. The week before the surrender of Johannesburg, Dr. Krause had
given the necessary instructions for doing this, and had received a report
that all gold had been transported. Now, it appears that Kock had taken
advantage of the Commandant's absence from Johannesburg to further his
scheme of destruction, and the first mine he went to with that purpose in
view was the Robinson. On arriving there he accidentally discovered that
about 120,000 ounces of gold, valued at about £400,000, were still stored on
the mine. He was evidently so perturbed about this that he momentarily
forgot his purpose, and galloped post-haste with the greater number of his
men to the Commandant's office. His men were drawn up outside; he dismounted
and found Dr. Krause in consultation with Commandant L.E. van Diggelen, the
energetic officer in command of the Mines Police. Kock adopted a threatening
and bullying attitude, and demanded the reason why so much gold had been
left on the mine, and where the treachery lay. During the course of his
angry outburst he disclosed the fact that he had proceeded to the mine for
the purpose of destroying it, and had discovered the presence of the gold.
It may be mentioned here that Dr. Krause, in the course of the morning, had
been in telegraphic communication with General Botha, who was then in the
vicinity of Eagles' Nest, and had informed him that it would probably be
necessary to take violent measures against Kock, which might lead to
bloodshed. General Botha's reply was: "I hold you responsible for the safety
of the mines and the town of Johannesburg, and I leave everything in your
hands."
When, therefore, "General" Kock disclosed his purpose, Dr. Krause jumped up,
closed the door, confronted him, and, before he could realise his position,
had him under arrest, calling upon van Diggelen to disarm him. Kock made an
attempt to escape, but he was powerless in the hands of two determined men.
Some time elapsed before he realised the hopelessness of the situation, as
his last attempt to induce Commandant van Diggelen to deliver a note to his
men outside was met with a blank refusal. The next thing to be done was to
get rid of these men, who evidently had been instructed by their "General"
not to leave without him, he probably fearing that something unforeseen
might happen to him. How now to get rid of these men? The following ruse was
adopted: Dr. Krause took up some telegrams, and, waving these in the air,
rushed out to where they were stationed, demanding to know who the officer
in charge was. He was met by a confusion of voices calling out, "Where is
our General?" "Oh!" was the reply, "your General is still in my office,
consulting on military matters, and I have just received information that
the British are advancing on the town from the direction of the Gueldenhuis.
Your General commands you to proceed in that direction to reinforce the
Boers, who are trying to stop the advance. We will follow immediately with
the rest of the men. Now! who is in command?" "I am, sir—Captain McCullum."
"Now, Captain," the Doctor said, "ride for your life and do your duty."
The ruse was successful, and in a few minutes not a single man of the band
was in sight. The next question was, what was to be done with Kock. The
following plan was adopted: The arrest took place shortly before the
luncheon hour, and as the offices were generally closed from one till two,
Kock was detained in the Commandant's office until one. All officials were
then ordered to leave. Van Diggelen ordered his dog-cart to be brought
round, Kock was told to step in, and was quietly driven to the fort, where
he was detained by the officer in charge.
During the afternoon General Botha and his staff passed through
Johannesburg, and came to see Dr. Krause, who reported what had happened.
General Botha approved of and confirmed his action in every respect. The
conference between the two officers did not last long, and resulted in Dr.
Krause being definitely instructed to remain in Johannesburg in order to
protect the town and its inhabitants, and to see that all fighting burghers
immediately left for their respective commandos. The same evening Kock was
sent to Pretoria, escorted by several police, and handed over to the
authorities there.
The great danger which had threatened the safety of the mines was in this
way averted.
Before closing this chapter, mention should be made of the excellent work
done by the Mines Police in the protection of the mines, and in this
connection especially to name Commandant L.E. van Diggelen and Lt. W. Vogts,
the energetic Secretary of the Force.
The gold found on the Robinson Mine was on the same Tuesday sent by Dr.
Krause to Pretoria in charge of Captain Arendt Burkhardt and several members
of the Field Police, and was duly delivered by them to the authorities
there.
Note.—The subsequent career of Kock was an eventful one. He lost his father,
J.H. Kock, at the battle of Elandslaagte. This and other matters so preyed
upon his mind that eventually he became subject to delusions, and is at
present confined in the lunatic asylum at Pretoria.
