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!
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."
