Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-23
Paul Kruger's Memoirs

From advance sheets Of THE Memoirs Of
Paul Kruger" which the Century company
VIII publish in America November rs. we
make the following extract. Here the old
president describes the FIRST annexation Of
the South African Republic to England:
All the d%ifhculties which President
Burgers encountered. owing to his Own
fault, were employed by the English to
bring about and Justify annexation. a
large majority Of the burghers who lived
In the plains we're, as has already been
stated, dissatisfied with the presidents
government, while the inhabitants of the
villages who consisted almost entirely Of
foreigners, and Of whom a large number
were not even burghers, were contented
with Burgers rule, above all because they
expected great things from the proposed
railway. When they now realized how
strong the opposition was they gradually
came to the conclusion that annexation by
the British crown would not be at all a
bad thing for them. 1t was from these
men that Shepstone received petitions in
favor OF annexation. These petitions we're
signed almost entirely by the village popu-
lations.
Shepstone, the governor Of Natal. was
authorized by the British government to
discover the best means for annexing the
country. He left Natal for Pretoria with
an escort Of twenty-five men, for the pur-
pose, as he pretended, of discussing the
kafir difficulties and other questions. He
added openly. which was the case, that the
republic had not defeated Secucuni and
that this fact would be a dangerous in
element to rebellion on British territory.
l clearly foresaw Shepstone's intentions
and asked President Burgers not to per-
NIT him to enter the town with his armed
body guard except under the escort Of an
armed burgher force. President Burgers
paid no attention to my request.
The presidents term OF office had at this
time expired and a new election had be-
come necessary. l was asked by a great
number Of burghers to present myself as
a candidate. and, although 1 at first re-
fused. / at last consented in order to put
a stop to the dissatisfaction which the
burghers had shown at my refusal to stand.
But l made this condition with the election
committee, that, II Burgers obtained a
majority they must rest content and obey
him. so as not. through open discords, to
give England an excuse for carrying out
her plans of annexation. Already in the
AAo WON IA "hASh Nhb NNNNo Va Az oONOAo
parties mot the of1cial e~lection) were re-
corded, 1t became evident that I should
have a large majority. I went to President
Burgers and said to him.:
President, l promise to bring over the
majority Of the %burghers to your side II
you will promise me to take strong meas
ures against the annexation and to defend
our independence. II this is your inten-
tion you must make 1t plain. so that
can emphatically assure the burghers that
the independence of our country will be
powerfully guarded. Otherwise my argu-
ments will, Of course. make no impression,
( There is my hand on it that l shall dc
what / have offered to do"
Before the election took place. however
the British flag waved over the once free
republic.
Shortly after the above conversation, on
the 21st of January, 1877. Shepstone arrived
at Pretoria with his armed ~bodyguard and
- NA.,algp 49,