A Womans Part in a Revolution | Page 7

and

that his coming would defeat the aim and purposes of the whole
movement; and, further, that he could not expect any aid or
co-operation from the people of Johannesburg.
Notwithstanding all this, Jameson left Pitsani Sunday night, and the
first intimation which Johannesburg had of his advance was through
telegrams received Monday afternoon.
The Reform Committee, thus informed of Jameson's coming, and
knowing that he was fully aware of their unarmed condition, believed
that he relied only on his own forces to reach Johannesburg; and the
Committee were assured by Major Heaney and Captain White (two of
Jameson's officers, the latter having two brothers with the invading
force) that no Boer force could stop him in his march; and this was
confirmed by one of Jameson's troopers, who came from him this
morning of the surrender, and reported that he was getting along well;
that, although his horses were tired, he would reach Johannesburg
within a few hours, and that he needed no assistance.
The hope of the Committee was that, after receiving the proclamation
of the High Commissioner, Jameson would retrace his steps instead of
pushing on.
Monday, when we first heard of his starting, there were only 1,000
guns, and very little ammunition in the country, and these were hidden
away at the different mines. One thousand five hundred more guns
arrived next day. So desperate was the extremity, these guns were
smuggled in at great risk of being discovered by the Boer Custom
House officials, under a thin covering of coke on ordinary coal cars.
But for the bold courage of several men, who rushed the coke through,
they would have fallen into the hands of the Boers. The leaders had
taken as few men as was possible into their confidence, so as to reduce
to a minimum all liability of their plans being discovered by the
Government. They had made almost no organisation, and Jameson's
sudden oncoming placed them in a terrible position. To confess at this
juncture that the Reform Committee was short of guns would have
demoralised the people, and placed Johannesburg entirely at the mercy
of the Boers. These leaders played a losing game with splendid courage.

Realising that all would be lost if the true situation were suspected, and
feeling the fearful responsibility of their position, they kept their
counsel, and turned bold faces to the world, continuing to treat with
Government with the independence of well-armed men, and men ready
to fight.
When the news of Jameson's surrender was confirmed this evening, the
surging crowd around the 'Gold Fields' became an excited and
dangerous mob. Pressing thickly together, in their frenzy, they began to
mutter threats against the Reform Committee, and demanded, 'Where is
Jameson? We thought you promised to stand by Jameson! Why didn't
you give us guns and let us go out to help Jameson?'
Plans were made to blow up the 'Gold Fields' where the Reformers sat
in session. Several gentlemen of the Committee essayed to speak from
the windows, but were received with howls and curses from the stormy
tumult below. At last Mr. Samuel Jameson, brother to Dr. Jameson,
made himself heard:--
'I beg you, for my brother's sake, to maintain a spirit of calm restraint.
We have done everything in our power for him, and used our very best
judgment. In face of the complicated circumstances, no other course
could have been taken.'
It was as oil on the troubled waters.
JANUARY 3.--
FROM THE REFORM COMMITTEE.
The Reform Committee issued the following notice at noon:--
'_Resolved_: That in view of the declaration by the Transvaal
Government to Her Majesty's Agent that the mediation of the High
Commissioner has been accepted, and that no hostile action will be
taken against Johannesburg pending the results of these negotiations,
the Committee emphatically direct that under no circumstances must
any hostile action be taken by the supporters of the Reform Committee,

and that in the event of aggressive action being taken against them, a
flag of truce be shown, and the position explained.
'In order to avoid any possibility of collision, definite orders have been
given. The matter is now left with the mediation of the High
Commissioner, and any breach of the peace in the meanwhile would be
an act of bad faith.
'By order of the Committee.'
Deep and universal depression follows upon the great excitement.
Jameson and his men are prisoners of war in Pretoria. Armed Boer
troops encircle the town.
One man said to me to-day: 'If we do get the franchise after losing only
thirty men, how much we will have gained and at how cheap a price.'
It was a man's view; birth and death could never mean so little to a
woman!
JANUARY 4.--The High Commissioner has arrived at Pretoria.
They say poor