These kaffirs, being ignorant of the rules of civilised warfare, have not hesitated on various occasions and even in the presence of your troops, to kill prisoners-of-war in a barbarous fashion. This is only one of the evil consequences resulting from the employment of barbarians in war, because it has also occurred that defenceless women and children have been made prisoners by these wild ruffians, and removed to kaffir kraals for detention until they were handed over to the British military authorities.
This Government is prepared, in case the above allegations are denied, to send your Excellency a large number of sworn declarations confirming the facts.
We have the honour to be,
Your Excellency's most obedient servants,
S. W. BURGER
(Acting State President).
F. W. REITZ
(Acting State Secretary).
Army Headquarters, Pretoria, South Africa.
1st December, 1901.
Sir,
I observe from a communication which his Honour Schalk Burger has requested me to forward to Lord Salisbury, and which I have so forwarded, that his Government complains of the treatment of the women and children in the camps which we have established for their reception.
Everything has been done which the conditions of a state of war allowed to provide for the well-being of the women and children; but as you complain of that treatment and must, therefore, be in a position to provide for them, I have the honour to inform you that all women and children at present in our camps who are willing to leave will be sent to your care, and I shall be happy to be informed where you desire that they should be handed over to you.
I have addressed a reply to His Honour Schalk Burger in the above sense.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
KITCHENER,
General Commanding-in-Chief, South Africa.[Back to Table of Contents]
To General C. De Wet.