m of the South African Republic, this government is convinced
that no ground whatever exists for active interference in the internal
affairs of that republic."

This letter was precipitate and unfortunate. On the 11th of July, after
seeing Mr Hofmeyr on his return, Mr Schreiner made a personal appeal to
President Kruger to approach the imperial government in a friendly
spirit. At this time an incident occurred which raised the feeling
against Mr Schreiner to a very high pitch. On the 7th of July 500 rifles
and 1,000,000 rounds of ammunition were landed at Port Elizabeth,
consigned to the Free State government, and forwarded to Bloemfontein.
Mr Schreiner's attention was called to this consignment at the time, but
he refused to stop it, alleging as his reason that, inasmuch as Great
Britain was at peace with the Free State, he had no right to interdict
the passage of arms through the Cape Colony. The British colonist is as
capable of a grim jest as the Transvaal Boer, and this action of Mr
Schreiner's won for him the nickname "Ammunition Bill." At a later date
he was accused of delay in forwarding artillery and rifles for the
defence of Kimberley, Mafeking and other towns of the colony. The reason
he gave for delay was that he did not anticipate war; and that he did
not wish to excite unwarrantable suspicions in the minds of the Free
State. His conduct in both instances was perhaps technically correct,
but it was much resented by loyal colonists.

On the 28th of July Mr Chamberlain sent a conciliatory despatch to
President Kruger, suggesting a meeting of delegates to consider and
report on his last franchise proposals, which were complex to a degree.
Mr Schreiner, on the 3rd of August, telegraphed to Mr Fischer begging
the Transvaal to welcome Mr Chamberlain's proposal. At a later date, on
receiving an inquiry from the Free State as to the movements of British
troops, Mr Schreiner curtly refused any information, and referred the
Free State to the high commissioner. On the 28th of August Sir Gordon
Sprigg in the House of Assembly moved the adjournment of the debate, to
discuss the removal of arms to the Free State. Mr Schreiner, in reply,
used expressions which called down upon him the severest censure and
indignation, both in the colony and in Great Britain. He stated that,
should the storm burst, he would keep the colony aloof with regard both
to its forces and its people. In the course of the speech he also read a