was hated by the Boers before the war as the cause of all the
unrest in their beloved country, the unwelcome revolution in the calm
simplicity of their hitherto peaceful life, it is not to be wondered
at that their hatred and resentment had been intensified by the way in
which the war was brought about.

This feeling had risen to its height of concentrated fury when it
became known to the burghers that the sweeping advance of the British
forces in overwhelming numbers would soon make it possible for the
English to take full possession of those coveted mines.

At the time of the Republican successes there had been no suggestion
that it would be politic to destroy the mines, but as reverses became
more frequent, and it became evident beyond a doubt that the British
troops were about to cross the Vaal, a strong section of the
Government, supported by popular feeling, openly advocated the
destruction of the mines as well as the town of Johannesburg. The
precedent quoted for such a course was the burning of Moscow by the
Russians, in order to retard the victorious advance of Napoleon.

Very soon it became apparent that the members of the Government who
were advocating this policy were gaining the upper hand, as
instructions were actually given to certain officials of the Mines
Department to make the necessary arrangements for blowing up the
mines. Another section of the Government, among whom were General
Louis Botha and Dr. F.E.T. Krause, strenuously opposed the carrying
out of this policy.

This section eventually gained the upper hand at the time when
Commandant Schutte was compelled to relinquish the position of Special
Commandant for the Rand, and Dr. Krause was appointed in his stead,
although the circumstances leading to this change had at first in some
measure strengthened those who advocated destroying the mines. The
change was brought about in consequence of the terrible explosion at
Begbie's Engineering Works, which had been converted into a bomb
factory by the Government, and where several persons were killed and
many injured.

The cause of this explosion after investigation was alleged to have
been the work of British spies, and it was only natural that those
persons advocating the destruction of the mines should avail
themselves of this circumstance to further their scheme, but the bold
and determined opposition of Dr. Krause, supported as he was by the
mines police, a special body of men organised for th