Published by The Diamond Fields Advertiser, Limited, KIMBERLEY, 1900.
Edited by George Alfred Laurence Green.
Folio-sized softcover (430 x 276mm) providing a photographic record of the siege with descriptive text. This copy has been bound into a later hardcover. Some amateur restoration along the edges of the preliminary pages.
A rare item. Only 2 copies were found during the SABIB survey.
80pp. Illustrated (photos mainly supplied by Mr. F. H. Hancox, Premier Studio, Kimberley).
'It is stated that Kimberley, a few months before the siege, was in an "utterly defenceless condition"; the Cape Government was appealed to, but "the majority of the members of the Defence Committee" curtly refused "to even hear Dr. Mathias, who wished, at the request of the leading Kimberley residents, to give evidence on this question." It is asserted that after the breakdown of the Bloemfontein Conference, the Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, Mr. W. P. Schreiner, "was approached with the reasonable request, 'If you cannot or will not protect us, give us arms and we will defend ourselves.' It was a fair offer, but apparently the last things the authorities desired was that the inhabitants should be able to defend themselves." It is maintained that the Colonial Government "stubbornly refused to recognise facts." ... "There is no reason whatever," the Civil Commissioner was instructed to reply, "for apprehending that Kimberley is, or in any contemplated event, will be, in danger of attack, and Mr. Schreiner is of opinion that your fears are groundless, and your anticipations without foundation." Its is recorded that, seeing the futility of further protest to the Government, the High Commissioner was appealed to, who promised "that Kimberley should not be forgotten," and eventually Colonel Kekewich arrived to superintend the defences in case of war. A very full and detailed account of the siege and the engagements outside the town is given, together with a most valuable and interesting collection of portraits and illustrations, in connection with the investment. There is a complete list of the officers and men (regulars, town guard, and volunteers) who were engaged in the defence of the town and its vicinity.' - Mendelssohn Vol.I, pages 824-825
Anglo-Boer War, ABO, Anglo-Boereoorlog, Tweede Vryheidsoorlog
