On May 20th the Transvaal Government renewed its rather impertinent
remonstrances against an imaginary collection of troops at Mafeking. A "sworn declaration" had been re- ceived in Pretoria affirming that forty "cannon" had been unloaded at Mafeking, and that there were two thousand five hundred troops between that place and Ramatsa. His Excel- lency is therefore asked to state for what purpose so many cannon and troops are forwarded to Mafeking, and why more "troops have been brought to Cape Town." Sir Hercules Robinson, in his reply, enters perhaps into unnecessary detail, but he is perfectly firm and courteous. He informs the Government of Pretoria that only nine Maxims and two 7-pounder guns have been sent, most of which are north of Macloutsie, and that the troops sent out from England have already been mentioned to President Kruger. He regrets that the Government of Pretoria should place reliance on reports which its own officers could easily have verified, and he hopes that it will help to allay rumours which disturb the peace of South Africa by taking legal proceedings against the person who has made the sworn declaration. Diplomatically, the High Commissioner wins in the controversy, but the correspondence shows that the ruling party in Pretoria are in a mood of savage suspicion.
