The fact of the farm-burning in the conquered countries, and the fiction of outrages by the British troops, raised a storm of indignation.

The annexation of the Republics, meaning the final disappearance of any Dutch flag from South Africa, was a racial humiliation which was bitterly resented.

The Dutch papers became very violent, and the farmers much excited.

The agitation culminated in a conference at Worcester upon December 6th, at which some thousands of delegates were present.

It is suggestive of the Imperial nature of the struggle that the assembly of Dutch Afrikanders was carried out under the muzzles of Canadian artillery, and closely watched by Australian cavalry.