Who, in 1899, could have prophesied such a phenomenon as that! Lord Kitchener's proclamation issued upon August 9th marked one more turn in the screw upon the part of the British authorities.

By it the burghers were warned that those who had not laid down their arms by September 15th would in the case of the leaders be banished, and in the case of the burghers be compelled to support their families in the refugee camps.

As many of the fighting burghers were men of no substance, the latter threat did not affect them much, but the other, though it had little result at the time, may be useful for the exclusion of firebrands during the period of reconstruction.

Some increase was noticeable in the number of surrenders after the proclamation, but on the whole it had not the result which was expected, and its expediency is very open to question.

This date may be said to mark the conclusion of the winter campaign and the opening of a new phase in the struggle..