CHAPTER VII.

SECURITY OF INDIVIDUALS ACCORDING TO BOER IDEAS.[11]


1.--_The Amphitheatre Case._

Dr. Kuyper proceeds with charming serenity:

"The affair called the 'Amphitheatre Case' is more ridiculous still."

And this is his mode of telling it:--

"One day the _South African League_ wished to hold a meeting in the
Amphitheatre, and, through Mr. Wybergh, intimated to the State
Attorney that they preferred not to be hampered by the presence of
the police. In conformity with this wish, the State Attorney
telegraphed to the Johannesburg police to keep away. But scarcely
had the meeting commenced before the opponents of the League
invaded the hall; and the few police stationed at the door were
unable to separate the combatants quickly enough. There followed
complaints to London ..."

This is Dr. Kuyper's account. I would ask him, in the first place, why
he does not give the date of this meeting, which took place on the 14th
of January, 1899, one month after the death of Edgar. Secondly, what was
the object of this meeting? Dr. Kuyper is silent on these points. He
speaks of the step taken by Mr. Wybergh, but he altogether misrepresents
it, forgetting that Mr. Wybergh has given his own account of it.