Emily Hobhouse

“ Resolution I That this meeting of women brought together from all parts of the United Kingdom condemns the unhappy war now raging in South Africa as mainly due to the bad policy of the Government, a policy which has already cost in killing, wounded and missing over 20 000 of our bravest soldiers, and the expenditure of millions of money drawn from the savings and toil of out People, while to the two small States with whom we are at war, it is bringing utter ruin and desolation. ”

“ All agree that if the loyalists would be as conciliatory as the Colonial Secretary, harmony might return, but they go on rubbing in loyalty at every turn. To me it seems that the bitterness against England is far deeper and more intense than on my previous visit, the sense of injustice has gone in so deep that it can never be effaced ”

“ I have already petitioed all the authoritiesfor "land" prison; rocking out here in the cold is awful and I cannot sleep.
It would be too ludicrous if it were not for the great tragedy of which it is one little outcome. Anyhow I think they will find me a bore, polite but a ore, before we have done. I felt happier when i had made up my mind what course to steer. The Captain who, though by no means a political sympathizer, likes me personally, is acting most courteously in a trying position. ”

“ They know nothing here of what is going on up-country, and on many points know far fewer facts than we English...But books are not easily come by; my book, MacDonalds’s book, Kestell’s book, Songs of the Veld and others-all seem under silent prohibition. The first consignments got in, but they were quietly squashed now, though if any bookseller chose to bring the matter into Court probably the prohibition would be removed, as was the case with Van Edelingen’s History of the War. But no one will take that step, so the bulk of the population neither see nor hear of such books. ”

“ We formed, of course, branches throughout London with excellent workers but even so, six weeks is scant time for filling the Queen's Hall with women only and all the drawbacks of an unpopular subject in time of war. ”

“ For instance, "they" don't want it much talked of in Cape town and i mean it shall be. We are to move into dock as soon as the gal subsides and I shall at once demand a guard; partly because it is ectremly disagreeable for Captan Brown to be my goaler, and partly that the guard is their witness that I keep the rulers laid down. Most of all because I understand they don't want to do it because of making it conspicuous. I know soldiers hate garding wemoen. I also mean to refuse to return to England until such time as myself willing and able, unless of course they send me under force of arms. ”

“ The most beautiful thing is the view from the stoep, which is of almost unrivalled beauty, across a richly cultivated plain with woods and fields to the seas and the cliffs of False Bay and beyond the seas the grand range of mountains around Stellenbosch. ”

“ There seems much to tell of feelings and experiences if not of facts since our arrival here on sunday, the 27th. We dropped anchor as the clock struck 4 p.m., and we were all dressed and ready to go ashore, ready with the readiness of those who has been 22 days at sea, grinding along with an asthmatic engine against strong currents and head winds. ”

“ I took him to the Captain;s cabin, for I had an instinctive turning to the Captain at the moment as the only man to stand by me. He welcomed us in and was himself withdrawing when the Officer stopped him saying that the matter concerned him also. He, Lingham, then turned to me and informed me I was placed under arrest, that i shouldnt not be allowed to land in South Africa "anywhere," and that I was to hold no communication with anyone on shore by word or leter. I drew up and asked him from whom he had recieved such an order, and he replied from colonel Cooper, Military Commander of Cape town. ”

“ The weather has been very wet and rather cold and I have been prevented from getting about as I should wish...I have a great number of invitations to stay with people, more than I can possibly accept...Now I want to hurry on not to miss the cold weather at Pretoria and in the North Transvaal, and work southwards as the weather grows warmer. ”

“ The coming annexation was discussed and deplored and when the obstacles to a general protest were dealt with and felt to be overwleming, I, as Honorary Secretary of the Women's Branch of the South African Conciliation Committee, proposed that we, the women, should hold a meeting of protest. ”

“ Those seven good on board this ship. It is 10/- a day. Here I see another way of being a bore. Also if they send me home, Government must pay my passage. I find that it is the rule of the Company in cases of undesirables who may not land. And so has ended my second day.
I forgot to say that i asked if Nurse might land and Lingham replied: "Probably, but she must be searched." Captain and I both laughed so at this, that he looked very silly. nurse is of course much put about, but though wishing to remain with me and "tend" me she has decided to remain in the Colony if I go home. ”