The discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand…

The discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand has greatly increased Boer-British tensions.

Here is vast mineral wealth beyond British control.

Moreover, the president of the South African Republic, Paul Kruger, has attempted to lessen his state's long-term dependence on Cape merchants by developing a rail link to Portuguese East Africa.

Such a link threatens British commercial interests and revives old fears of the Boers' gaining direct access to the sea and thus to other European powers.

At the same time, the mine owners are, without exception, English speakers who exhibit no loyalty to the South African Republic and who do not seek to reinvest their gold profits in the local community.

Indeed, they complain bitterly about all attempts to tax the gold industry.