Relations between the British and the Afrikaners…

Relations between the British and the Afrikaners had deteriorated steadily after the Jameson Raid.

By 1898, war seems imminent.

Orange Free State President Martinus Steyn calls for a peace conference at Bloemfontein to settle each side's grievances.

Jan Smuts, with an intimate knowledge of the British, takes control of the Transvaal delegation.

Sir Alfred Milner, head of the British delegation, takes exception to his dominance, and conflict between the two lead to the collapse of the conference, consigning South Africa to war.