Emily Hobhouse: Boer War Letters

by Emily Hobhouse

Meeting of the Women's South African Conciliation Committee

Studying old documents and papers is to realize once again the passion of indignation felt by a considerable section of our country at the threat of annexation. Many who had taken the war lightly or even willingly as far as to give the Boers a beating, paused before the injustice of annexation. "Self-determination" was not in fashion with our Statesmen then. We longed to protest, and it occurred to me that women, at least, might make public protest without rousing undue criticism.

The idea came to me at a small dinner-party given by Mr. Courtney's sister, Mrs. Oliver, at her house in Collingham Gardens. The dinner was of a provate nature, only old Miss Williams and myself beside the Courtneys and our hosts. 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. To my great joy, but considerable surprise, Mr. Courtney agreed in principle to the proposal [...] Thus backed, I carried the idea to out next women's committee and urged it there with success.

A date 13 June 1900, was fixed, and resolving to do it on a large scale as a demonstration of real importance, the Queen's Hall was secured. From the moment my flat in Chelsea become organizing Headquarters and with the devoted help of Miss Anna Griffin we began on May 1 the arduous work of preparation. 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.

There was an immense opposition to contend with and the conciliation attitude to be always maintained. The great bulk of the correspondence fell on Miss Griffin and we laboured from 8 a.m. to - often - 11 p.m. for those six weeks. The result was a magnificent assemblage of women, representative not only of London but of the entire country, for it was attended by delegates of the Women's Liberal Foundation which was holding its meetings at the time...

I write to you rather fully about this meeting because I know full well how sore a trial it has been to you and your People to lose your independence as a result of that War, and I feel it may be an allevation after all these years to know that a large section of the English People worked hard in protest against it. True, we hardly perhaps realized at that time how very deeply it would pierce your hearts, and our protest was more largely due to our proud desire for England's Honour and our horror lest her Rectitude be marred by an unjust act...

Our poet William Watson, the passionate lover of a lofty-minded England, embodied our view in the sonnet he wrote for our meeting at the special request of Mrs. Courtney. He wrote: "Yet being brave, being women, you will speak/The thought that must be spoken without fear./The voice of chivalry is faint;the note/Of patriotism is well-nigh overborne./For what is patriotism but noble care/For our own country's Honour in men's eyes." Madame San Carolo's vigorous recitation of this poem brought out the full weight his thought and thus added a fine touch to the meeting.

Free admission to the hall was decided on by the committee but only for bearers of tickets supplied by me. There was need for this caution in those days. Besides, it was to be a purely women's meeting and as matter of fact no men were present, except, it was said, the organ blower! I recall with amusement Mr. Courtney's keen wish to be present and how he begged me for a ticket, but there was the strict prohibition of men and, besides, Mrs. Courtney was nervous and did not wish him to be present fearing lest there should be disturbances. For those were turbulent days. We had great fun over this little plot, for it was, as he determined to be there and continued to beg me secretly for a ticket. I was adamant as regards allowing him into the hall, but on his solemn promise that he would come no further than the corridor and be content to listen behind the curtain, I eventually gave way. I well remember catching sight of the fine dome of his head against the red portiere just as I was making my own speech and how nervous it made me.

Below are the resolutions passed with, I believe, only one dissentient, and that feeble voice, by some accounts, the cry of a baby!

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.

Resolution II That this meeting protests against the attempts to silence, by disorder and violence, all freedom of speech, or criticism, of Government policy.

Resolution III That this meeting protests against any settlement which involves the extinction by force of two republics whose inhabitants, allied to us blood and religion, cling as passionately to their seperate nationality and flag as we in this country to to ours.

Resolution IV That this meeting desires to express its sympathy with the women of the Transvbaal and Orange Free State, and begs them to remember that thousands of English women are filled with profound sorrow at the thought of their sufferings, and with deep regret for the action of their own Government. "God Save the Queen"

I was amongst the list of distinguished women who were the published speakers, but when it was finally resolved to append the fourth resolution it fell to me to propose it. It chimed with my feeling and formed the keystone of my life and thoughts for years to come. And now, in my old age, the tablets are turned and the women of the two former republics think with sympathy of me in my weakness and constantly, by work and deed, show me that they never forget. ^[1]

Refrence

1. Hobhouse, Emily. Boer War Letters:The Camps. Ed. Ryker Van Reener. Capetown: Human & Russeau. 1984. p.18-20