SAIIA SOUTH AFRICAN DIPLOMATS ABROAD.pdf

Resident in the first years). The treaties with foreign powers
signed by him in his abovementioned capacity were approved
by Her Majesty in terms of article IV of the Convention ot
1884. While on this subject I may add that the Republic
had appointed its consuls throughout Europe and that for
the appointment of a Consul-General in England and Consul
in Durban exequatur was granted by the British Government.
Likewise England has asked exequatur for English consular
officers in the Republic."
In the light of this authoritative statement it is clear that the
Union of South Africa enjoys a greater degree of freedom than
did the nominally independent Boer State. The approval
of the Crown was necessary to ensure the validity of any treaty
signed by the South African Republic but no such provision
applies to the Union which acts as a fully sovereign power.
During the South African War Dr. -Leyds, in effect, represented
both of the Republics, and his activities in this capacity
were supplemented, but not superseded, by those of the famous
Delegation of Three, which proceeded to Europe and the United
States, but did not enjoy diplomatic status. As the fortune
of the conflict went against the Boers Leyds' position became
more and more precarious until finally his offices ceased to
function.
It is, however, remarkable that the Legation of the South
African Republic did not officially disappear until several months
after the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging. The peace was
signed in May, and the legation was closed in August, at the
time of the visit by BoeT~3eIegates to President fCriiger in
Holland. '? ; ot.
The wording of the preamble of the Treaty of Vereeniging
has great diplomatic significance. Unlike theTcIbcurhent which
ended the Second World War with Germany it is drafted as
an agreement between equals.
"General Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, Commandingin-Chief,
and His Excellency Lord Milner, High Commissioner,
on behalf of the British Government,
and
"Messrs. S. W. Burger, F. \V. Reitz, Louis Botha, J. H. de
la Rey, L. j. Meyer and J, C. Krogh, acting as the Qovernjnent
of the South African Republic,
and
"Messrs. W. J. C. Brebner, C R. de Wet, J. B. M. Hertzog,
and C. H. Olivier, acting as the Government of the Orange
Free State,
'On behalf of their respective Burghers,
'Desirous to terminate the present hostilities, agree on
the following articles . . . ." ,
The old Boer regime had ended, but it did so with honour.