Although this picture was distributed after the war began in an attempt to underline Boer duplicity by their ready violation of the white flag, it also captured the spirit of pre-war propaganda which stressed Boer inhumanity and crudeness. Tales of brutality to refugees, particularly women and children, were tailored to create a sense of outrage to justify bringing law, order and justice to this troubled continent. "Boers Act Like Untamed Savages," one headline read, relating how Boers had spat in the faces of English women, shouted obscenities and defIed the water at railway stations - stories guaranteed to shock Victorian sensibilities. More sensational charges claimed that the Boers, in preparation for war, were advertising for two real Bushmen to make their famed poison. "The named above poison" the alleged advertisement read, "must be suitable for soaking our bullets, as, I think, it would be very unfortunate that our enemies should be shot with bullets not so soaked." Civilization demanded an end to such savage practices!
Courtesy: Edgar Sanderson, The Fight For The Flag in South Africa (Toronto: Briggs & Co., 1900) p. 32 McLennan Library, McGill University
