South Africa Conciliation Committee facts for kids

The South Africa Conciliation Committee was a British group that worked against the Second Boer War. This war happened a long time ago, between 1899 and 1902, in South Africa. The committee wanted to find a peaceful way to end the fighting.

What Was the Conciliation Committee?

The committee started in 1899 when the war began. Its main goal was to share correct information about the war. They also wanted to find a peaceful solution between Britain and the Boer Republics in South Africa. The committee mostly pushed for talks and agreements to stop the war.

Why Was It Formed?

Many people in Britain did not agree with the war. The Conciliation Committee was one of the groups that spoke out. They tried to find a middle ground. They wanted South Africa to stay part of the British Empire. However, they did not want Britain to simply leave without a proper agreement. They tried to appeal to people's common sense, not just to one political group.

Who Were Its Key Members?

The committee was started by Catherine Courtney, Baroness Courtney of Penwith. Her husband, Leonard Courtney, 1st Baron Courtney of Penwith, a well-known politician, was the president. They asked Emily Hobhouse to be the secretary.

Important Women Leaders

Other important founding members included Jane Cobden Unwin. She was the daughter of a famous politician named Richard Cobden. Also, Elizabeth Maria Molteno, a supporter of women's rights, was a member. Her father was the first Prime Minister of the Cape Colony in South Africa.

Other notable members were John Clifford, who led another anti-war group. Members of Parliament like Allan Heywood Bright and Sir Wilfrid Lawson also joined. The writer Henry Brailsford and author Robert Spence Watson were also part of the committee.

What Did They Do?

The Conciliation Committee worked hard to get people to talk about peace. They believed that talking was better than fighting. They also tried to make sure people knew the truth about what was happening in the war.

Emily Hobhouse's Important Report

One of the most important things the committee did was send Emily Hobhouse to South Africa. She went there in 1900 and 1901. She wrote a report about the terrible conditions in the Second Boer War concentration camps. These were camps where many people, including women and children, were held during the war. Her report was very important. It led to another official investigation, called the Fawcett Commission. This commission confirmed that Emily Hobhouse's findings were true.

Challenges and Public Opinion

The committee faced many challenges. In the 1900 general election, many people supported the war. This election was even called a "khaki election" because of the strong support for the military. Candidates who were against the war, like Bright and Lawson, lost their elections.

Because of this, the committee faced a lot of public disagreement. This was especially true when they organized a women's protest against the war in 1900. However, people were not as angry with them as they were with other anti-war groups. The Conciliation Committee was seen as more reasonable.

The South African Branch

A branch of the Conciliation Committee also started in Cape Town, South Africa, in early 1900. It was led by a well-known politician named John Molteno. This group worked hard against government control over information and strict military rules. They had some success in these efforts.