More and more clearly it was coming out that no permanent settlement was possible where the majority of the population was oppressed by the minority.

They had tried peaceful means and failed.
They had tried warlike means and failed.

What was there left for them to do?
Their own country, the paramount power of South Africa, had never helped them.

Perhaps if it were directly appealed to it might do so.

It could not, if only for the sake of its own imperial prestige, leave its children for ever in a state of subjection.