When trustworthy people of unimpeachable character wrote to the papers denouncing this manoeuvre the subsidised papers in Cape Town, and the Rhodesian Press, refused to publish the affidavits sworn on the subject, but wrote columns of calumnies about the Dutch Colonials, and, as a finishing stroke, clamoured for the suspension of the Constitution.
The speech of Mr.Sauer gave rise to a heated debate, during which the Progressive members indignantly denied his assertions.

Then stepped in Mr.
David de Waal, that friend of Rhodes to whom I have already referred.

He rose to bring his testimony to the facts revealed by Mr.Sauer, who was undoubtedly the most able leader which the Afrikander party possessed, with the exception, perhaps, of Mr.Merriman.
"In February, 1902," he said, "there was a meeting in Cotswold Chambers consisting of the twenty-two members of the House of Assembly who went by the name of 'Rhodes' group.' It was at first discussed and ultimately decided to wait on the Prime Minister and to interview him concerning the expenditure of the war, which had reached the sum of L200,000 monthly.
Then, after some further discussion, we came to the conclusion to meet once more.

This was done on February 17th.

You must remember that war was still raging at the time.