President Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, affectionately known as 'Oom Paul', to the people of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, sat and thought to himself, a dilemma on his mind.

So, we have taken Ladysmith, but at such a great cost. I fear for the people, once the casualty reports get back, and their thoughts. A glorious victory, once again, for our people, but at such a cost. Should we hide the casualty repo- . No, we cannot do that to the people, especially after what they have been through. We have the upper hand, and we must continue our fight against the perfidious British imperialists, taking Mafeking and Kimberley, and harassing this large British force in our lands. Yes, we cannot just sit by, seeing as we keep this advantageous position. We must act, one again!

President Kruger called for his female aide Natalia, a girl of Polish descent who had moved to the Transvaal, with the name of the old Natalia republic, perhaps a coincidence, or not. Forced into exile from the Russians, her and her family had taken a ship, and eventually worked their way into the new growing city of Johannesburg, with her father's job, and she had eventually worked her way into the personal assistant to Kruger.

'Natalia, I need you to call me a meeting of the Generals, and to also prepare the country for a speech. Finally, we're going to need to write a letter to Kaiser Wilhelm, and to President McKinley.'

'What business do we have writing to the leaders of the leaders of America and Germany ...?'

'Paul, what are you trying to get us into, those aren't just nieistotny states, they're World Powers! Giant countries that can squash us at their whim! Please tell me you know what you're doing?!

'Of course, I simply am asking for more direct support, my dear. The Americans have already signified their support for our cause, with McKinley speaking to the Irish Bostonians, and the Germans, despite saying that they support the British, are secretly on our side, or at least are for our cause. We simply have to reaffirm their support, perhaps by sending a bit of cash for guns, and see if they can force Britain to leave us. A few more victories, with the British Liberals winning more of the election, we can get the other powers to force Britain to leave.'

'I think I understand, it's just that, well, why do Germany and the United States want to help us? The Republika Południowej Afryki and Pomarańczowy Stan Wolności, or should I say *we, are just small countries in the South of Africa, we aren't resource rich besides having Diamonds and Gold, which cannot help make guns, and we're at war with Britain, isn't it in their best interests to* not help us and help Britain?'

’Yes, and no. The thing is, Germany says that they are for Britain, but they want colonies, something Britain denies them due to their imperialistic views on the world, exemplified by the devil of a man that is Cecil Rhodes, wanting to build his damn Cape to Cairo Railroad and his Jameson raid, wanting to end our sovereignty. The Kaiser, while being related to the British, wants and has no business with them. The United States have also recently aligned themselves heavily with the Germans, and, at least I think, would benefit from the British losing their world favour.’

’So, how’s your English?’

Kruger smiled, and began to dictate two letters.

To President McKinley, or to whomever reads this message,

The Boer Republics, that is the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek and Oranje-Vrijstaat, or South African Republic/Transvaal and Orange Free State, are in a state of war with the British. However, we are winning this war that the British overconfidently began against us, and we seek peace, something that we fear the British may not. I ask you, President to President, man to man, that you help us in seeking peace. We have both fought against the British for our freedom, and I ask you to seek the British and ask them for peace. I am also asking the Germans to assist in peace, and I hope that you can convince the British that their attacks are not valuable, and that peace is the best option.

Sincerely,

Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger, President of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek

To Kaiser Wilhelm, or whomever this message is read by,

The Boer Republics, that is the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek and Oranje-Vrijstaat, or South African Republic/Transvaal and Orange Free State, are in a state of war with the British. However, we are winning this war that the British overconfidently began against us, and we seek peace, something that we fear the British may not. Kaiser, we have been friends in the past, we have bought your weapons, you have supported us, especially when the bastard that is Cecil Rhodes attempted to take our colonies in the Jameson Raid. I ask you, not just as President, but as a friend, that you ask the British to consider peace. We must end their monopoly on the world, and allow other small nations to survive and prosper

With thanks,

Your friend, President Stephanus Paulus Kruger of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek.

Kruger smiled, patted his young assistant on the back, and instructed,

Now, get these delivered, and we shall wait for a response.