Bait

Ernst's good mood did not last long after the first oil well came in, because an "odd" piece of news arrived from southern East Africa, leaving the East African government and military somewhat baffled. What mischief were the British and the Boers up to this time?

"According to information we received in February 1877, the Orange Free State regained its independence and officially changed its name to the Boer Republic. A new United Government took power, but this United Government was merely the former Provisional Government of the Republic of the Transvaal changing its shell and continuing to control the entire political affairs of the Orange Free State."

"The British just stood by and watched the Transvaal people rebuild the Boer Republic?" Ernst asked.

"The British truly showed no reaction. We even discovered that they had withdrawn part of their forces back into Cape Town, which indicates that the British acquiesced to the Orange Free State's independence."

"This is a conspiracy. For the British to accept something as outrageous as a colony gaining independence can only mean they are after something far greater. Other than us, I cannot think of any reason for the British to do this."

"Indeed. If colonial independence is not handled properly, it could very well trigger a chain reaction. After all, the spread of such news carries certain negative effects for any country."

Ernst said, "The reestablishment of the Boer Republic means that the Orange Free State has indeed broken away from the Cape Colony once more. But we received this news through our intelligence agents in Bloemfontein, which means the news has not spread.

"Therefore, the British and the Transvaal people must have reached some kind of deal. Could the Orange Free State's break from the Cape Colony be bait, with us East Africans