Strictly speaking, the Second Boer War was a war between Britain and the whole of Europe. In order to undermine the British Empire, those European countries donated money and supplies to the Boer Coalition, and even sent troops directly. During the entire Boer War, a total of 2,000 foreign volunteers joined the Boer Coalition. Whether these volunteers were "volunteers" or not, no one except themselves probably knew.
Germany was the most enthusiastic in this regard. In 1871, Germany completed its unification and established the German Empire. That year, Germany defeated France, won the Franco-Prussian War, replaced France and became the overlord of continental Europe.
At this time, the only thing standing in the way of the German Empire was the British Empire.
The Second Boer War was an important opportunity for Germany to consume Britain's strength. Therefore, Germany's performance in the Second Boer War was very biased. Rock believed that Emily Hobhouse should also know this.
Although Emily Hobhouse wanted more freedom, Rock had the greatest authority in Oak Town, so Emily Hobhouse could only obey Rock's decision.
That was enough. Even though the refugee camp had made great progress compared to two months ago, in Emily Hobhouse's eyes, the refugee camp was completely useless and almost like hell. On the first day of her visit to the refugee camp, Emily Hobhouse found out countless problems.
"Women and children receive too little food every day to ensure they get adequate nutrition, and food supplies should be increased." Emily Hobhouse's first concern was food.
"The supply standards are determined by the Governor's Office. I don't have the power to decide. If you have any opinions, you can reflect them to the Governor's Office. But I want to remind you, ma'am, that there are still many people in the UK who are suffering from food shortages." Rock said righteously. Since he was clinging to the British, he had to cling tighter and consider the issue completely from the government's perspective.
"The tent is short and shabby. Winter is coming and they will freeze to death living in a tent like that." Emily Hobhouse's second problem was the tent.
"The refugee camp accepts donations. Those military tents were donated privately by Ms. Capet from Cape Town. If you feel bad about it, we also welcome donations from the Anglican Church. Sorry, this is a refugee camp, not a hotel, and we can't provide butler service." Rock also wanted all the women and children to live in tents, but that was unrealistic. Ada had tried her best to collect tents, but it was still not enough.
"What about the women who work in the vineyard? I heard that they were hired by you, and in order to get that job they had to be separated from their children." Emily Hobhouse turned her attention to Rock.
"Yes, they work for me, I pay them salaries, and provide their children with educational opportunities. Isn't that right?" Rock was not surprised. Even if Rock did better, there would still be people who were dissatisfied .
The same thing will lead to different answers from different perspectives. What Emily Hobhouse thought was unfair was obviously not the case in the eyes of the Boers in the refugee camp.
"But the salary you pay is not enough to reward them for their hard work." Emily Hobhouse continued to find fault.
"Ms. Hobhouse, maybe that's what you think, but it's obvious that they don't think so, otherwise they could simply not accept the job. This is an equal exchange. The job equals salary and the opportunity for their children to receive an education. How much do you think your children's opportunity to receive an education is worth?" Rock does not think this is an unequal exchange.
"Okay, then, what about those people in the quarantine area? What mistakes did they make?" Emily Hobhouse had a lot of questions. Questioning Rock in person was just Emily Hobhouse's personal venting. Later, Emily Hobhouse would write all of this into a report, which would be the final blow Emily Hobhouse had prepared.
"People in the quarantine area? No, no, no, they did nothing wrong. They are quarantined to prevent disease. The refugee camps are densely populated. If we don't pay attention to hygiene, diseases will spread, which will be a greater disaster." Rock's reasons are very sufficient and can withstand any investigation.
"Preventing disease? You've found such a good excuse, but why did you confiscate their personal belongings? Would that also cause disease?" Emily Hobhouse did not give up. Rock knew the meaning of isolation, but Emily Hobhouse did not.
"It's not confiscated, it's just kept for safekeeping. Their clothes will be returned to them after being disinfected. As for their property, they don't have the ability to protect it now. When they leave the refugee camp, it will naturally be returned to them." Rock explained patiently. Emily Hobhouse has a church background, so Rock has to be patient.
"This is just your excuse. You policemen are just trying to plunder property! It's disgusting. Why don't you admit it?" Emily Hobhouse thought she had found Rock's weakness and kept holding on to it.
"So you mean they shouldn't be quarantined? Then who will be responsible if an disease outbreak occurs as a result?" Rock also started to get angry.
"Of course you are responsible. You are the managers of the refugee camp." Emily Hobhouse said confidently.
"So, if serious consequences arise because of your suggestions, you will not be responsible for them?" Rock was not polite. He did not have much patience for those who were making unreasonable demands. It did not matter even if it offended the church. The Anglican Church was the state religion of England and was powerful in the UK, but not in the Cape. Protestantism was more popular in the Cape, and the influence of the Anglican Church was slightly weaker.
"It's just a hypothesis after all. You can't hold others responsible for something that hasn't happened yet." Emily Hobhouse disagreed with Rock's standards.
"Sorry, Ms. Hobhouse, please control your behavior. If I think your behavior affects the normal operation of the refugee camp, then you must leave." Rock stopped talking nonsense with Emily Hobhouse. This person was simply unreasonable.
It was indeed unreasonable. Rock now finally understood why Henry said that Emily Hobhouse was "not easy to mess with". This woman was just looking for trouble, and the refugee camp itself had many problems that could not be solved at all, so she had many reasons to find trouble. If Emily Hobhouse did not affect Rock's work, then Rock could still tolerate it. Now Emily Hobhouse's investigation has obviously affected the normal operation of the refugee camp, and Rock cannot tolerate this happening.