Rhodes, together with his fellow gold mining magnates and the British government (in the persons of Joseph Chamberlain, secretary of state for the colonies, and Alfred Milner, high commissioner in South Africa), continues to denounce Kruger and his government.

Rhodes and his peers call attention to what they consider rampant official corruption while also complaining that taxes are too high and that black labor is too expensive (because of perceived favoritism by the government regarding the labor needs of Afrikaner farmers).

Chamberlain has concluded by the second half of the 1890s that the British need to take direct action to contain Afrikaner power, and he at first uses diplomatic channels to pressure Kruger, although with little success.

Milner points out what he considers the appalling condition of British subjects in the South African Republic, where, without the vote, they are, he argues, "kept permanently in the position of helots."

In 1899 Milner advises Chamberlain that he considers the case for British intervention "overwhelming."

Ignoring attempts by Kruger to reach a compromise, Chamberlain in September 1899 issues an ultimatum requiring that Kruger enfranchise British residents of the South African Republic.

At the same time, Chamberlain sends troop reinforcements from Britain to the Cape.

Kruger, certain that the British are bent on war, takes the initiative and, allied with the Orange Free State, declares war on the British in October 1899.