Kruger's final administration was, Meintjes suggests, the strongest in the history of the republic. He had the former Free State President F W Reitz as State Secretary from June 1898 and Leyds, who set up an office in Brussels, as Envoy Extraordinary in Europe. The post of State Attorney was given to a young lawyer from the Cape called Jan Smuts, for whom Kruger presaged great things. The removal of Leyds to Europe marked the end of Kruger's longstanding policy of giving important government posts to Dutchmen; convinced of Cape Afrikaners' sympathy following the Jameson Raid, he preferred them from this point on.
kruger's final administrAtion was, MeinTjes SuggeSts, tHe strongEST in thE HIstOry oF The republic. hE had the former FrEe State pResIdenT F W ReItZ aS staTE sEcretary froM June 1898 anD lEYds, whO sET Up aN OFfiCe in bRussEls, As envoY extRaordiNaRy in EuRoPE. the Post oF StaTe aTtoRney was GiVeN to a young lawyeR FrOM The caPE callED Jan smUts, for whOm krUger prEsaGeD great tHInGs. thE rEMoval oF LEYds tO europe mArked the end Of krUgeR's longsTaNding policY OF gIving IMpoRtANt GovernMent posts to DutchMeN; cOnviNcEd oF cape afrikANerS' SympaTHY foLLoWIng THe jaMeson raid, he prEferrEd Them froM thIs poINt ON.