is that of the enemy.

4. That not only is our nation becoming disorganized in the manner
above referred to, but that it will also most certainly happen that
the leaders of the nation, whose personal influence has hitherto
kept it together, will fall into utter contempt, and lose that
influence which is our only hope for reviving the national spirit
in the future.

5. That the people are constantly demanding to be told what hope
still exists of successfully prosecuting the war, and that they
have the right to expect to be informed in an honest and
straightforward manner that their cause is hopeless, whenever this
has become evident to the Government and the Leaders.

Up to the present time the Government and the nation have been
expecting that, with the co-operation of their Deputation and by
the aid of European complications, there would be some hope for the
success of their cause, and the Government feels strongly that
before taking any decisive step, an attempt should again be made to
arrive with certainty at the results of the Deputation and the
political situation in Europe.

Having taken all the facts into consideration, the Government,
acting in conjunction with the above-mentioned officers, have
arrived at the following decision:

Firstly, that a request should be addressed this very day to Lord
Kitchener, asking that through the intervention of ambassadors sent
by us to Europe, the condition of our country may be allowed to be
placed before President Kruger, which ambassadors are to return
with all possible speed.

Secondly, that should this request be refused, or lead to no
results, an armistice should be asked for, by which the opportunity
should be given us of finally deciding in consultation with your
Government, and the people of the two States, what we must do.

This second proposal is, however, subject to any solution which
your Government, taking into consideration the above-mentioned
grievances, may be able to suggest.

The Government feels very keenly that it would no longer be right
to allow things to go on as they have been going on, and that the
time has arrived for taking some definite steps; it will,
therefore, be glad to receive an answer from your Government as
soon as possible.

I have the