1, when the two Governments had agreed to stand by
Independence. If the English now refused to grant Independence, then the
war must continue. He said that he would rather surrender to the English
unconditionally than make terms with them.

The remainder of the day was occupied in listening to speeches from
State-Secretary Reitz and President Burger.

On the following day the speakers were:--L.J. Meijer, J.B. Krogh,
myself, State-Secretary Reitz, and Judge Hertzog. The last-named made a
proposal, which was seconded by General C.H. Olivier. This proposal,
after it had been subjected for revision to a Commission, consisting of
the two Presidents, Mr. Reitz, and Judge Hertzog, was accepted on the
following day. It ran as follows:--

"The Governments of the South African Republic and of the Orange
Free State, having met, induced thereto by the receipt, from His
Excellency Lord Kitchener, of the correspondence exchanged in
Europe between the Government of His Majesty the King of England,
and that of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, referring to
the desirability of giving to the Governments of these Republics an
opportunity to come into communication with their plenipotentiaries
in Europe, who still enjoy the trust of both Governments:

"And taking into consideration the conciliatory spirit which, as it
appears from this correspondence, inspires the Government of His
Britannic Majesty, and also of the desire therein uttered by Lord
Lansdowne, in the name of his Government, to make an end to this
strife:

"Are of opinion that it is now a favourable moment to again shew
their readiness to do everything possible to bring this war to an
end:

"And decide, therefore to make certain proposals to His Excellency
Lord Kitchener, as representative of the Government of His
Britannic Majesty, which may serve as a basis for further
negotiations, having in view the achievement of the desired peace.

"Further, it is the opinion of these two Governments that, in order
to expedite the achievement of the desired aim, and to prevent, as
far as possible, any misunderstanding, His Excellency Lord
Kitchener should be asked to meet personally these Governments at a
time and place by him appointed, so that the said Governments may
lay before him Peace Proposals (as they will be prepared to do), in
or