terms which do not
include the restoration of their Independence, but they ask what
conditions would be made if, after consulting their followers, they
should abandon the claim for Independence. This does not seem to us
a satisfactory way of expediting the end of the hostilities which
have caused the loss of so many lives and so much money. We are,
however, as we said before, desirous of preventing any further
bloodshed and of accelerating the restoration of peace and
prosperity in the countries harassed by the war, and we empower you
and Lord Milner to refer the Boer leaders to the offer made by you
to General Botha more than twelve months ago, and to inform them
that--although the great decrease which has lately taken place in
the forces opposed to us, and also the further sacrifices involved
by the refusal of that offer, would justify us in dictating harder
terms--we are still prepared, in the hope of a lasting peace and
reconciliation, to accept a general surrender in the spirit of that
offer, with such amendments with regard to details as might be
agreed upon mutually."

It was quite self-evident that the Governments could not accept this
proposal of the British Government, because by it the independence of
the Republics would be sacrificed.

President Steyn pointed out emphatically that it lay beyond our right to
decide and conclude anything that would endanger the independence of the
two Republics. The nation alone could decide on the question of
independence. For this reason, therefore, we asked if we might consult
the people, and it was agreed by Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner that we
should go back to our commandos and hold meetings in every district, in
order to learn thus the will of the nation. It was further agreed that
at the meetings of the nation representatives should be chosen who, on
the 15th of May, 1902, at Vereeniging, should inform the Governments
what course the nation desired them to take.

On the 18th of April Commandant-General Louis Botha, General De la Rey,
and I left Pretoria, provided with a safe conduct for ourselves and for
anyone whom we should appoint, and proceeded to our different commandos.

I went first to the burghers of Vrede at Prankop, where I met General
Wessel Wessels with his commandos on the 22nd of April. The nation was
in a very miserable condition, suffering from the want of all
ne