our proposal is in conflict with the
annexation.

Lord MILNER: I do not recollect the exact words of Lord Salisbury, but
it is true that Lord Salisbury said that his Government did not
commence the war with the object of obtaining territory, but in the
course of the war circumstances developed in such a manner that no
other course was open than to annex the Republics, and my Government
have expressed their fixed intention not to go back on their decision.

General HERTZOG: I would like to know what is really the difference
between the basis now laid down by us and that laid down by His
Majesty's Government in the negotiations last year? I do not mean so
much in detail as in general principle.

Lord KITCHENER: Does your proposal assume that the Boers become
British citizens?

General SMUTS: I do not see that our proposal is necessarily in
conflict with the proposal of last year. Our proposal only makes
provision as regards the government.

Lord MILNER then read out the following clause from the terms offered
last year (the Middelburg proposals, March 7, 1901)[3]: "At the
earliest possible date military administration will cease and be
replaced by civil administration in the form of a crown colony
government. In each of the new colonies there shall be at first a
Governor and Executive Council consisting of the principal officials,
with a Legislative Council consisting of a certain number of official
members, to whom will be added a nominated non-official element. But
it is the desire of His Majesty's Government, as soon as circumstances
permit, to introduce a representative element and ultimately to extend
to the new colonies the privilege of self-government." "It may be," he
remarked, "that I do not quite understand your proposal; but it
appears to me to differ from the scheme here set forth not only in
details but also in principle."

[Footnote 3: See Appendix, p. 210.]

General HERTZOG: I fully agree with you that it can be taken to differ
in principle, but a principle that is found to vary even from
principles adopted in Colonies of the same State. In other words, you
find that one principle was conceded to one colony, while another
principle was applied to another colony, and yet they belong to the
same Empire.

Lord MILNER: Absolutely. There are different principles in different
colonies, but it appears to me that the principle laid down in your
proposal differs from that laid down by His Majesty