not think that the amount is large,
but it will strengthen our hands by enabling us honourably to
terminate this matter, because our honour is in so far concerned that
we have signed these receipts. It will be a great point for us if we
can meet the delegates, most of whom are officers, and inform them
that they have been protected in this matter.

Lord KITCHENER: I understand that General Botha does not refer to
commandeer, or requisition notes, but only to actual receipts given on
the Treasury.

Lord MILNER: I do not see the difference between these receipts and
commandeer notes. The willingness of people to sell goods does not in
my opinion make any difference in a legal document.

Lord KITCHENER: I think that it does make a difference if it is an
order on the Treasury or a requisition note. I should limit this to
receipts on the Treasury, issued in accordance with the law, which
allowed that a certain sum could be spent.

Chief Commandant DE WET: In the Free State no resolution was taken
fixing the amount that could be spent.

Lord KITCHENER: Do you mean that this is an undefined amount, or that
it falls under the amount fixed by the Volksraad?

General SMUTS: The Volksraad authorised the Government to issue notes
to a certain amount, which was done. Apart from this law, the officers
in the field had the right to make purchases on behalf of the
commandos and to grant receipts therefor.

Lord MILNER: I see no difference between these receipts and
requisition notes, and, besides, it is for an unlimited amount.

General SMUTS: These receipts were issued under an entirely different
law. They were not paid out of the credit voted by the Volksraad.

Chief Commandant DE WET: I wish it to be plainly understood that I
fully agree with what has been said by the Commandant General, that
the honour of every officer is affected by these documents. And if
Your Excellencies agree, you give us a powerful weapon with which we
can return to the Delegates.

Lord MILNER: The proposal is, in fact, that the British Government
must pay all the money borrowed by the Republics to fight them.

Chief Commandant DE WET: But we were an honourable party in the fight,
and if we cease to be a party, it is only reasonable that we are met
on this matter.

General BOTHA: Must I understand from your attitude that we must hand
over everything, and that you must walk off with the assets of our
country, which amount to millions and millio