General Smuts then read a draft which was inserted at the end of Article 11 in the draft agreement.
In answer to a question by Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief de Wet said: "The prisoners of war on the different islands who are in possession of such notes should be given an opportunity of sending them in for payment."
Lord Milner: "What is the next point you wish to raise? We now understand what your position is."
Commandant-General Botha: "Am I to understand that you mean that we are getting away from the point in discussion?"
Lord Milner: "This document contains your view of the matter, so we are now aware of your idea."
Commandant-General Botha: "We must know what to say to the delegates."
Lord Kitchener: "Is this the only point you wish to bring forward, or are there others in addition?"
Commandant-General Botha: "There is another concerning the protection of debtors, which is a vital question for us."
Lord Milner: "We must not have any beating about the bush. Everything must appear in the document."
General Smuts: "Most of the debts contracted before the war will have to be paid after the war; and if the debtors cannot pay we are afraid that it will result in the ruin of a great part of the inhabitants. We should like to see steps taken to prevent this. If Lord Milner intends to take such steps, we should like to be informed what they are."