General Smuts: The document does not say so.
Lord Kitchener: You can draft it differently.
General de la Rey: Then there will be no peace, for a portion of the burghers will remain to continue the war.
Lord Milner: If the meeting of Representatives agrees to your signing this document, then it certainly means that the burghers as a body agree to it. And those who do not agree to it—I do not know what I shall call them—"outlaws." We cannot suppose such a thing.
General Botha: That is why we want a peace that will be honourable for both parties. And as I understand this document, we are now going further; we are not only giving up our independence, but every burgher is bound hand and foot. And where is, then, the honourable peace for us? If we make peace we must do so as people who must live and die here. We must not conclude a peace that is offensive to the feelings of one party. I wish to do everything that is in my power to attain that object, but it appears to me that this document demands too much, because, if I understand aright, we must give up the independence, everyone must lay down his arms, and the leaders must, in addition, sign a promise.
Lord Milner: All that we want is that those persons must live together in peace as British citizens. If we do not attain that, I do not know what we shall get.
Lord Kitchener: I believe that the Commandant General does not realise what the schedule contains. We say therein what we shall give. Perhaps it will be best if the schedule comes first, and then you will see that an honourable peace is proposed.
General Botha: Set the document forth more fully.
Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner: You must help us. We do not know what the burghers desire.
Chief Commandant de Wet: To sign this document will place us in the position which the Commandant General has described in plain words.