General de la Rey: We cannot form an opinion about a thing that has not been worked out. I have no objection to the appointment of a sub-committee from our midst to assist.
General Botha: I also have no objection, for I clearly understand that no one is bound.
Lord Kitchener: No, no one is bound.
General de la Rey: We also wish to have the matter at an end, and to know what we have before us.
Chief Commandant de Wet: I wish it to be plainly understood that I see no chance to accept a body of which I have here only seen the head. This appears to me to be an unsurmountable difficulty. Holding this opinion, it would not be honest of me to remain silent; it would not be honest to Your Excellencies.
Lord Kitchener: I think it would be better that General de Wet first saw the entire document before he gives his opinion.
It was then agreed that General Hertzog and General Smuts would act as a sub-committee to make a complete draft with Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner, advised by Sir Richard Solomon.
The meeting then adjourned.
Wednesday, May 21, 1902.
The Conference was resumed.