"Furthermore, it is the opinion of both Governments, in order to hasten the attainment of the desired end, and to avoid as much misconception as possible, that his Excellency Lord Kitchener be requested to meet these Governments in person at a time and place fixed by him, in order that the Governments may lay peace-proposals directly before him, which they are prepared to do, and thus to solve all difficulties which may exist by direct verbal communication with him, and thus make sure that this conference will bear the wished-for fruits."
A letter signed by the two Presidents enclosing this proposition was written during the meeting, and despatched to Lord Kitchener. The meeting then adjourned till the afternoon, when much was said about the proposals to be made to Lord Kitchener.
Finally, at the instance of General de la Rey, seconded by Mr. L. Jacobsz, the drafting of a proposal was relegated to a commission.
This commission handed in the following report, which was accepted by the meeting:—
"The commission, having taken into consideration the desire of this meeting to draw up a proposal (in connection with the letter sent yesterday by both Presidents to his Excellency Lord Kitchener), with a view to a conference with Lord Kitchener, suggests the following points:—
- "1. The making of an enduring treaty of friendship and peace, by which is understood—
- (a) Arrangement of Customs Union.
- (b) Postal, Telegraphic, and Railway Union.
- (c) Fixing of the Franchise.
- "2. Dismantling of all forts belonging to the State.
- "3. Arbitration in future disagreements between the contracting parties, the arbitrators to be chosen by both parties, in equal numbers from their subjects. With a final arbitrator to be chosen by the appointed arbitrators.
- "4. Equal rights in regard to education in both the English and Dutch languages.
- "5. Mutual amnesty."
Messrs. Krogh, L. Jacobsz, Judge Hertzog, and Commandant-General Louis Botha then addressed the meeting.
Shortly after General Botha had concluded his speech, General Wilson came to the tent and brought a message from Lord Kitchener saying that he was willing to meet the Governments at Pretoria. General Wilson also stated that arrangements would be immediately made for the railway journey, and that the Presidents and their Executives could start for Pretoria in the evening.
CHAPTER II
A CONFERENCE WITH LORD KITCHENER AND LORD MILNER
At six o'clock in the morning on the 12th of April the Governments arrived at Pretoria in two separate trains.