der that, by direct conversation and discussion with him, all
such questions as shall arise may be solved at once, and also that
this meeting may further and bring about the desired result."

A letter was now written to Lord Kitchener (who was at Pretoria)
enclosing the above Proposal, and signed by the two Presidents.

In the afternoon the two Governments met again, to consider what
proposals they should make to the British Government. After a lengthy
discussion, it was decided, on the proposal of General De la Rey,
seconded by States-Procureur L. Jacobsz, that the matter in hand should
be entrusted to the Commission, which consisted, as I have already said,
of the two Presidents, States-Secretary Reitz, and Judge Hertzog: and
the next morning this Commission handed in the following report, which
was accepted by the meeting:--

"The Commission, after having taken into consideration the wish of
the meeting, namely, that proposals should be drafted (in connexion
with the letter of yesterday, signed by the two Presidents, to His
Excellency Lord Kitchener) for eventual consideration by His
Excellency Lord Kitchener, proposes the following points:--

"1. The concluding of a Treaty of Friendship and Peace, including:

"(_a_) Arrangements _re_ a Customs Union.

"(_b_) " _re_ Post, Telegraph and Railway Union.

"(_c_) Granting of the Franchise.

"2. Demolition of all States Forts.

"3. Arbitration in any future differences which may arise between
the contracting parties; the arbitrators to be nominated in equal
numbers from each party from among their own subjects; the said
arbitrators to add one to their number, who is to have the casting
vote.

"4. Equal rights for the English and Dutch languages in the schools.

"5. Reciprocal amnesty."

The same morning a letter enclosing this proposal was sent to Lord
Kitchener, after which Judge Hertzog and Commander Louis Botha addressed
the meeting.

After the latter had finished an address of great importance, General
Wilson, who had the command at Klerksdorp, entered the room where the
meeting was being held and stated that Lord Kitchener was prepared to
grant us an interview, and that we could travel to Pretoria that very
evening.

Accordingly, on the evening of the 11th of April, we went to Pretoria,
where, on the following morning, we met Lord Kitchener a