ence I do not wish to do it
alone.

General SMUTS: If we sign this document, would not the effect of it be
that we leaders would make ourselves responsible for the burghers
laying down their arms?

Lord MILNER: Yes, if the arms are not laid down, everything is a
failure.

Lord KITCHENER: I do not think so. If all do not lay down their arms,
the signatories cannot help it. There will always be some dissatisfied
ones.

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.

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 mi