General DU TOIT: Does Natal hold another view regarding the rebels? General DE WET: Yes. General DU TOIT: If the rebels remain outside the boundaries of their Colonies will they then be free? General SMUTS: Yes, if they remain outside the Cape Colony and Natal. Commandant OPPERMAN: Will their property be confiscated? General SMUTS: In the Cape Colony there is no law providing for confiscation. General BOTHA: Lord Kitchener said to me that at the coronation of the King he would recommend a general amnesty. The Chairman at this stage asked the meeting to confine itself to the following questions:-- (1) Whether it would accept the document at present before them. (2) Whether it would decide to continue the war. (3) Or, whether it would decide to surrender unconditionally. Mr. J. DE CLERCQ (Middelburg) said: I have already expressed my opinion on the question as to whether we shall continue the war. If we cannot proceed, then the question is whether we shall accept the proposals of the British Government, or whether we shall surrender unconditionally. It cannot be denied that these proposals are not so good as we wished, but the question is whether in the circumstances we can get anything better. If we surrender unconditionally and return to the burghers and they ask us: "What have you obtained for us on surrendering?" and we reply: "We have done nothing except surrendering you and ourselves unconditionally to the enemy," then we shall be in difficulties, and how shall we be able to justify ourselves? The burghers expect that we shall obtain the best terms possible for them, and I say that it is a greater honour for a people to negotiate than to surrender themselves unconditionally. If we get terms we shall be better able to satisfy the people than if we can only inform them that we have handed them over to the mercy of the enemy. I do not believe that anyone will be able to convince me that unconditional surrender will be better for the burghers. Unless I can be convinced of the contrary, I think it will be best to accept the proposal of the British Government. General NIEUWOUDT: I think that the matter is now plain, and propose that we immediately proceed to vote whether we shall continue the war or not. If the majority is not in favour of continuing the struggle, then we can discuss the question whether we shall accept terms or surrender ourselves unconditionally. This proposal was seconded by General Froneman.