Acting State President Burger thought that the matter was fraught with danger on both sides. If, for instance, the majority of the representatives had been instructed to vote for terms, this would hamper the Governments very much if the enemy came to know about it. On the other hand, if it was decided here to continue the war, it would be said that the leaders kept the people in the field. Where he had been, the people had unanimously decided to give up everything, but not the independence. However, they were now together to get a general view of their whole position, and each one should then decide as he thought proper, unto which decision the minority must bow. General Hertzog said that he had acted as General Botha had done. Where he had conducted elections the burghers had left everything in the hands of their representatives. These should know how to justify to their electors the vote which they would cast. General Botha asked what the delegates came to do? On the basis of their independence the British did not wish to negotiate. The representatives should thus decide whether the people could continue with the struggle, or whether they should come to terms with the enemy. The people themselves could not take a proper resolution because they were not properly informed. General Hertzog said that this was a legal matter. It was a legal principle that a delegate could not be considered a mere mouthpiece of his constituents, but that in matters of a public nature he was virtually a plenipotentiary. The delegates could thus form their opinions according to what they learnt here, provided they adhere to what was the spirit of the people, and provided they are convinced from the facts laid before them, that if those facts were known to the people, the people would have instructed them to vote as they did. General Smuts concurred fully with the opinion of General Hertzog. As appeared from the disposition of the delegates, they acted in the spirit of this legal opinion. The Acting State President acted as temporary Chairman, and caused the meeting to elect a permanent Chairman. The following gentlemen were nominated as candidates:--General Beyers, J. de Clercq, General Brand, General Froneman, and General Wessels. General Beyers was elected Chairman with 19 votes, while the others obtained 13, 11, 10, and 6 votes respectively. After a short address, the Chairman adjourned the meeting till the afternoon. In the afternoon the meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. J. D. Kestell.