"They take this course on the faith of the Assurances of His Majesty's Government that they and the Burghers surrendering with them will not be deprived of their personal freedom or their property, and that the future action of His Majesty's Government in dealing with the results of the war will be in accordance with the declaration set forth below. "It is clearly understood that all Burghers, now Prisoners of war, must, in order to participate in the benefits of the aforesaid Assurances, signify their acceptance of the position as British Citizens." [Illustration: _Facsimile of a page of the Peace Proposals as submitted by the British Representatives, and amended by the Boer Representatives. The alterations are in the handwriting of Generals Smuts and Hertzog._] General BOTHA: Must we understand that our proposal has now been entirely rejected? Lord MILNER and Lord KITCHENER: Yes. General BOTHA: Then I must understand that you are going to adhere to the Middelburg proposals only? Lord KITCHENER: No, we can alter them. Lord MILNER: This draft document was originally drawn up to be attached to the Middelburg proposals; but instead of the Middelburg proposals, this document has now been substituted to enable us to cast those proposals in another form. General SMUTS: If, then, the idea is to alter the Middelburg proposals, would it not be best to do so now and to attach them to this document? Lord MILNER: What takes the place of the Middelburg proposals must be attached to this document as a schedule, and we must jointly work out the schedule. General SMUTS: I think it would be better if you alter the proposal yourselves and then submit it to us for consideration, so that we can consider what we shall do with it. Lord KITCHENER: I am of opinion that a sub-committee out of yourselves should be appointed to do that. Lord MILNER: My idea is that the schedule can be drafted by two or three of us, to be then considered by us as a whole. General SMUTS: We would like to consider first whether we shall assist. Lord MILNER: I am willing to draft it with you or to let you draw it up alone, but on the ground of my experience 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.