The peace negotiations between the governments of the South African Republic and the Orange Free State Part 26

H. van Niekerk.

J. J. van Niekerk.

D. J. E. Opperman.

A. M. Prinsloo.

H. P. J. Pretorius.

A. Ross.

L. J. Rautenbach.

P. D. Roux.

F. J. Rheeder.

B. Roos.

D. J. Schoeman.

T. s...o...b..rg.

S. P. du Toit.

P. L. Uijs.

W. J. Viljoen.

P. W. de Vos.

W. J. Wessels.

P. R. Viljoen.

AGAINST.

J. J. Alberts (S.A.R.).

J. Kemp (S.A.R.).

J. Naude (S.A.R.).

A. J. Bester (Bloemfontein), (O.F.S.).

C. C. J. Badenhorst (O.F.S.).

C. A. van Niekerk (O.F.S.).

By 54 votes to 6 the proposal was adopted.

When this resolution had been pa.s.sed there were not many tearless eyes in the tent.

Acting President S. W. BURGER then addressed the following words to the Meeting: We stand here at the graveside of the two Republics. Much remains for us to do, even though we cannot do what lies before us in the official positions which we have hitherto occupied. Let us not withdraw our hands from doing what is our duty. Let us pray G.o.d to guide us and to direct us how to keep our people together. We must also be inclined to forgive and to forget when we meet our brothers.

We may not cast off that portion of our people who were unfaithful.

With these words I wish officially to bid farewell to you, our respected Commandant General, General de Wet, Members of both Executive Councils, and Delegates.

With this the last meeting of the two Republics terminated. It was closed with Prayer.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Facsimile of the doc.u.ment on which the voting on the proposal by Commandant H. P. J. Pretorius, seconded by General Chris.

Botha, was recorded._]

The Secretary, Mr. D. E. van Velden, was then instructed to request Lord Kitchener's representatives in the camp--namely, Captain P. J.

Marker and Major Henderson--to come to the tent in which the meeting was held in order that the decision of the Meeting might be communicated to them.

They speedily arrived, and under a death-like silence General Botha informed them that the Meeting had accepted the peace proposals of the British Government.

Immediately afterwards the British Authorities made the necessary arrangements for the conveyance by rail to Pretoria of the members of both Republican Governments to sign the Treaty of Peace in accordance with the instruction of the Meeting.

That night, shortly before 11 o'clock, the said Governments duly arrived at Pretoria.

On arrival at the Railway Station they were conveyed in great haste to the residence of Mr. George Heys in Mare Street, which was occupied by Lord Kitchener, and served as the Army Headquarters in South Africa.

For a few moments the members of the two Republican Governments, who were accompanied by the two Secretaries, Rev. J. D. Kestell and Mr. D.

E. van Velden, were left alone in the s.p.a.cious dining-room, as they wished to read the resolution of the Delegates once more in order to satisfy themselves that it was correct.

When this had been done, Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner entered.

The two Representatives of the British Government sat at the head of the table next to each other at the south side of the apartment. On the left of Lord Milner sat Acting President S. W. Burger, State Secretary F. W. Reitz, Commandant General Louis Botha, General J. H.

de la Rey, Mr. J. C. Krogh, and General L. J. Meyer. On Lord Kitchener's right sat Acting President C. R. de Wet, General C. H.

Olivier, General J. B. M. Hertzog, and Acting Government Secretary Mr.

W. J. C. Brebner.

The Peace Treaty had been typed in quadruple on parchment. One copy was intended for the King of England, one for Lord Kitchener, one to be preserved in the Archives in Pretoria, and one in the Archives in Bloemfontein.

There was perfect silence when Acting President S. W. Burger took up the pen.

It was five minutes past eleven on May 31, 1902.

Acting President Burger signed. After him the members of the Government of the South African Republic. Then Acting President de Wet and the Members of the Orange Free State Government. Lord Kitchener followed, and last of all Lord Milner signed.

Before signing State Secretary Reitz rose in his seat, pen in hand, and stated that he signed only in his official capacity, and not as F.

W. Reitz.

President Steyn was not there. Physical prostration due to his serious illness prevented him from doing what he had always said he would never do, viz., put his hand on paper to sign away the Independence of his People.

The doc.u.ment was signed.

Everything was silent in the apartment where so much had taken place.

For a few moments everyone sat still.

As the members of the Governments of the now late Republics stood up, as men stupefied, to leave the apartment, Lord Kitchener rose, and, going up to each of them, offered his hand, saying, "We are good friends now."

They then left the apartment and proceeded to the adjoining house (the residence of Mr. Carl Rood), which had been placed at their disposal.

After the resolution of the meeting had been communicated to the British Representatives, the Delegates met again, when the following proposal by Commandant Jacobsz, seconded by General Muller, was unanimously adopted:--

"This meeting of Delegates, considering the pressing necessity to collect means to provide for the wants of the suffering women and children, widows and orphans, and other necessitous persons who have been reduced to a state of indigency by the war,

"And considering the desirability of appointing a Head Committee, whose duty it shall be to take the necessary steps to make provision herein and to decide finally about the Administration and application of the means to be collected,

"Resolves to appoint Messrs. M. T. Steijn, S. W. Burger, L.

Botha, C. R. de Wet, J. H. de la Rey, Rev. A. P. Kriel, and Rev.

J. D. Kestell (Secretary), a Head Committee, to make all such further arrangements for carrying out the said objects as may appear desirable and practical to them, and especially to add new members to their number, to appoint Sub-Committees and an Executive Committee, which is authorised to draw up Statutes and amend the same whenever necessary."

It was further proposed by Commandant Jacobsz, seconded by General Muller, and carried by the meeting:--

"This meeting further resolves to delegate General C. R. de Wet, General Louis Botha, and General J. H. de la Rey, of the said Head Committee, to proceed to Europe to collect the said funds."