The peace negotiations between the governments of the South African Republic and the Orange Free State Part 8

13--Commandant H. S. Grobler Bethel.

14--J. L. Grobler Carolina.

15--General J. N. H. Grobler Ermelo.

16--Field-Cornet B. J. van Heerden Rustenburg.

17--Captain J. F. Jordaan Vryheid Corps and First Scouting Corps.

18--General J. Kemp Krugersdorp.

19--General P. J. Liebenberg Potchefstroom.

20--General C. H. Muller Boksburg and Middleburg (north of railway).

21--J. Naude Pretoria (town) and detached Commando under General de la Rey.

22--Commandant D. J. E. Opperman Pretoria (south of railway).

23--Field-Cornet P. D. Roux Marico.

24--Commandant D. J. Schoeman Lydenburg.

25--Landrost Stoffberg Zoutpansberg.

26--General S. P. Du Toit Wolmaransstad.

27--Commandant P. L. Uys Pretoria (north of railway).

28--Commandant W. J. Viljoen Johannesburg.

29--P. R. Viljoen Heidelberg.

30--Field-Cornet B. Roos Piet Retief.

The following delegates represented the Orange Free State:--

1--a.s.sistant-Chief Commandant G. C. F.

Badenhorst Boshof, Hoopstad (west), Bloemfontein, Winburg, and Kroonstad.

2--Commandant A. J. Bester Bethlehem.

3--Commandant A. J. Bester Bloemfontein.

4--Commandant L. P. H. Botha Harrismith.

5--a.s.sistant-Chief Commandant G. A.

Brand Bethulie, Caledon River, Rouxville, Wepener, and Bloemfontein (east).

6--Commandant H. J. Bruwer Bethlehem.

7--Commandant D. H. van Coller Heilbron.

8--Commandant F. R. Cronje Winburg.

9--Commandant D. F. H. Flemming Hoopstad.

10--a.s.sistant-Chief Commandant C. C.

Froneman Winburg and Ladybrand.

11--a.s.sistant-Chief Commandant F. J.

W. J. Hattingh Kroonstad (east) and Heilbron.

12--Commandant J. A. M. Hertzog Philippolis.

13--Commandant J. N. Jacobs Boshof.

14--Commandant F. P. Jacobsz Harrismith.

15--Commandant A. J. de k.o.c.k Vrede.

16--Commandant J. J. Koen Ladybrand.

17--Field-Cornet H. J. Kritzinger Kroonstad.

18--Commandant F. E. Mentz Heilbron.

19--Commandant J. A. P. van der Merwe Heilbron.

20--Commandant C. A. van Niekerk Kroonstad.

21--Commandant H. van Niekerk President Steyn's Guard.

22--Commandant J. J. van Niekerk Ficksburg.

23--a.s.sistant-Chief Commandant T. K.

Nieuwoudt Philippolis, Fauresmith, Jacobsdal, and portion Bloemfontein.

24--Commandant H. P. J. Pretorius Jacobsdal.

25--a.s.sistant-Chief Commandant A. M.

Prinsloo Bethlehem and Ficksburg.

26--Commandant L. J. Rautenbach Bethlehem.

27--Commandant F. J. Rheeder Rouxville.

38--Commandant A. Ross Vrede.

29--Commandant P. W. de Vos Kroonstad.

30--a.s.sistant-Chief Commandant W. J.

Wessels Harrismith and Vrede.

At the request of the Government of the South African Republic, and with the a.s.sistance of Lord Kitchener, General J. C. s.m.u.ts, the State Attorney, had also come from the Cape Colony to a.s.sist his Government as legal adviser.

At eleven o'clock all the delegates met in the large tent and took and subscribed to the following oath before the Acting State President of the South African Republic:--

OATH.

"We the undersigned swear solemnly that we, as special representatives of the people, will be faithful to our people and country and Government, and serve them faithfully, and that we will diligently perform our duties with the necessary secrecy, as behoves faithful burghers and representatives of the people. So help us G.o.d Almighty.

"Vereeniging, South African Republic, May 15th, 1902."

After a few matters concerning the conduct of the meeting had been settled, a discussion arose on the question whether the representatives had come with definite instructions from their electors or whether they should decide here for the people according to circ.u.mstances.

President Steyn, Chief Commandant de Wet, and General de la Rey thought that the delegates had definite instructions.

Commandant-General Botha said that before they separated at Pretoria the understanding was that the delegates should decide here at Vereeniging. It could not be expected that the people could give them definite instructions, because they were not fully acquainted with the circ.u.mstances all over the country. Here the delegates should ascertain from the Governments and from their fellow-delegates what the condition was in both the Republics and in the Cape Colony, and then, taking everything into account, come to a decision.

General Meyer was also of opinion that the delegates could not be tied. Suppose, for instance, that the Governments could retain the independence of the Republics by surrendering a portion of their territory, then those delegates who had a definite instruction to vote only for independence could not vote for such a surrender, because that would not be the maintenance of their full independence. And then at the elections the leaders had also told the people that the Governments could not communicate everything to them, but that they would do so to the delegates here.

President Steyn remarked that the meeting stood before an accomplished fact, from which they could not get away, because as far as he knew the most of the delegates had definite instructions how to vote.

General de la Rey said that if they still had hopes of retaining their independence, it was a good thing that the delegates had definite instructions, because these instructions were in the most cases to retain independence. This the enemy knew, and therefore the Republican Governments had so much more power.

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 const.i.tuents, 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 s.m.u.ts 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.