The Irish standard., 1902-08-02

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of the two republics, with rne burn
ing of farms and villages, the de-
stauction of all means of existence
and the exhaustion of all resources
necessary for the support of our fam
lilies, the existence of our forces and
the continuation of the war.
Second-That placing our captive
families in the concentration camps
has led to an unusual state of suffer-
ing and disease, so that within q
comparatively short time about 10000
of our beloved ones have died, and
the horrible prospect has been opened
that in this way our entire race may
become extinct.
Third-That the Eaffir tribes with
in, as without, the limits Of the ter
ritory of the two republics are nearly
all armed by English officers and
therefore took part in the struggle
against us by committing murders
and perpetrating atrocities and so Gre
ate an unsupportabla state of things
in many districts Of the two repub-
lies such as quite recently occurred
in the district of Vrijheid, where fifty
six Burghers We're cruelty murdered
and mutilated in q most horrible man.
ner.
Fourth-That by proclamations Of
the enemy Ito which has been already
given an order to commence execu-
tom whereby the Burghers who are
still fighting are threatened with the
loss of all movable and immovable
property, which would end in a total
ruin.
Fifth-That the conditions of the
war have made it impossible for us
to keep the many thousands of pris-
oners of war taken by our forces, so
that we can only infict small damage
on the British forces. whereas the
Burghers who are taken prisoners by
the British forces are sent abroad and
that after the war has been raging
for nearly three years too small part
of o,lr forces would remain to operate
in the field.
SiXth-That this fighting element
which forms but small minority Of
our nation, though brave and full Of
courage has to fight overwhelming
numbers of the enemy. and moreover
practically exists under conditions Of
famine and destitution of the neces-
saries of life and notwithstanding our
utmost endeavors and the sacrifice Of
all that was dear to us. we could not
reasonably hope for ultimate victory.
We therefore are of the opinion that
there are no reasonable grounds for a
supposition that by continuing the
war our country would retain its inde-
pendence and consider that under the
circumstances our nation is net iusti-
fed in continuing the war. as it can
only result in the downfall and ma
t'arial ruin not only of our homes, but
of our posterity.
Compelled by the above circum-
stances and considerations the assem-
bly, instructed us. the representatives
of both governments. to accept the
nronosals of His Majesty's govern
mpnt and to sign them in the name of
the people of both republics.
The assembly expresses its conf
6,nce that the conditions called into
existence nv the acceptance Of the
proposals of His Maiesty's govern
ment may soon he improved in such
a manner that Ollr nation may attain
the enjoyment of those privileges to
which it believes itself Justly entitled,
not only on the grounds of it's past,
but also because of its sacrifices en-
dured by this terrible war.
This assembly has noted with graf
itude the decision of His Maiestv's 3
government to extend q great meas
IRE Of amnesty to such British sub
iects as have taken up arms on our
side and to whom we are attached
by ties of blood and honor. and ex-
presses the wish that it may please
His Majesty still further to extend
this amnesty.
(Signed.)
w. SCHALBURGER,
r. w. REITZ,
LOUIS BOTHA,
]. Fl. DELAREY,
l.. J. MEYER.