Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-25
OBLIGED TO ACCEPT
BOERS EXPLAIN WHY THEY AS
sENTED TO PEACE TERMS.
Text of the Resolutions Adopted by the
Delegates at Vereeniging,
May 26.

The full text Of the resolutions passed by
the Boer delegates at Vereeniging, May 26,
| when they agreed to sign the British peace
proposals, has been received from Pretoria
by Mr.. c. w. Van der Hoogt, who was the
Boer agent in Washington during the South
African war. Mr.. Van der Hoogt has trans
lated the resolutions from the original
Dutch.
The delegates declared that they felt sad
y disappointed that his majestys govern
ment has absolutely refused to negotiate on
the basis of the independence of the two
republics, or to allow the Boer governments
| to communicate with their delegation in Eu-
rope. That not alone on account of justice
| and right, but also considering the sacri-
| flee of life and property which the Beers
defended, they had wellfounded claim to
| said independence.
I'VE have earnestly considered" the re-
| port says, 1.-The present situation of our
| country and people, and paid especial atten-
| ton to the following:
Il That the war policy of the British
military authorities has led to the total dew
| astaton of the territory of the two re-
| publics, with the burning of farms and viii
| lagos, the destruction of all means of ex-
| istence and the exhaustion of all resources
| necessary for the support of our families,
| the existence of our forces and the contin-
| uation of the war
The Concentration Camps.
| 80. That, placing our captive families in
| the concentration camps has led to an I'M
| heard-of state of suffering and disease, so
that within a 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 be-
come extinct.
IS. That the Kaffir tribes within as well
| as without the limits of the territory Of
1 ha fxu-n on,,1,l III, n1 y,,n11 nxy
| English officers, and therefore took part in
| the struggle against us by committing MUIR
| ders and perpetrating atrocities, and so
| created an ursupportable state of things in
| many districts Of the two republics, such
| as quite recently occurred in the district of
Vrijheid, where fifty-six burghers were
| cruelty murdered and mutilated in most
| horrible manner.
II. That by proclamations Of the enemy
| Ito which has been already given an order
| to commence eXecution) the burghers who
| are still lighting are threatened with the
| loss of all movable and immovable prop
| erty which would end in total material
| ruin.
Couldn't Hope for Ultimate Victory.
| % That the conditions of the war have
| made it impossible for us to keep the many
| thousands of prisoners of war taken by our
| forces, so that we can only inflict small
damage to the British forces, whereas the
burgers 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 our forces
| remains to operate in the field
| 80 That this fighting element which
| forms but a small minority of our nation,
| although brave and full of courage, has to
| night overwhelming numbers of the enemy
ana moreover practically exists under con-
ditions of famine and destitution of the nee
essaries of life, and notwithstanding our
| utmost endeavors and the sacrifice of all
| that was dear to us, could not reason
| ably hope for ultimate victory.
| We, therefore, of the opinion that
! there are no reasonable grounds for sup
| position that by continuing the war our
| country would retain its independence and
| consider that under the circumstances our
| nation is not justified in continuing the
| war. as it can only result In the downfall
| and material ruin not only of our homes
| but of our posterity.
Compelled to Accept Proposals.
Compelled by the above circumstances
and considerations, the assembly instructed
us, the representatives of both govern
ments, to accept the proposals of his maj
estys government and to sign them in the
name of the people of both republics
| The assembly expresses it's confidence
! that the conditions called into existence by
| the acceptance of the proposals of his mai
| esty government, may soon be improved
| IN such manner that our nation may at
| tam the enjoyment of those privileges to
| which 1t believes itself justly entitled not
| only on the grounds of it's past but also be-
| cause of it's sacrifices endured by this ter
| rible war.
| This assembly has noted with gratitude
the decision of his maiesty's government 10
| extend a great measure of amnesty to such
| British subjects as have taken up arms on
our side, and to whom we are attached by
| ties of blood and honor, and expresses the
|