The Transvaal having these actions in view, had for years stored up, on an enormous scale, military provisions, which could only have been destined for use against England.
"Your Excellencies made some remarks of a negative nature concerning the aim for which these preparations were made.

I do not consider it necessary to discuss the question which you have thus raised, but the consequences of the preparations, made in great secrecy, have been that the British Empire has found itself forced to repel an inroad which has brought on a costly war, and caused the loss of thousands of valuable lives.

This great misfortune has been the punishment that Great Britain has had to undergo during the last few years for having suffered the two Republics to exist.
Keeping in sight the use which the two Republics have made of the position presented to them, and the misfortunes which their unprovoked attacks on Her Majesty's territory have brought, Her Majesty's Government can only reply to Your Honour's telegram by saying that they are not prepared to acknowledge the independence either of the South African Republic, or of the Orange Free State." Appendix A REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE GENERAL REPRESENTATIVES HELD AT VEREENIGING, IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN REPUBLIC, ON THE 15TH OF MAY, 1902, AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS The first meeting of the representatives of the two Governments took place at 11.30 a.m.on May 15th.
There were present:-- _For the South African Republic_--His Honour the President, S.W.

Burger, F.W.Reitz, Commandant-General L.Botha, Messrs.

J.B.Krogh, L.J.
Meijer, L.J.Jacobs, and His Honour the Staats-Procureur.
_For the Orange Free State_--States-President, M.J.