In April 1902 safe passage was given to Boer leaders who met in Klerksdorp to discuss the possibility of opening discussions with the British.
Three days later a senior Boer delegation travelled to Pretoria and met with General Kitchener at Melrose House where they tabled a peace proposal. This was rejected by the British who demanded an unconditional surrender. The Boer delegation asked for an armistice so that they could discuss peace terms with their commandos in the field.
On 15 May, the commandos elected 30 delegates from the Free State and 30 delegates from the ZAR (Transvaal) who met in Vereeniging. The Transvaaler’s were in favour of ending the war, whereas the Free Stater’s wanted to fight to the death.
The talks lasted for three days.
