Emily Hobhouse

“ Meeting of the Women's South African Conciliation Committee Studying old documents and papers is to realize once again the passion of indignation felt by a considerable section of our country at the threat of annexation. Many who had taken the war lightly or even willingly as far as to give the Boers a beating, paused before the injustice of annexation. "Self-determination" was not in fashion with our Statesmen then. We longed to protest, and it occurred to me that women, at least, might make public protest without rousing undue criticism. ”

“ Yet being brave, being women, you will speak/The thought that must be spoken without fear./The voice of chivalry is faint;the note/Of patriotism is well-nigh overborne./For what is patriotism but noble care/For our own country's Honour in men's eyes. ”

“ Resolution I That this meeting of women brought together from all parts of the United Kingdom condemns the unhappy war now raging in South Africa as mainly due to the bad policy of the Government, a policy which has already cost in killing, wounded and missing over 20 000 of our bravest soldiers, and the expenditure of millions of money drawn from the savings and toil of out People, while to the two small States with whom we are at war, it is bringing utter ruin and desolation. ”