"The application of brutal force by Great Britain so as to end their quarrel with the South African Republics deserves an everlasting blame for what must be considered as an outrage against human conscience, and a betrayal of the cause of progress and humanity." Then a lengthy discussion arose, in the course of which M.Yves Guyot quoted facts in contradiction to the assertions which the proposed resolution contained.
That resolution was passed in principle by the Congress Commission of Actuality, with the proviso that some words should be left out as being too offensive.
For instance the words: _an outrage_ or a _reprehensible attempt_ against the right of nations should be substituted for _a crime_ against civilisation.

The former version was adopted and submitted to the Congress by the Commission, whilst soliciting its opinion on the text of the proposition and of its bearings.

After the English delegates had exposed their views, M.Yves Guyot rose and said that he considered it his duty, as a member of the Congress Committee of Patronage, not only to find fault with the proposals of the Commission in their details, _but to object also to the spirit as well as to the letter of the resolution_.
"Looking at actual facts", said Mr.Yves Guyot, "it was not true that arbitration had been accepted by the Governments of the South African Republics.

The acceptance, if any, had been hedged in by all sorts of restrictions, for instance, in making it conditional that England should drop the suzerainty, a condition which Her British Majesty's Government could not accept.

True, arbitration was mentioned.