ALL BRITISHERS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17984, 30 January 1924, Page 9

ALL BRITISHERS.

EX-GERMAN NATIONALS. BECOME CITIZENS QF SOUTH AFRICA. (BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION .COPVSIGET.) (AUSTRALIAN AND CAPE TOWN, January 88. An important step in connexion with the fixture of the mandated territory pf South-West Africa was marked by the issue of a memorandum giving the results of a conference helcl in XTondon between Genepal Sinijts and represents,-: tives of the German Reich.

An agreement was reached -under which German nationals automatically become citizens of the South African Union, with the same privileges and responsibilities as other citizens. Every facility will be given them for the frpe use of the German language. Germans ajid their children will not be liable for military service against the German Reich for ji period of 30 years. •The German Government undertook to recommend the acceptance of the ponditions.

At a later conference, lield at Cape Town, between General Smuts and a deputation representative of the South West Protectorate the Prime Minister explained the position. He stated that the Union Government was desirous of doing its utmost to carry out the agreement. He did not ask the deputation to ratify the agreement because that was unnecessary,; but he did ask for help in advising the Germans to adopt the course recommended by the German Government.

The deputation repliepl that they had to obtain a great deal more thap the agreement provided. They expressed a wish that the territory should not he annexed as $ fifth province pf the Union, but made into 3 separate* state with a Legislative Council and the right to vote its own Budget-. The deputation, however, was of the opinion that automatic naturalisation as citizens of the Unioji WPtfld ?}ot meet with serious opposition from the German population."