‘Smith May Declare A Republic9

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31168, 19 September 1966, Page 17

‘Smith May Declare A Republic 9

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright) SALISBURY, September 18. Opinion hardened in Salisbury today that Mr lan Smith will declare Rhodesia a republic on or about November 11, first anniversary of his seizure of independence from Britain.

A statment to Parliament by Mr Smith several months ago that the Government was not considering any move towards republican status has not allayed rumours that this is just around the corner. And today’s Rhodesian “Herald,” the only daily newspaper in Salisbury, asked in

an editorial: “Can the conclusion be escaped that the logical end of the first part of the road Rhodesia is now treading is a formal declaration of status as an independent republic outside the Commonwealth?” The fact that this editorial was not censored led some observers in Salisbury to believe that the Government might now be moving towards such a declaration and that the publication of the editorial might help pave the way

towards public acceptance of it.

November 11 is to be a public holiday and a time for “rededication” and celebration, Mr Smith told Parliament this week—and observers took this announcement as a firm rejection of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference communique. This move, particularly in view of its timing, is a firm indication that the Smith regime intends to remain in power until November 11 and beyond, these observers say.

Mr Smith has still not commented on the Commonwealth conference communique, which threatened the scrapping of all past offers of settlement and compulsory economic sanctions under United Nations auspices if Rhodesia did not take early steps to return to constiutional paths. Mr Smith, and indeed all white Rhodesians, remain apparently indifferent. Economic sanctions so far have produced no real hardship and the tendency is therefore to shrug off the comunique with an attitude of “so what?” Minister's Visit

A Rhodesian Government spokesman said tonight that he was unaware of tomorrow's visit to Rhodesia of the Commonwealth Secretary, Mr Herbert Bowden, and the Attorn-ey-General, Sir Elwyn Jones, to see the British-recognised Governor, Sir Humphrey Gibbs.

London reports said the two Ministers were coming to discuss with Sir Humphrey Gibbs British plans for Rhodesia after the Smith regime was brought down. The Government spokesman said that no arrangements had been made for any visit by the two Ministers.