DEFENCE OF SOUTHWEST AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 109, 1 February 1940, Page 9

DEFENCE OF SOUTHWEST AFRICA

Union’s Need Of British Support

LONDON, January 30. In. Cape Town today the Senate began a debate on the Government's motion for the approval of the Union’s war policy. The motion was introduced by the Minister of Post and Telegraph, Mr. Clarkson. The Prime Minister, General Smuts, told the House that the entry of the Union was in line with the policy frequently put forward by other members of the previous Government, namely, that the Union would stand by Britain if she were attacked. General Smuts said he was convinced that after gaining Polish territory Herr Hitler would try to get -South-west Africa. The interests of the Union were at stake in the present war. He could not understand how any responsible person could interpret the Nazis’ activity in South Africa before the war as anything other than, that the Germans were serious in their intention of gaining possession of Southwest Africa. South Africa had not an earthly chance of defending South-west Africa if Britain were to stand aside and if the British Fleet did not protect the Union’s coast against a powerful enemy like Germany.