Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1910. BOND QR PROGRESSIVE?

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 74, 30 March 1910, Page 6

Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1910. BOND QR PROGRESSIVE?

Dr. Jameson, last month in Capo Town, broke his long silence by delivering a valuablo and much-needed (speech on tho present political situation in Soum Africa. The files are just to hand, and the complete speech is now available) for reference. Cape Colony's former Premier, speaking with his customary frankness, informed his hearers what the object of the negotiations between him and General Botha had been, and what tho prospects were for their success. Tho conferences, as conjectured, aimed at creating a non-party Ministry for at least the early years of the Union. Until Dr. Jameson's meeting little definite was known concerning tho nature and tho probable outcome of the many interviews which have taken place between tho two leaders. Now welcomo light has been shed upon the existing situation, and a posublo explanation provided of Mr. Merriman's surprising re-cently-assumed attitude. Dr. Jameson pointed out that tho proposal for a "best men Government" was a natural corollary to the delegates' work at the National Convention. There past differences were forgotten, all the delegates acting loyally together. They desired that tho Union Act should bo put into force on the lines and in tho spirit in which it had been produced. Towards the end of the convention, when it became apparent that the draft constitution would be agreed to, tho proceedings were carried a Btago further by a friendly conference between Dr. Jameson and General Botha. Tho doctor's speech here becomes extremely interesting, supplying as it does not only the first glimpso we have had oi the delegates in session, but also intelligence touching tho ideas or policies by which they were actuated. It migtit be asked, said Dr. Jameson, why he conferred with Generd! Botha and not with Mr. Merriman, The answer seems satisfactory and" to the point. Every member of the convention, ho proceeded to say, must have felt that in that body tho members were divided, or naturally divided themselves, into critics and constructors. There was thus a critical section and a constructive section. Mr. Merriman belonged to the criticising portion of the delegates; General Botha, on tho contrary, was one of tho constructors. Mr. Merriman, though Prime Minister ,of tho Mother Colony of South Africa, and the oldest, most experienced, ParMomentary leader in the sub-continent, evidently saw no necessity for tho adop- \ tion of conciliatory methods, even at that hazardous juncture in the history of South Africa. He apparently contented himself by communing with his fellowmombcrs of tho Afrikander Bond, and, probably, with exchanging opinions with the Premier and Ministers of the Orango River Colony. Mr. Abraham Fischer, j the Premier, and General Hertzog, the | Attorney-General of that colony, appear to possess political views bearing a wondrous resemblance to those recently enunciated by Mr. Merriman. We arc given a hint of the causes which led tho Cape Premier to formulate his nocoalition policy. It would seem that, knowing of tho friendly conferrings which were in progress, and realising that ho was being left out in the cold, ho decided upon a policy diametrically opposed to the one he could infer would bo reached Dy Dr. Jameson and General Botha. Hence his demand for tho revival of former divisions, for the retention of parties as they wftre before ' the convention. According to Mr. Merriman a strong Opposition is always necessary, so that the Government may be strengthened by wise and judicious criticism. The Cape Premier has been frequently within the "cold shsdes," and if we remember rightly neve, then failed to distinguish himself by tho abundance of his criticism. Nor is it surprising, for those- reasons, to meet the proposition that, when tho first Union Ministry is formed, Mr. Merriman should have the position for which his talents seem to render him peculiarly suitable : namely, that of head of the Bond Party and Leader of tho Opposition. Fer the fact is already evident that Mr. Merriman has made no-party government impossible in South Africa. If a "best men Government" in created, with Mr. Merriman omitted, the antagonism of the exPremier of tho Cape and his Bond followers is bound to be strong and extremely bitter — the reverst of sympathetic and helpful. Dr. Jameson holds rightly that no .differences can possibly exist now on any South African question which did not exist at the time of the National Con- | vention. "I say fearlessly that even Mr. Merriman, General Botha, and mytelf can sign a manifesto on any South African question. Where are our divisions, then? I believe that, if a party government is formed, it will bo on this abominable racial basin. Ia it the resuscitation of this question tlmt tho Prime Minis'or seeks? If it is, that resuscitation will bn on a larger scale than hoiota, mmL it will Im brought about In

order that the sacred interests of tho new union may bo sacrificed to party interests and to tho illegitimate ambitions of party politicians." So says Dr. Jameson. The accounts of tho more recent negotiations contain important and highly significant intelligence. Dr. Jameson has been to Pretoria ; General Botha has visited the Cape Peninsula. "Thero is no actual offer," Dr, Jameson explains, "no actual terms of agreement. Wo have been absolutely candid, and up to Friday, when 1 last saw General Botha, that attitude has been maintained, and wo have a shrewd idea as to what terms would be acceptable to all sections of the community." In Natal Dr. Jameson saw the Premier and members of the Opposition; but in Orango River Colony he interviewed, not tho Premier, but the Leader of the Opposition. General Botha is described ns, "honest and candid, and anxious to efface racialism in South Africa." The hopes of the Progressives aro centred upon Dr. Jameson and General Botha. The conferences Dr. Jameson has had point, apparently, to the early emergence of an entirely new party in South Africa : one capable of including men of advanced liberal views like General Botha, and General Smutd> and all real Progressives. Mr. Merriman s determination to encourage, probably intensify racial differences threatens to be a disquieting factor in the future South Africa.