THE BRITISH EMPIRE

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 32, 7 August 1919, Page 8

THE BRITISH EMPIRE

MOST POTENT INSTRUMENT FOR GOOD OR EVIL

SOUTH AFRICAN LEADERS ON

WAR'S LESSONS.

(ONITBD PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRIGHT.)

(ABSTRALIAN-NBW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Received August 7, 2.30 p.m.)

CAPETOWN, 6th August,

Generals Botha and Smuts were entertained at luncheon by the Administrator. Generalv Botha, in a speech, said it would be sheer to talk about racialism. The South African Union closed the book of the' past and opened a new book. He urged the necessity for a development of industry and better and cheaper shipping facilities. The time had come for a conference of representatives ,of the Dominions to discuss the question of the Dominions' shipping service. He hoped the British Government would see the fairness of allowing South Africa to retain . the thirteen prize ships seized in South African waters. i ■ ■

General Smuts said three things of most vital importance stood out as a result of the war : First, the immense preponderance of the British Empire, not only physical, but 'moral. Whatever the past, whatever the future, the British Empire was far away the most potent instrument for good or evil that had ever existed in the world. Second, the rise in wealth and power of- the United States. America was going to be the greatest power to . reckon with, apart .from the British Empire. Third, there was a decline in Europe itself, not only relatively, but intrinsically. Whatever the result to Europe, victory or defeat must mean enormous debts, dislocation of industry, unemployment, and unsettlement. The young countries were going to ■ get their chance, among them South Africa, a tremendous chance, in the immediate future.