AFTER AFRICAN WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 143, 14 December 1942, Page 4

AFTER AFRICAN WAR

SMUTS ON NEXT FIGHT

CAPE TOWN, December 11. "When Africa is cleaned up I am certain our boys of the first and second divisions, indeed, the whole army, will say - 'onward.' I will not deviate from the voluntary principle. None will be compelled to go out of Africa, or even out of the Union," said Field Marshal Smuts, when speaking in his own . constituency. He added'that at one time there was the possibility that, if there was trouble for South Africa, there would be conscription, but that was past, and it was for the men to make their own choice, and after what he had seen in North Africa he had no doubt that 80 to 90 per cent, would agree to serve.

"I am anxious," he said, "that South Africa should play her part in freeing South African prisoners in Italy. When you cannot get in the front door, you must go through the windows or the back door, and Africa is the back door of Europe in this war. "American plans for the occupation of North Africa have worked magnificently. I hope. 1943 will bring complete success, but it is possible that the war will last beyond 1943."

South African troops arriving at Johannesburg from Madagascar cheered wildly and flung their caps in the air when told that Field Marshal Smuts had announced that they might fight outside Africa. Civilians'gave an ovation to the troops.