LATE GENERAL BOTHA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17258, 6 September 1919, Page 9

LATE GENERAL BOTHA.

ABBEY MEMORIAL SERVICE.

DOMINIONS REPRESENTED.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 4.

There was a large and representative gathering at the service in memory of General Botha at Westminster Abbey. General Sir William Birdwood represented the King, Mr. G. F. Pearce represented Australia, and Sir Thomas Mackenzie New Zealand. HIGH IDEALS OUTLINED. DUTY OF THE EMPIRE. The high ideals of the late General Botha are clearly shown in hie final interview with a press representative just prior to his return to South Africa from England and not long before his death. " Now that the Peace Treaty is signed," said the distinguished soldier and statesman, " I must return by the first available steamer to South Africa, where my responsibility, my duty, and my future lie. But I cannot do so without expressing the sense of my indebtedness to the Government and the people of this country. On every hand, from the Prime Minister downwards, and in all quarters, I have f ound predominant a spirit of co-operation and of sympathy for South Africa that fills me I with encouragement and hope. I return to South Africa happy in the knowledge that my native land emerges fiom this terrible conflict with its status raised and its j destiny assured. I carry away with me also the conviction that, of all the peoples in the alliance, the peoples of the British Empire have played the greatest part. " Aa Britain led the war, so she has led the peace, and we look to her to secure i<a just fulfilment. 1 do not iretend to agree with all the peace terms. Who does? But I would say to the Germans: ' Show by your conduct that you intend to carry out the terms in the spirit and in the letter, and you will find salvation. Evasion and shiftiness will not be tolerated, but in honesty of purpose and of fulfilment may repose your relief.' " While we all lift up our hearts in thankfulness that the nightmare of the last five years is past, let us remember that with the victors rests the supreme gift of mercy. Should Germany in the near future produce evidence of a changed heart ard a contrite spirit, it should be the privilege of Britain, just as she has led in war, also to lead in the mercy of peace. The peace ■ must not, be marred by vengeance. ' Vtni geance is Mine, saith the Lord; I will ! repay.' Let us be content to leave ven- | geance where it belongs, in a Higher Hand, I and let it he our great privilege to show ' mercy to a vanquished enemy if he in turn I shows himself truly prepared by deed, I rather than by word, to confess his faults I and to bring forth fruits meet for repentance.

" I go back to South Africa more firmly convinced than ever that the mission of the British Empire now and in the time to come lies along the path of freedom and high ideals. Britain is the corner-stone upon which our civilisation must rest. It largely depends upon her action and her spirit whether the new-born League of Nations will be a success or not. The essence of the League of Nations lies in the ideal brotherhood, in making this world a better place to live in. In the league the British Empire will play the part of the big brother and continue its historic rola of protector of the weak."