Smuts of South Africa

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 4 (Supplement)

Smuts of South Africa

By G.I-1

THE life of Christian Jan Smuts holds all the elements for a spectacular biography. He was a sickly lad, born and bred on a farm in an outback African dorp. By strength and integrity of character and intellect he became one of the great figures in the European political world of his day. Mrs. Millin published an outstanding account of his life last year. This was a work of inspiration and devotion for which she was eminently suited, both by her knowledgo and love of South Africa and her hero worship of it's champion, her subject. Mr. H. C. Armstrong's biography, "Grey Steel," if not such ft tour do force, is in its turn equally interesting. His material is excellently arranged, and presented with vigour and detachment it makes stimulating reading. Mr. Armstrong sees General Smuts as supremely arrogant; a man of sted who acted with macliineliko precision and was often relentless and unfeeling in liis decisions. This assertion which is made again and again, is one of the weaknesses of tho book. Smuts certainly had little of the boon companion about him, but his strength lay in his integrity. Once convinced that ho ivas right, no one could swerve him from his course. Of piercing intelligence lie was unable to suffer fools gladly, and in South Africa where party politics had much the same pettiness as family squabbles, he moved in a world apart, happy with his books, unhappy when he had to deal personally with men.

The Boer War played an important part in his development. The life suited him. In constant danger ho was in his element, and invariably performed with brilliance. In tho months of war lie left behind the narrow-shouldered delicacy

Keeping Faith

that liiul been his from student clays, and emerged robust and tanned, so changed a man that liis own father did not recognise him. The war over, Botha and Smuts became rulers of tho Transvaal. At last tlio way was clear for Smuts to do tho work ho had dreamed of, to make a nation of tho warring people of South Africa, and ho set to work without moro ndo. ' In his picture of Smuts, Air. Armstrong does not fail to do justice to the greatness of Botha, a man who loved South Africa and who understood its people. Ho was tho one man who could influence Smuts and perhaps tho only man Smuts trusted. When, after many years of work together Botha (lied, he left Smuts exposed for tho first time to tho distrust of his own people, tho Dutch. After holding office for eighteen years, Smuts was succeeded by Hertzog, his lifelong and bitter enemy. There must liavo been consolation for Smuts in tho knowledge that if ho had little honour in his own country, his prestige in Britain was tremendous. While tlio Great War dragged through to its final stage ho was called to England where his advice was sought by those in authority. He will bo remembered by tho man in the street for liis hoj>cless effort to mitigate tho severity of tho terms of peace imposed on Germany. In Africa lie remained in tho shades of tho opposition for ten years, after which tho tide turned in'his favour. Then, renouncing his pride and his contempt for the littlo men with whom* lie must work, ho accepted Hcrtzog's offer and joined forces with him so that South Africa might develop in peace. , . And bv that act of renunciation, says Air. Armstrong, Jan Christian Smuts broke faith with his interests and his instincts and kept faith with his ideal. "Grey Steel," by H. C. Armstrong. (Arthur Baker.)