A DIVIDED CAMP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24450, 8 November 1940, Page 8

A DIVIDED CAMP

AFRICAN NATIONALISTS GENERAL HERTZOG RESIGNS APOLITICAL SENSATION (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) • CAPETOWN, Nov. 7(Received .Nov. 7, at 11 p.m.) . General Hertzog has resigned, the leadership of the Orange Free State Reunited Nationalist Party. It- is reported that a complete split developed between the followers of General Hertzog and the members oi the old Nationalist Party during the inaugural congress,'opposition being raised against General Hertzog s allegedly mild- programme, Which envisages the admittance ofnon-Re-publicansto the reunited party. General Hertzog's resignation created a first-class political sensation. The former Finance Minister, Mr N. CVHavenga, and other members of the Hertzog group also walked out The reunited Nationalist Party meeting was actually designed to deal with the final: union between the two Afrikander groups under General Hertzog and Dr Malan. If the split with Dr 'Malan's group finally comes General Smuts will be faced with far less formidable' opposition. ■'■• ' ': ". •,; i Following the split, General Hertzog detailed the events which had led to his resignation from,. the Reunited National Party of the Orange Free State. He said that within the party the campaign to oust him that had been conducted for the past 18 months had become intolerable. "The persistent knawing at me has made my life impossible," he said. , It is expected that General Hertzog will either form a new party or retire from politics, but he,has promised his followers that-they will not be left like lost sheep. ,'