SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS

Otago Witness, Issue 2671, 24 May 1905, Page 19

SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS

THE NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER.;

THE COMMAND OF THE SEA. CAPETOWN, May 16.

Lord Selborne has arrived here.

Lord Selborne was cordially welcomed. Replying to the Mayor of Capetown he created a most favourable impression, saying he drew encouragement from the example of his predecessors. He remembered the far-seeing imagination of Jan Vanriebeeck, the founder of Capetown, and Cecil Rhodes, the sagacious statesmanship of President Brandt, and Lord Milner's indomitable courage. With the help of men truly desiring the peace, prosperity, and progress of South Africa he would not be found shirking his share of the common task which their Sovereign had entrusted to him.

Botha addressed-a meeting of 1500 members of the Het Yolk at Johannesburg. He declared the Boers would show- Lord Selborne they loved order and would cooperate with him.

Other speeches were characterised by much grumbling and the demanding of full responsible government. Ex-Generals Smuts and Beyers were especially bitter.

May 18.

The Mayor, at the luncheon -at the Capetown welcome to Lord Selborne, said all shades of opiaion were represented. Lord Selborne, in a speech, said that tha Baltic fleet's passing showed the strategic importance of the Cape. He believed its strategic value would grow. The British navy's individual strength was as much at tha disposal of South Africa as of the Motherland, which was grateful for the contribution of- the Cape and Natal to the navy, especially as it was unconditional. What united the Empire was the sea. He hoped Cape Colony and Natal would be guides to inland colonies, and make them understand that the command of the oca alone would enable South Africa, without foreign interference, to work out its own salvation.