FAITH IN EMPIRE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19824, 29 December 1938, Page 14

FAITH IN EMPIRE

SIR ABE BAILEY’S VIEW

FLAG STANDS FOR MUCH

BRITAIN MUST NOT FORGET

DEALING WITH DICTATORS

Sir Abe Baiiey, South African mining magnate and the “Empire’s Independent Statesman,” recently left condon to cross the equator tor the 104th time on his return to South Africa. The following interview on the future of the British Empire was given to “The African World” before sir Abe sailed: — “Well, I am leaving you, England, you now see on all sides danger signals, and the future is difficult and anxious. “England, you are vulnerable, and an attempt at a knock-out blow below the belt may come from the air. You, were unprepared a few weeks . ago and you realise there are many j gaps in your defences. But do not be ’ downhearted. “The best way to dispel your fears is to conquer them. Have faith in yourself and in your Empire, which is united to-day as it never was berore. You have great resources and your aerodromes will take some taking.” Sir Abe recalled that democratic countries must always put their cards on the table, even though there may be a few knaves among them. The dictators, on the other hand, do not put their cards on the table and therefore one wonders what gaps and failures they have in their defences and whether, after all, they have a Napoleon among them, and, economically and financially, are _ they not marching to a disaster which will not be in the interest of England, and the world? He has noticed that a number of people are saying that one must not take too seriously what Herr_ Hitler says in “Mein Kampf” or in |ns speeches. It reminded him of a native going up to a Boer’s house. The Boer s dog ran at the native, barking. The Boer shouted, “Don’t be afraid. His bark is worse than his bite.” The native replied, “Master, does the dog know it?” Question of Colonies Sir Abe, however, refuses to be pessimistic or to be intimidated. Politicians and statesmen, he thinks, must cultivate imagination. English statesmen, particularly, must be big and help each other, remembering that will always rise to the heights of their responsibilities “England must not forget that the Union’Jack still stands for much in the world, specially among the small nations “The question of the colonies will ■-e raiseq. and England must in mind that if German South-West Africa and Tanganyika are returned to Germany, not only will South Africa be affected, but Nyasaland, Northern and Southern Rhodesia as well, and it may mean the beginning of the break-up of the British Empire. South Africa is the only country that can defend these territories. “The time has arrived when the Union Jack must say, ‘We.Won’t’.” Sir Abe attaches great importance to the co-operation of England and the United States of America. These two countries must see to it that iheir influence in world affairs is not replaced by that of Germany or any other power. “We must show,” Sir Abe said, “that liberty is not weakness. We must ask our politicians always to subordinate party politics to national safety. We must have a really national government and plan an Empire council, embracing other nations and creating a really effective League of Nations. Nazi Leaders’ Despair “AIL the signs point to growing despair on the part of the Nazi leaders. Mr. Chamberlain’s historic mission to Germany not only saved the peace of Europe, but at the same time brought home to the average German citizen the strange feeling that, after all, Germany was not ringed round by hostile States seeking to devour her, but that on the contrary such a world Power as the British Empire is only too anxious to come to a reasonable agreement with its former foe. "Herr Hitler seems to realise the serious consequences which Mr. Chamberlain’s mission may have in time for the Nazi regime owing to tne growth of this feeling in Germany, fhe argument he is constantly using m his speeches at the moment is, ‘Ah, yes, Chamberlain may be friendly, but he may be succeeded in office by men like Churchill, Duff-Cooper and Eden, and therefore you must be prepared to follow me blindly and. bear all the sacrifices on which I insist for your own safety.’ “Desperate men are dangerous, and therefore Great Britain must see to it. that she is armed not only with weapons of war, but with that enthusiasm and devotion which in the past made British patriotism a living and irresistible force.”