SOUTH AFRICA

Southland Times, Issue 17764, 24 September 1914, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA

WHY GENERAL SEVERS RESIGNED. DOES EOT APPROVE OF BRIT AXE. A “SUCK” COOXABIAirr. EE ABES PLAITS OF CAMPAIGN. THEE GIVES UP OFFICE. GENERAL SKUTS’S STATEMENT. WILL FIGHT WITH EMPIRE. UKION LOYAXi TO THE CORE. A cable a few days ago aim ounce d that Brigadior'GenOral the Ron Christian Frederick Boyers, CotmnaudaxitGoneral of the Citizen Forces, Union of South Africa, had resigned. It will bo romembpred that General Boyers was riding with the late General do fa Bey when the latter was shot by a policeman who mistook his motor car to bo one driven by motor bandits who were infesting' South Africa at tho lime. It was subsequently explained that there was no connection between the tragedy and General Beyers’s resignation, tho latter being in the hands of the Union Government prior to the fatal shot being fired. WELLINGTON, Sopl. 23. The following telegram from the High Commissioner, London, to the Prime Minister, dated London, September 22 (JM.ifO a.m.) has been received — Official—The Press Bureau has published tho text of the correspondence between General Beyers and General Smuts (Union Minister of Defence!, regarding the former’s resignation of the post of Commandant General of the South African Defence Forces. General Beyers says that ha disapproved of sending commandos to Gorman South West Africa for the purpose of conquering Unit territory and says—

I u m surprised t hat Parliament confirmed the resolution to conquer German South West Africa without any provocation towards the Union from the Germans. The Government must bo aware that the majority of the Dutch speaking people of the Union disapprove of our crossing the frontier and conferences of commandants in Pretoria bear eloquent testimony to this.

General Beyers challenges the Government to appeal to the people without making it compulsory, to obtain another result. It is said that Great Britain has tttkcn part in the -war for the sake of right and Justice and in order to protect the i ndcpendcnce of smaller nations and to comply with treaties (continues General Beyers), but Lite fact that, three Ministers from the British Cabinet resigned .shows that even in Ungland there is a strong minority who cannot bo convinced of the righteousness of war with Germany. History teaches that whenever it suits her.interests Great Britain is ready to protect the smaller nations. Unhappily history also relates instances in which the sacred rights and independence of the smaller nations have been viola.ted. and tre-aties disregarded by the same Umpire . In proof of Ibis General Be.yers says that it is only necessary to indicate how the independence of the South .African Republic ami the Orange Uree State was violated, and of what weight the Sand Tlivcr Convention was. It was said that the war was being waged against the barbarity of the Germans. He has forgiven but not forgotten the barbarities perpetuated in his own country during the South African war. In the absence of legitimate grounds for an annexation policy the Government endeavours to intimidate the public by declaring that the Government possesses information showing ' that Germany had decided, should the opportunity arise, to annex South Africa, General Beyers’s opinion is that it will be hastened if the. British invade German territory without having been provoked in' (he Germans. As to the alleged German annexation scheme, this is nothing more than the result of the usual national suspicion attending such matters. The allegations that the Gormans have alreadyviolated the frontier -are without grounds. NS’luUev :u- may hapepn in South Africa the contest will be decided in Uuropc. If Germany triumphs and should decide to attack South Africa then even if Great Britain should lie unable to help, South Africa at. least would have a sacred and clean case in defending the country to their utmost provided that they stay inside their borders. Meanwhile, General Beyers says, lie accepted the post of Commandant-General under the Defence Act, the tirst section of which provides that "our forers are only to be employed in the defence of the'’Union should the enemy penetrate the country. ” It will he the duty of the British to drive him back and pursue him into bis territory, "Why should we deliberately make enemies." General Beyers saw no way of taking the offensive, and said—-'"As sincerely as T love this country Ihe people must strongly protest against sending the Union citizen forces over the frontier.”

GEX KRAI, SMI'TS'S REPLY. frcneral Smuts replied—-"Tlie circumstances under which the resignation took place and liic terms in which General Beyers endeavours to .justify his action must leave a very painful impression." True, ii was known that General Beyers entertained an objection against war operations in German Soutii West Africa, hut Geenra) .Smuts had never received the impression that he would resign. The principal officers were, appointed on General Beyers's recommendation and t,vi th his concurrence, and the plan of operations now being followed was largely recommended by General Boyers, at a conference of officers . General Smuts's last instruct ions before lie left far (Aipetown 10 attend a special sitting of Parliament, were that General Beyers should visit certain regiments on the German border. It was well understood that immediately war operations were further advanced and co-operation amongst the various divisions practicable General Boyers should undertake the chief command against German South West Africa. The attitude of the Government remains unchanged and was approved by Parliament. The eireu instances In connection with the resignation had made a most

unpleasant impression on his colleagues. :ind Gnneral Smuts, bnt this unpleasant impression was aggravated by the allegations contained in General Beyers's bitter attack on Great Britain. His re T ferenecs to barbarous acts during the South African war cannot justify the criminal devastation of Belgium, and can only be calculated to sow hatred and sedition amongst the people of South Africa. General Beyers (continues the Minister), forgets to mention that since the South African war the British people gave South Africa its entire freedom under a constitution which makes it possible to realise national ideals along onr own lines, and which allows ‘General Beyers to write with Impunity a letter for whicli he would be liable in the German empire to an extreme penally. As regards the other statements they had been answered and disposed of. From thfs-e discussions it would bo apparenl that neither the British Kmpire nor Souih Africa was the aggressor in the struggle. The war in the first instance was declared by Austria-Hungary' and thereafter by Germany under circumstances in which the British Government employed its utmost powers to maintain the peace of Europe and to safeguard the neutrality of Belgium.

“It is absurd to speak of aggressive action on the part of the Union, seeing that, together witli the British Empire, we have been drawn against our wish and will entirely in self deefnee, into this war.”

General Smuls's conviction was that the people of South Africa will, in these dark days, when the Government as well as the people of South Africa are put to the supremo test, have a higher conception of duty and honour than can be deduced from General Beyers’s letter and action —'the Dutch speaking section in particular. General Smuts could not conceive anything more fatal and humiliating than a policy of lip loyalty in fair weather and a policy of neutrality and pro-German sentiment in days of storm and stress. It may be that peculiar Internal circumstances and backward condition after a great war will place a limit on what they can do, but nevcrlhielcss General Smuts is con-

vtnoed •that the people will support the Government In carrying oat tho mandate of Parliament, and in tills manner, which Is the only legitimate one, fulfil their duty to South Africa ■ and to tho Empire, and maintain their dearly won honour unblemished for tho future. . GENERAL BEVERS’S ACTION. CONDEMNED BY CAFE 7BES6. The ill git Commissioner cables further under date, September 23 (2.30 a.m.) — The Capetown press unanimously condemns General Beyers, emphasising the fact that lie deferred Ills resignation until he was in possession of the Government’s plan of campaign.