LATEST NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12711, 5 August 1919, Page 1

LATEST NEWS.

CAPETOWN, August 4.

General Smuts has returned. He had a great reception He appealed to all races that they had been comrades in arms and should now be brothers. Referring to the conditions in the south he said that in Europe there was a danger of the organism of civilisation being destroyed. He and. General Botha themselves had been under the harrow. That was why they had pleaded with their colleagues that a new spirit should bo shown to the Old World. On that they took their stand. It was impossible to. restore desolate Europe and recreate a new world unless there was a more magnanimous spirit among the nations. The Peace Treaty contained many provisions which would not help forward the healing process. Hence his plea, which had been so much criticised. He referred to the British policy in South Africa, after the Boer War, as illustrating tho soundness of his argument. He felt that this was the only' way to deal with a broken country -and a broken world. This could only be done by bringing the broken family of Europe into the League of Nations. Naturally, everyone had a doubt, but they had Been what the old system was. A new link was necessary in the development of human government and • that link seemed to be the" League of Nations.

Johannesbury reports, that information has been received by the authorities indicating that certain agitators, probably Bolsheviks, are plotting to bring about a great Native strike from, the Cape to the Zambesi on October 1. The Native leaders in Johannesburg admit that the Nativeat'aie "talking of such a strike, but deny-that there is any hope of success, though they assert that the Natives throughout the country are greatly dissatisfied. : ' „ . WASmNGTONV July 30. If the Senators could: have their way regarding the ‘Peace Treaty of the Big Five it is unlikely 'that they would recognise their offspring. Senator Fall, of Now.- < Mesiopj,--haa i -seventy -uaoiendments and other members are not less enthusiastic. There is a prospect of a comic deadlock. It seems impoasible to secure the twothirda majority necessary for ratification. Mr C. H Gilby sent a telegram of welcome to Sir Joseph Ward this morning and he has received the following reply:—“ Sincere thanks for your cordial message of greetings and good wishes, which I much appreciate. I am in the best of health and spirits and looking forward to assisting, with the help of our friends, to get through the present unprecedented difficulties, through which our country is passing and which I am sure can he complete] v overcome. J. G. Ward.”