SOUTH AFRICA

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13750, 25 April 1918, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA

AN APPEAL FOR INTERNAL PEACE. PLAYING WITH FIRE MUST CEASE. NO HOPES FOR A REPUBLIC. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received April 24, 7.20 p.m. CAPETOWN, April 23. . During the War l.onn debate in the Assembly General Hertzog denied the statement that the Nationalist propaganda was intended to hurt the sensibilities of the British or that he had done anything treacherous or seditious. Ha maintained that the lights of selfgovernment had been infringed by the Government's war policy and the wool purchase hcheme. They were treating the British Government's requests as commands. If the door were closed to a peaceful reform of the Constitution the result would Iw violence and force of arms. The Nationalists were not trying to seduce the people from their allegiance, but were trying to make it clear that they would not stand under the rule of Britain. He was perfectly content to stand under the King so long as he obtained exactly the same freedom as Britain under its own Parliament. He insisted that South Africa owed no allegiance to the British Parliament, but agreed that only along peaceful lines could we hope for the co-operation of both races. He did not despair of reaching this. He realised that the country could not get its independence unless the King gave it.

General Botha, in replying;, said that General Hertzog now agreed that a republic was impossible without force of arms, why then play with fire. He declared that secret meetings had been held, and that already 8000 people had been in Unless this was stopped a collision was certain. To talk about a republic to-day was hypocrisy. South Africa was perfectly free. The Imperial Government interfered with no acts of Parliament, but they must realise that they were British subjects and could not owe allegiance to the King and not to the Parliament. He had information wni?3i made "him regard matters most seriously, find he warned them that this kind of talk must stop. What could civil'war lead to but ruin and disaster? General Botha concluded with an impassioned appeal to members to help him to make peace and order prevail in South Africa

General Hertzog &aid he quite agreed with General Botha's appeal for peace.