DUEL BETWEEN RIVALS

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14830, 22 November 1913, Page 11

DUEL BETWEEN RIVALS

A DRAMATIC SCENE

(Received November 21st, 11.5 p.m.) CAPE TOWN, November 21. Mr Schalk Burger and others appealed to the Congress to cease indulging in personalities, otherwise the party would be rent asunder.

The climax .came when General Botha and General Hertzog had an oratorical duel. General Botha gave a remarkable oration. He defended the expulsion of General Hertzog, though he said ho had no personal quarrel with, him. He condemned General Do Wet's proposal on the ground that if it were rejected it would probably mean the recession of the Free-Staters, and if accepted, tho cession of the Transvaalers. In either case it would wTeck the party. Instead Genera] Botha proposed to submit the dispute to a strong commission of seven members. He would not retire whilo he commanded a .Majority, as ho owed something to his followers.

General Hertzog immediately rcpl-ed and was warmly cheered. He f-.v : d he was quite willing to give General liotha the hand of fellowship on personal grounds.

There was a general shout of ' Do it now!" and for a moment tho Congress expected a spectaculaT reconciliation, but General Hertzog continued, '"But I am obliged to withdraw tho hand on political grounds. I would rather see tho Opposition in power than support tho Government."