AFRICAN DEFENCE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1198, 5 August 1911, Page 5

AFRICAN DEFENCE.

{ THE UNION'S NEW SCHEME. By Telegraph— Press Association—CopyriElit (Rec. August 4, 9.55 p.m.) Cape Town, August 4. General Smuts, Union Minister for tho Interior, in a speech at Lydcnburg, said the South African defence scliemo would be ready ill 1012. Ho hoped they would not see any other division than that of tho colour line in South Africa, FORCE OF 100,000 TRAINED CITIZENS. General Smuts outlined his scheme for tho defence of tho South African Union in Parliament in March last for tho purpose of discussion. Ho set forth tliroo main points, the first being tho provision of small striking forces, tasily mobilised, on tho basis of the existing Capo Mounted Ritlcs. Theso forces would perform police duties in peoco and would bo equipped witli their own artillery. Tho difiiculty of this system would bo tho provision of a reserve for wai: time. 'Secondly, General Smuts indicated tho establishment of citizen forces on the lines of Lord Kitchener's Australian universal service scheme. Ho proposed dividing the Union into districts, superintended by instructional officers, with yearly ramps for all men between tho ages of eighteen and twenty-five. Enlistment is to be voluntary where possible, otherwise by ballot.

Regarding tho coast defences, General Smuts indicated, that considerable sums would be asked for the adequate defcnce of Cape Town and Thtrban, which would be manned partly by Imperial troops, ultimately paid by South Africa, and partly by South Africans. He paid the highest tribute to Mcthuni, and called him "almost a Boer himself," which evoked loud Nationalist clipcrs. He anticipated the eventual withdrawal of the Imperial troops and the formation of a citizen army, which, including reserves, would at no distant date by 100,000 strong.