The Dominion. TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1912. SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1409, 9 April 1912, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 1912. SOUTH AFRICAN POLITICS.

Sir Staer Jameson's retirement from the leadership of the Union Opposition, announced the other day, though not altogether unexpected, is not without significance in view of the present state of South African politics. Sir Starr, .better known as Dr., Jameson has of late been enjoying but indifferent health, and it would seem that, in spite of what was described as a complete recovery, he is unable to bear the strain of tho ceaseless conflicts which now appear to rage in tho Union Parliament. It is doubtful, however, if health is the sole reason of his resignation. A perusal of recent South African newspapers inevitably raises the question whether or not, as leader of the Progressives, Sir Starr Jameson held a position tho duties of which he could fully and effectively discharge. Many will come to the conclusion that ho is scarcely adapted to meet Dutch, or Boer, politicians on their own peculiar ground. He is not "slim," and he seems quite incapable of anger or indignation. In short, he is open, honest, and straightforward, and apparently he found it difficult to believe that all members of the Botha Government wore not precisely as himself. Probably the knowledge, slowly learned, that the said members are not incapable of employing methods which he would scorn to countenance, may havo assisted in bringing about his withdrawal Iroro the leadership. In his absence, it may bo recalled, tho principal members of his party agreed upon a more active and militant policy against the Botha Government. Their plan of campaign was to expose Ministerial derelictions in detail instead of formulating one sweeping motion of want of confidence. Sir Starr Jameson led off with the first motion—that of calling attention to the unrest in the Civil Service—and, with the facts at his disposal, presented a very strong case against the Government. His speeches, all the same, left an impression that they lacked 'force and determination. To one of the (Jape Town members, Mr;. Jaoger, fell the burden of levelling spceifie charges—he quoted twentytwo instances—to prove "favouritism, nepotism and racialism" against the Botha Administration.

The almost friendly attitude of the Opposition leader towards General Botha has been long observed and frequently commented 'upon in iSonlli Africa. Thus, early iu February, Hie principal Natal journal, I he .Yalal Mr.rcunj, observed: "Sir Stahk Jameson has returned to his post as Unionist leader iu a mood which certainly cannot be called bellicose, and might almost be termed benevolent, in relation to General Botha. It may be that before the session has been far advanced Sir Starr Jameson will see cause to evince more of a fighting opirifc against tho Ministry a wkaloj, in ii£ita cf to ruiustansti.

to embarrass General Botha." While the Prirao Minister and the leader of the Opposition appear to be on excellent terms. Sir Starr Jameson is sometimes treated with scant courtesy by members of the Botha Cabinet. General Hertzoo, for one, cannot always conceal his malevolence when he or his Department has been criticised by Sir Starr Jameson.' It is General Hertzog's Department that has produced the greatest number of "favouritism, nepotism, and racialism" cases,\and in the debate alluded to it was the General against whom was directed the main volume of condemnation. The old, fighting ideas of tho Boers seem hard to kill. In armed warfare the _ Boers direct their fire first against the chief officers, holding them in some way accountable for the, attack of the rank and file. So ii appears to be in politics. For the criticisms he received, General Hertzoq blamed Sir Starr Jameson. AVe take the following from a descriptive report of the debate in the Union Parliament which appeared in the Gape Times: "Few who saw the incident will forget the almost vitriolic passion with which General Hertzoq at a late stage in his speech strode halfway down the gangway, leaned over towards Dr. Jameson, and hissed out his indignation in most venomous terms." Sir Thomas Smartt, formerly Commissioner of Public Works in tho Cape Government, is mentioned as the new leader of the Progressive, or Unionist, party. The selection is probably the best that could be made at the present time. Sir Thomas Smartt was long closely ' associated with Cecil Rhodes, and is therefore likely to keep alive and to follow the best traditions of that great statesman and ardent Imperialist. The new leader has been chosen no doubt bj? reason of his seniority in Parliament and in Ministerial life. There is no lack of able men among the Progressives. Sir Percy Fitzpatiuck, Sir Edgar Walton, and Sir Henry Juta, for example, seem destined to fill high offices in the Union before any very long time has passed. Nor will the change in the leadership in any sense weaken the Progressives. > Any effects should be in the opposite direction, as under Sir Thomas Smartt's leadership the militant methods already agreed upon are less likely to be neutralised by undue benevolence towards General Botha and his polychromatic Cabinet. Indeed, tho conviction seems to bo gaining ground not only in South Africa, but also in England, that the spirit of bencvolence towards the Union Government has been unnecessarily prolonged. The truth has been obvious for a considerable time that General Botha will adopt proper and constitutional methods only when faced by tho overwhelming demands of the people. If he persists in his present ways the time for the Progressives should arrive soon. Tho London Times, which from the beginning of the Union has preached the benevolence doctrine, is now, significantly, alluding to General Botha having been, by Sir Starr Jameson's motion, "for the .first time confronted with one of the rudimentary requirements of representative government, namely, the collective responsibility of Ministers for their policy." This tolerant disposition, as the Cape Times remarks, cannot be maintained indefinitely. Tho Botha Government from the first has flouted both the letter and the spirit of tho Constitution,