CECIL RHODES MEMORIAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1486, 8 July 1912, Page 7

CECIL RHODES MEMORIAL.

CEREMONY ON TABLE MOUNTAIN. By IWecra-pli—Preaa Association—Copyright (Rec. July 7, 5.5 p.m.) Capo Town, July 6. Lord Grey yesterday unveiled and dedicated the Cecil Rhodos Memorial !-n tho side of Table Mountain, in the Groote Schur Estate. k iTho Primo''Minister, General Botha, and General Hertzog, Minister for Justice,, sent letters of apology for their absence, Lord Grey declared tihat whatever mistakes Mr. Rhodes had made, his disinterested pursuit, noble nims, and his strong Spirit, contemplated a timo when the United Kingdom'and the Dominions would act as Joint trustees with the United States for tho expansion of AngloSaxon and Celtic civilisation, and would win tho co-operation of tho Teutonic race, to whom they were bo closely related.

GENERAL BOTHA'S POSITION. ' The absence of General Botha, from tho \ above ceremony may have some, significance in view of the receait developments in the Cabinet. It will' ; bo remembered that General Botha, while retaining tho Premiership, has given up his portfolios, and that Mr. Saner has been appointed to ]ead the Bouse during; his chiefs absences. One view of the situation was obtained by a Sydney "Telegraph" in convert sation with a South African resident of prominence now in Australia. That gen-! | tlemau, Mr, W. J. M'Cartney, explained tho position as follows:—"The late Minister for Finance was Mr. Hull, who retired on account of differences with Mr. Sauer, the most prominent Capo representative Lt, the Cabinet. General Smuts, now appointed Minister for Finance and Defence, represented tho Progressive element. Sauor might be said to have assumed the leadership of tho reactionary element. And, apparently, the reactionary element holds the reins," said Mr. M'Oarthy. ."The Sosition is rather difficult, and General iotlut, who is Progressive, has apparently found it necessary to conciliate the reactionary section. But I am confident tho Progressive element will ultimately prevail. Bbtha is not likely to be absent except through illness, go that tho reference to Mr. Saner assuming the leadership really implies only a nominal distinction. Mr. M'Carthy expressed himself strongly convinced that tho old racial animosity and bitterness that preceded the' war were dying out. But there was still an undercurrent, and Botha's position was very difficult. He thus found \t necessary at times to malio concessions to the old type, of Boer,- But thero was a growing feeling of geourity and harmony, Considering: tho long-drawn-out and bitterly-contested war, it was remarkable, that such' little racial animosity existed. Certain politicians, of course, endeavoured to foment racial hatred for party purposes. At present practically a Dutch Government was in power, and the Dutch had no incentive to perpetuate racial fceliui. The language question was not a dominating factor'in the situation at present, in Mr. M'Carthy's opinion, though, of course, any attempt to suppress the Dutch tongue would necessarily lead to strife and bitterness. Dutch, he explained, was taught in the schools, but was not a compulsory subject. As far as the public services were concerned, o. knowledge oS both languages was essential.