The Leaders of South Africa.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 September 1910, Page 4

The Leaders of South Africa.

(Daily Mail Correspondent.)

To-day South Africa, enters upon the greatest week of her history. To-mowow there comes into being the Union of South Africa. But more important than the change in the form of administration is the change in spirit of which tho Union Is the oivtward visible sigji. In out new dominion there may still 'bo ebullitions of racial feeling, as there are in Canada. But tho moderate men among the British and , the Dutch ilnave accepted the Union with the solemn intention of building up a new daughter nation under the British flag. A group of notable men will watoh over tho destinies of the new nation, but there are only two who are tho real leaders of now South Africa. Those two are General Botlia and Dr. Jameson. With the exception of a few LaJbouir men, it is generally admitted that the public of the ■whole sub-continent ran be divided into Bothaitos and Jamesonitcs.

t General Botha holds a unique po sit ion in South Africa. He is absolutely trusted by the British u

all four Colonies. It is said tlifl.tGeneral Smuts is the "brains" of the Transvaal Ministry. But many of the Boers regard General Smuts as too clover. He does not inspire the and the personal affection which General Botha obtains from all who come in contact with him. With has own people General Botha's word is law. They may corno to a meeting lull of grievances—the Dutch are partial to grievances, like the British—and with mutterin gs of revolt. But two words finom General Botha, calms them. THE STORiM DTES AWAY. The people arc content. No Dutch loader in South Africa, wields a tenth of the influence yielded by the Premier of the Transvaal. The remarkable thing is that a largo section of the British in tho Transvaal prefer him to .till© local Progressive leaders. If they had to choose between General Botha and Sir George Farrar or Mr F. D. P. Cha>plin, they would certainly vote for /the head of Het Volk. With Dr. Jameson ■in the field the position is somewhat altered, and he may gain support which, would not be given to the Rand Progressive leaders—because, to be (perfectly frank, the Rand is not popular in other parts of South Africa. General Botha is popular because he is a moderate and non-racial politician. Of his absolute loyalty to the British Throne there is "not the faintest doubt. He accepted the terms of surrender at VEREEXIGTNG,

and lie will never go back on his word. Probably at heart ho recognises that the future of South Africa under the British flag must be far freer and greater than it would have been had the old system continued. Moreover, lie is a true South African. He wants to see the two white races unite. # For General Botha is a progressive man. During his premiership the teaching of scientific agriculture in the Transvaal has developed wonderfully. No "back-veldt" prejudices against over-sea experts influence liis mind. He knows the faults of the isolated Dutch farmers as well as anybody, and he constantly preaches the gospel of hard work and modern methods. He may lack the brilliance of General Smuts, whose legally trained mind grasps all sides of a question in a moment, but from a political point of view be possesses a greater gift—the gifl of "being able to inspire affection and confidence. The man who meets GENERAL BOTHA

can never be his onemy. Tho man who may be General Bathn.'s ( chief political opponent in the Union holds his place by reason of a similar personality. Dr. Jameson is not a great Parliamentary debater. His influence, like General Botha's, is a personal one. His marvellous tact, Oris oharin of manner, his quiet liumoui have enabled him to gain a hold upon his present colleagues such as he gained- ; .;ym Cecil Rhodes. His position in M.mth Africa to-day is a last: _>; to.sfimr-nial to his striking rY.'ity for J)-.-. JaniCi-n lias livo;l d<nv;i ;:' politicn past jv.'iMi would hnvo ruinerl most men in Smith Africa. He was t!-c leader of the Raid! And yet today Iso nuinbcrs his friends 'anion;' the Dutch by the hundred. He stood for all that was British and anti-Transvaal. Yet to-day the leader of the Transvaal Dutch is his personal friend and one of his greatest admirers.

Dr. Jameson is the recognised leader of the Opposition in South Africa—l do not like to use the word British, because it hardly describes the position in a bind in which a great effort is being made to ELIMINATE RACIAL ISM and in which, many Britishers acknowledge a Dutch political loader. Only one man can unite the Progressives—the Opposition—-made m, as the > party is of sections holding diverging views and sometimes antagonistic interests, and that .man is "Dr. Jim."

After these two men ranks Mr Merriman, whoso power in tho Cape is great. But his influence is not .South African. Ho is not popular in the Transvaal, .where his views on the colour question and the white man ideal and his sneers at democracy have created a strong prejudice against ihim. But Mr Merrinian as a politician stands head and shoulders above even the two recognised leaders in South Africa. He could hold his own in the English Mouse of Commons, where the mass of colonial politicians would bo lost, intellectually he is as great a man as ho is a Parliamentary debater. JV™ hls Perspective Is narrow, and INHERENT CONSERVATISM is a handicap m tt colonial comSuffragettes, motor-cars, new«paplanner is the only man who counts. Ihe mining man M detests. Though Mr Meniman has been long enough tion S o long ago as Lord Ca>r,narboHth Africa. jßut he will never Jo a .really national leader. His jne Oa.pe. He can never appeal to the more active north of tn C ' ro l' the P° leaders names T yet , *° make names. M r Saner, the Cape Mmgter of Public Works, will o far ?cid I %nd e, i aI - a T l cold, Ss^theXi l6^ M l] n the Cape is due. to tJie fact that 'iie is the mouthpiece of

THE BAOK-VELDT. He is intensely Butch, but lie is earnest and patriotic. In the Orange River Colony only two men stand out. Mr Abraham Fischer is said to feve the subtlest brain m the sub-continent. H e is tehind the scenes, and Ms influencl cannot be measured by his mi'bhV Then there is General

his Cabinet will alienato the support ■of hundtreds of MODERATE MEN. Natal has no leaders widely known in the Union. Mr Moor, rfJhe Premier, is a colonial with excellent but little perseverance in carrying them out. Colonel Green©, who is called the " Smuts of Natal," is a more activo man. He is a successful lawyer and amateur farmer, and has a really marvellous grasp of detail.