The Guardian (And Evening Star, with winch is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, JUNE 16th, 1924. GENERAL BOTHA.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with winch is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, JUNE 16th, 1924. GENERAL BOTHA.

In the course of a review of a new work, a writer remarks tlmt South Africa lias keen described as ‘‘the grave of reputations,” and it is true that that country has dimmed the lustre of many a career otherwise distinguished. But it is also true that South Africa has offered many opportunities for the display of greatness, and has procured great men from among her own sons. Foremost among these whom history will delight to honour is General l-ouis Botha, the subject of a biographical sketch by Earl Buxton. The author was Governor-General of the Union during the last live years of Botha’s life, from 1914 to 1919. A Go-vernor-General is always in dose contact with his principal adviser, and the association was particularly intimate during those eventful years in which toe Empire was at war, and Botha gulled the destinies of South Africa. His Government proved more stpblo

than any other Government in any other belligeient country. Elsewhoro there were coalitions and reconstructions of the Cabinet, and continual variations in the political scene. Tn tlie Union alone “the Pi into Minister and the Cabinet who went into the war were (with certain minor changes due to death and other eatlsoM the same Prime Mini-tor and the same Cabinet t nut emerged." It is. we imagine. (|uito u new departure for Vice-Royalty to write a biography ol a dominion statesman. But- their intimacy has enabled Karl Buxton to give us a sympathetic portrait of the man and an illuminating insight into his eliaractor. Earl Buxton passes lightly over tin* earlier portion of Botha’s (nicer. His youth was that ol any other Boer la*iner on the frontiers. There was a certain amount (it fighting with tin* natives and big game hunting, which helped to develop bis mililaiy aptitude. I’.y the time of the Souili Alih'iin war In* bad liecome a person of standing, in Transvaal affairs. Wiil*. Joiibert. De la Rev. and others, he opposed Kruger's reactionary policy, vas in lavour of concessions to the uillandeis, and voted against tin* dcs) nt*b o! tin* lateli'l idtiinatina. Bur w'nn tin* <li<* was cast lie loyally abided lx the decision With tie* same loyalty he acc'pted tin* Treatv of Yorcoiiiging. and stic.c i. liroig about reconciliation aed eu-o| eralioii. There were snno who. while affirming their a*■(|iiii , si c.)i< e in the new order, were only awaiting a chance to break away. But. P.m ha was determined to uphold the compact. He was resolved at. any cost to maintain the Union and the Imperial connection. The rebellion in 1911 showed the finality of the man. The situation was critical in the extreme. Mho was for the Empire and wlm against? Tt was impossible to say. .High and trusted of* lainls V ''iii implicated: what was their billowing Again, it was a thing i<> have to take up arms against his Icilow count tymeii. however misguided. Had he chosen it. there was an easy way out of the dilemma for Botha. He could have remained inactive, and lelt the British troops io suppress the rebellion. But. lie saw that this would ls*(|iieut.h to tlie Union a legacy of racehatred, and he did not aitenij t to shirk his responsibilities. Britain and Boor together put down the short-lived rising; and what odium was incurred in die process was shared by both. Then came the campaign in German Southwest Africa, which, though overshadowed by more momentous operations, was a brilliant piece of work. The old hunter, the veteran of so many fights was not to la* stampeded. lie laid his Ilians carefully, and there were nonu of those rrematnre and pievipitatc* demonstrations which, in certain other theatres, led to misfortune. Gradually yet inexorably four columns converged upon the capital from west, south a:**' east, and tlie colony was captured with a minimum of casualties. It lias sometimes been said that Botha was a figurehead in Union polities, while General Smuts supplied the driving force and iht* brains. Karl Buxton shows that this view is ipiite mistaken. Botha had a remarkably agile mind, and a faculty .for seeing every side of a question. This made him reluc unit to act without due consideration. If he seemed very deliberate in his dealing with others, it was because lie -explored every possible avenue before he despaired of an amicable solution. His experience of war bail strengthened his love of peace. “Nox’or make an enemy if von can make a friend," was one of his maxims. Another was, “Never kill n mail if you can cal ture him, or he will not have a chance of being sorry.’’ Magnanimity and a fine spirit of toleration were his most conspicuous traits. Me simply could not understand why people should cherish grudges or seek to | erpotuato antagonisms. “Let hv-gones lie bygones; let us forget the past and think of tlie future.” lie said, in effect, when after the rebellion, he was justifying the lenient treatment accorded to the rebels. “We have all got to live together iit this country, so we must tr.v to make tin* best of it." And hero is bis advice to the British and Boer elements in the Union : ‘‘Remember that there are two races in order to take care not to hurt each other’s susce) fibi!it'Vs. Forget that there are two races in order to combine into one nationality." Wise words, which South Africans would do well to lav to heart!