SOUTH AFRICAN TREASON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1338, 19 December 1914, Page 4

SOUTH AFRICAN TREASON.

The Volksstem, Pretoria, publishes an open letter by Mr Schalk Burger, who signs it in his capacity as ex-President of the Transvaal. Mr Schalk Burger recalls his 40 years’ service to his country, during which he stood by the side of Kruger, Pretorius, and Joubert,. and the peace and prosperity which the country has enjoyed since the Peace of Vereeniging. He points out that the country has been unified under a free Constitution and an adopted flag. The people are now called upon to give proof of (heir loyalty, but instead revolt and treason are afoot. Mr Burger proceeds to examine the suggestion of a free republic, which he condemns, adding that no people ever became great through treachery. He strongly criticises the opponents of the Government’s action in German South West Africa, saying, ‘‘The Government was accused by General Beyers and others of fetching the enemy over the border, but what is now being done by them ? Maritz was there to protect the frontier, and be commits treason. Where to day we have been called on to fight the common enemy and honourably do our duty there is internal disseution, which will not bring liberty, but will rather dig the grave of the South African people.”