LOUIS BOTHA DEAD.

Taihape Daily Times, 29 August 1919, Page 5

LOUIS BOTHA DEAD.

CAPETOWN, Aug 27,

Louis Botha, the great South African Statesman, died at midnight of influenza

A STUNNING SHOOK. Received noon. CAPETOWN, Aug. 28. The news of Botha's death came as a stunning shock. He caught a chill a few days ago while on. a visit to his farm, and was confined to his bed on Ins return to Pretoria. Nothing serious was anticipated, but he took a sudden for the worse last night. Botha passed away at midnight. Mrs Botha and Captain Botha w r ere present when the final call came, but there were no other'relations present owing to its suddenness.

General Smuts, as senior Minister, will act as Premier. LATER PARTICULARS. Received 12.15 p.m. CAPETOWN, Aug. 28. Mr Botha's symptoms for some time past have been causing anxiety, apart from the fact of periodical attacks of weakness, for the year's work in Europo exhausted him. The voyage to Africa was marked by ominous incidents. On the day of landing he was very weak, his intimate friends marvelled that he was able to bear the strain of public receptions. Nevertheless, the full seriousness of the position was not realised. At five o'clock yesterday afternoon Botha fell into a gentle sleep, from which' there was no awakening, and the end was absolutely peaceful. It is understood constitutionally the Cabinet, ceases to exist on the death of the Premier. The G'qovernor-G-eneral, who has broken his journey to come to Pretoria, will nominate his successor. There will be a State funeral on Saturday. The news of his death caused universal grief, as no statesman was more generally loved.