SOUTH AFRICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1918, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA.

JERTZOG'S DISLOYALTY. PLAYING WITH FIRE. GENF&AL BOTHA'S CRUSHING KEPLY. Received April 24, 7.20 p.m. Capetown, April 23. itaring the war debate in the Assembly, Mr. Hertiog denied the statement that the Nationalist propaganda «u intended to hurt the sensibilities of the British or that he had done anything treacherous or seditious. He maintained that the rights of self-gov-ernment had been infringed by the Government's war policy and wool purchase scheme. They were treating the British Government's requests as commands. If the door were closed to peaceful reform of the constitution the result would be violence and force of arms. The Nationalists were not trying to seduce the people from their allegiance, but were trying to make it clear thev would not stand nnder »he rule of Britain. Ho was perfectly content to stand under the King so long ns thev obtained exactly the same freedom as Britain under its own parliament. He insisted that South Africa owed no alleaianw to the British parliament and agreed tint only along peaceful lines could thev hope for co-operation of both races. He realised they could not get independence unless the King gave it. General Botha, replying, said Mr. Hertzog now agreed iliat a republic was impossible without force of arms. Why then play with fire? He declared that secret meetings had been held. Already eight thousand people had been sworn in. Unless this was stopped a collision was certain. The talk about a republic to-day' was hypocrisy. South Africa was perfectly free. The Imperial Government interfered with no acts of Parliament, but they must realise they were British subjects, and could not owe allegiance to the King and not to Parliament. He had information which made him Regard matters as most seriously. He warned them that this kind of talk must stop. What could civil war lead to but nlin and disaster? Gen. eral Botha concluded with an impassioned appeal to members to help to make peace and order prevail in South Africa. Mr. Hertiog said he quite agreed Witt General Botha's appeal for peace. WAR DEBATE. Capetown, April 23. In the Assembly the war debate concluded. A motion to reduce the defence rote, on which the debate was based, by £2,813,285, including the contributions to Imperial military expenses, was negatived by 75 votes to 24.