HERTZOG RESIGNS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1939, Page 5

HERTZOG RESIGNS

SMUTS TO FORM CABINET IN SOUTH AFRICA DIFFERENCES ON QUESTION OF WAR CO-OPERATION. VOTE GOES AGAINST PREMIER. A radio announcement states that General Hertzog (Premier of the Union of South Africa) has resigned and General Smuts is forming a Cabinet. CAPE TOWN. September 4. In a debate in the House of Assembly General Hertzog and General Smuts expressed opposing views on co-opera-tion with the Empire in its relations will' Germany. General Hertzog read a declaration cf policy for South Africa's relations with the various belligerents. This would persist unchanged and continue as if no war were being waged, instancing the British naval base at Simcnstown and the obligations under the League. He .pointed out that the Cabinet difference which had arisen was impossible to remove. General Smuts, moving an amendment calling for the severance of relations with Germany and continued cooperation with the Empire, said General Hertzog’s course l would force South Africa to take sides one way or the other. If they . parted ■ from the Empire new, when the German demand for the return of , South-West Africa came to the point of the bayonet they would stand alone. General Smuts added that his policy was to sever relations with Germany and have no trade or truck with her. The real issue went far beyond Danzig. The future security of South Africa depended on her not dissociating herself from the Empire. She might not be able fully to participate in the present war on the same scale as in the Great War. as she must safeguard her home interests. General Hertzog said: “It is being said that we must enter this war because Germany has shown that she is out fpr world domination. If that had been the case nobody would have opposed Germany more fervently than myself, but there is no proof that this is Herr Hitler’s object. I predicted in 1935 what would happen if the monster Versailles was not altered, and there was not a return to Germany of what was taken from her. Herr Hitler has since taken those territories. If the injustices of Versailles are not removed there will never be peace ’in Europe, and Germany will do anything to end her humiliation. If we go to war the Afrikander nation will suffer a shock from which it will take years to recover.” Colonel W. R. Collins, who fought against the British in the South African War, seconded the amendment. ELECTION REFUSED GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S DECISION. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) CAPE TOWN, Sept. 5. General Hertzog has resigned and General Smuts is forming a Ministry: General Hertzog’s motion, along the lines of his declaration of policy (published yesterday) was defeated also by 80 votes to 67. The Governor-General refused General Hertzog’s request for a general election. It is reported by radio that General Smuts’s amendment was carried by 80 votes to 67. It is expected that General Smuts will form a National Government. BRITISH PARLIAMENT PROPOSAL TO ADJOURN. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, September 5. The Prime Minister, Mr Neville Chamberlain, in the House of Commons announced that he would ask on Thursday for Parliament to adjourn until September 13 unless special circumstances necessitate a recall.