FIRM STAND

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21209, 4 September 1940, Page 8

FIRM STAND

LOYAL SOUTH AFRICA TRIBUTE TO SMUTS FIGHT FOR FREEDOM (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 2 The Daily Telegraph, commenting on the defeat of General Hertzog’s peace resolution in the South African Parliament, says the division shows that the majority which supported General Smuts last September on the question of continuing cooperation with the British Commonwealth of Nations remains stable after a year of war. “Not all the successful aggression, not even the collapse of France, has served to weaken this resolve,” the Daily Telegraph says. “That is a very signal fact, which constitutes a great tribute to the influence of General Smuts with the people of the Union. “It would not be easy to over-esti-mate how much not only South Africa, but also the cause of human freedom, owes to the staunchness, faith and vision of General Smuts, whose confidence in peace with victory remains undimmed—a confidence sustained by the gallantry and efficiency of the South African Air Force, now serving in Kenya. “It is not merely a nice calculation of chances which provides the justification for General Smuts’ policy. It is a clear perception of the consequences of making peace with Germany. He sees that such a peace would inevitably mean the linking of South Africa with Germany, thereby submitting to Nazi dominance. General Smuts declares that he would rather a thousand times be with England than with Germany. Such a choice should need little recommendation to any people nutured in freedom.”