Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-06
In Other Lands
Side Lights on what IL Trans-
piring Among the Near and
Far Nations Of the Earth.

The blood of warning races shed on the
veldt and kops of South Africa eight years
ago is nurturing into existence a new COM
The federation of South Afri-
can colonies, composed OF the present ter
ritoty OF Cape Colony. Natal. the Trans
vaal and the Orange River colony, is well
advanced toward completion, only official
formalities being necessary before launch
ing the union. A constitution has been
drafted by the delegated representatives of
the colonies, and will be submitted to the
respective colonial councils for approval
on March 80. Should two or more colonial
councils approve the constitution, the union
becomes effective for that number. but as
all questions which divided the constitu-
tion-maklng body were agreeably settled,
there is no likelihood of a division. The
rivalfry between the large cities for the
seat of government was compromised. Pre-
toria is to be the administrative capital.
Cape Town the legislative capital, while
the military, judicial and customs depart
ments are given three other rival cities.
When the approval of the colonial councils
Is had, the constitution goes back to the
drafting body Tor ratification and then to
London for the kings signature. Imperial
sanction is assured, inasmuch as every step
In the movement toward union has had the
approval of the British ministry. In a few
months these details will be disposed of.
and a new commonwealth, springing from
the vortex of war, and under the protection
of the British flag, will be launched on the
extremity of the Dark Continent.
ss&
The constitution of the South African
states contains many features of interest to
students of organic laws. The document
Is largely a compromise of the conflicting
Ideas of aggressive races, a document lean
Ing more to the Canadian system than to
triumphant democratic ideals of Australia
and New Zealand, Its chief note is CEN
tralized government. A governor general
appointed by the crown will represent the
Imperial tie. He is vested with the power
of vetoing the legislative acts of colonial
bodies. These bodies, acting like the legis-
lature of an American state, have no re-
served rights, their power being limited to
the grants from the Parliament of the
union. A senate and assembly Of co-ordi-
nate power is created. The senate consists
of forty members, eight from each of the
four colonies, and eight members appointed
by the governor general. No one can be a
senator who cannot qualify as the owner of
$500 worth of 'immovable property within
the union" clear Of incumbrance. The
assembly will consist of 1871 members,
chosen by districts equal in voting popu-
lation. To avert a deadlock on legislative
measures, the constitution provides that
both bodies shall meet in joint session and
a majority vote shall enact the pending
bill. An executive council appointed by the
governor general exercises the functions OF
a ministry. The elective franchise is
strictly limited to the adult male population
OF European descent except in Cape
Colony. whore the law now grants equal
rights to whites and blacks. Freedom OF
the press on the British plan and freedom
of religious worship are granted. The Of
fetal language is bi-lingusl, English anC
Dutch, and their use cannot be modified
without a two-thiIds vote of Parliament
All judicial questions are to be determined
by the supreme court Of South Africa, with
the right TO appeal to the British privy
council only when the latter body grants
special leave.