The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-22
bEYERS RESIGNS HIS
 POST RATHER THAN FIGHT THE GERMANS
Commandant General of Union of South Africa's Forces DenOunces Eng
 lands Policy

London, September 21.-G1,10 D. m) Brig. Gen. Christian Frederick Beyers, ccmmnndant general of the Union of South Africa's defense forces, has re- signed his post because of his disap- prOvai of the action of Great Britain fin sending commanders to conquer Ger man Southwest Africa.
 The official press bureau tonight gave out General Beyers' letter of res ignation and the reply of General Jan Christian Smuts, minister of finance and defense of the South African union.
 General Beyers reminds General Snutz that in August he disapproved of the sending of commanders forces of Beer troops) to conquer German South west Africa and expresses surprise that Parliament confirmed the resolution of the government to conquer the German territory without any provocation to the union by the Germans. He insists that majority of the Dutch people in the union disapprove of crossing the German frontier.
 Says Minority Not Convinced
 Referring to a statement that Great Britain had taken part in the European war for the sake of justice to protect the independence of smaller nations and comply with treaties. General Reyers points to the resignation of two British ministers as evidence that a strong minority cannot be convinced of the righteousness of war with Ger many As to protection of smaller na- lions, General Beyers says: "I have only to indicate how the independence of the South African republic and the orange Free State was violated and of what weight the Sand river convention was.
 Tt is said this war is being waged against the barbarity of the Germans. have forgiven, but not forgotten all the barbarities perpetrated on our country during the South African war With very few exceptions all the farms, not to mention several towns, We're so many of the Louvains of which we now hear so much"
 Ceneal ,Beyers denies that the Ger mans invaded South African union ter- ritory and declares If they did the Dutch and British would fight side by side in it's defense" and that he gladly would lead them.
 General Shuts in his reply to the letter of resignation says that all the IIans for operations against German Southwest Africa were made In con eultution with General Beyers and that his suggestions largely were carried out.
 Attacks Baseless
 Your bitter attack on Great Brit sin" General Shuts continues mot cply is entirely baseless, but most un- justfiable. coming, as it does. in the midst of great war.
 Your reference to barbarous acts during the South African war cannot justify the criminal devastation of Belgium and can only be calculated to SOW hatred and division among the peo- pie of South Africa
 General Shuts refers to the freedom Eiven South Africa by Great Britain, 'which allows you to write letter for which you would without doubt. be liable in the German empire to the extreme penalty
 The minister goes on to say that the coast of the South African union iH threatened. that mail boats have been held up And that her borders have been invaded bN the Germans and concludes by declaring:
 T cannou conceive of anything more fatal and humiliating that d life of loyalty in fair weather and podcy of neutrality and pro-German senti- ment In daya of storm and stress.s