Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-12-16

Il have always tried to do my duty
according to my best convictions, and
st sCrely grieVes me that it must end
in this way.
Il have the honor to be, honorable
sir, your obedient servant,
CHRISTIAN FREDERICK BEYERS. /"
Minister'S Reply.
Department of Defense, Pretoria, Sep
- TENDER 10, 1914.
"Sir: 1t was with regret that read
your letter OF the 18th inst, rendering
your resignation as. command ant-gen-
eral Of the Union defense forces, and
as an officer OF the Union
The, circumstances under which
that resignation took place, and the
terms in which YOU 1sAdeavor to justify
your action, tend to leave very pain
full impression. - "a i
IT Is true that It was known to me
that you entertained objections against
the war operations in German South
west Africa, bat never received the
impression that you would resign. On
I the contrary. sall the Information in
the possession of the government was
communicated to you. All the plans
were discussed with you! and your ad-
wise WIS followed to a large extent
The principal officers were appointed
on your recommendation, and with
your concurrence. and the plan of OPP
eratiohs which is now being followed
rs largely, the one recommended by
| yourself at a conference of officers.
Rank Disobedienee.
"My last instruction to you before
Isleft for Capetown to attend the spe-
iciai session Of parliament was that in
my absence you should visit certain
regiments on the German border. and
| It was well understood between MS
that Immediately the war operations
were somewhat further advanced, and
tcoopera tfen among the various dixi.
sions would be practicable, you should
Yourself undertake the chief command
in German Southwest Africa.
| The attitude Of the government
after this remained unchanged. and
was approved by parliament, after full
discussion. One would have expected
that this approval would make the
natter. easier for you, but now
aRA that you anticirated that parIia
rHeAt would disapprove of the policy OF
the government. and that your disap
Dointhfent in this became the reason
for your expected action.
Unworthy Motives.
4 ss+In order to make your motives
clearer, the reasons for your resigna
ton were explained in long politica
argument. which was immediately
communicated to the press, and came
into the hands of the government Ions
after publication The foregoing al
fusion is evidently referring to the
letter writ en- by Gen. Beyers t. the
Volkstem.-Ed) I need not tell you
that all these circumstances in con
nectien with your resignation have
made most unpleasant impression
on my colleagues and myself.
But this unpleasant impression ha.
even been aggravated by the aiIega
tons con aimed in your letter; you
bitter attack on Great Britain is NO
only entirely baseless, but is the more
unjustlfable, coming as It does, il
the midst of a great war. from thu
comnlandaHt- general of one of thu
British dominions.-
IA Warm Retort. =
| your reference to barbarous act
during the South African war canno
justify the criminal devastation OF Bel
giam, and can only be calculated t
SOW hatred and division among thu
people of South Africa.
"Yon forget to mention that since
the South African war the British
people gave. South Africa her entire
freedom under a constitution which
makes it possible for us to realize oul
national ideals along our own lines