New-York tribune., 1918-07-06
Military Measures Block
Move ito Submerge Con-
stitution by Violent
Methods"
Statement Issued
BY Prime Minister
German Propaganda Seen
in Effort TO Stir Up
Strife in Union

LONDON, July b.-Reports Of seri-
aus trouble in South Africa which
have been current for the past week
were given their first Official contirma-
ton to-day by the publication OF
statement issued on Tuesday by Pre-
ner Botha Of the Union of South
Africa. This describes the disturb
ances there as presenting features
similar to those in Ireland i'll 1918 and
attributes them to German intrigue
Premier Botha says that it is not
in the public interest to publish the
details and refers to prompt and eff
fective military and police measures.
The only facts published heretofore
have been of serious strikes by ma
tives, miners and other elements there.
South Africans here were at hrst m
clined to connect the Nationalist party,
which is demanding a republic, with
any political or government move
ment, but General Hertzog, the leader
of that party, recently announced tnat
the organization must follow constitu-
tional methods, which amounted 20 a
retracton of his previous policy.
German Money Behind Strikes
The Importance of strikes bN natives
is that it is new move with them. and
has German agents and probably Ger
man money behind it. Only a fraction
of the native population has shown
scditious symptoms, and 1t Is believed
that the influence of loyal. educated
natives is getting the upper hand. Pre-
mier Botha's statement is taken to
mean that any crisis which existed is
past.
The text OF Premier Botha's state
ment follows:
! "As Prime Minister Of the Union
: feel it to be my duty to place be-
fore the people q state Of affairs in
our union of which everyone should
know The people must be aware Of
the state of tension now prevailing
"a tension necessarily following on
the political activities Of the various
political organizations. But other
agencies have for some time been at
work to bring about trouble.
Enemy Foments Trouble
an view of the disturbed political
and industrial situation OF The coun-
l. y I, therefore, desire to inform the
people there is good reason for sus-
pecting that enemy agencies are st
work in this country, and that they
are stirring up strife, not only among
Europeans, but also among the ma
tives, and no means or methods are
deemed too despicab!e so long as Trey
can attain their object.
"While it is not desirable in the
public interest to publish the events
which in the last fed vas have neces-
stated prompt and effective military
and police measures and which. had
such measures not been taken, would
have eliminated in grave disturbances
and probably a serious loss of life,
may state that the government had
information pointing to the existence
Of movement having for its object
the subversion of the constitution by
methods of violence.
II am convinced that South Africa
is no more likely to be immune from
! insidious attentions of enemy agents
than are other dominions Of the coun-
tries of the Allied or neutral powers.
The results of the activities of such
instruments OF the enemy have from
time to time become clearly apparent,
and the circumstances attending the
| disturbances in Ireland in 1916 pre-
sented several features which were to
be observed in the movement on foot
in South Africa.
No Strangers to Trouble
"1'he people of South Africa are no
strangers to trouble and difficulties,
which they have often overcome by
revolution an self-control, and the
government makes this statement in
order that all orderly, peace-loving
citizens may be warned that mischev-
GUS elements are at work among them
and that it is their duty neither to
countcnance nor encourage, even in
directly, such attempts at mischief
II have been gratitied to see that
appeals have been made by the lead
/ crs OF political and industrial orgari-
zations to their supporters to abstain
from violence These should assist
the country and the people to with
stand the attempts to create disorder.
CAS- the Prime Minister of the Union
l wish in the most earnest and en-
pharic manner to add my appeal to
each and every one, from the highest
to the lowest. of whatever political
persuasion he may be or to whatever
industrial organization he NAV belong.
| to regard this matter as of the ut
most Importance to himself and to
the country and to be continually on
his guard against this demon of
intrigue and to use his utmost en-
deavors to curb the passions of those
who think something is to De gained
by sowing discord and strife.
While the administration cf the
country is committed to my govern
ment it is determined to take ali nec
essary measures TO counteract these
lntrlgues. and fell confident thai
In this task it will have the assistance
and support of all good citizens
One Serious Revolt
there have been few serious troubles
in South Africa since tha o,....