Evening journal., 1918-07-06
EEEHY'S AGENCIES
WORK, SAYS BOIHA
Prompt Military Measures
Prevent Trouble in
South Africa
PREMIER WARNS
OF GERMAN INTRIGUE

PRETORIA, July 6.-General Botha.
Premier Of the Union OF South Africa
has issued a statement declaring the
government has information pointing
TO the existence OF movement having
Tor It's object The submersion Of the
constitution by violent methods. The
statement shows that serious unrest
exists, and there is strong suspicion
that II is due to enemy agencies. Pre-
mier Botha declared that had not
prompt and effective military meas
ures been taken, the situation would
have eliminated In a grave disturb
ance and probably serious loss Of life.
The text Of the Premler's statement
follows:
"As Prime Minister OF the union
feel II to be my duty to place before
the people a state Of affairs IN our
union OF which every one should know.
The people must be aware Of the state
Of tension now prevailing tension
necessarily following on the political
activities OF the various political Or
ganlLatlons. But other agencies have
for some time been at work to bring
about trouble
In view Of the disturbed political sit
uation Of the country, l therefore, de-
sire to inform the people there Is good
reason for suspectlng that enemy agen-
cies are at work In this country, and
that they are stirring up strife. not
only among Europeans, but also among |
the natives, and no means or methods |
are deemed too desplcable so long as
they can attain their object.
"Whlle IL is not desirable In the pub
lie interest to publish the events which
In the last few days have necessitated
prompt and effective military and po-
lice measures and which, had such
measures not been taken, would have
eliminated in grave disturbances and
probably a serious loss Of life, l may
state that the government had informa
tiOn pointing to the existence OF a
movement having for its object the
subversion OF the constitution by meth
DDS Of violence.
Il am convinced that South Africa
is no more likely to be immuse from
insidlous 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
in Ireland in 1916 pre-
sented several features which were to
be observed in the movement on foot
In South Africa.
"The people OF South Africa are no
strangers to trouble and difficulties,
which they have often overcome by
resolution and self-controi, and the
makes this statement in ,
order that all orderly peace-loying cit
liens may be warned that mlschlevous
elements are at work among them and
that IL is their duty neither to oounte- +,
nance nor encourage, even Indirectly q
such attempts ct mischief. 4,
II have been gratiaed to see that ap- y
,eals have been made by the leaders -
II political and industrial organizations
o their supporters to abstain from vio- .
ence. These should assist the country n
md the peaple to Withstand the at ~
empts to create disorder -
"As the Prime Minister Of the Union =,
wish IN the most earnest and emphat-
, manner TO add my appeal TO each
nd every one, from the highest to the a.,
1west, OF whatever political persuasion =,
e may be or whatever industrial or
anlzatlon he may belong, to regard .,
MS matter as Of the utmost import -
nee TO himself and 10 the country, and II
D be continually on his guard against u,
he demonstration Of intrigue and to a,
Sc utmost endesvOrs to curb the pas -
ions OF those who think something ~
, TO be gained by sowing discord and !,
xoitlng strife.
while the administration OF the
ountry is committed 10 my govern
lent II is determined TO take all nee
ssary measures TO counteract these in =, y
rlgues and l feel confident that in this ~
ask It Will have the assistance and =, -
upport OF all good citizens" ~
LONDON, July 6.-south African trou- q,
lies have been the subject OF rumors G,
n London for some days. A message b,
rom johannesburg to Reuters, Limited, ii
ays that all the natives who had re-
used TO work on Wednesday later had
esumed their duties
correspondent OF the Times tele- bl
raphing from Cape Town on Monday pI
aid; 81
THE movement was originated by n
Socialists working on the n
ducated natives and was helped by
he effect Of the increased cost OF liv- Ic
ig." 81
There have been few serious irou- pt