New-York tribune., 1919-04-02

has convinced Dutch speaking South
Africans that their case deserves ear
nest consideration, and that thew have
an equal right with all othe nations to
the practical application of the prin-
ciples so clearly enunciated.
"Accordingly, it was felt to be a duty
which they owed to their individual ex-
istence as nation, to their past his
tory. and to their future to urge the
ish government and the peace confer
ence, and not allow this unique oppor-
tunity to pass without stating their
case"
On January 16 and II last delegates
from Cape Province, Natal, Orange
Free State and the Transvaal. repre-
senting the National party, met and
joined in determining the question of
independence and of making an appeal
to the British government and to the
peace conference
At this convention resolutions were
adopted and some of the following
points were emphasized:
"The wounds of 1S99-19O2, when the
independence Of the South African Re-
public and the Orange Free State was
forcibly and, in the opinion of the
Africanders and almost the whole
world outside the British Empire. un-
justly destroyed, never have healed.
"EXperlence, and especially that of
the last few years, has aroused the con-
viction in the heart of the Africander
that the objections to the present form
OF government in South Africa are of
more practical nature and more cal
culated to disturb the peace and hap
piness of South Africa than was nre-
vlously supposed.
Entire independence Asked
mo true and lasting peace and con-
tentment is possible not only until
violated rights are restored, but until
the whole Union is entirely indepen-
dent and parted from the British En-
pire, by which step alone complete
equality between the English and
Dutch sections of the population. and
healthy and friendly relations between
South Africa and the United Kingdom
can be established and furthercd.
The Dutch population will always
resolutely strive for and employ all
constitutional means to obtain such
complete dependcnce."
The delegates at this congress an
pointed the following delegates now
in New York: General J. B. NJ. Hertzog
and N. c. Havenga, for Orange Free
State; Senator A. D. w. Wolmarans
and DR.. H. Reitz, for the Transvaal:
DR.. D. F. Malan and F. w. Beyers, for
the Cape Province; A. T. Spies and E.
G. Jansen. for Natal
Because of their part in the rebel
lion in 1914, General C. r. de Wet and
r. u. w. Grobler were not allowed
passports by the British government,
and N. C. Havenga and DR.. Reitz took
their places.
Since. the inception of the National
Party in 1912, General Hertzog has
been its ardent leader. He has been
bitter opponent of Premier Botha
and General Jan Smuts, who arc both
IN Europe, and who, it is expected, will
oppose the demands of the delegation
both before the British government
and before the peace conference.
Wilson'S Utterances Cited
The deputation had a difficult time
engaging passage for this country. At
first the members were booked direct
to England on the Durham Castle,
which sailed from Cape Town on Feb
ruary Is. At the last moment the crew
Of that vessel refused to sail if the
delegates were booked. At the same
time, it was said, it was authorita-
lively stated that no British vessel
would carry them.
An offer of passage was subsequently
made by the Admiralty on the cruiser
Minerva. The offer at first was ac-
cepted, but later withdrawn when il
became evident the deputation would
not be welcome
Hope had almost been given up vher
the officers of the Dutch freighter Ba.
wean, of the Netherland line, agreed
to take the delegates as far as New
York, the destination Of the ship. The
members accepted and it was on the
Bawean that they arrived yesterday.