Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-06-01
SOUTH AFRICANS
IN DRIVE FOR
INDEPENDENCE
Nationalist of British Domin-
ion May Present Case of
Their Country at Ver-
sai|Ies Conference.
BY FLOYD MACGRIFF.
Interna tionai News Service Staff Corre-
spondenk

spondent
London, May 3l.-The nationalist
Of South Africa, heaed by General
Hertzog, have launched their politi-
cal campaign before the world to OBJ
tain independence for the Orange
Free State and the Transvaal, which
were submerged with the South Al
rcan Union under the British
crown in 1902, following the Boer
war.
Hertgog heads a mission of ma
honalists from those states who say
they will present their case to the
Paris peace conference in order to
obtain reparation of the Injustice
done in 1902" if they do not obtain
satisfaction from the British govern
me@t. Hertzog, bitterly opposed to
any arrangement which does not re-
store the Orange Free State and the
Transvaal to their original positions,
denies the nationalist action will
lead to open rebellion.
1t is our intention to use only
constitutional means to attain our
end and there can be no question of
open rebellion" Hertzog, right-hand
man of General Botha during the
Boer war, told the Manchester
Guardian. Hertzog now is a men,
Der of the South African Parliament.
The South African nationlists,
Hertzog said, are primarily inter-
ested in independence for the former
Boer states; independence for any
other section is a secondary con-
sideration.
To-day the principle of restitution
has been accepted by the world pow
ers,' Hertzog said, "and we there
fore ask that our independence be
given back to US.
The South African nationalist
party was born in 1918 as a protest
against the imperialistic policy of
General Botha and his government.
The partys main program is that it
is the duty of the government and
the right of the people that in the
consideration of any problem in
which South Africa is involved the
interests of South Africa should be
the deciding factor. This principle,
of course, stood in direct opposition
to the policy now as always pursued
and proclaimed by the imperialists
Of South Africa, namely, that in all
questions existing between England
and South Africa the interests of the
empire must override those of South
Africa.
Events since 1918 have convinced
US that the national policy is not
and cannot be carried out consist
entity as long as South Africa remains
under the British flag, and our So
called self-government has proved
itself to be a sham. As to reasons
why no national policy can be con-
sistent1y carried out while we re-
main in our present position OF de-
pendence: First, there is the al
legation Of the imperialists, sup
ported by General Botha and his
government, that our self-govern-
ment is of the nature of mere con-
ditional grant, and that it can be
withdrawn at any time If the British
government so desires, or it is ex-
ercsed in a manner contrary to the
will of the British people.
Against this charge, well-informed
British persons point out that his
tory shows, as in the case of Can
ada, Australia, Newfoundland and
New Zealand, that once self-govern-
ment, under the British crown, is
granted, it never is taken away, and
that the conditional nature of the
grant is simply to prevent rebellion
or upbreak of the empire.
General Hertzog, in his statement
to the Manchester Guardian, gave
these additional reasons why self
government of the Orange Free
state and Transvaal was in conflict
with the present system.
/. Those in charge of the govern
ment of the South African Union
in time of stress, keep their eyes on
the wishes Of the British govern
ment rather than South Africa.
2. The so-called self-government
stops the moment it comes to the
question of making war or forming
peace. If England becomes in
volved in war, South Africa auto
matically is dragged into it.
3. On the whole, the English
speaking people of South Africa
adopt an air of superiority over the
older population, causing constant
friction.
Against these allegations it is
pointed out there that South Africa
freely entered, of her own accord,
into the union, that the union en-
joys the benefits and protection of
the empire and has opportunity Of
greater development a. 4 part of
the empire.