The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1921-11-04

For death itself would be sweet compared with the
step which we must now take. But let us bow
before the will of God.
""The future is dark, indeed, but we will not
give up courage nor hope and trust Tn God. NO
one shall convince me that this unparalleled sacri-
flee which the African nation has laid upon the
altar of freedom will be in vain. 1t has been a war
for treedom-and not only for the freedom OF the
Beers, but for the freedom of all the nations OF
South Africa. It's results we leave in Gods hands.
Perhaps it is His will to lead our nation through
defeat, through abasement, yes, and even through
the valley of the shadow Of death. to the glory OF
a nobler future, to the light of a brighter day."
SHUTS prevailed. And his brighter day" came
quickly. Death had removed Cecil Rhodes, for
quarter Of a century the dominating personality on
the imperia, side in South African politics, the man
morally %culpable" in the famous Jameson raid
the diamond king who left by will practically his
whole fortune OF S3O,00O.OOO to the public service.
Within Il few years after the war, under the lead
ership of Botha and SHUTS, the Boer nation arose
out of the wreck of the Boer republics. In 1910
Cape Colony, Natal. Orange Free State and the
Transvaal became the Union of South Africa. with
the consent and approval of the British govern
ment. 1t contains 473,00W square miles and 6.OOO.-
GOO people. 1t is practically a self governing ma
ton. 1t has a liberal constitution and a parlia-
ment and the Beers are in the majority. Both
the English and Dutch languages are official.
SHUTS was still engaged on the task of holding
together these confederated colonies when the
World war called him again into the field. This
time he went in as the head Of an army and took
German East Africa from the Germans.
The necessities Of the British empire then
called SHUTS to England for counsel. The war
won, SHUTS took a major place at the peace con-
ference through sheer moral force and intellect.
He had much to do with forming the League Of
Nations. He helped construct the treaty and he
ciu,o1 r. p,v< b. R1od n ~ prJy,,n ~ nrofoct
and explanations as to terms forced into it against
his will. That protest, his admirers say, marks
him as a prophet as we'll as statesman.
SHUTS has been called an liable compromised"
an "Opportunist in politics" and "all things to
all men," And his nickname in his own country
among the old-time trekkers is "Slim Jamie"
"Slim' meaning tricky, slick, evasive.
The career Of SHUTS, however, seems to sup
port the view Of his admirers that in matters Of
principle he has always stood steadfast as bed
rock. His admirers put 1t this way: HE has q
way Of overlooking unessential details which
smaller men stumble over" They assert that he
Is an all-around man of firm will, determined
character, great experience and hard common
sense. They also speak with admiration for his
tact. It Is this tact that earned for him the "Slim"
Of the old-time Beers. He has an easy tact which
makes for amiability and smOOths over disagree
able situations. Also, he is just about the best
whist player in South Africa and the old Beers
thought he was very wicked because he played
cards!
In the old Boer household, such as SHUTS came
from, says Mr.. Hill, the coffee-pot is always boil
ing. With q cup Of coffee and q piece Of Diltong
dried meat) the Boer can fight or trek all day
long. SHUTS only bad habit. II It can be called
a bad habit, Is addiction to coffee. He neither
drinks liquor Of any kind nor smokes. and he eats
sparingly.
He is essentially an out-of-doors man and his
body is wiry and rangy. He has the stride Of a
man familiar with long marches and the natural
swing Of one who Is Mt home in the saddle! He
speaks with vigOr and sometimes with emotion.
The Boer Is not a demonstrative or emotional
person, and Smuts has much Of the racial reserve.
At times he Is an inspired orator, and something
Of his place In the world Is due to his eloquent
tongue. He seems to lack the tricks Of the SPELL
binders trade. He IL forcefnl. convincing and
persuasive.
There is d strong religious trend IN the charac-
ter OF General SHUTS. He comes Of q strain Of
men who went into battle with applications to
God upon their lips, . stock that held In ridicnle
and contempt the goddess ways Of other people.