The Dolores star., 1921-11-04

For death itself would he sweet compared with the
stcp which we must now take. But let us bow
before the will of Cod.
1.-The future Is dark. indeed, but we viii not
give up courage hope and trust in 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 war
for 1ree,oul-nnd not only for the freedom of the
Beers. but for the freedom of all the nations OF
South Africa. Its 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
n nobler future, TO the light of a brighter day"
Smuts prevailed. And his brighter day" came
quickly. Death had removed Cecil Rhodes for
quarter of a century the dominating personality OF
the imperial side in South African politics, the man
morally culpable' in the famous Jameson rRld,"
the diamond king who left by will practically his
whole fortune of S3OOOOO 600 to the public service
Within few years after the war under the lead
ershp OF Botha and Smuts the Boer nation arose
out of the wreck of the Boer republics. In 1910
Cape Colony. Natal, Orange Free State and the
Transvanl became the Union Of South Africa with
the consent and approval of the British govern
ment. 1t contains 473.00O square miles and 6.OOO-
600 people It is practically n self-governIng ma
ton. 1t has liberal constitution and n para-
ment and the Beers In the majority. Both
the English and Dutch languages are official.
SHUTS was still engaged 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 army and took
German East Africa from the Germans
The necessities of the British empire then
called Smuts to England for counsel The war
won Smuts took 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
signed 1t. But he filed memorandum of protest
and explanations as to terms forced into it against
his will. That protest, his admirers say, marks
him rs prophet as well as statesman
SHUTS has been called an "abe compromlser -
"oppOrtunlst in politics" and "all things IN
all men," And his nickname in his own country
among the old-time trekkers is "Sllm Jamie" !"
'Slim" meaning tricky, slick, evasive
The career of SHUTS, however seems to sur.
port the view of his admirers that in matters of
principle he has always stood steadfast ms bed
rock. His admirers put 1t this way: "He has
way Of overlooking unessen1al details which
smaller men stumble over" They assert that be
Is an all-around man of firm will determined
character, great experience and hard common
sense. They also speak with admiration for bis
tact 1t Is this tact that earned for hrA the Sim"
Of the old-time Beers. He has an easy tact which
makes for amiabillty and smooths over dIsogreo
able situations. Also. he is Just about the best
whist player In South Africa and the old Roers
thought he was very wicked because he nl,yed
cards
In the old Boer household, such as SHUTS came
from, says MIR. HILL the coffee-pot Is always ho,,
ing. With cup of coffee and a piece of h,,,ona
(dried meaD the Boer fight or trek oI do1
long. Sniuts' only bad habit, If 1t can be chilled
bad habit, Is addiction to coffee He neither
drinks liquor Of any kind nor smokes and be ant.
sparingly. ''
He is essentially an out doors man md ,,.
body Is wiry and rangy. He has the stride NJ a
man familiar with long marches and the natural
swing Of one who is at home In the saddle H.
speaks with vigor and sometimes with emotion
The Boer Is not demonstrative or emot,onoI
person, and smuts has much of the racial reserve
AT times he Is an inspired orator and sometb,n"
OF his place In the world is due to his eonnen.
tongue. He seems to lack the tricks of tho snail,
binders trade. He is forcefu convincing ana
persuasive. anu
There Is strong religious trend IN tho o,.u
ter OF General smuts. He comes OF n ,troin -,
men who went into battle with suppiications y, 70
s uos upon tne'r hps' stock that held in ridcule
ana contempt the Rodleaa uov. uio