Evening star., 1947-05-18
Africa's S Union
Due to Expand
Annexation of Southwest
Almost Certain to
Take Place
By Russell Landsfyom

| By Russell LandSfrOm
WINDHOEK, Southwest Africa
Eventual incorporation of Southwest
Africa into the Union of South Afri-
ca appears to be certainty, regard
less of the United Nations snub OF
the proposal.
Seemingly, there will be little II
any internal opposition to the move
except from leaders representing
some 10000 natives.
The dissidents are the proud, un-
compromising "Hereros," often re-
ferred to as the BLACK Herrenvolk'
and strongly reminiscent of the un-
yielding American Sioux, who say
they'll be satisfied with nothing less
THAN the return Of all the lands held
tby their warlike ancestors. They feel
| that fusion with South Africa would
be harmful to their interests.
Whites Favor Incorporation.
In this sprawling territory of 317,-
F725 population, the "Hereros" come
close to matching the whites num-
[ericauy. The white population is
some $4,000, of which roughly one
third are Germans, most of them
disfranchised.
oficials say the Whites are almost
unanimously in favor Of incorpora-
ton, even Germans who are not
|naturalized= believing that the terri
tory has no real destiny apart from
the union.
Public sentiment among the whites
bears that out. Their conviction
that annexation should come to pass
is even stronger than last year when,
for the second time, the Union gov
|ernment was asked to dissolve the
mandate and formally incorporate
Southwest Africa.
All told, the non-whites number
about 100000. The largest tribe, that
of the Ovambos in the North, is a
primitive people, simple, trusting
and pastoral as only Africans can be.
In some of the territory's most fer
tile land approximately 10000
Ovambos enjoy virtually complete
self-rule, with white supervision re-
duced to enc commissioner and his
staff of 80.
Crucial Theories Tested.
Their needs relatively few, their
living reasonably spacious, their con-
tact with the whites limited, the
Ovambos are less restive than other
tribes and more responsive to the
white mans counSels. The Ovambos'
vote in favor of Incorporation was
practically unanimous. Exceptionally
good relations between the Ovambos
and the whites are due in a large
measure to the work of Maj. Carl
Hugo Hahn, a native commissioner
of long experience.
Responsible men and women in
many parts of South Africa told
correspondents accompanying the
British royal family on their recent
tour that they believed great social
and political issues would be fought
out in Southern Africa during the
next IS years.
What happens to Southwest Africa
and the Union, these spokesmen
postulated. may affect profoundly
the lives of all peoples on this con-
|tinent for many generations. This
remote corner of Africa, one of the
most rugged and primitive areas
anywhere, has become laboratory
for testing crucial racial theories.
Cold practically, it is widely
argued, dictates the incorporation of
Southwest Africa. Geographically
and economically, the territory
should become a fifth province.
But the issues involving complex
questions Of human relationships
prejudice questions which ultimately
win determine the fate OF this con-
tinent.
u. N. Jolted Smuts.
There can be little doubt that the
United Nations rebuff of Premier
| Jan Christian Smuts' proposal fol
incorporation has deeply shaken the
people here and in the Union.
Chief objections of natives to In
corporation are that their vested in
lterest In farmlands might be dis
surbed under the new regime, that
more and more whites might en-
Icroach upon the natives domains
and that the Unions policy toward
natives is repressive"
Opponents Of Incorporation com
plain that their people already are
crowded into too small areas; that
educational, medical and hospital
facilities are inadequate; that they
tare not permitted to farm their owr
lands without interference. and thai
police regulations impose indignites