SOUTH AFRICA'S PART.

Marlborough Express, Volume LI, Issue 87, 14 April 1917, Page 6

SOUTH AFRICA'S PART.

GENERAL SMUTS'S VIEWS

"WE. BUILI> ON FREEDOM-."

LONDON, April 2. Mr W. 11. Long, Secretary of State for the Colonies, presiding at a Hoxise of Commons luncheon to the Domin-

ions' representatives, said he rejoiced at their presence in London afc this 'juncture. He cordially'welcomed the Indian representatives, and declared that the Empire would emerge from the war stronger and greater than ever. ■ "This''gathering-of the Dominions' representatives is fraught with immense" possibilities," Mr Long paid. "From it we will emerge as on Empire such as we iiever have seen before." He referred to, General

Smut 3, amid load cheers, as a soldieristatesman, full, of courage Sand wisdom, who hnd ; »,acquired the1 right'-.i'r.-advise-and..help us.%< in v this tii«e oi, - rastress ami difßculty. ■ ' - ?_- ---'■-Geiieral Sitiuts, receii-ed \an' .Novation cm risiiig to reply, "Said lie wished that General Both:i was tlicro to reply with Sir Robert Borden, but lie was still bearing a burden ...in South Africa which no other man could boar. (Cheers.) What impressed him was the war effort of the United Kingdom, which surpassed imagination. This effort and its spirit were a pledge that all would end well. (Cheers.) The effort of the Dominions also was marvellous. Canada alone had made an c'ffort equal to Great Britain's at the time of the Boer war. He paid a tribute to the Indian troops, and said he had never commanded more loyal or ."braver men. He also spoke highly of the Australians and .the New Zealanders.

I lieferring to South Africa General Smuts said that there was an internal convulsion there when the war started. "But," he added, "we set our house in order, and hurled the enemy across the equator. (Cheers.) This was done by a- population the majority of whom fought against Great Britain; Only. V 3.5 -years ago. j Therefore!'-'you tee that South Africa ■ has done iier share.'' (Lour cheers.)* !^Aff er paying" a'fHMrte to 'the lnfe'Sir "■ Henry Campbell Bannorman for the ■method of settlement adopted by the British Government after the Boer war. General -Smuts said, "It was one of the wisest political settlements ever inado." He proceeded, "After all; the Empire is founded on principles or equality and freedom, unlike Germany, who stands, for 'might is right.' To-day the world is against Germany. If the United States does not go to Avar against Germany now she will have to later. The position is grave, and there is hard work ahead. Germany cannot continue much longer. She will reach her maximum effort this summer. I am convinced her j submarine effort will nob settle the ! war, although it will inconvenience tis. I believe that this summer will see that menace fall, and earlier than most people think we shall hear of pence again." ■General Smnfcs concluded: "We are not actuated by the mere vengeance of hatred: and we must make settlement on a wide basis in the interests of the Empire and of Europe. The British Empire is much larger and more diverse than anything hitherto. What we have been used to in the past will not apply in the future. We mast not follow precedents, but must make them. After all, we build on freedom, and no one outside a lunatic asylum wants to use force with the nations of the Empire." (Cheers.)