1937-05-10 — Page 9

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 10, 1937.

Page

GRAF ZEPPELIN SAFELY HOME

GEN. SMUTS AS A MODEST DICTATOR

WAR REFUSAL OF EGYPT COMMAND

be-

Sothe interesting glimpses hind the scenes in the Boer War and the Great · War are given by Capt. H. G. Armstrong in his strik ing and provocative biography of Gen. Smuts (Grey Steel: A Study ́in` Arrogance” Arthur Barker, 9s)!

In writing to his sub-title the author is inevitably led to ex- aggerate certain traits in Gen. Smuts's character which undoubt- edly exist. The result is a portrait that is not so much unjust as un- balanced..

Like all strong men of history, Gen. Smuts has had his leanings towards dictatorship, but Capt. Armstrong relates stories that show Gen. Smuts as modest and reasonable and willing to be con- vinced or influenced by others.

Once, for example, when dead- lock was reached between Smuts and Milner at the Pretoria Peace Conference în 1902, Kitchener drew; Smuts out of a room on to the stoep of the house:

"For a while the two walked up, and down in silence in the dark- 12e38. At last Kitchener said: *Look here, Smuts, there is some- thing on my mind I want to tell you. I can only give you my opin ion, but my opinion is that in two

years' time a Liberal Government

will come into power, and it will

grant you a constitution for South Africa

"That is a very important pro-

The Graf Zeppelin photographed as she flew over the great World Exhibition at Chicago. Inset is Germany's outstanding airship commander, Dr. Eckener, who has abandoned his suspicions of sabotage in the Hindenburg disaster.

SERVICE SUSPENDED

UNTIL HINDENBURG

INVESTIGATION

Berlin, To-day-

Shortly before 5 o'clock on Saturday afternoon the Graf Zeppelin, returning from its first voyage this year to South America, landed safely at Fried- richshafen.

NO "RATTLING OF SABRES”

Mr. Eden On British Policy

KEEPING EUROPE OFF PRECIPICE

A vigorous statement of Bri- tain's foreign policy was made by

Before landing the veteran dirigible made a Mr. Eden, the Foreign Secretary, circuit of its home town, where all flags were being in a speech at Liverpool. flown at half-mast or draped with crepe in mourn- ing for the dead of the Hindenburg.

nouncement, replied Smuts. "If one could be sure of the likes of that, it would make a great difference."

As I say, repeated Kitchener, Touching scenes occurred when ) muIIIIIN It is only my opinion, but honestly the crew were welcomed home I do believe that that will happen." by their wives and children.

"It was a queer piece of dis- Contary to first reports, it is now loyalty by Kitchener to his collea-stated that regular airship services gue, but it settled the deadlock.” to South America will be interrupt-

In 1905 the Liberals came into led for a while until the cause office, and Campbell-Bannerman the Hindenburg disaster is known. gave the Transvaal responsible

government.

Offer Of Command

of

It is only natural that the German authorities will do all in their power to induce competent American quar During the Great War Mr. Lloyd ters to make it possible for Ger- George offered the command of the man airships to be filled with Army in Egypt to Gez, Smuts, who helium, the export of which from telegraphed to Botha in South the United States is still prohibited.

strong thus:

Africa for advice. Capt. Arm- In this connection, much atten- describes what happened tion is being given to the words ad- dressed by the commander of Lake- "He (Botha) knew that Smuts hurst airport to the dying Captain was an excellent guerilla leader, a Lehmann "We will give you as much fine, bold raider, but no general. helium as you want in future. An- Knowing nothing about the Turks, other catastrophe like this must not Botha sent for one of his staff who be allowed to happen." did.

* "Tell me,' he said, 'have the These words have evoked a deep Turks any big generals?”

response throughout Germany and it 14 Surely,' replied the officer. is hoped they will lead responsible "Enver Pasha is there and many American quarters to raise the ban Germans, Von der Goltz and others."on helium exports. Trans-Ocean;

But are they really big gen

erats?'

"'Yes'. replied the officers, they

are...

Captain Pruss Improving

Berlin, To-day.

! It is reported from New York that the condition of Captain Maz Pruss, commander of the ill-fated airship Hindenburg, has definitely improved.

- With the death of Erich Knoe- cher the number of dead in the disaster has now risen to 35- Trans-Ocean.

WANTED TO SEE THE

QUEEN MARY

Girl's Liner Adventure

Points from his speech were:

It is imperative that while we are rearming on a scale unprece dented in this country in time of peace, we should preserve a sanity, and balance in our outlook, and re- frain from sabre-rattling and pro- Evocation.

It is easy and popular to rattle the sabre. It is far more difficult and unpopular to face the criticism of being poor-spirited because we refuse to lead Europe over the precipice.

Let the .nations rid themselves of the idea that they should strive for a Pax Germanica, a Pax Gallica, à Pax Italica, or even a Pax Britan- nica. The only sure peace is international peace.

.an

A false step by the British Gov- have ernment at this juncture might consequences of the utmost gravity. We are not going to take a step the consequences of which must be decisive one way or the other, unless we are convinced that it is both right and wise.

An Australian school-teacher de- scribed at Southampton how she went to the docks to see the Queen

Danger Of Armed Camps We are certainly not going to Mary, but finding no big liners take action which will divide Europe there walked on board the Union into two blocs, both heavily armed Castle liner Athlone Castle four-outrigger boat from the

in and rapidly increasing their arms Royal Military College, Sandhurst, utes before it sailed for South and keenly suspicious of one an- capsized in the Thames at Coversham | Africa.

other Lock, Reading, but the occupants swam safely to shore.

There are

**I sat down.. friends in Australia," she "and the next thing I realised was that the liner had sailed.”

to write to some Spain will 00 reasons why

"Then," said Botha with smile, 'I don't think we had better let our Jannie go against them!"

for long be do- said, minated by the forces or controlled And he sent a telegram to Smuts: to resign and leave the way clear

by the advice of any foreign Power. Advise you to refuse, it ran. We for others. But his supporters

And they are the 24,000,000 Spani- both know you are no general!'”) would not have it, and though he Jessie Jean Mattin, 22, who said ards that to day inhabit war-ridden

Gen, Smuts refused the command, knew he could have defeated Gen. that she had come to England to Spain: and it was given to Gen. Allenby Hertzog at the polls, he decided, in see the Coronation, was remanded Mr. Eden Hew from London to Nothing, surely, of arrogance in the interests of South Africa, to on a charge of stowing away on the Liverpool, having stayed in the that tale.:

grasp the outstretched hand of his liner.

House of Commons until the last Finally, as even Capt. Armstrong ancient foe,

minute in readiness should there be admits, whatever of arrogancë “And by that act of renuncia Mr. Arthur H. Emanuel, might be in Gen. Smuts's make-up tion," says Capt. Armstrong, “Jan secuting, said that Mattin gave her He was prepared to cancel his en-

pro- a debate on the Spanish situation. abdicated when the Hertzog Smuts Christiaan Smuts broke faith with self up to the captain on board the gagement at Liverpool had the Op- Coalition was formed in South his interests and his instincts and Athlone Castle. She told him that position moved that the matter be Africa in 1938. At first he wanted kept faith with his ideal.”

she was friendless.

raised on the adjournment.