Last Saturday at the South African Nationalist Party Congress the
long controversy between General Botha, who represents a moderate Imperialism, and General Hertzog, who stands for the narrow Dutch tradition of Kruger and Steyn, ended in a remarkable party split. A committee reported that they could find no way of uniting the two wings of the party, and amid much excitement Mr. Krige, one of the Government Whips, moved a vote of confidence in General Botha, the Prime Minister. This resolution was carried by a hundred and thirty-one to ninety. Thereupon the minority rose in a body and silently walked out of the hall. As General de Wet departed he waved farewell to his former comrades. The seceders propose to found a new National Party at Bloemfontein in January. It is said, however, that only fifty of the seceders are thick-and-thin followers of General Hertzog. There was an incident which suggests that the rupture may not be final. In appointing a Head Committee after the departure of the seceders the Government supporters proposed that Generals Hertzog and de Wet should be asked to serve on it. General Botha himself magnanimously accepted the suggestion. General Hertzog has announced that he will carefully consider his nomination.
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