1939: South Africa, Union Of

Until the outbreak of war in September, the Union of South Africa had passed a rather uneventful year. In its first normal session, from Feb. 3 to June 16, the newly elected Parliament produced little constructive legislation, although it adopted a few minor social and agricultural measures. A striking development in the country was the increase in anti-Semitism and color prejudice, which was carefully fostered by the Nationalist party opposition under Dr. D. F. Malan. Apparently concluding that it could no longer resist this tendency, the Government enacted the Asiatics (Transvaal Land and Trading) Act segregating Indians within the places of residence and business which they now occupy. While the law is effective for only two years, during which the Union Government is to consult with the Government of India on the problem, a sharp controversy with India has been precipitated; and there is a growing movement for a common non-European front of Asiatics, colored peoples, and natives against the European rulers of South Africa.

The reverberations of European events struck the Union with especial force. With British assistance, the Government made excellent progress in putting into effect its £6,000,000 defense program. Europe's disputes became Africa's because of the German demand for colonies. By propaganda and terrorism, the Nazis had by 1939 almost completely 'coordinated' the German inhabitants of the mandated territory of South-West Africa, so that the Union was forced to pass laws providing for the registration of aliens and permitting the dispatch of South African police to the area. These steps were strongly opposed by the Afrikaans-speaking (Boer) Nationalist opposition, whose antipathy to Britain was so great that they were unwilling to become involved in Anglo-German hostilities by defending the mandated territory.

When war came, the deep cleavages between supporters and opponents of assistance to Britain immediately became crucial. The United Party cabinet of General J. B. M. Hertzog, a fusion group formed in 1933, fell apart over the issue. On Sept. 4, General Hertzog introduced in Parliament a motion favoring continuance of diplomatic relations with Germany. On the next day, Parliament, by an adverse vote of 80 to 66, rejected the proposal; and a new government was formed by General Jan C. Smuts. Military preparations were immediately accelerated, but the new Premier emphatically stated that troops would be used only for 'home defense.'