The New Nation, 1909 - A Survey of the Condition and Prospects of South Africa #263817

Beach, was Colonial Secretary, and had a hand in shaping the. History of South Africa in regard to the position of the Transvaal and the question of Federation. Ten years ago, speaking at Bristol, he very generously admitted that in dealing with South Africa as Colonial Secretary he had been guilty of serious mistakes. Two years ago, speaking at East London, he expressed cordial approval of the speech in which General Botha had just enunciated his policy on taking office as Prime Minister of the Transvaal. It may have been impossible for an English States man in 1879 to discern certain essential elements in the South African situation which existed already in germ, and which are now plainly apparent. But if the Colonial Secretary had re cognised the germ in 1879, many brilliant but costly pages of history might have been spared.