In Sunny Africa. II

44 IMPROVEMENT ERA They said they would, but repeated their opinions that it would be of no use so far as that second point was concerned. "They'll ask for cash down, hereafter," they said. Brocketts himself had great faith in the business integrity of the Bernstein firm. He determined, though, that if it were necessary, he would apply his own twelve thousand dollars and whatever other amount he could scrape together of his own, on the account or in part payment of the new stock of goods. But neither of these was necessary, for in due course of time the drummers returned with the most flattering report. The eastern houses would, without exception, allow Mr. Bernstein his own time on the accounts and were willing to give him ninety days on all the new goods he wanted to buy. The "Mormons" had a reputation for commercial honesty, they said, and would do the square thing with creditors. "You must have put in a good word of your own," said Brocketts to the agents. But they disclaimed having done anything more than state the situation as it was, leaving the result to the good judgment of their employers. As a matter of fact, however, they had caught some of Brocketts' enthusiasm and hope, and conveyed it to the east — which is the most natural thing in the world. One other step Brocketts took at this time. That was to write to those who owed Mr. Bernstein, stating the condition of his affairs, so far as his losses were concerned, and urging them to make immediate payment. This met with an unexpectedly happy result. All of which proves the faith honest men have in one another and the things they are willing to do on the basis of that faith. (to be concluded in next number) AT THE SEVIER COUNTY FAIR

In Sunny Africa BY FRANK J. HEWLETT, PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN MISSION II— The New U.S. A. Let us stroll along Government Avenue, the noted thoroughfare that is the pride of the good people of the Cape of Good Hope. The avenue is nearly a mile long, and on either side is a row of mighty oaks, planted by the Dutch East India Company, nearly two hundred years ago. The Houses of Parliament have a splendid location at the lower end of Government avenue. They were built in 1886, the cost reaching over a million dollars. The architecture is the rennaissance style, clean cut, and of such an impressive character that the home of the law-makers of South Africa lingers long in the memory. There are four porticos. One faces Parliament street, the other Government avenue. The latter is never used. The smaller porticos face Government house and the Supreme Court buildings. By the Parlia- government ave., Capetown ment street entrance, one passes through the vestibule and enters "Queen Victoria Hall," where once a year Mr. Speaker entertains members of the lower house at dinner. At one end of the hall are the arms of the Colony ; at the other, a present from the late queen to the Coloney, a full-length portrait of herself in regal robes and regalia. On the right of the hall is the debating chamber of the Upper House, on the left that of the Lower Chamber. There is also a throne room, showing the allegiance of this part of sunny Africa to the king. It is surrounded with beautiful gardens in which a statue of Queen Victoria stands at the front, chiseled from the finest marble.

46 IMPROVEMENT ERA This is the home of the Union Parliament. Its members, many having high-sounding titles to their names, meet annually to enact laws and transact the business of this United States, Jr. This new nation was born Nov. 4, 1910, and was duly christened "The Union of South Africa," or, as it is more often termed, United South Africa. HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, CAPE TOWN, AFRICA The new U. S. A. is composed of four states with a total area of 466,689 square miles, more than one-third the size of our own United States. It is divided as follows : Cape Colony, 280,000 square miles, Orange Free State, 43,300; the Transvaal, 112,139, and Natal, including Zululand, 26,200 square miles. Southern Rhodesia is knocking at the door for admission to the Union with her 144,000 square miles of the richest grazing lands that the sun shines on. Here also are the majestic Victoria Falls with nothing to equal them in volume and depth in the world, and the mighty Zambesi river, upon which a high price will have to be set as a premium when the great real estate deal is finally passed upon. Basutoland will follow in the procession with 10,253 square miles. A little over eleven years ago a bitter war was raging between Boer and Briton which cost over $800,000,000 and 105,000 lives. What would the two giants in intellect and power, Oom

IN SUNNY AFRICA 47 Paul Kruger and Cecil Rhodes say if they could gaze on the things that are transpiring today in this new nation? Now for the terms upon which the fledgling was admitted, under the banner of King George V: (1st) The executive government of United South Africa is vested in the king, and shall be administered by His Majesty in person or by a GovernorGeneral as his representative, appointed by the king during his pleasure, but subject to the act, with such powers and functions as his majesty may be pleased to assign him. The GovernorGeneral is paid a salary of $50,000 a year out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Union. (2nd) Each former Colony to become a self-governing state of the Union, though absolute veto power shall rest with the Governor-General in all matters of interest between two states or more. (3rd) Each state to be governed by an elective council, its membership to correspond exactly with its state representation in the lower house of the Union Parliament. (4th) The Union to assume responsibility for the debts of the colonies: also to acquire full rights to all colonial property. (5th) The Union Parliament to be composed of two houses, a senate of forty members, eight to be eleceted by each state and eight to be appointed by the Governor-General. The House or Assembly to consist of 124 members, a plan of proportional representation giving 54 seats to Cape Colony, 36 to the Transvaal, and 17 each to Natal and the Orange Free State. To pacify the Boers, the English and Dutch languages are to be held as on a full and complete equality. To further please both factions, a dual capital was mutually agreed upon, Cape Town, Cape Colony, to be the legislative capital, and the executive capital to be the typical Dutch city, Pretoria, in the Transvaal. The Duke of Connaught, uncle to King George V., opened the first parliament of the new-born state. The man at the helm to steer the ship of state is Viscount Herbert John Gladstone, third son of England's "grand old man." It was a critical period in the history of United South Africa, and many statesmen of Great Britain, also of the Colonies, shook their wise heads when the appointment was made. Mr. Gladstone was Home Secretary at the time. His tenure of that cabinet position was five years.

48 IMPROVEMENT ERA Copyright by Sidney Taylor LORD GLADSTONE Lord Gladstone arrived in Cape Town on May 17, 1910. The Union was proclaimed on May 31, the rejoicings with which its inauguration would have heen hailed being unfortunately abandoned owing to the death of King Edward who, though he lived to see the practical consummation of Union, was called away before its final inauguration. May 31 is celebrated as Union day, and the same spirit is manifested as on our own Fourth of July, the glorious day of independence under the Stars and Stripes. The Governor-General was a worker, patterned after his noble sire, and was known to be optimistic over the Union of South Africa. His power of grasping the situation was indeed as wonderful as the way peace was pronounced after battle, and perfect order brought out of chaos. The Viscount knew there were two bitter factions to be reckoned with, and, like the compromise that was unique as a pacifier of haying two capitals in which to direct the affairs of state, so it was necessary to have the Boer leader and warrior second in command. His first official act was to select General Louis Botha as Premier with instructions to form the cabinet. The Dutch people were delighted with the call of their leader to be Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture. Rt. Hon. General Louis Botha was born at Greytown, Natal, exactly fifty years ago. He went with his parents when quite young to the Orange Free State, and afterwards to Vrybeid. He held various government posts under the late Z. A. R. government, joined General Lucas Meyers' commando, and when General Johnert died he was made Commander-General of the Transvaal forces which he continued to lead until the conclusion of peace. As Prime Minister of the Transvaal, he ably represented that Colony at the conference of Colonial Premiers, in London. May, 1907 ; was also a member of the South African Convention, sanctioned by the Imperial Parliament. In selecting his cabinet, General Botha proved himself, first, to be a statesman, and a party leader afterwards. For minister of the interior he called General J. C. Smuts, formerly colonial secretary of the Transvaal ; J. W. Saner for minister of railways and harbors, formerly

IN SUNNY AFRICA 49 commissioner of public works, Cape Colony ; F. S. Malan, minister of education, formerly secretary of agriculture, Natal; and H. C. Hull, minister of finance, formerly treasurer of the Transvaal. General Botha's judgment has been confirmed in his selection of the remainder of his official family, for they proved to be a strong, well balanced ministry. There are many big questions before the Parliament, which was in session in May for the year 1912, among them being "The Emigration Bill," Defense and Militia Bill, Finance and Fencing Bill, and, most serious of all to legislate upon, the perplexing "colored problem." There is also much constructive development work. Perhaps the most surprising feature is that, though for fifty years a cherished idea from time to time hindered and checked, the necessary work in the interest of a firm and stable government is now being accomplished with almost startling rapidity. One great lesson stands out from the record ; union was only realized, at last, and could only be realized, by the cordial and honest co-operation of both races ; so also by the same spirit can its success be assured. The immense responsibility of making it a success rests upon the people themelves, and it will be the earnest hope of all who are interested in this country, and who realize its marvelous possibilities, that this responsibility will be faithfully and solemnly recognized. As with our own United States, some of the best blood was required to be shed, family ties were to be severed, and much treasure lost. The critical moment has passed, darkness has changed to the brightest dawn, and Union Day may well be proRIGHT HON. GENERAL LOUIS BOTHA Prime Minister of South Africa.

50 IMPROVEMENT ERA claimed with joy; and what only a few years ago was anticipation is now a happy realization. Now for some of the resources and the population of this new U. S. A. In four states, at the last census, 1911, the total population, all races, is given at 5,958,499, as against 5,175,824 in 1904, an increase of 782,675 or 15.12 per cent. The total is divided among the different states as follows: Cape Colony, 2,563,024; Natal, 1,191,958; Transvaal, 1,676,611; Orange Free State, 526,906. Race classification : The population of the Union is divided into European, or white, natives, and all other colored races. These figures plainly show the mighty "color problem" that the new government has to solve: Europeans, 1,278,025; natives, 4,061,082; other colored races, 619,392. Since the census of 1904, Europeans increased by 14.44 per cent; natives, 16.19 per cent; all other colored races, 9.84 per cent. The paramount industry is mining. During the last five years the mineral output was made up as follows : Mineral total : gold, £258,088,168; diamonds, £132,814,309; coal, £19,713,858; tin. £415,007; copper, £7,546,535 ; all other minerals, £3,411,944. The above figures, changed into good American dollars, total the colossal sum of $2,059,951,140. The labor employed to dig this amount of treasure from the bowels of the earth were : White Colored Total Rand gold mines 24,342 181,707 206,049 Other gold mines 1,034 10,077 11,111 Coal mines 493 8,981 9,474 Diamond mines 767 9,952 10,719 Base minerals 255 2,626 2.881 Miscellaneous 299 2,524 2,823 27,190 215,867 243,057 The pastoral districts in Cape Colony, one of the largest states, own livestock to the value of $225,800,000; in numbers: sheep (wooled), 11,415,995; sheep (cross-bred), 6,336,849; goats (angora), 3,122,093 ; cattle, 1,949,390; horses, 255,060; mules and donkeys, 164,903; pigs, 463,312; ostriches, 412,641. Grains show good returns, with still greater prospects if emigration is encouraged, so that the vast area of splendid farming lands now lying idle could be cultivated. Fruit is grown in abundance almost the year round. Tea, coffee, tobacco, and sugar

IN SUNNY AFRICA 51 cane yield a good profit, the soil and climate are especially adapted for growing them, in Natal. The wealth of United South Africa may be fairly judged by her bank statements. The Standard is doing a business of $150,000,000 per annum, on a capital of $8,000,000, with deposits averaging $100,000,000, and annual profits approximating $600,- 000. This financial institution will average a 16 per cent yearly dividend. The Bank of Africa, with $35,000,000 ore deposit, has also done well; its securities paid 13 per cent last year. The Natal Bank, doing business chiefly in that state and the Transvaal, and with $20,000,000 of deposits, on a $2,500,000 capital, ran a close third, paying 12 per cent on its stock. The National Bank of South Africa is paying 8 per cent on its stock, and the African Banking Corporation only 6. The aggregate deposits of these last two reach $60,000,000. The government has savings banks in nearly every post office, which pay a 4 per cent annual interest. The depositors are only allowed to bank not over $500 per annum. All amounts over must be converted into government bonds which pay 3 per cent. The great British empire has paid the price for United South Africa. In looking over the inventory, it will be found a mixed one of good and evil. The liabilities in the assignment were nine fierce Kaffir wars, besides numerous fights with the Zulus and other minor tribes; and two costly and humiliating campaigns with sturdy men known as Boers. Had the world known them by the name it implies, "farmers," sentiment might have reached such a pitch that the result might have been that there would be a different tale to tell. The worst problem of the future to solve will be the black and mixed race question. The more it is stirred, the darker it frowns. We may ask in all sincerity, will this new U. S. A. make history repeat itself like its older namesake, by the baptism of blood? Great Britain's assets, if they may so be termed, are the greatest diamond mines in the world, the wealthiest gold mines, some of the finest grazing lands, and resources too numerous to mention. Let us hope this new nation has entered upon a lasting era of peace and prosperity, with equal rights and equal duties for all men who honor and obey the laws of the land. WOODSTOCK, CAPE COLONY, UNITED SOUTH AFRICA