NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: The first post has been edited to include basic information about South Africa, information that is public and that anyone would know. Secret information, if any is provided, will be posted in red, to keep up with the format of the rest of this thread. The original first post has been added onto the third post down the page.

The Union of South Africa

Map of South Africa (http://www.cmu.org.uk/stats/stats-images/20map_sa.gif)
Flag of South Africa (http://www.biltong2u.co.uk/groceryshop/saflagold.JPG)

Population: 10,644,000
26% European (English, Afrikaner [Dutch, German, and French Huguenot ancestry])
65% African (various Bantu tribes, includes Zulu, Xhosa, and Tswana)
5% Coloured (mixed race and Khoisan)
4% Asian (primarily Indian, includes Malay and Chinese)

Whites and Asians are granted citizenship at birth, but Africans and Coloureds must pass certain tests, most of which are biased enough to keep the vast majority from being granted citizenship.

Religion:
Freedom of religion is guaranteed in the South African constitution, though it is not uncommon for memebers of the government to hold seminary degrees. Cabinets meetings, Volksraad sessions, and political speeches usually open and close with prayer.

Close to half the population of South Africa belongs to the Dutch Reformed Church, and a quarter belongs to the Anglican or Methodist Churches. The remaining quarter is divided between Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, native religions, and Christian-native "creolized" religions.

Major Cities:
Pretoria (capital)
Cape Town (Kaapstad)
Bloemfontein
Durban
Johannesburg
Luderitz

Administrative Divisions and Colonial Trusts:
Transvaal
Orange Free State [Oranj Vrystaat]
Cape Province [Kaapsprovincie]
Natal
Southwest Africa [Zuidwestelijke Afrika]
Bechuanaland (colonial trust)
Basutoland (colonial trust)
Swaziland (protectorate)
Madagascar (colonial trust)

Official Languages:
Afrikaans
English
German [only Southwest Africa]

National Anthem
Die Stem van Zuid Afrika (The Call of South Africa)

National Holidays
Independence Day (May 10th)
Day of the Vow (December 16th)
Foundation Day (April 6th)

The Day of the Vow commemorates the 1838 victory by 470 Voortrekkers under Andries Pretorious over some ten- or twenty-thousand Zulu warriors at the Battle of Blood River, and is considered by many Afrikaners to be more important than Independence Day. On 15 December the Voortrekkers received word that a big Zulu force was approaching. Pretorius chose an excellent site next to the Blood River, where their ox wagons were arranged into a laager (circle formation used for defense). In spite of mist settling that evening, it was clear the next day. Before the battle commenced, the Voortrekkers made a vow to God that, should they be delivered, they would build a church and commemorate the day as a Sabbath.

The Zulus repeatedly and unsuccessfully attacked the laager, until Pretorius ordered a group of horse riders to leave the encampment and engage the Zulus. In the fighting, Pretorius was wounded in his left hand by an assegaai (Zulu spear).

Partly due to the fact that the Voortrekkers used rifles against the Zulus' spears, as well as the good location and motivation of the Voortrekkers, only three Voortrekkers were wounded and none perished; that contrasted against the more than 3,000 Zulu warriors who died.


Major Political Parties:
United Party (J.C. Smuts)
National Party (D.F. Malan)
Labour Party

The United Party leads the government, with an overwhelming majority in the South African parliament, the Volksraad ("People's Council). The Volksraad has 130 seats. The "Purified" National Party and the Labour Party, in an unofficial coalition, constitute the Opposition. In 1939, the Communist Party of South Africa won its first ever electoral victory, gaining one seat.

Some Important People:
Prime Minister: Jan C. Smuts (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9d/Jansmuts.jpg)(United Party)
State President: Jozua François Naudé (United Party)
Minister of Internal Affairs: Daniel F. Malan (http://www.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/0/0b/Danielfmalan.JPG)("Purified" National Party)
Supreme Commander of UoSA forces: General John Sieks
Commander of South African Naval Service: Luis Carreo Blanco* (http://www.generalisimofranco.com/carreroblanco/carrero13.jpg) (United Party)
Minister to the League of Nations: Post not filled pending status of League

[*Blanco is a Spanaird, who fled to South Africa after the Nationalist defeat in the Spanish Civil War]

Internationally Famous Corporations and Institutions:
DeBeers Diamond Company
Johannesburg Gold Exchange
University of the Witwatersrand
University of Stellenbosch
South African Military Academy

Economic Overview:
The UoSA is fiercely free-market, with property rights being held sacrosanct. That being said, however, it is not uncommon for the government of the present Union, and the Boer Republics before it, to have autocratic tendencies, especially during wartime and periods of civil unrest.

Prinicipal Exports
Gold, diamonds, platinum, chromium, sugarcane, citrus fruit.

The UoSA is the world's largest producer of gold, platinum, and chromium. Foodstuffs are primarily exported to British and other European colonies in Africa.

Prinicipal Imports
Machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments.

Major Railways:
Luderitz-Prieska-Bloemfontein
Cape Town-Bloemfontein-Salisbury*
Bloemfontein-Johannesburg-Pretoria-Salisbury*
Johannesburg-Durban

*This line is part of the Cape-to-Cairo railway, and for the purposes of this chart represents the remainder of said railway.

Airlines
Air South Africa, founded 1939

Foreign Relations, 1939:

Friendly [LTA or PAC]
Great Britain*
United States
Colombia
Italy
Ecuador
Portugal
Canada
New Zealand
Ireland
India
Australia
Algeria
Ethiopia
Liberia
Morocco

[*includes colonies]

[I]Friendly [Non-LTA]
Argentina
New Zion
Japan

Neutral
Yugoslavia
Brazil
Mexico
Belgium
Burgundy
Spain
France
China

Wary
Soviet Union

Membership in International Organizations:

London Treaty Alliance [charter member]
Commonwealth of Nations
League of Nations [charter member]
Pan-African Congress [founder]

South African Armed Forces 1939:

Union Defense Force
1x Mechanized Corp (60,000 men)
1x Field Artillery Unit
1x HQ Unit

South African Naval Service
5x Cruisers (Tech Level 6)
10x Destroyers (Tech Level 6)

South African Air Reserve
1x Fighter Unit (500 Hawker Hurricanes)
2x Pilot Unit (Reserve)

The British government is pleased that the colonies in South Africa are making steps towards meeting the terms of the Vereeniging Treaty. British weapons inspectors will be ready to collect the old weapons at any British government office in the colonies and issue a ticket to the owner. This ticket can them be used to collect a rifle from the central armoury in the city of Johannesburg. Weapons issued will be of the older 1895 Magazine Lee
Enfield type and can be requested as either a rifle or a cavalry carbine. Owners are rquired to purchase their own ammunition which will be of the .303 caliber and purchased in 10 round magazines. These are available from most general stores in the are aor direct from the armoury itself.

As a gesture of good will and in recognition of the treaty, Britain has paid off all outstanding debts of the two colonies and has returned all remianing POWs held back to the Transvaal. A civil administration will be promoted and elections are to be encouraged for local parliament members and also a governer who will effectively run the colonies for the British Government. These elections are scheduled for later this year and the town hall in Johannesburg has been converted into a parliament building.

Once the new civil administration is in power the colonists and the governer are expected to provide voting rights for all black men in line with those of the whites and also to allow black men to run for office. The new administration will have the power to set and collect taxes and is expected to provide support for the poor and needy in the form of a social welfare system. Finally the Boers are to be able to retain their Dutch traditions and be able to be taught Dutch in schools and used in local courts and other official occasions. However in the High Court of Johannesburg only English is to be spoken for the benefit of the British officials who will be present there fo rthe proceedings.

Once these matters are attended to and the terms of the treaty of Vereeniging completed then talks will begin with the Boer people and leaders as to the future independence of the nation.

Current Events in South Africa

1903

Treaty of Vereeniging Ratified; War Officially Over

The squabbling over precise terms of the Treaty of Vereeniging has ended, and the war that ended a year ago with the surrender of Boer guerillas at Vereeniging is now truly over for both sides. A spokesman for the Transvaal government, now a colony of Great Britain, said that it is past time for the Boer people to let go of their hatred of the British and work together to rebuild Transvaal and Orange Free State, which were both devastated in the war. These words echo the sentiment of General Louis Botha, unofficial interim leader of Transvaal, who was quoted as saying "...for the short term, at least, our future lies with Britain, and to resist them would only bring more destruction to South Africa. If we wish to make South Africa great, we will have to tolerate the British and work with them, for now." Some extreme elements of the Afrikaner Broederbond have accused Botha of betraying his country, but most Boers agree that the Afrikaner people as a whole are not in a position to defy Great Britain...


President Kruger Chooses Exile

Today, President "Oom" Paul Kruger announced that he would spend his remaining years living in Geneva, Switzerland. According to Kruger, "I have fought for a free South Africa, and I have lost the battle. I am confident that others will continue where I have left off, but for now I am tired of the struggle. Do not mistake, I pray every day for true freedom for the Boer people, but my physical body is aging, and cannot keep up the pace."

1904
South African Colonies to Expand Militia

Today a spokesman for the Afrikaner Broederbond announcing that a militia would be incorporated in the Broederbond, thus increasing the defensive capabilities of the South Africa colonies. Some have expressed concern that this may violate the terms of the 1902 Treaty of Vereenniging, but as the militia system is not a government program, but rather a division of the private Broederbond, several legal experts have agreed that no breach of the Treaty exists.

On a related note, the leadership of the Afrikaaner Broederbond has applied to recieve weapons for the militia from the British Government, as per the 1902 Treaty. We have yet to see if this will cause any problems with the British Crown...

1904

Conference on Voting to be Held in Johannesburg!

Representatives of the British Government, the Afrikaner Broederbond, and various native groups meet this month at the High Court of Johannesburg to discuss the issue of voting rights for blacks and other non-whites. Though some Anglo and African groups have expressed optimism concerning the outcome, others expect the proceedings to devolve into a deadlock as tensions between Boer and African come to a head...

Paul Kruger Dies!

Paul Kruger, former president of Transvaal and leader of the Boer people for the better part of fifty years, died today at his home outside Geneva, Switzerland. His stalwart leadership and steadfast compassion formed the rock around which the strength of the Boer nation revolved, especially during the trials of the First and Second Boer wars, and the repeated attempts by Britain to bring the Boer republics under her dominion through force and other illegal means.

Though Oom Kruger died without seeing his dream of a truly free and independent South Africa realized, the leadership of the Afrikaner Broederbond has sworn that they will not let Kruger's dream die with him, and Louis Botha has stated that "Now, more than ever, all Boers must be united, because without our Uncle's leadership, the goal will be all the more distant."

An unofficial week of mourning has been declared, and many Boers are refusing to take part in the normal schedule of work, and instead join one another in church services remembering their leader.

Johannesburg Conference Reaches Decision!

According to the decision reached by the Johannesburg Conference on Voting Rights, Asians (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) will be immediately and fully integrated into South African society in the four colonies.

Blacks will be gradually phased into political life, and those Blacks who turn eighteen after January 1st, 1905, and meeting the necessary literary requirements, will be permitted to register for the vote. At first, their vote will be limited to local and municipal matters, but according to a plan laid down by the Conference, every two years this will be expanded to include regional and eventually full colonial-level elections. A similar plan will be instated for Coloureds.

At least one week prior to casting their first vote, Asians, Blacks, and Coloureds will be allowed to take the examination to gain citizenship.

this will be very interesting to see how S.A develops in the future relating to this. The seeds of revolution.... :)

1906

Afrikaaner Broederbond Hires Out Mercenaries!

The Afrikaaner Broederbond has raised two battalions of light cavalry to sell as mercenaries (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=437801), in order to help bring hard currency into South Africa. Each battalion is referred to as a "Kommando" after the heroic fighters of the Second War of Independence, and are both nominally commanded by General Louis Botha, though Christiaan de Wet and Jans Christian Smuts lead the First and Second in the field, respectively. The First Kommando has already seen several monthes of fighting in Europe, and it is rumored that Germany has purchased a retainer on the services of the Second once training is completed.


South Africa Gains Independence!

For several months, leaders of the four South African Colonies and representives of His Britannic Majesty's Government have negotiated to bring about peacefully what close to half a century of war and deceit could not: independence for South Africa, on good terms with Britain. Britain has merged the colonies of Transvaal, Natal, Cape Colony, and Orange River Colony into the Union of South Africa, a self-governing dominion like those of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Treaty of Independence (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9465827#post9465827)

1908

Industrial Reforms Announced!

Minister of Internal Affairs Gerard Brinkhorst announced several reforms which the government hopes will lower unemployment among non-whites, and put South Africa on the road to becoming a fully industrialized nation.

Full Article (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9497423#post9497423)

New Diplomatic Push

Prime Minister Botha today announced that South Africa must "enter into a new era of relations with the world. In our past, we have remained closed and discouraged outsiders, but in the changing world we must maintain cordial relations with both the great powers, and lesser nations."

Following this announcement, Minister Oduber of the Ministry of External Affairs invited all nations to send embassies to Pretoria, or to establish consulates in one of the four provinces [Transvaal, Cape Province, Natal, and Orange Free State].

Minister Oduber concluded by asking the nations of the world, especially America and the parts of Europe yet unscarred by the Great War, "not to neglect South Africa, and so leave our potential to change unrecognized."

OOC: If you'd like an embassy, just post in this thread.

Come on. No one wants to establish diplomatic relations with the UoSA, or make evil plans for world domination? :rolleyes:

France would like to establish an embassy in your nation and build trade relations.

The Ottoman Government will like to set up relations with the Union of South Africa.

To Whom It May Concern,

The Union of South Africa would be honored to establish ties with the Republic of France, a nation whose long and honorable history we can only hope to emulate.

Trade agreements are also of interest to us. If French companies would like to build factories or production facilities in South Africa, we can guarantee that they will find no shortage of willing labor.

Sincerely,
Martin Oduber
Minister of External Affairs

EDIT:
To Whom It May Concern,

The Union of South Africa would be honored to establish ties with the Ottoman Empire, and hope to build a strong relationship between our two nations.

Sincerely,
Martin Oduber
Minister of External Affairs

To the Union of South Africa
Excellent. Our construction and diplomatic personell will be arriving by the next posible ship.

From: German Worker's Republic
To: South Africa

It seems our predecessors held these poor africans under the yoke of imperialism. South Africa has been a friend to all Germans and we believe that you would be good to the people of Africa. Thus we would like to sell German Southwest Africa to the Union of South Africa for $200 Million. Please respond.

From: UoSA Ministry of External Affairs
To: German Worker's Republic

The Union of South Africa will be glad to accept the territories of Southwest Africa from the German nation. We will pay the cost in one-quarter gold, and the rest in cash installments of South African pounds [ooc: equivalent value to British currency]. The exchange of powers may take place at any time.

Sincerely,
Martin Oduber
Ministry of External Affairs

Major News 1908-1920

1908-1920
Continued building industry and lowering unemployment, as well as major investments into education. The goal is to have South Africa be an economic power with European and American living standards by 1918. Although the law code was liberalized, unofficial segregation still exists. Most blacks are kept from voting and political action via biased literacy tests and loopholes in the citizenship laws.

1911
Prime Ministerial elections, Louis Botha wins by a landslide.

1913-14
Worker's strikes, suppressed by military. The next year, former general Christiaan de Wet led an insurrection against Botha's government. The rebellion was crushed in a few weeks by an overwhelming force of government soldiers.

1916
PM Elections, Louis Botha wins and appoints Jan Smuts as Deputy.

1919
Louis Botha dies of natural causes, Jan Smuts takes over. Elections will be held as scheduled in 1921.

OOC:
Text marked in red is stuff that wasn't reported in the news, but the international community will still know about it.
Text marked in orange is knowledge that the UoSA government is trying to keep quiet, but some foreigners [the British and French, as their factories are affected by this] know about.

Dear
Martin Oduber
Minister of External Affairs

The Republic of Ecuador wants to set up dipolomatic relations between are countries. We believe that you are a great empire. We have already requested for the Eighth Kommando group. If you need help we will send it. We have also found petroluem so we will give you some.

From
Jose Luis Tamayo President of Ecuador

The Nation of Colombia would like to formally invite South Africa to an economic agreement involving free trade, exclusive rights, and investment oppertunities. A Trade mission is prepared to travel across the ocean to explore these options with you, if you are willing.

To: President Tamayo
From: UoSA Ministry of External Affairs

Mr. President,

South Africa welcomes relations with Ecuador. We propose an exchange of embassies between Quito and Pretoria.

We are of course interested in the purchase of petroluem

Sincerely,
Martin Oduber

To: Colombian Government

South Africa heartily accepts the invitation to this conference, and will send a delegations as soon as the appropriate details are espoused.

OOC: Also updated the Diplomacy List, post #7

Dear
Martin Oduber
Minister of External Affairs

We are gratful for taking are deal. I hope one day are countries will have a tight bond with each other. We also thank you for the Eighth Kommando group.

From,
Jose Luis Tamayo President of Ecuador

Dear
Martin Oduber
Minister of External Affairs

If you are under attack we will pledge the battleship Giulio Cesare.

Your Ally,
Jose Luis Tamayo President of Ecuador

Politcal Parties Formed

In an unexpected preperation for next year's Prime Ministerial elections, the Volksraad [OOC: "People's Council," the South African Parliament] has passed a new law allowing organized political parties to front candidates in nation-wide elections. Although numerous parties have been founded, the main three include the Het Volk [People's Party], the Partij Nationale [National Party], and the Partij Arbeid [Labor Party].

This is predicted to be a major election, as it will be the first national-level election in which a significant percentage of the electorate will be African.

OOC: The elections aren't until 1921, but I wanted to type this up while I thought about it. Here is a description of the parties:

Het Volk-This is the liberal party of South Africa, headed by Jan Smuts. 'Liberal' in the classical sense, the HV is pro-business, pro-limited government, and moderately pro-integration. They support interaction with other nations, and are very much anti-communist.

Patij Nationale-The more conservative party, the PN is analagous to the RL National Party. A rabidly anti-communist, pro-business party. Civil rights for blacks, coloureds, Asians, and whites who vote for the Labor party are not a concern for the PN. It is led by a loose alliance within the Afrikaner Broederbond, and does not have a candidate for the 1921 election at this time.

Partij Arbeid-The closest thing one will find to a social-democratic party in South Africa. They are analagous to the Labour Party of Britain, though mildly more conservative. They favor worker's rights, civil rights for all races, and neutral but open relations with the Communist Bloc. The PA is fielding Patrick van Tassel as its candidate.

All parties have pledged to allow freedom of religion.

OOC: Britain will secretly pledge support to the Liberal government currently in power (Het Volk) and also on a smaller scale to the Patij Nationale, basically we will support any anti-communist government. This support won't be traceable to Britain of course and is likely only to take the form of small donations etc. but every little helps!

National Police Organization Formed

The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced today that a nation-wide police organization is to be formed, so as to provide for the general preservation of law and order for the Union of South Africa. The Staatspolitie [State Police] will have jurisdiction to pursue criminals in all four provinces and Southwest Africa, though otherwise they will abide by constitutional and legal restrictions on police actions. Minister Brinkhorst will be the titular head of the Staatpolitie, but this position will be largely administrative.

OOC: This isn't really a major development, just think of the State Police as being something along the lines of a hybrid between the U.S. Marshalls and the FBI. However, they will play a role in an RP I'll doing soon, so I wanted to get them up and running quickly.

Union Re-Organized

The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced today the Union of South Africa and its trust territories will be reorganized, creating an interlocking system that should be complete by 1 May, 1921. The changes made would be as follows:


Transvaal, Orange Free State, Cape Province, and Natal will remain the four provinces of the Union of South Africa.
Southwest Africa and Bechuanaland will be administered as colonial territories with permission from Great Britain.
Basutoland will be administered as a colonial territory with permission from Great Britain.
Swaziland is henceforth a protectorate of the Union as per the 1904 Swaziland Administration Proclamation, though it will remain separate from the Union.
All colonial territories and protectorates will have internal self-government, excepting economic and foreign policy (follows South Africa and Britain, respectively).
There will be no restriction of trade or tranist between the Union, its colonies, and protectorates.
Citizens of the colonies and protectorates will have the same political and civil rights as citizens of the Union.
The colonies will be included in the ACF draft lots, and volunteers may join the Permanent Force.


OOC: Before any progressive or socialist nations get excited by the clause “Citizens of the colonies and protectorates will have the same political and civil rights as citizens of the Union,” remember that the majority of people in South Africa itself are residents rather than citzens. The current citizens include all whites, about half of the Indians and Malays, and roughly a quarter of the blacks. As far as the new territories are concerned, whites will become citizens of the Union if they wish, but biased literacy tests and the like will keep the levels of black citizens low.

British companies have been invited to build factories in South Africa. Primarily, they are automotive companies, though agricultural and arms manufacturers have also been approached.

The initial overtures were made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with advise from the Finance Ministry. The goal of this endeavor is to provide South Africans with relatively cheap motor vehicles. At the moment, only the very wealthy can afford to import automobiles from Britain or America. It is hoped that soon all citizens of the Union will be able to afford such luxuries. The Union Defense Force is also involved, and has made offers to purchase large numbers of trucks, and has contracted the production of armored cars to serve as the UDF's replacement for horse cavalry.

Several agricultural companies have been invited to open factories, so that South Africa's farmers can purchase tractors and other equipment to help make their work more efficient.

British arms companies currently operate several factories in South Africa, and more have been invited, in the hopes that the problem of unemployment among the black community may be resolved with the influx of jobs requiring little education or skill.

1923

The Union government has announced several reforms today, to stimulate the economy and strengthen communities across the Dominion.


Beginning with the 1924 elections, all women who are also citizens will be granted the right to vote. This move was backed by all three major political parties, with Labor leading the way in this 'progressive' goal, though National Party supported it to increase the white electorate. The People's Party is roughly divided in half, with the more conservatives sharing the National Party's reasons and the more liberal (including Smuts himself) tends to agree with Labor on this issue.
All parts of the Union (and its colonial possessions) not linked by telegraph are to have new lines constructed.
Rail lines throughout the Union (and its colonial possessions) will be expanded, allowing for quicker and more efficient transport among the various territories of the Union.
New British-owned factories will be built, in order to provide jobs for the unemployed and produce agricultural tools for farmers and weapons for the military, as well as automobiles for the civilian population.
Existing road networks in major cities and towns are to be modernized, and expanded for South Africa's growing automobile consumer population.
Existing ports will be improved, and seaborne commerce encouraged.


OOC: Red=secret

Very cautiously, some elements of the African National Congress led by Thabo Mphakanyiswa have made contact with the Russian government in Moscow, asking aid in spreading revolutionary fervor in southern Africa. Currently this splinter group operates primarily in Bechuanaland and northern Southwest Africa, far from the government's eyes. Mphakanyiswa and most of the leadership of his faction his ardently communist, although as a whole the ANC is only considered to be left-wing. Mphakanyiswa's aim is to preach the words of Marx to the blacks in both South Africa and the various colonial possessions in southern Africa, to unite them under the Red Banner and liberate Africa from the white imperialists [read: kill them].

OOC: And you thought it was a conincidence that secret information was colored red. Also, I'll post some election results for 1924 as soon as I figure out how many seats were in the Volksraad.

Dear Sirs,
Would you be willing to send troops to aid in peacekeeping operations in Albania? As you know Albania will be undergoing new elections soon and we, the Brazilian Government, are mediating in the creation of the new government in Albania. We wish to put together a fully impartial peacekeeping force that will not enter Albania unless there is trouble and will instead stay in Yugoslavia waiting for any trouble spots to arise. We wish to keep the elections impartial so no troops from foreign countries will enter Albania unless there is an actual threat of violence. Please consider this offer, we know you are capable of the task and would be very grateful if you could lend around 7,000 troops to a task force that will also include Dutch and Belgian troops waiting in Yugoslavia.

Deepest Regards,
The Brazilian Mediating Commision.

ooc: more info on the Kosovo thread.

Brazilian Mediating Commission,

We are honored that you have requested this of us. We must inform the British Consular-General of your request, and once we have recieved his response I will contact you.

Sincerely,
Jan Smuts
Prime Minister

OOC: Basically, I will if Britain ok's it.

In an utterly shocking turn of events, the National Party has emerged victorious in the 1924 election, ending the rule of the Het Volk under Jan Smuts. There are rumors circulating that the leadership of the Het Volk are discussing certain internal reforms in light of this defeat.

James Barry Munnik Hertzog is the new Prime Minister. Hertzog is a staunch republican, and is a stalwart supporter of South African independence from Britain, though he has repeated stated that he will not resort to violence to acheive this end, citing the ultimately useless destruction and carnage during the Second Boer War.

The South African Parliament, the Volksraad [People's Council], contains 130 seats. The breakdown following the election is [percent of national vote/number of seats]:

Partij National
61.2/80
Het Volk
28.3/37
Partij Labour
5.5/7
Unionist Party
5/6

The National Party is the overwhelmingly dominant party, with the HV-UP* coalition serving as the opposition.

OOC: Not included in my earlier list of political parties, the Unionist Party is a pro-British conservative party, which has essentially the same platform as the People's Party [Het Volk], though it favors government protection of the mining industry and reduced immigration from India.

OOC: So does this kick start the communist rebellion or not yet?

OOC: Oh, that won't happen until the late thirties at the earliest. I want a certain student by the name of Mandela old enough to participate...

Although Prime Minister Hertzog was a strong proponent of neutrality, enough of the Volksraad and the military command turned out when former PM Jan Christiaan Smuts gave a speech in Bloemfontein advocating support for the British that Hertzog was persuaded to discuss the issue with the Volkraad. The outcome of the debates:

South Africa has declared full support for Great Britain, in all cases. A state of war now exists between South Africa and any nation-state with which Britain is at war.

South Africa has, however, declared neutrality with Yugoslavia, in an attempt to get their peacekeeping troops out alive. I'll post my military specs in a minute in the relevant thread.

Although Union forces have not yet engaged the enemy in this new war, Hertzog's government immediately orders the seizure of all Pact assests in South African territory (ooc: essentially a couple of French factories and any Pact merchant ships that are in South African ports [Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay, Luderitz]). The various arms factories begin working three shifts, in some cases hiring an entire black shift, to churn out ammunition, shells, and guns for use by Union troops and colonial African levies.

Several tractor factories seized from French companies are converted to manufacturing trucks for use by the army (generally knock-offs of British or American models; South Africa really doesn't care about patent laws at this point). The remaining factories continue to produce farming equipment to speed the production of food.

Artillery and several SANS gunboats are ordered to defend the Cape and block any Pact shipping from going around southern Africa (ooc: this obviously won't hurt the Eurasian pact, but it may help against Brazil, and France's African colonies.)

Although Union forces have not yet engaged the enemy in this new war, Hertzog's government immediately orders the seizure of all Pact assests in South African territory (ooc: essentially a couple of French factories and any Pact merchant ships that are in South African ports [Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay, Luderitz]). The various arms factories begin working three shifts, in some cases hiring an entire black shift, to churn out ammunition, shells, and guns for use by Union troops and colonial African levies.

Several tractor factories seized from French companies are converted to manufacturing trucks for use by the army (generally knock-offs of British or American models; South Africa really doesn't care about patent laws at this point). The remaining factories continue to produce farming equipment to speed the production of food.

Artillery and several SANS gunboats are ordered to defend the Cape and block any Pact shipping from going around southern Africa (ooc: this obviously won't hurt the Eurasian pact, but it may help against Brazil and France's African colonies.)


I don't think Brazil has colonies.

I don't think Brazil has colonies.

OOC: I meant shipping to Brazil, and France's African colonies. I will edit the post to avoid further confusion. Thanks for pointing that out.

OOC: I meant shipping to Brazil, and France's African colonies. I will edit the post to avoid further confusion. Thanks for pointing that out.


no bother. and by the way, considering we aren't at war with the UK does that mean we are also not at war with you? we would rather not be at war with anyone but the USA and we intend on keeping it that way.

OOC:
Well, officially I'm only at war with those nations that are also at war with Britain, but I think the London Treaty Alliance obligates Britain (and myself by proxy) to declare war on the American's enemies as well...I'll TG Britain about that and get back to you, but for now we can just assume that we are neutral. In other words, my navy will seize any Pact ships bound for Brazil via the Cape, but we'll let Brazilian ships through.

1925
Victory in the Indian Ocean!

A landing involving the Argentine, South African, British and Ecuadorian navy occured at Diego Suarez in Madagascar, but even though a Argentine and South African corps was landed (along with a few battalions of Ecuadorians), and the port is taken and the defenses captured, the French defenders fall back and continue to resist.

They finally surrender exactly 181 days after the landing on September 12

Losses are light on the Allied side, with only 500 Argentine, 200 Ecuadorian, and 1,000 South African dead from wounds, and several thousands sent home to recover from disease. The French garrison of 50,000 loses around 1,100 dead.

The South African Naval Service, in conjunction with the Union Defense Force and aided by the Argentine and Royal Navies, has seize Madagascar from the French, conquering the only sizable Pact Territory in the Southern Hemisphere.

The French garrison on the island numbered close to fifty thousand, and was defeated with heavy losses. South African and Argentine losses were minimal, and most casualties were due to disease rather than French martial skill.

Propaganda and censorship has emphasized LTA gains and played down its losses, while making it seem like the Pact is reeling on the verge of defeat. Bolded text in the quote is knowledge most South Africans, white or black, will not know until at least war's end, if then. Of course, they will know men died, but reports will be purposefully vague.

PM Hertzog's government has also begun work on building up South Africa's industrial capabilities, to bring it up to par with the rest of the LTA. Hertzog has also named his predecessor, Jan Smuts, as General of the Reserve, a largely administrative title dealing with the raising and training of new units. Smuts will oversee a joint venture by the Ministries of Defense, Internal Affairs, and Finance.

An emergency session of the Volksraad has voted against a measure raised by General Smuts concerning blacks in the military. By order of Prime Minister Hertzog, details were neither confirmed nor denied by the government.

The exact proposal was the first incarnation of this timeline's Fagan Commission; Smuts wanted the Union to grant citizenship to all blacks discharged honorably from the military after the war. This would theoretically have the dual bonus of having more manpower available for the military, and make those blacks fight loyally for South Africa. However, Hertzog's government has shut the proposal down for the moment.

The Union of South Africa is raising another Corp of troops. The 2nd Zuid Afrika Korp will be an inheemse eenheid, or native unit. The black soldiers will be commanded by white officers and non-coms of the Active Citizen Force.

The 1st ZAK will be rerouted to supplement other LTA operations. The 2nd ZAK will be used to help secure LTA-held territory in Africa.

OOC: I'm very ticked off that thread tools aren't working for me... A long overdue [tag] the old fashioned way.

Unease in the Union

As peace negotiations progress in The Hague, many hardline Afrikaner and British groups, particularly the Afrikaner Broederbond, have expressed distrust over "peace with the enemy." Many of these groups have stated firmly that Great Britain and the United States have betrayed both the London Treaty Alliance and the free people of the world by seeking peace with the Warsaw Pact even as LTA forces retake cities in Italy and drive toward the Franco-Burgundian border [OOC: They know Burgundy is neutral, and don't particularly want to attack it, but it is on Germany's doorstep]

Several native groups, including the African National Congress, have voiced support for peace, but given these groups' lack of political power and influence in mainstream society, this support will likely amount to little.

So far, disagreements have remained solely debate, and as of yet no violence has been reported caused by protest over the negotiations.

OOC: France here...Just letting you know that there is no Franco-German border. There is Burgundy, however.

OOC: Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder.

Some OOC clarification: the Afrikaners in South Africa hate Britain. They joined the fight alongside Britain willingly only because they were fighting communists, whom the conservative and religious Afrikaners hate even more. Therefore, when the civilians see Britain going along with this peace conference before total victory has been achieved, they feel that the cause has been betrayed, and that they no longer owe any loyalty whatsoever to the LTA. Hertzog's goverment fights this view as best it can with propaganda (because even he realizes that Britain can still annihilate South Africa), but the Boers are very stubboorn.

Some OOC clarification: the Afrikaners in South Africa hate Britain. They joined the fight alongside Britain willingly only because they were fighting communists, whom the conservative and religious Afrikaners hate even more. Therefore, when the civilians see Britain going along with this peace conference before total victory has been achieved, they feel that the cause has been betrayed, and that they no longer owe any loyalty whatsoever to the LTA. Hertzog's goverment fights this view as best it can with propaganda (because even he realizes that Britain can still annihilate South Africa), but the Boers are very stubboorn.

the US Embassy will start printing small books in Afrikaaner about Napoleons retreat from Moscow

the US Embassy will start printing small books in Afrikaaner about Napoleons retreat from Moscow

Daniel Malan, Minister of Internal Affairs, sends a note to the US Embassy thanking them for their assistance in convincing the populace that continued support of the London Treaty Alliance is in their best interests.

Peace!

As of 21 May, in the nineteen-hundred and twenty-sixth year of our Lord, armistice was declared between the armies of the London Treaty Alliance and the Warsaw Pact. Peace negotiations, and the discussion of the formation of a new international body to preserve this peace, are underway in The Hague. Representatives of the Union are taking part in the talks as part of the delegation of the British Empire, continuing on South Africa's path towards becoming a power on the world scene.

Many great victories came for South African forces during the war, including the swift and nearly bloodless victory in Madagascar, and the overwhelming defeat of France in the final months of the war. We have gained allies, such as the noble Argentines, and crushed our enemies, especially the Socialist-dominated France, who betrayed all members of the London Alliance when she joined the Pact.

However, we must not forget our brothers, both Afrikaner and British, who fell before the godless enemy. May they live forever, safe in heaven.

Argentina continues to quietly pressure Britian to grant South Africa its full independance.

A short TG is sent to the South African government informing them of imminent plans to grant full independence to their country alongside the other dominions and that further details will be forthcoming shortly.

OOC: check my news thread in a while.

Independence!

Upon hearing of Mr. Churchill's final proposal, Prime Minister Hertzog called an emergency session of the Volksraad in Pretoria. The National Party-dominated government voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence, though Prime Minister Hertzog, with some urging from the Ministry of Defence, has promised to hold a general election as soon as possible to confirm this decision.

After the voting of the emergency session, Prime Minister Hertzog gave a brief, impromptu speech in which he addressed his hopes for South Africa's role in the newly-formed Commonwealth, and in the larger world. The speech was given in Afrikaans, rather than English or Dutch, which has been interpreted as an important political move.

"De dag dat wij ongeveer hebben gedroomd en vocht voor voor zo snak ten slotte is gekomen, kom naar alle broers onder de Zuid-afrikaanse vlag. Terwijl wij ten slotte vrij van buitenlandse imperialisme zijn, moeten wij die naties niet vergeten die ons langs de weg geholpen hebben. Groot-brittannië, hoewel hun wreedheid geen grenzen tijdens de Tweede Oorlog van de Onafhankelijkheid kende, heeft gewerkt deze schandelijke last op te heffen en ik bedank persoonlijk hen voor hun hulp in het herbouwen van Transvaal en de Sinaasappel Vrystaat. Argentinië toonde zich om een onmisbare kameraad in onze strijden, zowel thuis als in het buitenland tijdens de jaren van oorlog te zijn. De andere naties van de Commonwealth, Australië en Canada, Nieuw-zeeland en Indië, evenals Ierland, mogen niet stemt iedereen voor onafhankelijkheid, maar ik zal met onze goede relaties met deze Heerschappij voortdoen.

Begroet naar Zuid-afrika! Begroet naar het Vaderland!"

***

In related news, Interior Minister Daniel F. Malan has announced that Afrikaans will officially replace Dutch as a national language on 1 January 1927. Mr. Malan stated that Afrikaans was acknowledged as a separate language from Dutch fifty-two years ago, and that it is long past time it achieved official status in its place of birth*.

***

With results beginning to enter from the four provinces of the Union, the shape of South Africa's future is clear. Transvaal, Orange Free State, and Cape Province are leaning overwhelmingly toward independence. Only in Natal is the vote close, but even there the patriots have the lead.

Southwest Africa votes to join Union!

Southwest Africa has voted to join the Union as a fifth Province. Southwest Africa will have the same legal status as the other provinces, but in light of its history as a German colony, Afrikaans and German will be the official languages, rather than Afrikaans and English.

OOC:
"The day that we have dreamt about and fought for for so long has finally come, come to all brothers under the South African flag. While we are finally free of foreign imperialism, we must not forget those nations that have helped us along the way. Great Britain, though their cruelty knew no bounds during the Second War of Independence, have worked to lift this shameful burden, and I personally thank them for their assistance in rebuilding Transvaal and Orange Free State. Argentina showed themselves to be an indispensable comrade in our struggles, both at home and abroad during the years of war. The other nations of the Commonwealth, Australia and Canada, New Zealand and India, as well as Ireland, may not all vote for independence, but I will keep up our good relations with these Dominions.

Hail to South Africa! Hail to the Fatherland!"

*Afrikaans is also spoken by most whites in Namibia, and a minority of whites speak it in Southern Rhodesia as well.

Congratulations are offered by the Argentine people upon hearing of South Africa's future independance.

Congratulations on acheiveing national independence. We look forward to friendly relationships with your burgeoning country.

Liberté, égalité, fraternité!

Prime Minister Leon Blume

The South African government thanks the Argentine people for their solidarity, and especially for that nation's urging to Britain for independence. South Africa looks forward to a fruitful relationship with la republica de la Argentina.

Congratulations on acheiveing national independence. We look forward to friendly relationships with your burgeoning country.

Liberté, égalité, fraternité!

Prime Minister Leon Blume

Prime Minister Blume,

Friendship may be a distant thing, given the war fought between our two nations, but South Africa is willing to reconcile our differences. We will begin this process by returning to French ownership the agricultural factories seized
at the beginning of the war as soon as is convenient.

La fraternité à jamais.

Sincerely,
James Hertzog
Prime Minister

***

In light of independence from Britain, the office of the Governor-General is hereby rendered void, and will be replaced by the office of State President [Staatspresident], who will act as the head of government. The first State President has appointed by the Volksraad, and the office will be served by Charles Robberts Swart, a rising member of the National Party.

OOC: The office of State President is largely ceremonial, and the executive power continues to lie with the Prime Minister.

We wish the new found independence of South Africa ,the best of luck and hope relations between our nations impove over time.

The Kingdom of Italy congratulates South Africa on finally achieving independence. We wish upon your nation prosperity.

-King Umberto II

We thank both the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Italy for their support. I would like to especially congratulate the Italian nation on its glorious defense of the Alps during the Second Great War.

Key Events, 1927-1931

1927

Afrikaans recognized as official language in the place of Dutch
Southwest Africa joins Union as fifth province


1929

African National Congress meets in Johannesburg


1929
General Election: [Percent of vote/seats in Volksraad]
National Party 52.1/68
South African Party 41.7/55
Labour Party 3.2/4
Unionist Party 3/3

The electoral results show a shift towards a two-party system, with a significant increase in support for J.C. Smuts' South African Party.

1930

Representatives of the Indian National Congress*, African National Congress, and Communist Party of South Africa meet in Mafeking
CPSA begins petitioning for independence for Bechuanaland; demonstrations are repressed by police


1931

National Party Caucus shows eroding support for Hertzog's government


OOC: Note, this is not the Indian National Congress, but rather an organization representing Indians in South Africa.

South Africa to Host Pan-African Congress

Excerpt from Die Afrikaanse Patriot (Pretoria):
Prime Minister Hertzog announced today that the newly-created Ministry of Foreign Affairs is planning to host a conference of the independent nations on the African Continent in the town of Potchefstroom, Transvaal. The goal of the conference, according to PM Hertzog, is to establish a forum in which the free nations of Africa may "unite in solidarity against the Communist and Imperialist threats across the world which threaten Africa."

Representatives from Ethiopia, Liberia, Morocco, and Algeria have been invited to the conference, and PM Hertzog expressed his hopes that the nations that accept the invitation will be able to look past cultural and historical differences, in order to achieve a common consensus.

Argentina asks if they will be allowed to join in the discussion, as their holdings in Africa are 100% not imperialist, but a full part of Argentina with all the rights and responsibilities thereof. Argentina understands if they are not invited, though.

South Africa is pleased by the interest expressed in this conference by our friends in Argtentina, though we are not comfortable inviting a South American nation to an African conference. Perhaps some compromise can be reached, though.

OOC: Check your tgs in a minute.

Potchefstroom Conference reaches accord!

The conference held by the South African Foreign Ministry in Potchefstroom, Transvaal, has produced a treaty signed by the participants. This treaty is the foundational document of a new international body, the Pan-African Congress. The goal of the congress is to protect independent African nations from the threats to their sovereignty posed by communism and imperialism.

Charter of the Pan-African Congress

Article I:
RECOGNIZING the threat to the sovereignty of independent African States posed by the Communist nations of the Warsaw Pact, and their allies,
WHEREAS, this threat is deemed sufficient to warrant aligning of said African States,
BE IT RESOLVED that the undersigned consent to assist one another economically, politically, and if need be, militarily, in the face of overt Communist aggression.

Article II:
RECOGNIZING the threat to the sovereignty of independent African States posed by the Imperialistic nations of the world,
RECOGNIZING that in the past, such nations have actively worked to undermine the independence of African nations,
WHEREAS, this threat is deemed sufficient to warrant aligning of said African States,
BE IT RESOLVED that the undersigned consent to assist one another economically, politically, and if need be, militarily, in the face of overt Imperialism.

Article III:
The Pan-African Congress shall be the final arbiter in all disputes between member states.

Article IV:
a) The Pan African Congress will be led by a council of representatives, with each member state having one representative per million citizens, and not exceeding twenty representatives, unless voted otherwise by the council. In cases where a member state has less than one million citizens, it shall be allowed one representative.
b) This Council shall be headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa.
c) New representatives will be appointed by the member states every three years.

Article V:
States wishing to enter the Pan-African Congress may apply for membership upon recieving or gaining independence. These applications will be voted on by the Governing Council.

[Signatories]
Union of South Africa
Islamic Republic of Algeria
Republic of Liberia
Empire of Abbyssina [Ethiopia]
Kingdom of Morocco

The first governing council shall consist of nine South Africans, six Algerians, one Liberian, sixteen Ethiopians, and six Moroccans. This council will meet 1 January, 1933.

The 1934 elections saw Hertzog returned to office for another five-year term, but it also saw growing dissatisfaction for his policies among Anglos and Indians. After several months of dicussions and private deals, a change has come to South Africa...

Die Afrikaanse Patriot-
The government announced today that the National, South African, and Unionist Parties will join in a coalition party, the United Party. This union will bring Hertzog's government nearly total control of the Volksraad. The South African Party, led by Defense Minister Jan Smuts, has pledged its support for National Party policies in exchange for greater political rights for Coloureds and increased civil rights for blacks. Smuts stated another goal would be to bring about reconciliation between Afrikaners and British South Africans. It is as yet unclear how far black civil rights will be expanded.

Interior Minister and cleric of the Dutch Reformed Church Daniel F. Malan has made clear his opposition to this union, and has led a group of some dozen parliamentarians to form a new political party, the Purified National Party. This new incarnation of the NP is promoting itself on a platform of even great extremes in measures of segregation, citing the swart gevaar ["black threat"] that has been created by the United Party.

Smuts and Malan will retain their former positions in the government (defense and interior, respectively).

Troubles in China; South Africa Remains Neutral

The Union of South Africa, through its League of Nations delegate Jozua François Naudé, has formally announced its neutrality in this matter. South Africa has no love for either emperors or communists, and sees no reason to endanger South African soldiers on any adventure in the Far East.

In related news, there have been clashes between police and ethnic Chinese in Transvaal. Many Chinese are very vocal in their opinions about the conflict in China, being split roughly 50-50 in favor of the emperor or the communists. The communist sympathizers often illict a faster police response than the pro-imperials.

There has been talk among the various Chinese and Korean communities in South Africa about raising groups of volunteers to assist the Chinese of either side. The pro-imperialist groups are nearly all Chinese, and the pro-communist groups are made up of Chinese, Koreans, and even some blacks, who hope that fighting for Chinese communism will bring them the attention of the Soviet Union.

It is rumored that the Staatpolitie has opened investigations of these pro-communist groups.

With the mobilization of Argentine forces to aid Japan, the entrance of the Soviet Union into the Chinese War, and the growing British fears of war, the Union of South Africa has responded by issuing a reaffirmed position of neutrality. Despite this, Prime Minister Hertzog has stated that should war arise, South Africa must be prepared, and has ordered a National Effort for the coming years, in order to ready South Africa for a wartime economy, should the need arise.

Hertzog has stressed that the Social Services Bill, passed last year, will remain in effect during this time.

Mining Magnate Dies
Lionel Philips, politcian and chairman of the South African Chamber of Mines, passed away this month at the age of eighty. Mr. Philips passed away at his estate in Vergelegen, Somerset West. Philips was a wealthy man, and in his will donated much to the Universities of Witwatersrand and Stellenbosch. The position of Chairman of the SACM will be filled by Mr. Andries Rhoodie, a Volksraad representative from Natal.

Volksraad Passes New Act
The Volksraad passed the Representation of Natives Act #16 this week, a bill which is hoped to allow blacks greater political representation in their communities. SIC: In reality, the act is meant to restrict the voting rights of non-whites, specifically in Cape Province, where blacks have historically been engaged in the political process. While the Act does grant blacks more political control over many of the primarily black and poverty-stricken outlying communities, it does so at the expense of their ability to affect policy in the cities, wealthier towns, and productive farmlands (the strongholds of the whites).

Dear Mr. James Hertzog,

Britain has recently taken control of Southern Madagascar from our Argentinian allies. South Africa has been in control of Northern Madagascar for some time now and it is with that experience in mind that I make the following proposal. That South Africa takes control of Southern Madagascar, her people, her resources and looks after her needs. In return Britain would like to retain port privilages and a small airfield near to the major ports for Naval aviation purposes, in addition Britain would like to request port privilages in Northern Madagascar. I thank you for considering this offer and hope for a reply in the afirmative.

Yours,

Malcolm MacDonald, British Colonial Secretary.


OOC: Essentially Britain wishes to get rid of Southern Madagascar in order to cut back on expenditure for social services etc. But wishes to retain use of the ports for defence reasons, and who better to take assume responsibility for Southern Madagascar than our allies and friends in South Africa.

Mr. MacDonald,

I believe your proposal is perfectly acceptable, and I have no qualms about allowing our allies in Great Britain retain port privileges and aviation rights in Southern Madagascar. British ships may dock in Northern Madagascar as well; it is, after, a part of the Commonwealth.

My thanks for bringing this generous offer to my attention.

Yours,

James Hertzog, Prime Minister

Mr Hertzog,

I am glad that you have decided to take up this fine offer. British troops have begun to pull out immediately and the area will be entirely clear after South African forces secure the island. A squadron of Spitfires has been allocated to the airbase and the British warships that were stationed there have been transferred to bases on mainland Africa. I thankyou once again for assisting Britain in this matter.

Yours,

Malcom Macdonald

I will be away starting this afternoon (the 28th) until the second of January. Any questions for or proposals to South Africa should be addressed to Galveston Bay during that time, as he will be handling SA as an NPC until I return.

The Union of South Africa has begun producing a new series of armored car, in order to phase out the older vehicles currently used by the Union Defense Force. These new vehicles, designed by Colonel William Marshall, consist of a heavy truck chassis, a 4x4 Rolls Royce transmission, and home-produced armaments.

Three models have been ordered so far. The Model 1 is essentially a training vehicle, while fears that the Model 2 would be under-armed and under-protected prompted the Ministry of Defense to commission a third model, with extra armor plate and heavier guns. The armament of these vehicles includes .303 Vickers, up to four Bren LMGs, copies of British 2pdrs, or any combination thereof.

These "Marshall" Armored Cars are intended to act as reconnaissance and scout vehicles, and as fast infantry support vehicles.

The Union Defense Force is rumored to also be developing the first "made in South Africa" tanks, but there has been no official statement as such. Even if the rumors are true, South Africa is still years away from producing modern tanks in any significant quantity.

Die Afrikaanse Patriot-
Even though elections are not scheduled until next year, the United Party Caucus has announced that James Hertzog will not run for re-election (for what would have been his fourth term). Replacing him will be former PM and current Defense Minister Jan Smuts.

According to both Hertzog and Smuts, the decision was reached privately in a meeting of the Party leadership, and the caucus was only a formality. Hertzog has stated that "I am tired of politics. I have lost interest in pleasing others at the expense of my beliefs, and I have lost any desire to continue to alter South African policy because of what European intellectuals may of us. Let Smuts do it; I wish him well."

Jan Smuts had no comment on the issue, other than stating that he had served as Prime Minister before (1919-1924) and would continue the policies set down by the United Party and mandated by the South African electorate.

Daniel Malan, the leader of the National Party, also issued no formal statement.

The US government requests permission for Vice President Truman to make a visit to South Africa as part of a trip to Africa.

Prime Minister Hertzog responds to the American inquiry with a telegram to Washington welcoming Vice President Truman to South Africa, and says that he would be glad to meet with Truman. Hertzog also invites the Vice President to give a speech in Pretoria, should he wish.

[Your nation-name] has been invited to The Antarctic Conference (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10230000#post10230000).

OoC: Yes, I know it's boilerplate. It's a lot of countries. Sue me.

General Elections Called
Amidst fears that the current civil war in the Middle East may spill over into a greater war, perhaps a conflict on the scale of the second Great War, members of the Volksraad have called for a general election this January.

Prime Minister Hertzog has approved and indeed supported the call for elections, stating that "With the high tensions currently existing in parts of the world, it is imperative that the citizens of South Africa choose their new government during a time of peace, so that such a transition does not arrive during a war, and confuse or destabilize our efforts there."

Defense Minister Smuts is expected to carry the electorate, though Daniel Malan's National Party is showing a larger following according to recent political gatherings than has existed in past years. This may be partly explained by Prime Minister Hertzog's decision to follow the London Treaty Alliance's move to spend massive amounts of money developing the African continent.

As expected, Defense Minister Jan Smuts has been declared the winner of the general election. Reportedly, James Hertzog has asked that Smuts take over immediately. Supposed reasons for this request range from Hertzog's political jadedness and desire for retirement, to some fear by Hertzog that war will break out somewhere in the world and South Africa will be forced to fight before he has a chance to hand off the reins of government.

Upon hearing of his victory, Smuts announced that he would continue South African policy with regards to international bodies such as the LTA and Commonwealth, and would also follow the will of the electorate. He was quick to remind those present, however, that "We have all seen how quickly the world changes. I can promise nothing for the future."

Smuts has appointed League Minister Jozua Naudé to the office of State President. It has not yet been announced who will replace Naudé as minister to the League of Nations. Considering the fact that the entirety of the Warsaw Pact declared the League defunct just a short time ago, this post is no longer seen as a critical government post.

The results of the vote were as follows:

Percent of Vote/Seats in Volksraad
United Party 55.1/72
National Party 40.2/53
Labour Party 4/4
CPSA .7/1

The National Party gained many seats as voters realigned themselves in pre-1934 patterns, with the United Party replacing Smuts' old South African Party. It is interesting to note that the Communist Party of South Africa has picked up its first seat in its history; this is likely due to a dedicated effort on the part of black voters in Cape Province. Some conservatives have questioned the legitimacy of the CPSA's victory, however slight, claiming that the Party has received funding from the Soviets.

OoC: The CPSA has no significant ties to the Concillar Union.

SIC:

To: Prime Minister Jan Smuts
From: Our Majesty Emperor Gang

Korea desperately needs the aid of the Union of South Africa. We apologize for the tone of the message, but it is one of the highest urgency. We send this to you because we trust you.

Korean shipping has been attacked. My people are beginning to complain in the streets, and the Russian may move on us anytime, if the Japanese does not first. We need help. Anything. Supplies, military intervention, please. We need help. If we do not get help, I fear a Red Revolution may occur.

Following news of the believed attack on the British Fleet near Dogger Bank, headlines and newsies in South Africa shout such mantras as "Reds Attack British Fleet," and "Pact Provokes Britain." However, the most ominous of these announcements comes on the front page of the far-right paper Die Burger: "War!"

Gathering an emergency session of the Volksraad, Jan Smuts delivers a speech to the Union. This speech is the first political speech broadcast by radio across South Africa.

"Brothers, fellow South Africans. The Warsaw Pact has attacked a British flotilla in the North Sea, sinking a destroyer and destroying many aircraft. This attack was unprovoked, and undeserved. But I do not come to you now to speak of events past; they have happened, and they cannot be changed. Rather, I must speak now of our path in the future.

"There are those in this raad that have been cursed as Anglophiles, myself among them. This is understandable, given the history of our relationship with Britain. It can be said that we have too quickly forgotten the past, and have forgiven Britain's debts to us before it was time. It can be said.

"But it has never been said, and God willing, never will be said, that South Africa abandons her allies, especially now, during their time of need. The British Empire, the United States, Gran Colombia, Algeria, Belgium, and many others now look to us.

"The abomination that calls itself the Union now seeks to dominate the world. What else could their motive be, starting a war we neither wanted nor sought?

"Will South Africa stand by her allies? Will we join with our brothers overseas to fight for justice and peace, or will we falter and allow those nations who have helped us to stand on our feet after decades of poverty fall into ashes?"

Smuts was forced to pause for a moment, as loud denials poured from the Volksraad. Only the most intense National Party members, and the single CPSA seat, were silent.

"I say now that South Africa will join this fight, and with God as our shield we will win through, no matter the cost! May God in His wisdom have mercy on our enemies, and give them the same chance for redemption that He gave to us thirty-three years ago."

Smuts continued to speak for a moment, but applause drowned him out until finally he decided to just be silent. Mentally, he crossed himself, and prayed for the world.

***

Emperor Gang,

The Union is not unsympathetic to your concerns, but we cannot guarantee any immediate assistance. Korea is far away, and the Japanese and possibly Russian navies lay inbetween our nations. I will, however, look into the matter, and will attempt to send what aid is possible.

It may be possible for us to wire some money to your accounts (ooc: maybe a couple of points), though it may be difficult to send further aid.

Again, we will do what we can. Godspeed.

Jan Smuts
Prime Minister

September 31st, 1942
Speech by Prime Minister Jan C. Smuts to the Volksraad, Pretoria

"You are all by now aware that yesterday the surviving military leadership of the Soviet Union formally surrendered the London Allies at Novosibirsk, finalizing the peace overtures first made to a combined force of American, British and South African soldiers in the Ural industrial region. We have now come to a cross-roads, a point of no return, if you will. We are presented with two choices.

"We can fall into isolationism, and focus on our internal conflicts, our own petty problems. Or we can take up an unprecedented new role for our Union.

"South Africa has escaped this war all but unscarred. Yes, our country has lost thousands of brothers, sons, and fathers. They will not be forgotten, can not be forgotten...I echo the words of Mr. John Curtin, and affirm that these fallen men, and their surviving comrades, are the greatest generation this world has seen. Their heroism will not be lost to the ash heap of history.

"But our losses pale in comparison to those of our allies. The British, regardless of how we feel as Boers, must be commended for their bravery and indomitable spirit during the vicious Communist attacks on their civilians. The Chinese, and the Indians, now fall past the brink of famine. We have all here felt hunger; no one who lived after our War ended in 1902 will forget. These famines came about as the result of cowardly Soviet chemical and biological attacks, raining disease and poison down upon innocents. The United States were exposed to horrible new weapons of war, an evil unknown until now.

"The Union of South Africa will hereby be providing monetary and agricultural aid to both India and China. They are our allies, and have fought bravely. They deserve no less. If we are able, we will assist the United States with what we can, as they would undoubtedly do for us in a similar situation. None of us here can fathom the destruction wrought by Soviet nuclear weapons, weapons of hell-fire and apocalyptic fury.

"Let us never forget what has happened these past four years. We must not forget the lessons learned, nor the warnings given."

***

In the Urals, with his regiment left with little but occupation duty, Colonel Piet van Aarten begins writing down his thoughts on a small notepad. Tentatively titled The Watershed Years: 1939-1942, he intends to publish it upon his return to South African, in order to give the South Africa people a first-hand account of the horrors of modern war.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Captain Johannes ten Koop took off his greatcoat, and hung it on the rack in the warm office. It was only October, but the Ural Mountains were already feeling the first twinges of winter. An orderly poured the regimental adjutant a cup of tea, and provided him with milk and sugar to fix it as he liked. The young soldier then stepped outside, to allow the two officers privacy.

Colonel Piet van Aarten slipped the reading glasses off his nose, and set them on his desk. He nodded, and took a sip of his own tea. Finally, he spoke. "You're being reassigned. Sent to the Staatpolitie headquarters in Pretoria."

Ten Koop did not speak. Van Aarten continued. "You remember what we spoke of, last year in Alexandretta?" Slowly, cautiously, ten Koop nodded. Van Aarten sighed.

"It's as true now as it was then. The world has changed. No longer can we count on competing superpowers to protect and provide for us as a nation. Perhaps we can focus inward, take up a policy of isolation. Work on our internal probelms as a country. But that will just stagnate South Africa, locking her in a cycle of oppression and race wars. No, we must make our own path in this world."

Ten Koop frowned. "Even assuming that somehow a progressive government comes to power, how would we make our own path? Even exhausted and bankrupt, the Americans and the British easily outmatch us."

"We will simply have to find our own allies. Argentina has never liked the Americans, and India withdrew from both the London Alliance and the Commonwealth before this war drew them back into it. But that is for the future. We must talk of the now. Your mission, if you wish to think of it as such, is to take control of the Staatpolitie. Bring it into our fold," he said, knowing that ten Koop was aware of van Aarten's somewhat-covert correspondence with the Prime Minister. "The Afrikaners and the British in South Africa will never accept the necessary changes through the democratic process. Change must come with force."

Ten Koop nodded. Finishing his tea, he stood. He saluted crisply as the Colonel stood. Returning the salute, van Aarten frowned. "I'm sorry it has to be so...secretive."

Smiling, ten Koop retreived his greatcoat and said, "I don't mind, sir. I do wonder why we feel the need to do what we do, though."

"They esteemed her favour more
Than a Throne's foundation.
For the glory of her face
Bade farewell to breed and race --
Yea, and made their burial-place
Altar of a Nation!"

Ten Koop grinned wider at his colonel's explanation. "Ever the Anglophile, sir." Van Aarten nodded agreement. His face was much more solemn than his former adjutant's.

South African Military as of Victory Day, 1942

2x 13 point mechanized corps
1x 10 point infantry corp
5x Tech Level 6 light cruisers
10x Tech Level 6 destroyers
1x Fighter Unit (Spitfire Mk.9)
1x 3 point Field Artillery Unit
1x Pilot Unit (Active Reservists)
1x Headquarters Unit

Total Maintenance Cost: 3.25 points

OOC: This is mainly for my reference, and is not meant to be official in any way. I'm not sure I have the correct point value of the infantry corp, but it'll be disbanded after the war anyway to because of population constraints, so that's not so important.