The South African Government's Fate The South African situation changes
weekly, but with the general impression groWing that Mr. Tielman Roos has shot his bolt. The Original proposal was for a coalition between Mr. Roos' followers and the South African.Party to overthrow the Government. But the negotiations between the two came to nothing, and it is still uncertain what strength Mr. Roos can command. Now General Smuts proposes a National Government in which General Hertzog may still be Prime Minister, all parties being represented in the Cabinet. Alternatively he is prepared to form a government himself on a national basis. That is a much less direct form of attack than a Roos-Smuts coalition could have directed against. the Government, and in meeting it . with an amendment declaring full confidence in the existing administration General Hertzog took a line which he was justified in believing would ensure him a narrow victory. But the declaration made by Dr.' Reitz, a prominent Nationalist, on ,Wednesday, in favour of a Smuts-Heitzog coalition with Mr. Roos as Prime Minister, threw the whole issue into doubt once more. It will probably have been decided one way or the other by the time these words are read.
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