745A.00/6–1152
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Perkins) to the Secretary of State1
Subject:
- Constitutional crisis and possible internal disorders in the Union of South Africa.
Discussion:
The Nationalist Government of Dr. Malan, which came to power on the color issue, in 1948, appears to be firmly in the saddle. Most political prophets are of the opinion that it will be returned to office in the next general election to be held within the next twelve months. The Opposition lacks effective leadership since the death of Smuts2 and has been consistently outmaneuvered by Dr. Malan and company.
In recent months, however, racial tension has increased at such a rate, primarily because of the Government’s heavy-handed apartheid policies, as to raise the possibility of serious disorders within the next few years. An increase of crime among the natives (Africans) and a growing disrespect for the police and the authority of the European are symptomatic of the deterioration in race relations.
In the past there has been no unity between the eight million natives, one million coloreds, and 300,000 Indians. There is still no unity in general, but the leaders of these several non-European groups are being forced to make common cause because of the Government’s [Page 919] stubborn attack on the few rights which they possess. The most recent example is the Government’s decision to deprive the relatively few colored voters (50,000), of their right to vote with whites in the Cape Province.
At the same time, the Malan Government’s attack on the constitution in the case of the legislation on colored voters and its refusal to accept the verdict of the High Court that it had acted in an unparliamentary manner in passing this legislation has sharpened the racial cleavage between English speaking and Afrikaans speaking South Africans. The English element fears that Malan and his Government are heading in the direction of an Afrikaner Republic in which its interests would be subordinated to those of the Afrikaners. This fear led the Natal Provincial Council on June 5 to pass a resolution calling upon the Union Government to convene a constitutional convention to reaffirm the Act of Union and entrench all rights contained therein. There has been considerable talk in Natal, which is predominantly English-speaking, about secession from the Union. Responsible opinion, however, opposes such talk as unrealistic.
There is little prospect of the United Party, which largely represents the English group, attempting to do anything except by Parliamentary means to defend its interests. The Torch Commando, however, is another matter. This organization, founded about a year ago by war veterans, is militant and while unarmed is a potential but not immediate threat to the internal security of the country, if the Government further exacerbates relations between the white sections of the population. The foregoing statement is based on reports from our military attaché that 75% of the Union Defense Force belongs to the Torch Commando. The commandos belonging to the UDF would have access to arms. Government interference in the Defense Forces in the form of preference for Afrikaners over English South Africans has lowered morale in the forces and increased the appeal of such an organization as the Torch Commando.
The Skiet Commandos are civilians, farmers for the most part, organized primarily for internal security. They are sold rifles and ammunition at a discount and are supposed to have periodic target practice. Although they are an ineffective military force, they number 80,000 of which 40 to 50 thousand are ardent young Nationalists. The danger is that these young Nationalists might clash with the young Torch Commandos if the situation should get out of the hands of the more circumspect elements.
Our military attaché at Pretoria has previously reported that the present constitutional crisis in South Africa contains no threat to internal security. He has now altered his view and suggests that internal security is threatened. He adds in his report that, if serious trouble comes, it will probably not be earlier than six months from now.
[Page 920]Any serious disturbances in South Africa could have a direct bearing on our ability to get manganese, chrome, and uranium. It would also have a damaging effect on Commonwealth relations and present great difficulties to us in our relations with South Africa. The future course of developments in South Africa is unpredictable. It is clear, however, that the situation is disturbing and that South Africa is heading for serious trouble.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that during your conversations with Mr. Eden3 you
- (1)
- Express our growing concern over increased racial tensions in South Africa which have resulted from the extreme measures taken by the Government;
- (2)
- Inquire regarding the British estimate of the situation;
- (3)
- Ask Mr. Eden whether he thinks there is any effective action the United Kingdom or the United States can or should take to bring about a moderation of present South African policies.
-
This memorandum was drafted by Shullaw (BNA) and Musedorah Thoreson (BNA).
A note, from Perkins to Lucius Battle, attached to this memorandum read: “I don’t know if the Secretary wants to take the attached up while he is in London. However, I do think that the situation is disturbing and if the Secretary has not been following it he ought to know something of our worries about South Africa.” Below this message is a handwritten notation, presumably by Battle, which reads: “as far as I know this was never discussed.” Secretary Acheson visited London between June 23 and 28, 1952 for talks with the Foreign Ministers of France and the United Kingdom. For a description of Acheson’s trip to London, Berlin, Vienna, and Rio de Janeiro, see vol. v, Part 2, pp. 1544 ff.
↩ - Jan Christiaan Smuts, former Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa and leader of the United Party.↩
- Sir Anthony Eden, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom.↩