745A.00/4–2753: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Union of South Africa (Gallman) to the Department of State
262. Had long, unhurried, very friendly talk with Prime Minister Malan this morning (Embtel 256, April 22).1 Asked Malan whether he had received copy of President’s speech (Embtel 246, April 17).2 He said [garble] Capetown but was then and until now pre-occupied with election matters. He had it at home, where he wanted to study it carefully. He was glad South African press, in spite of election news and comment, had given so much space to it. Peace gestures by Malenkov3 should be treated cautiously. Not first of such gestures by Moscow and nothing came from any of them in past.
I congratulated him on his party’s election victory. Said I was impressed with his party’s organization. He thanked me and said opposition better organized this time than ever before and had much more money than Nationalists.
His government now in strong position, I commented. I had noted his conciliatory gestures toward English-speaking elements since election [Page 998] (Weeka 478, April 24).4 Speaking now as his friend and friend of South Africa and being conscious of concern felt at home both in and outside government over disruptions that might arise from racial tensions, could not some accompanying reassuring move be made by his government in field of native relations. Could not native leaders be invited for direct talks. Malan replied that even before his government came to power, natives themselves had said they would have nothing to do with natives’ representative council, which had been intended by such liberals as Hofmeyr5 to serve as common meeting place. When his government came to power, there was, therefore, no permanent body for common consultation. The need had been filled and would continue to be filled by his Minister for Native Affairs, who personally visits reserves and is in personal contact with native groups to far greater extent than any previous Minister for Native Affairs. As for Coloreds, when “once they have been removed from common rolls”, government plans establish statutory body of Coloreds, elected by Coloreds for handling affairs of Coloreds. Before leaving this subject, he did want to give me the assurance that his government would serve interests not of just one group of people of South Africa but interests of all the people in the country.
No basis for fear language rights of English-speaking element would be interfered with, he continued. In fact, Union, which has in effect become sovereign has no quarrel with Britain. Union wants strong Britain and, under US leadership, wants to cooperate with Britain and rest of Western world in struggle against Communist threat from East.
Malan leaves for coronation6 May 14 returning about June 15. On way back will visit flood devastated area Holland and Israel at invitation of Israeli Government.
- Not printed. In response to the Department’s telegram 149, Apr. 21, supra, Gallman stated, in telegram 256, that prior to receipt of the telegram he had decided to make an approach to Prime Minister Malan on the race question and had requested an appointment to see him. Gallman’s plan was to discuss President Eisenhower’s speech of Apr. 16, congratulate Malan on his party’s victory, and then suggest that in his strengthened position Malan could make some move, such as an invitation to native leaders for direct talks. (745A.00/4–2253)↩
- Not printed. (611.00/4–1753). Eisenhower’s speech, made before the American Society of Newspaper Editors and broadcast nationally, contained an appeal for the reduction of the burden of armaments through international agreements. It is printed in Department of State Bulletin, Apr. 27, 1953, pp. 599–603.↩
- In a brief statement on foreign policy made to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR (Soviet parliament) on Mar. 15, 1953, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR Georgiy Maksimilianovich Malenkov spoke of the Soviet Union’s readiness to settle peacefully all unresolved and disputed questions with other nations, including the United States. For documentation regarding the Malenkov statement, see volume viii.↩
- Not printed. In this telegram the Embassy reported that Malan was making an open bid to obtain the support of the 12 to 13 members of the Opposition needed to constitute a two-thirds majority in Parliament for the Nationalists. (745A.00 (W) /4–2453)↩
- Jan Hendrik Hofmeyr, leader of the liberal wing of the United Party until his death in 1948.↩
- Reference is to the coronation of Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of her other Realms and Territories, on June 2, 1953 in London.↩