Every resource at our command must be utilised for the purpose of preserving our country and nation. Every able-bodied man must either fight, or be ready to defend his country. Every family of those men who go to the front must be guaranteed a competence and food.
We first of all propose that all able-bodied men should shoulder the responsibilities this war imposes; that local units of men having worked and lived together constitute units of a thousand each, for the better purpose of training and preparation. That these units of our members or of trades unionists from a given area be registered.
Kaiserism and militarism should receive its death blow in this Armageddon. Our traditions at least stand for the best, our limitations and inequalities are largely of our own making; and will be so long as the workers are contented slaves, under a vicious wage system.
I want to see our own men drilled daily, even if the War Office cannot help us. There are plenty of open spaces, many of our men are ex-soldiers, they could help in the drilling. Municipal authorities and employers could help. Employed and unemployed could help; the War Office should help those who can enlist, subject to guarantees from the Government, giving protection to the families left behind.
It subsequently appeared that the preliminary steps taken by the South African Government were timely enough. _The Daily Telegraph's_ Johannesburg correspondent, telegraphing on September 1st, said that the authorities had been perturbed by a number of serious reports to the effect that Germans were interfering with the natives, and inciting them to seditious gatherings. This action assumed such a character as to demand instant action. Alleged German missionaries were even sowing the seeds of discontent in the natives' minds against British rule, magnifying the temporary German success in Europe. It was suggested that the Government might turn the searchlight on all German mission stations in British South Africa. Intelligent natives had been informed that the Germans were "coming soon," when the natives would be given big pay, plenty of drink, and no passes would be necessary. They were also advised to go home, the evident purpose being to paralyse the mining industry.