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Transcribed from an article in South Africa Magazine, 2 November 1918 DIMINUTION IN TOWNS - INCREASE IN THE COUNTRY. SPREADING IN NATIVE TERRITORIES. DRASTIC STEPS TO STAMP OUT THE SCOURGE THEATRES AND OTHER PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENT CLOSED. A TERRIBLE DEATH ROLL. (Reuter's Telegrams.) CAPE TOWN, October 19 (delayed) The influenza reports from Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Kimberley continue to show an improvement, the authorities, who are largely assisted by voluntary effort, having the position well in hand. Reports from the country, on the other hand, indicate that the disease continues to spread notwithstanding the magnificent efforts of well-organised voluntary workers. At a number of places the sole doctor is down with the disease, and there is also a serious lack of experienced nurses. The epidemic has spread to isolated farms, which are often many hours distant from towns or villages, thus rendering the work of succour most difficult. CAPE TOWN, October 22 (delayed). The influenza epidemic is showing a marked improvement in the towns, though there is still a heavy death roll from pneumonia. The position is still serious in country districts. It is notified that, in consequence of representations to the Premier and Administrator by the medical profession, local theatres and places of entertainment will remain closed until further notice. The Mayor of Cape Town has appealed for the suspension of church services until the public schools re-open. CAPE TOWN, October 24. The influenza position continues favourable in the towns, which are rapidly resuming a normal aspect. The panels of doctors which have been a feature of the work of relief are now being dissolved, but some medical men have been retained and are rendering their services free in certain districts. The death rate at Kimberley works out at over 10 per cent. of the population, and it is probable that a similar death roll will be recorded for Cape Town. In the country districts the disease continues virulent. Voluntary effort is doing its utmost to combat the disease, but is frequently handicapped owing to the illness or complete lack of doctors. The disease is spreading in the native districts, and in some cases small communities have been almost completely wiped out. CAPE TOWN, October 26. The influenza epidemic has now spread to the native territories, and Reuter's correspondent at Maseru telegraphs that the position is very serious in Basutoland, where he is engaged in relief work night and day. Private telegrams indicate that the situation is one of much gravity, but that hitherto it has not been possible to ascertain whether the disease remains of a mild character or is growing in virulence, as was the case in Cape Town and Kimberley. Quite apart from the suffering and distress entailed, the native population is so important to South Africa, industrially as well as for harvesting, that there is much anxiety concerning the spread of the epidemic in the native territories. Reuter's correspondents in Bechuanaland report that the influenza epidemic there is widespread, but of a mild character. A considerable number of natives returning from the diamond diggings and the mines are spreading the disease. In the southern portion of the Protectorate the medical officer estimates that 80 to 90 per cent. of the population are affected, but that the mortality is moderate. This is probably due to the fact that the natives have been advised to scatter, and that many are leaving the larger native stadts and living at cattle posts and in the open. The northern portion of the Protectorate has also been visited by influenza. Figures cannot be obtained at present, but it is generally believed that they are lower than in the south. Doctors are few, but volunteers are giving splendid assistance. At Beira, while the epidemic is spreading rapidly, it seems particularly mild, and hitherto only one European has died from the disease. CAPE TOWN, October 29. The official return of deaths in the Cape Peninsula from the 1st to the 25th inst., inclusive, is 7400, of whom 25 per cent. are of Europeans. Though the influenza epidemic has steadily declined in the larger centres there are now numerous calls for assistance from the country districts, particularly in the Transvaal, where the Government has opened a central bureau dealing with the supply of nurses and relief. Influenza is spreading in Southern Basutoland, but in a mild form. The natives are complying with regulations. (Exchange Telegram.) Pneumonia is abating in the principal centres of South Africa, but continues to devastate the isolated villages of the Union and Rhodesia. Deaths in the Cape Peninsula number over 10,000, Johannesburg 1921 in 27 days, Pretoria 900, Bloemfontein 1200-total 14,021. A guarded estimate shows that the total mortality in the Union and Rhodesia is between 40,000 and 50,000. Miscellaneous articles on the same page: THE RHODESIAN LAND JUDGMENT. STATEMENT BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL VIEWS ON THE FUTURE. SALISBURY (RHODESIA), October 20 (delayed). The elected members of the Legislative Council, after meeting in camera to consider the Privy Council land judgment, issued a statement recognizing that unalienated land has always been vested in the Crown, and also the right of the Chartered Company to look to the Crown to secure reimbursement of the outstanding balance of aggregated advances on account of administrative expenditure. The statement records its entire agreement with the Chairman of the Chartered Company regarding the great Imperial work performed by the Company, and assures the Company that the people of Rhodesia will assist it in safeguarding the legitimate interests of shareholders. The statement proceeds to discuss the post-war government of Rhodesia, and says incorporation with the Union can only be brought about by the will of the people, which can only be obtained when they are master in their own house. "A representative government," the statement goes on, "is not provided either in the Charter, the supplemental Charter, or the Orders in Council. To obtain a representative government prior to 1925 the consent of the Imperial Government and the Chartered Company is necessary, and possibly either or both will fail to agree, and therefore the elected members of the Legislative Council have no hesitation in advocating a Responsible Government and declare that Rhodesia would be as well off financially as if the Company administration continued." Colonel Grey, of the Legislative Council, submits a separate statement favouring a representative government, and expressing the opinion that the premature grant of a Responsible Government would be disastrous. He suggests a permanent Land Board, Railway Board, and Government Trade Department.-Reuter CAPE TOWN, October 28. Partly in consequence of the recent Privy Council judgment, and partly because the prospect of a more distant peace brings the readjustment of Union territory into the political foreground. The question of the inclusion of Rhodesia in the Union is again attracting attention. In this connection the resolution passed by the elected members of the Rhodesian Legislative Council is not taken very seriously either within or without Rhodesia. Indeed, it may be doubted whether those elected members who have or represent any appreciable stake in the country would have asked for Responsible Government if they had thought there was the least chance of getting it. Other objections apart, Responsible Government in Rhodesia would start virtually without assets now that the unalienated land is declared to be vested in the Crown. The extreme faction opposed to the Chartered Company really want to come into the Union, but, thinking its advocacy unpopular at the moment, have pronounced for Crown Colony government. Another section, led by Sir Charles Coghlan, think the advocacy of Responsible Government would help them at the next elections, but they are at bottom anxious to fall back on Crown Colony government if only the Colonial Office would propose it. This, however, is unlikely, since it would require the Colonial Office to find at least £10,000,000 to pay out the Charter. If the Company chose, it could probably steer between these currents and retain the administration until 1924, but it is more than doubtful if it would pay to do so. Even though assured of the recovery of administrative deficits, the Chartered Company can do better with its money than lend it to the British Government, probably at a low rate of interest. All these considerations strengthen the influences making for incorporation, and weigh heavily against the sentimental objections of the British Rhodesian stalwarts, respectable though these objections are in themselves. The most experienced political opinion in the Union believes that incorporation is only a question of terms and time, and not a long time.-Times. PRESIDENT WILSON'S REPLY TO GERMANY CAPE TOWN, October 26. The Cape Times and the Cape Argus thoroughly endorse the terms of President Wilson's Note to Germany, which the Times characterizes as the most damning indictment in the shape of a rejoinder ever addressed by one Government to another. The Argus lays emphasis on its plain speaking, which leaves no loophole for evasion.-Reuter. CAPE TOWN, October 29. The Natal Mercury, commenting on President Wilson's reply to Germany, insists on military safeguards, and says that Germany must abandon the idea of being allowed to bargain for peace, and that her unconditional surrender is the essential preliminary to any conclusion of hostilities. The Johannesburg Starr says Mr. Wilson has gone further than any official Allied spokesman in defining the position as regards the ruling class of Germany. The Rand Daily Mail thinks the German Government will possibly immediately agree to the second portion of President Wilson's statesmanlike and businesslike Note. The Sunday Times says Mr. Wilson's clear thinking, plain speaking, and absolute honesty have cut through the Teutonic verbiage and reached the very heart of the problem.-Reuter. SENATOR SIR ANTONY VILJOEN DEAD Cape Town, October 26. The death is announced from heart failure following haemorrhage of Senator Sir Antony Viljoen, M.B., M.S., M.R.C.S.-Reuter. THE CAPE MURDER CASE Cape Town, October 25. The Dargin case, in which Percy Dargin is accused of the murder of his friend Denis Glanville, a young bank clerk, was resumed today. During a hearing of the witnesses, Colonel Gray, Deputy Commissioner of Police, gave evidence of Dargin's voluntary statement to the effect that he (Dargin) had had the greatest personal affection for the deceased, and that they frequently went out together at week ends, but that it was untrue that these excursions had always been of Dargin's seeking. He and Denis Glanville had had mutual tastes. Both were fond of flowers, birds, poetry, and singing. Doctor Molteno states that the injuries to the deceased's face had not been inflicted on the spot where the body was found, and that the throat had been cut some time afterwards.-Reuter. Cape Town, October 29 (delayed). The preliminary hearing of the Dargin case, which was resumed on October 25, concluded this morning, when Dargin, who stated that he was 43 years of age and was born at Bathurst (New South Wales) was committed for trial. The accused, who pleaded "Not Guilty," reserved his defence.-Reuter. THE LATE MR. JULIUS G. MOSENTHAL The many friends of Mr. Julius G. Mosenthal will regret to hear of his demise at a nursing home at Brighton on October 22 after a somewhat protracted illness. He was a son of the late Mr. Joseph Mosenthal, one of the founders of the firm of Mosenthal, Sons, and Co., Basinghall Street, London, but was not connected with the affairs of the firm, which was founded in South Africa in 1840 by Mr. Joseph Mosenthal and Mr. Adolph Mosenthal, the London branch being opened in 1855. Mr. Julius Mosenthal was well known in Johannesburg as a member of the Stock Exchange at that place for many years, and held a large circle of friends and acquaintances in the Transvaal and elsewhere, his genial disposition attracting those in whose society he moved. About 15 years ago he decided to settle in England and was connected with the London Stock Exchange, among the members of which he was well known and respected. He took a great interest in horse racing and other sports, several of his animals having earned fame in the annals of the course. The deceased gentleman retired to Brighton about nine months ago to obtain the benefit of the sea air, he being in failing health. He died at the age of 65 years, and the remains were interred privately in accordance with his expressed desire, in the Highgate Cemetery, a little group of near relations and friends only being present at the ceremony. He died without issue. News comes from Pretoria of the death from scarlet fever of Miss Olive Doreen Oosterlaak. During 1917 the High Court of Lourenco Marques had before it 2666 cases, and disposed of 1717. After 35 years' service as Principal of the Grahamstown Independent Mission School, Miss Sarah Ann Linney has retired. The Aliwal North Town Council has granted a concession for the extraction of salts from the famous hot springs in that town. The death has taken place of Mr. J. Doring (?Dorning), one of the oldest pioneers of East Griqualand, at his farm near Newmarket. He was 69 years of age. Mr. C. F. W. Jeppe, who was one of the most progressive farmers in the Prieska district and took a keen interest in public affairs, died recently at his farm. Owing to the scarcity and increasing price of imported crockery, the Basutos have started the manufacture of earthenware cups and saucers, well glazed and finished and quite serviceable. Mr. R. N. D. Sutton, after six months' leave of absence, has returned to the Diocesan College completely restored to health, and has taken over the duties of Acting Principal from Bishop Nash. Lieutenant De Courcy Wood, recently promoted to the Army Service Corps in France, was twelve months with the Cape Horse Transport. He is a brother of General Phillip Wood, C.B., and is one of five brothers, all fighting men. The heaviest slaughter ox ever offered for sale in South Africa was sold not long ago by auction in Johannesburg for £45 10s. The animal weighed 2600 lbs., and was sent to the Rand by Mr. W. F. Taylor, of Rosetta, Natal. The engagement is announced between Merrick A. B. Denton Thompson, of the British Vice-Consulate at Elisabethville, and eldest son of the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man and Mrs. Denton Thompson, and Carew, third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. S. L. Hulett, of Durban, and granddaughter of Sir Liege Hulett. The Tobacco and Cotton Division of the Agricultural Department has lost two valuable officials in the persons of Mr. H. N. Taylor, who superintended the Rustenburg station, and Mr. Wilson, who was in charge of the work in Natal. The former has been appointed by the Rhodesian Government to the control of cotton and tobacco work in Rhodesia, and the latter is going to Ceylon to take charge of tobacco work there this being also a Government appointment.
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