18 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, 
The Pretoria resolutions were, on the whole, well received by 
the colonies. Details were criticized, but there was general con¬ 
currence on the main issue. All of the party leaders supported 
the call for a National Convention; and the president of the 
Afrikander Bond expressed the belief that the resolutions ‘‘would 
be a powerful factor in speedily establishing a united South 
Africa.®^ In England the reception was equally cordial. The 
Times declared that “The news was heartily welcomed here as a 
sign that the States of the sub-continent were entering the path 
which the best and highest interests of all of them dictate.’’®^ A 
resolution was passed unanimously by the House of Commons ex¬ 
pressing the hope that the government would welcome the adoption 
of provisions calculated to render possible the ultimate inclusion 
of all of South Africa in a federal union. To this Mr. Winston 
Churchill and Colonel Seely, on behalf of the government, replied 
that, warned by precedent, they were determined not to attempt 
to lead, but to leave the matter for the decision of South Africa. 
The uncertainty of the situation prevented them from making any 
declaration as to what would happen in the event of federation. 
They would watch and wait,®® a policy followed consistently while 
the convention was at work and the fate of South Africa hung in 
the balance.®^ 
But the young imperialists in South Africa were furiously 
active. Mr. Lionel Curtis organized numerous “closer union socie¬ 
ties,’’ forming a network over all of South Africa. Their object 
was to familiarize the people with the problems connected with the 
union. When the convention was at work these societies published 
a magazine. The State, which discussed the questions then upper¬ 
most in the minds of the people. No particular form of union was 
advocated although Mr. Curtis and the majority of his followers 
had a strong leaning towards a legislative union.®® 
In a solemn message issued on the eve of the convention. General 
Botha appealed to the people of South Africa. “South Africa 
has its opportunity now,” said he, now prime minister of the 
Transvaal, “and I expect South Africa to do its duty * * * I 
expect the result of the Convention to include unity, and there- 
The Times, June 5, 1908. 
^•Ibid., May 14, 1908. 
83 Hansard, 4th series, CLXXXVIII, cols. 1215-1295. Debate, May 13, 1908. 
®«See ibid., CXCIII, col. 1268; CXCIV, cols. 1609, 1610. 
8“ Edinburgh Review, COX, p. 12. 
