The Dominion of South Africa
For these past two years, the world around us has changed dramatically, and though many of us do not realize it, these changes will affect us, now or later, for better or for worse.
I will make no dishonest statements here in an attempt to win political favour. I will not show a fake modesty. I believe South Africa has made the right choice in electing me, as well as my new Deputy Prime Minister, for another term. I believe that I and my colleagues in the United Party are the best suited to help guide this great nation through these turbulent times. For it is united we must stand, and if we are divided then we will fall. This is a truth that is unmistakeably self-evident to all of us. United, then, we will stand, as we brave the chaotic future with a new, shining optimism and a need to do that which is right.
It should be no surprise to you, then, that I announce that we must take a solid stand on the discord of Europe. We have been called upon by His Majesty's Government in London to aid them against the German Empire. It is our duty as a Dominion of the Empire to answer the call. Thus, I hereby announce that the
Dominion of South Africa is at war with the German Empire. I know that there are some of us that would prefer that we not be entangled in the affairs of a far-away continent, and to some extent I sympathize with this notion. However, the facts remain that we are a Dominion of the British Empire and are therefore obligated to aid the Empire when we are called upon, and that anything that happens in Europe will ultimately echo here. It is possible that, if left unabated, the Germans could destroy the very foundations of the modern world economy, dooming us and the rest of the world to economic ruin. I will let you decide whether or not that is a worthy enough cause to involve ourselves.
Stay steadfast, South Africans! Without unity, we will have naught but failure!
~
Prime Minister Louis Botha