Smith half-way to UDI?

The Newsletter, vol. 9 no. 414, 9 October 1965 · scan page 1

Title, extent and credit checked against the scan (17 October 2026, from the scan: page 1, column 1, headline 'Smith half-way to UDI?', 'By MICHAEL BANDA'; its opening lines are in the B/OSL FILE record; the editorial and the Sukarno article welded after it are cut off). The text is machine-read and not corrected: for anything you quote, read the scan.

Trump in Salisbury continues to seek and secure diplomatic recognition from various European powers before declaring their "independence' from Britain.

'Independence' for the white minority as everyone knows is a fraud. What Smith wants is closer economic, political and military ties with South Africa, the Portuguese-dominated regimes of Mozambique and Angola and the white-mercenary-backed regime of Tshombe in the Congo.

In his tactical moves he is being assisted by the disgusting behaviour of Wilson and Bottomley, who talk about one man-one vote in Rhodesia but do everything to strengthen Smith's position.

BLUFF CALLED

At the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference Wilson pleaded for time to tame Smith. Then he sent Bottomley to Salisbury to persuade Smith not to be too beastly to the Africans.

Bottomley got nothing. Smith was calling Wilson's bluff, and the Tories cheered him on.

The next step was when Smith decided to defy Whitehall openly by appointing a diplomatic representative to Lisbon.

Smith: for closer ties with South Africa In justification of his policy, Smith quoted the precedent of Pretoria (South Africa) where he was allowed diplomatic representation by the British government after the Central African Federation was dissolved.

There is every prospect that Lisbon will grant diplomatic recognition to Rhodesia, despite the Foreign Office pressure. If this happens, then other European powers will follow.

France, in particular, would only be too glad to do so.

Smith is not the least scared by Mr. Wilson's talk of 'sanctions' and the 'use of force'.

PUT ON SQUEEZE

He can always rely on his supporters in the Tory Party and the Foreign Office to put the squeeze on the Labour government and bring Wilson into line.

At the same time, the racialist policies of the government have encouraged the belief in Rhodesia that if it does come to a showdown. Wilson will not forget to remember the colour of his skin.

Having capitulated to the bankers, big businessmen, property developers and steel barons, is there any reason why Wilson and his right-wing friends should not willingly bow to the trigger-happy racialists in Salisbury? It is the logic of capitulation.