General Jan Christian Smuts, noted South African statesman and friend of the Jews, is Ill at his home here. He is sixty-five years old and has played a prominent role in the history of his own country and that of the world.
As a member of the supreme British staff during the World War, General Smuts was one of the statesmen who helped frame the Balfour declaration. He has been a consistent friend and defender of the Jews.
For the last two years he has been Minister of Justice in a coalition South African government. When the spread of anti-Semitic feeling in his own country was called to his attention, General Smuts declared: “As long as I am Minister of Justice there will be equal justice for all. There will be no ghetto and no underdog in South Africa.”
In appreciation of his friendliness, South African Jewry raised funds and established a colony in Palestine bearing the name Kfar Smuts.
On another occasion General Smuts, in a ringing speech, denounced anti-Semitism and paid tribute to the greatness of the
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
