Sir Abe Bailey, 74-year-old legless mining magnate, tonight warned the Union of South Africa that neutrality would mean “certain death at the hands of the Nazis,” as his parting advice before leaving to take up residence in England.
“If South Africa goes for neutrality, that is certain death at the hands of the Nazis,” Sir Abe said. “Then it is among the foolish virgins that she will rank and not the wise ones. I only hope that before I return in November to South Africa, the dictators will be found on the path that leads to peace and prosperity, to the survival of civilization and religion.”
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