The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 74, July 1970 - April, 1971 Page: 97

                                
Notes and Documents

means of each and everyone to sink a borehole of 1loo feet without
more ado.
It was extremely doubtful whether all who shall have emigrated
there would be able to live in one colony and thus be able to pre-
serve intact their religion, language, manners and customs. As wide-
spread as were the benefits of the country just as widespread might
be the new settlers in that wide world. Their national culture [lit-
erally: national possessions] would be safer in South, Central and
North Africa, although it covers a far larger area, than it would be
in the largest state of the United States of America. No matter what
one's nationality one very soon becomes an American, however much
one may resist.
A Hollander from a little town, Port Arthur, on the Gulf of
Mexico came to visit President Reitz on his tour. He was introduced
to the President as Mr. Kates,"' although he could still speak Dutch
his name sounded English. The President found this puzzling and
asked him to explain why the possessor of an English name could
speak Dutch. He answered in 'Dutch: "You see, President, my name
is Ten Kate, but the English could not pronounce my name and
called me Ten Cats; so I thought it would be better to omit the 'Ten'
and changed my name to Kates."
This straw shows in which direction the stream flows in that country.
President and Mrs. Reitz and I discussed these and other related
dangers when the report was drawn up and came to the conclusion
not to recommend an emigration from South Africa: a spacious land,
a beautiful land, a rich land and a pleasant land-our land.
Some of the Boer officers-Generals Ben Viljoen, Kritzinger and
Fouche-went to Mexico to find a home. But their reconnaissance
had no favorable outcome. Those of our people who took refuge
in the Argentine could rather have settled in Texas, but who knows
whether time has not taught them that there is only one South Africa
for the retention and development of our religion, language, and
national feeling.
What we need here is to appreciate and preserve what we inherited
from our ancestors.
[Here 3 paragraphs of irrelevant moralizing digression have been
omitted by the translator.]
24Unidentified.