SOUTH AFRICA: White Justice

Because soot-black young Chief Tshekedi of the Bamangwato tribe ordered a white man flogged, he was banished from his country by Vice Admiral Edward Radcliffe Garth Russell Evans. Acting High Commissioner for Bechuanaland (TIME, Sept. 25).

Because the white man, one Phineas Mackintosh, was admittedly guilty of debauching native girls, fair-minded Britons stormed in protest and when the young chief left his native village for temporary exile the wives of white settlers rushed forward to shake his hand—a tribute to native rectitude unprecedented in the annals of South Africa.

Last week Admiral Evans was back in Bechuanaland. Thousands of grinning black tribesmen gibbered and cheered as he received Chief Tshekedi. Under the same withered figtree where the sentence of suspension had been read, the Admiral cleared his throat:

“Tshekedi,” said he, “your banishment was pronounced solely because the law does not allow native courts to try white men even though the white men are living in tribal territory. We have had no thought that the white man in the case did not deserve the punishment. … In view of your statement that you will always work in harmony and loyal cooperation with the administration His Majesty’s Government have terminated the period of your suspension.”

Inky black and proud of her son Chief Tshekedi, the Dowager Queen Semane of the Bamangwato tribe beamed upon Admiral Evans, sure that she had influenced King-Emperor George V to reinstate her son. When Tshekedi was disciplined she cabled to Buckingham Palace. “O King, release for me the boy!” Actually King George signed the order reinstating Chief Tshekedi on the advice (i.e. instructions) of his Dominions Secretary, bluff, hearty James Henry (“Jim”) Thomas, onetime engine greaser.