International records / Foreign Relations of the United States

305. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, July 5, 1956

uth African Government would not be so stupid as to give these people the right to vote. Rather, the Union is trying to raise the educational level of the natives and this is a long process. To give such people the right to vote, as is being done in Nigeria for example, is preposterous. Instead of understanding that the natives need to evolve, the American press takes the stand that the Union is against freedom. The South African Government intends to continue its present policies. Mr. Hoover commented that to his knowledge many visitors to South Africa have been greatly impressed by what they…