CHANCERIESTHE DIPLOMATIC ATLAS

South Africa Opens a Legation in Washington

1929-11-05

Eric Hendrik Louw presented his credentials to Herbert Hoover on 5 November 1929, establishing South Africa’s legation in Washington. The United States recognized the Union of South Africa through the same act. Louw arrived with ministerial rank, at a time when the two countries were opening direct diplomatic relations. [1] [3]

The Union had been formed in 1910 from four British colonies. It governed its domestic affairs, while Britain initially controlled its external relations. The 1926 Imperial Conference recognized the dominions as equal in status to Britain, giving South Africa a basis for conducting more of its own diplomacy. [1]

London still carried the preliminary correspondence. British ambassador Esme Howard asked Washington in December 1928 whether it would accept a South African legation; Secretary of State Frank Kellogg agreed the following January. Louw, the proposed envoy, had already represented South African trade interests in the United States. [4] [5] [6]

Washington reciprocated by appointing its consul general in Cape Town, Ralph Totten, minister resident in December 1929. He presented credentials in February 1930, and the American legation moved to Pretoria that June. [1] [3]

The Statute of Westminster codified dominion autonomy in 1931, and the two countries raised their legations to embassies in 1949. The Union's government rested on white minority rule, with racial segregation predating the National Party's apartheid program of 1948. [1] [2]

Related Diplomats

  1. Eric Hendrik Louw [1] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Sources

  1. Office of the Historian: recognition and diplomatic relations with South Africa

    Recognition and establishment of diplomatic relations, 1929; U.S. legation, 1929–1930

    Summary on the 1926 declaration and 1931 Statute of Westminster; elevation of legations to embassies in 1949

  2. Office of the Historian: The End of Apartheid

    Early segregation and white minority government; 1948 National Party victory; Cold War policy; February 1990 unbanning and Mandela's release

  3. South Africa welcomes an American legation; editorial note on the exchange of ministers

    FRUS 1929, volume III, document 923; 701.48a11/26 and following editorial note

  4. Esme Howard asks whether Washington will receive a South African legation

    FRUS 1929, volume III, document 917; 701.48a11/5

  5. Frank B. Kellogg agrees to receive a South African representative

    FRUS 1929, volume III, document 918; 701.48a11/19

  6. British Embassy submits Eric Hendrik Louw’s name for Washington

    FRUS 1929, volume III, document 921; 701.48a11/20, including editorial footnote

Related Reading

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South Africa Opens a Legation in Washington. Chanceries Diplopedia. Record b8dd4aaef5ae49b32a7f. https://chanceries.org/research/history/south-africa-1929-legation-9a47548b95/

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