Austria, conquered Czechoslovakia, and invaded Poland. When Britain
declared war on Germany on September 3, 1939, the United party split. A
passionate debate ensued in the South African Parliament. Hertzog's peo-
ple were for strict neutrality, Smuts's for joining Britain. When the vote was
taken, Smuts's motion for a South African declaration of war against
Germany was carried by 80 votes to 67. That evening, the governor-general
refused Hertzog's request to dissolve Parliament and hold a general elec-
tion. Hertzog resigned as prime minister, Smuts succeeded him at the head
162