South Africa prioritises internal security and infrastructure

Jan Smuts knew Balfour and asked him to represent South African interests because he could not attend himself. South Africa was willing to support professional military and police forces, with fear of internal revolt in a racially stratified society forming part of the explanation for that spending. Infrastructure also attracted investment, while naval expenditure faced less immediate pressure. In the strategic picture presented here, an overseas attacker would have a long approach and would face British naval forces before reaching South Africa. A cruiser contribution remained a possibility, but the government had little enthusiasm for maintaining such a force. Geography and reliance on the wider imperial system help explain that position.