POISON TACTICS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2455, 7 May 1915, Page 6

POISON TACTICS IN SOUTH AFRICA

DISEASE GERMS PLANTED BOTHA'S STERN WARNING London, May 5. A Colonial Office communiiiue states that when Swakopmund was occupied on . January 14 it was discovered that sir ® wells had been poisoned with arsenical cattle dip. Bags full of the poison were found in the wells. ' 5 General Botha addressed a letter to ' Colonel Franke, the German commander, , pointing out that this was a breach of Article 239 of The Hague Convention, ' and that if persisted in he would hold the German officers responsible and would employ reprisals. Colonel Franke replied that salt had proved ineffective, and he had therefore used more effective methods to compel the enemy to carry water. General Botha replied, repeating his intention to hold th© officers commanding responsible. Mr. Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies) adds: "Since then the Germans have systematically poisoned * the wells. A patrol at Gabib was also ' instructed to thoroughly infect the Ida 1 Mine with disease." POISONING THE WELLS ALONG THE RAILWAY. The High Commissioner reports• London, May 5, 9.20 p.m. "The Secretary of State for the Colonies announces the use by Germans of a system of poisoning the wells in South Africa, in spite of a protest by General Botha. "Since evacuation of Warmbad, they have consistently poisoned the wells along the railway line."