GERMANS CRUSHED IN SOUTH AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2511, 12 July 1915, Page 5

GERMANS CRUSHED IN SOUTH AFRICA

' ~ T ' ' " BOTHA'S TASK ACCOMPLISHED HOSTILITIES HAVE NOW CEASED By Telegraph—Press AEsooiatlon-Oopyrisht ■ Pretoria, Jiily'9. •Official:—''Tho entire German forces have surrendered to ..General Louis Botha, v ■ , „ •' ' • .'have ceased. STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL', ■ , (llec. July 11, 3.30 p.m.) 16 London, July 10. The Press Bureau publishes a' statement by Lord Button', to the effect that tho South-West African carapaisa has • been brought to a: successful conclusion. Practically the whole of the citizen forces will bo brought : back as soon as transport facilities will permit. , , BRITISH PRISONERS RELEASED IN: GOOD HEALTH, (Rec. July 11, 3,30 p.m.) : .. Pretoria, July 10. Official,—"All the British prisoners in Soiith-.Wcst 'Africa have been released in good health'. ■ There were no deaths of troops during their captivity. There is'great rejoicing throughout the Tlnion."'; AN UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER INTENSE ENTHUSIASM THROUGHOUT THE UNION: LARGE CAPTURES OF MEN AND MATERIAL v (Rec. July. 11, 3.5 p.m.) - _ ; Capo Town, July 10. General Botha's ultimatum expired at tea-time "on; Thursday,. when , the Germans surrendered unconditionally, General Botha- accepting -tho'-Governor's surrender at two o'clock'in tho moriiing. " General Botha reports'that 204 officers and 3166 men surrendered, with 37 field guns and 22 maxims. , "All tho Sbuth African towns were, beflagged," and the. news resulted in intense popular enthusiasm, the populace giving vent to their pent-up feelings ixfter bearing wild rumours during the past few days. General Botha and General Smuts have been immdatod with congratulations. How They Were Rounded Up. . Stress is laid on the unparalleled character of tlie forced marclios by tho mounted brigade through most difficult country during the past fortnight, in ; oiJdfer to complete tha encircling movement. When tho.y realised that escape was impossible, the Germans sought to make terms, but General Botha brushed, the < conditions aside, aild saia that his troops would attack, at fivo o'clock. The Germany wero non-plussed and bowildered by tho rapidity of Genera! Botha's move menus, and finally accopted his ultimatum. 1 . The whole of the German force will be transferred to tho Union and made prisoner mitil the war is over. The officers are'being released on parole in prescribed areae. OniiTOil Hatha Is sxpw.ted In Caps Town ill a fortnight. 'Att iiumeuM re>

.Tributes* Of ~ BathVs^eneralshlpV: . Tlie Press pays a; tribute to General Botha's ,great generalship ,in a. haSi ■ ardous undertaking. It trajispircs that when tho German- commander mado • overtures to surrender lie was not. aware tliat Colonel Brits had; already,, encircled tlio entire German position. Colonel Francke (the German, commander) hoped that the Germans might retain their'.arms and remain, in tho colony, but while the negotiations were proceeding General Botha learned of the successful termination of tfie encircling movement, and informed Francko. Tho latter then, surrendered. : ; _ Tho outstanding feature of tho operations was the extraordinary rapidity of Botha's advance. His troops repeatedlj'marched thirty or fortyi miles a day, for weeks in succession, living on tho smallest rations and captured game. The culminating march of two hundred miles-was{accomplished m six days.- ... h,i GOEIDIAE|:cONGRATDI^TIONS ; fFSoir^LONDOF,: / (Reo. Jdjf'll', 3.30 p.m.) - London, July 10. ..." The Press Bureau states that Mr. Bonar Law (Minister of tho Colonies)' hajs_ cordially congratulated General Botha and the Government oil the success achieved by thoir leader's brilliant generalship, and the bravery and endurance of the troops. Tlie terms of surrender provide for the transfer of all property to the Protectorate Government,- and equally all war material. , Sir George Keid (High Commissioner for Australia.}, interviewed, said that'. General Botha's campaign was far more formidable than was generally known. Since the Agadir incident (in 1911), Germany had assembled vast munitions and stores at Windhoek, hoping that she •could • arm the Boers/' "His magnificent victory will add to the love and admiration which!,all people of tiff Empire feel for General Botha,"- added tho speaker.