BOTHA'S TRIUMPH

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2512, 13 July 1915, Page 5

BOTHA'S TRIUMPH

PRISONERS ON PAROLE ORDER TO THE TROOPS (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Pretoria, July 11. Under tho terms of surrender, German officers in South-West Africa on parole aro allowed to rotaiiv their arms, and other ranks retain their rifles without ammunition. Reservists of all ranks aro deprived of. arms, but allowed on parole to resume their civil occupations. German oivil officials on parole are permitted to remain at their- homes. General Botha reports that a German mine detachment is removing the mines which wero laid to impedo Botha's advanoo. Ail elaborate system was laid across the defiles at Elefantcnberg, but the Field Intelligence Force rendered them harmless, and captured five Germans, who wero waiting to explode them as the ma'ssed Union troops, wore about to cross. THE GREAT ROUND-UP. ENEMY COMPLETELY SURPRISED. (Rec. July 12, 7.30 p.m.) Pretoria, July 11. While the Germans followed a route ill proximity to the. railway, the Union columns, under Myburgh and Brits, marched simultaneously in tho form of two horns far separated to the right and the left. . When Goneral Botha occupied Otaviafontein with his central i'orco Myburgh's wing, on the right, occupied the Timed railway in the line of the enemy's retreat, and after a short engagement captured six hundred men and fotir guns, with a largo quantity of' material, and a wireless installation, and also released 500 prisoners of war. , In tho meantime Brits, by a. strenuous and rapid march on the left, has occupied Namutoni, cast of Etashapan, releasing further prisoners and capturing large supplies. Tho enemy evidently intended Namutoni to bo their last base before dispersing northwards. Tho. Germans were profoundly astonished at tho rapidity .MJlwlOMmis&i advn,u£s^.ai_tliox_bay-

lieved that with the last waterhole fortyfive'miles distant, they wore safe for aday or two at Otaviafontien. Their first intimation of our presence was the appearance of many of Botha's dashing brigade of Free- Staters, advancing right up their partially-prepared positions. They could not credit that the infantry hail also arrived; the latter only had quarter rations, and limited water, and had marched through choking dust and pitiless thoi'nbiish. SWORD OF HONOUR FOR THE VICTOR? Cape Town, July 11. 'A shilling subscription lias been opened to present General Botha with a sword of honour. General Botha has issued an order to th& troops in Damaraland to exercise self-restraint, courtesy, and consideration to tho vanquished. CONGRATULATIONS FROM LORD KITCHENER, Pretoria, July 11. Lord Kitchener has cabled General Botha expressing his admiration at his masterly conduct of. the campaign,, and congratulating him on his brilliant victory. • ■'• ' ; Lord Kitchener adds: "I' shall warmly welcome you and- the South Africans who can como over to join us." GERMAN PRESS CdMMENT. 'A "MOMENTARY SUCCESS."(Rec. v July 12, 9.35 p.m.) Amsterdam, July 12. , The "Koelnische Volks Zeitung," commenting on tlie situation in Southwest Africa, says"We need not exaggerate the importance of our enemies' momentary success' in SouthWest Africa. We knew that our colonies would be cut- off from the Fatherland, as they would only be able to defond themselves with difficulty. Germany must be the victor in. Europe, and then rebuild lier colonial Empire."-