FIGHTING IN AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2700, 21 February 1916, Page 5

FIGHTING IN AFRICA

A RECONNAISSANCE _____ I MAIN GERMAN FORCE LOCATED (B} Telegraph-.Pres9 Assn.—Copyright.) London, February 18... Official: The British troops in East Africa were tailed out on February 12 to make a reconnaissance in force at Salaita Hill, in order to ascertain the enemy's strength. They found the place strongly held by the main German force, who had reserves in the fceighbowhooil. Our casualties were 172, of which 139 belonged to the -2nd South African Brigade. It was their first experience of bush fighting. A branch railway is now 2J miles from Salaita. IN THE CAMEROON'S ACTIVE OPERATIONS ENDED London, February 18.Active operations are practically end. nd in the Cameroons, with the excep-. lion of an isolated i>osition—Mora Hill. The German commandant, Zimmerman, escaped to Spanish territory. Tho High Commissioner reports:— London, February 17. Colonel Dobell, in West Africa, reports that active operations have practically ended. The conquest of tha Cameroons is complete, excepting an isolated position at Mora Hill. MORA GARRISON CAPITULATES (Rec. February 20, 11.40 p.m.) London, February 20. Official.—The garrison at Mora capitulated. This completes the conquest of the Cameroons. BOTHA'S DECLARATION AN AFRIKANDER & LOYALIST By Telegraph-- r onv}2h*» ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) Cape Town, February 18. In the Union Assembly, General Botha, the Primo Minister, declared' himself an Afrikander absolutely loyal to the Empire. This attitude had caußcd him great difficulties with some of his friends during the war, but he was ready to take up arms and do his utmost to win tho_ war. There wore 17,000 Union soldiers in the field, and there would possibly be more shortly. Two and a half millions sterling had already been spent.