CUTTING OFF SUPPLIES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 41, 18 February 1930, Page 12

CUTTING OFF SUPPLIES

POLICY OF BLOCKADE

TIGHTENING THE CORDON

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post")

AUCKLAND, This Day

The "Herald's Apia correspondent writes under date 7th February as follows:—

The plan ■of operations by the police, backed by sailors and marines from the Dunedin, appears to be tho cutting-'off of supplies to the Mau natives iv tho hills and to arrest "wanted men as opportunity offers. Numerous small parties have been arrested, but most of these have been released as there were no charges against-them. The "wanted" men occupy the hill country, the greater part of which is extremely difficult of access. The Sanioans have all the advantage in the event of pursuit. \

Only one casualty has been reported, that of a young Samoan who resisted arrest and was shot in the abdomen, and died. This is a tribute to the discipline and patience of the men on outpost duty.

Any attempt to forecast the outcome or duration'of the campaign would bo foolhardy. Those best qualified to judge beliove-that small bands of natives will be captured from time to time with little resistance until the "wanted" men and, perhaps, a few "die-hards" of the Mau remain. These, they believe, will be able to- evade capture for a long-time if their determination holds out. '■'-..* ■ ' .-. ..

' A further tightening of the cordon will'come into-effect next week to prevent supplies reaching the fugitives illicitly.