BOTHA’S GREAT COUP THE CONQUEST OF SOUTH-WEST AFRICA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3980, 13 July 1915, Page 5

BOTHA’S GREAT COUP

THE CONQUEST OF SOUTH-WEST AFRICA.

o , '■ t ; - . . ENEfIIY "TAKEN GOMPLUELY B¥ SURPRISE. MASTER STROKE OF STRATEGY. GERMAN FORCES QUITE SURROUNDED. DRAMATIC SUCCESS OF THE UNION FORCES. (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received July .12, 7.30 p.m) PRETORIA, July 12, While the Germans followed a route in proximity to the railway, the Union columns, under Colonel My burgh and Colonel Brits, marched simultaneously from two horns far separated to right and left, When General Botha occupied Otaviafontien with the central force, Colonel Myburgh’s wing on the right occupied the railway in a line with the enemy’s rereat and, after a short engagement, captured 600 men, four guns, and a large quantity of material and the wireless installation, and also released 500 war prisoners. Meantime Colonel Brits, by a strenuous and rapid march on the left, occupied Nannitoni, east of Etashapan, releasing* further prisoners and capturing large supplies. The enemy evidently intended to use Namutoni as the last base before dispersing northwards. The Germans were profoundly astonished at the rapidity of the advance and believed that with the last waterliole .45 miles distant, they were safe for a day or two at Otaviafontein, where th: v intended to make a stand. Their first intimation of our presence was tlie appearance of many of General Botha’s dashing brigade of Free Staters advancing right up to their partially-prepared positions and they would not credit that our infantry had also arrived. The latier only had quarter rations and limited water, but marched through choking dust and pitiless thorn bush. mmmTm the disgomted, GERMAN PRESS OPINIONS ON THE CAPTURE. “WE SHALL REBUILD OUR COLONIES.” (Received July 12, 9.35 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, July 12. The “Koelnische A oiks Zeitung” says: We need not exaggerate the importance of our enemies’ momentary success in South-West Africa. W r e know our colonies were cut off rrom ■the Fatherland and were only able to defend themselves with difficulty. Germany must-be the victor m Europe and then rebuild her Colonial Empre.” OUR NEW TERRITORY. GEOGRAPHICAL AMD ECONOMIC REVIEW. A TABLE-LAND OF WEALTH. In view of the successful termination of General Botha's campaign, a description of our new jewel in the crown of Empire is of interest... “British” South West Africa is a tableland interspersed with isolated mountain ranges, divided from the sea by an uninhabitable desert, the Namib. It has a fine climate, like the western Orange River Colony or some parts of Rhodesia, and is tropical only towards the northern border. It is a very healthy country, hut not a country fit for close sett lumen There were 100,000 native's before the war of 1904; but as a result of the war the Hcrero tribe (Bantu negroes) and what remained of the Hottentots were scattered and broken up. Their lands were confiscated, and partly settled by German farmers. The lands are largely in the hands of the Government and some big land companies, while 1144 fanners own 1245 farms, covering an area of 32,000,000 acres, for the farms vary in size fiom - (>OOO to 40,000. acres. Stock cattle are bred in the middle and north, and sheep in the south. Europeans own 140,000 head of cattle and 030,000 sheep, etc. There are only 13,000 acres under crops. Close settlement has been attempted near the large towns. Tlio white population is about 15,000, including 2308 women and 3000 children. Amongst 9040 male adults there were 1629 farmers of different kinds, 2139 artisans, etc., and 900 merchants. The country is far more European than any other German colony. There are about five natives to one white person. Verylittle land is in the hands of the natives; only 1027 natives own farms, most of them being halfcastes. At present the natives number about 90,000 ; but these include 10,500 Ovampos, migrating laborers from Ovainpo Land, to the north of German South West Africa. The country is called a white man's land; hut most of the manual work is done by natives, etc., chiefly in the farming and mining industries. The product of the diamond mines for 1913 was worth £1,500,000. Gvampo Land is Portuguese territory, hut the Germans, prior to the present war, were pushing into it, and assuming control of'the southern part— “coolly and cynically,” as the Portuguese the other day neatly expressed their European, characteristics.

THE MUNITIONS ■ CAMPAIGN. ECHO IN GERMANY. A USTRO-GERMAN RIVALRY. BERNE, July 11, Tlic German Government, perceiving the magnitude of the Allies’ munition effort, is convening workingmen's guild'-s in order to secure the return o? mobilised skilled workers to factories rmd recruiting workmen unqualified to make munitions. Germans are apprenticing to munition factories young women, foreigners, and soldiers mutilated in the war. Owing to differences -over Galicia the Kaiser has for some days refrained from sending liis usual moinmg telegram to the Emperor Franz JosefIt is notable that General Hind onburg’s name is not mentioned m recent despatches. Austrians complain that there ere too many Germans m the Austrian army, treating the Austrians with contempt, and asserting that the reconquest of Ga.icia was due to Germans. FRENCH official report E UTILE GERM A X BOA 1B ARDMENT (Received July 12. 8.30 nm.) • PARIS. July 12. The Germans on Thursday Tired 16 106 millimetre sheels at S-ntdic ano -killed a civilian and slightly weimdod a few others. . -. . , , Official: There is a violent bnmbaidnieut of our position at La r■ omen Belle and Metzeral and west cl Ammerziyiller— .The enemy again -shelled Arras and Rheims. —-

THROUGH ENEMY EYES. OFI'TCTAL GERMAN REPORT. AMSTERDAM. July 11. A German communique states : The British northward of Yprcs on Saturday renewed the attack against our positions along the Canal, but were repulsed with considerable enemy losses. The trench we captured north-west of Beause Jour on Friday was lost' on Saturday, hut was again stormed and held despite five counter-attacks. The French attack on our new position at Bens le Petre collapsed with heavy enemy losses. An attack against the” German positions east and south of fcjondernach and south-west of Muenster were repulsed. Our airmen attacked the railway at Gerardmer. JEWS AT THE FRONT. CHIEF RABBI’S REPORT. (Received July 12, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, July 12. The Chief Rabbi has returned after a tour of the front. He says there are Jewish officers to the number of 000 and rank and file numbering 12,000. SEDITION IN INDIA. PREACHED BY 7 GERMAN MISSIONARIES: (Received July 12, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, July 12. The Madras papers urge that German missionaries should be immpcliately interned and subsequently deported. The English missionaries are disgusted at the Germans’ efforts to spread unrest and sedition. _ .