EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGH.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1919, Page 1

EAST AFRICAN CAMPAIGH.

? AUSriIAMAN & N.Z. OAUI.E ASSOCIATION 1 CARLTON, January 23. Tiie conduct of the East African campaign is very adversely condemned in the ‘‘Cape Times” by Mr Owen Ditcher a well-known authority on Central Africa. , It is pointed out, apart Horn the article that now the war is over prolongation of the Fast African campaign is becoming a subject of increasing criticism. Mr Ditcher demands the appoinUuontof a commission of enquiry. He asserts that the total strength of the enemy at the time of General Northey’s departure scarcely outnumbered the motor cars possessed by the British mechanical transport. The British had an overwhelming superiority in numbers of men besides an organisation extending from Capetown to Nairobi, and also two main headquarters at Dares .Salaam and Domba, employed a much larger number of officers than the whole of General Von Lettow’s European force on the' German side. It was commonly understood the article states that the' East African campaign costs much more than the Boer War. Ihe writer says that only a strong committee of unbiassed men could give a satisfactory answer to the question as to why was the campaign not finished months and months ago, and banquet speeches and congratulatory telegrams must not be allowed to obscure the is-