Africa

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 40, 18 February 1915, Page 5

Africa

A TRAITOR'S TRIAL. WHAT DE WET WANTED. | Unitku Phess Association.] (Received 11 a.m. Capetown, February 17. At the trial of De Wet, a witness stated that General Botha wrote to

ex-President Steyii urging him to use his influence to prevent a rebellion. Steyn sent Hertzog to see De Wet, and Botha then proposed that De Wet should go to Pretoria under sale conduct to negotiate with the Government. De Wet declined, and told Hertzog that General Botha must resign and agree to the proclamation of a Republic.

THE PRETORIA "PICNIC." EVIDENCE AT THE TRIAL OF DE WE^. (Received 9.10 a.m. Capetown, February 17.

Evidence at the trial of De Wet showed that during the engagement at Doornburg De Wet directed the storming of the Loyalist position, but ordered the rifles to be unloaded, apparently not wishing to kill. Other evidence showed that the rebels believed Maritz had captured Kimberley, and imagined the march to Pretoria would be a picnic, and that the whole of the Dutch population would rise.

THE RECENT REBELLION.

Vancouver, February 16.

Mr Goold Adams, interviewed, said the South African rebellion was more anti-Botha than anti-British. The death of General Delarey was most unfortunate, as he was en route to Pochefstroom to incite the burghers to rebellion, with the object of marching on Pretoria to seize war stores. The rebellion would clear the air and improve the outlook for the future.