The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1915. WAR WORK IN AFRICA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 1, 4 December 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1915. WAR WORK IN AFRICA.

Important work for the Empire is- being done in Africa, though we hear comparatively little about it, because •it is overshadowed by the great happenings on the main fronts and in the Balkans. In the Cameroons the British and French forces have now made decided advances, and their position is much strengthened. The great tract of country known as the Cameroons is rich in natural resources, and there are undoubtedly great commercial possibilities in its development. The total area is about one-third larger than the German Empire in Europe, and it has a population of 3,500,000, of whom about 2000 are whites. As it lies close to the Equator, it lias a tropical climate, which everywhere on this coast is unhealthy for Europeans. The country is largely covered with heavy forests and it contains a h.igh mountain range, which adds seriously to the difficulties of conducting regular warfare. An Auckland Star writer states that when hostilities broke out the original plan was that two French columns should move from .the French Congo in the south, while the British troops were to attack from Nigeria on the northern border. It was the rainy season, the rivers were flooded, and it is not surprising that in these densely-wooded legions troops found it'almost impossible to carry out concerted ■ movements. Late in August last year the West African Frontier Force, under Lieutenant-Colonel .Mipdenr advanced from Kano and attacked' a German fortified station on the Bonne at Garun. The Germans here, as everywhere, were wcH prepared for war, and their machine guns gave them such superiority in defence that the attacking cclumii was decimated. The commander and four other British officers were killed, and forty per cent, of the native force was lost. The attacks frim Nigeria were similarly repulsed, and at one point the Bnvish force had to cut its way out at the bayonet’s point, leaving three British officers and one hundred natives.dead, ami many prisoners. After the_ failure of these last attacks the British

fleet took up the task. In September the Cumberland and other smaller warships blockaded the coast, entered the river mouths .and seized several valuable vessels with their cargoes. The German ports were all blockaded, and from the coasts the Allies advanced inland, seizing and destroying the German wireless station, and subsequently capturing the railway. By October, 1914, the fate of the Came-j rooms was virtually decided, but it was] still impossible to capture the. German, garrisons or pursue the retreating troops through the tropical forests in-| to the mountain fastnesses. By time the enemy retiring before General, Dobell had reached the plateau ofj Jaunde, and established themselves inj a strong position. To reach them the, French undertook a difficult and dangerous march, forcing their way from! the south through the strip of German territory added to the Came rooms by way of .compensation for France’s gains in Morocco three years ago. The expedition, has, fortunately, .been completely successful, and another rich prize may now be said to be in the bands of the Allies.