South Africa.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 91, 12 September 1914, Page 5

South Africa.

PREMIER'S PATRIOTIC OUTBURST. FIXE UTTERANCE BY EX-BOER GENERAL. FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA IN THE BALANCE. Received 11, 10 p.m. Capetown, September 11. Tn the Assembly, Mr Botha, the Premier, made a stirring speech. He said the. Empire was involved in one of the cruellest wars that had ever befallen humanity. If ever Great Britain had entered on war with clean hands, she did so now. For South Alricans to forget loyalty to the Empire at this hour of trial would be scandalous, and would blacken South Africa in the eyes of the world; but such treason was unknown among English and Dutch alike/ whose duty and conscience hade them be faith'l'ul to the Empire. Dutchmen at such times would rather have the British than the German flag. He wished the House to realise that South Africa's future was being decided on the battlefields of Europe. (Cheers.)

Mr Smartt assured the Government of Opposition support. Mr Creswell (Labor) welcomed tha speech, ami urged sending an expedition to fight by the side, of the Allies. Mr Hertzog moved the adjournment, which was defeated hy 85 votes to 12. (Premier Botha, one of the greatest of our adversaries in the Boer war, appealed to both the Boers and their fel-low-subjects in England to "let the blood of the "brave who found their graves in South Africa be the cement that will bind us together.")

RFALVRKABLtf OUTBURST OF PATRIOTISM. LOCAL TROOPS WILLDRAL WITH TILE GKIIMANS. Received 12, 1:30 a.m. London, >Septem!bcr 11 (morning). Router says the news that two German forces had crossed the Orange River spread like wild-lire through South Africa, and caused the greatest indignation. " Witliowt suggestion, from the Imperial Government steps were inumcduitely taken for dealing with German SouthWest Africa. Mr. Botha has (telegraphed to London suggesting the withdrawal of the gar-1 rison of British troops and offering the, whole military resources of South AM- j ca to defend' the Union, including, native tcrritority. The authorities are aw;uv that Large quantities of cannon, arms, ami amunition have been poured into Gerirom South-West Africa in the von hope that the Boers would join the Germans when the trouble arose. The Union Government does not expect a w\ilk over*. The out-burst of ipatriotisim is remarkable. High and low in every province of the Union vied with offers of help. Fanners have sent gifts of mealies, tobacco, and brandy as part -of tJio Union's contribution to Hie army and navy.

GERMANS DEFEATED IN NYASALAND. Received 11, 10 p.m. London, Sept. 10 (evening). The Press Bureau reports that on Tuesday a British force at Nyassaland (in German East Africa) unsuccessfully attempted to drive 400 Germans across the frontier. The enemy on Wednesday attacked Karonga, defended by an officer with 55 troops and eight civilians. They resisted for three hours. A British column arrived throughout the day. Tfie enemy fought determinedly, but ultimately were driven at the point of the bayonet towards Songwe, with heavy losses, including Bevcn officers killed, two field and two machine-guns captured. Four British were killed and seven wounded. The loss of the natives who assisted is lmknown.

WAR-TIME CLKMEXOY. Received 11, 10 p.ni. Capetown, September 11. The Premier, Mr Botha, announced that the Government had decided to allow the. deported labor leaders to return to South Africa, with a view of ensuring complete unity.