Rebellion in South Africa

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 134, 30 October 1914, Page 5

Rebellion in South Africa

BOER WAR OVER AGAIN. BOER JJ2ADERS TAKE COMMAND. GENERAL BEYERS IN HIS REAL COLORS. GENERAL BOTIIA, THE PREMIER, AT THE FRONT.

Pretoria, October 28. Official.—General Botha has gone to the front. London, October 28. The Morning Post is optimistic as to General Botha's ability to suppress the outbreak at an early date. The Chronicle is deprecatory .as to a civil war, which it likens to that of the United States fifty years ago. The Times says the rebellion is in no wise so serious as it may seem at first glance. Apart from General Botha's enormous personal influence, the weight of duty and opinion is solidly against the rebels. If the Jatter «;<;• relying on German aid, they will be rudely disillusioned.

Johannesburg reports state that owing to the war many cricketers are volunteering and all fixtures have been postponed.

General Beyers visited England in 1912 and spoke in public of the deep appreciation of the Boers at the confidence reposed in them by the Imperial Government and said they were certain to prove worthy of such confidence. He attended the German war manoeuvres as the Kaiser's guest and studied German army methods.

It was well known in South Africa that strong opposition existed to taking the offensive against German SouthWest Africa, not only among the Hertzogites, but among burghers who supported the Government, particularly in the western district of the Transvaal, Orangia, and some Cape districts. This section declared they would fight to tlio last if the Germans invaded the Union, but saw no reason for taking the field otherwise.

UNION GOVERNMENT PROCLAMATION. ACTION TO BE TAKEN AGAINST REBELS. Wellington, October 29. The Prime Minister has received the following from the High Commissioner, under date, London, October 27: Official.— The Governor-General of South Africa has informed the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the Union Government has issued the following announcement: —"The Government announced with deep regret that, at the instigation of certain prominent individuals, a number of burghers in the Orange Free State and the western districts of the Transvaal have been misguided enough to defy the authority of the Government and to make preparation for armed resistance and rebellion. The Government, although they have linn aware of these rebellious preparations anil'hnve been taking steps to deal with Um nitimtion, have spared no effort i' to preserve the peace without bloodshed. Now. however, the Government- learns that in the Northern Orange free State tile burghers' military requirements are being commandeered under the authority of General de Wet, and in the Western Transvaal under the authority of General JJeyers. Armed rebellious commandos are already in existence, and the Government oflicials made prisoners. A train has been stopped at Litz, and armed citizens of the defence force taken therefrom and disarmed. In these circumstances the duty of the Government is clear. They are determined to deal with the matter -with a iirrn hand, and are taking all necessary steps to this end. A very great majority of citizens of every province in the Union are thoroughly loyal, and detest every idea of rebellion. When aware of the situation they will undoubtedly give the Government every assistance in restoring order and will be careful to abstain from giving the rebellion movement encouragement or support. All loyal citizens of the Union must, therefore, be specially alert and be ready to give the Government all information when called upon, and every assistance in their power. Citizens who have been guilty of disobedience under j the Defence Act not fear any action against them on that ground on the part of the Government, so long as I they remain (juietly at home and abstain from acts of violence or hostility against the authority of tile Government."

BEYERS' FORCE BEATEN. WAR PRISONERS HUNTING. Received 2!), 8.20 p.m. Capetown, October 2S. General Botha routed General Beyers' commando, capturing eighty. Some of the several thousand prisoners of war interned at Pietermaritzlnirg mutinied on Monday. The guards quelled the mutiny, and captured the fugitives. POEItS "HOLY DUTY." TO STAND BY THE GOVERNMENT. Received 30, 12,45 a.m. Capetown, October 29. Major Brand, formerly a general in the anny of tbo Republic', in command of twelve hundred at the Tempo camp, called up his command and announced tha ( rebellion had broken out. He recalled the treaty of Vercenging, whereto Generals Beyers and Do Wet were signatories, nnd said tlia.t however bitter the -war they would not lake up arms against their own people. It was iiis I holy duty to stand by the Government. ! Major Brand offered a free pass to any member of his commando lesiring to return home instead of proceeding to German So:ulh-East, Africa. Only four ai' plied. •IN EAST AFRICA. BELGIANS DEFEAT GERMANS. Paris, October 28. It is officially reported that the Belgians completely defeated the Germans on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.