Africa

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 145, 14 November 1914, Page 5

Africa

SOUTH AFRICAN AMNESTY TO REBELb. 'MARITZ AN OUTCAST FROM HIS FAMILY. Capetown, November 12. The amnesty promises not to prosecute those whs surrender under the criminal law, and to allow them to return to their homes. The amnesty does not extend to those guilty of breaches of the rulea of civilised warfare. Pretoria, November 12.

Six men named Maritz, all relatives of the rebel leader, now serving in the Government forces, have published a letter in the Volkstcin to Maritz, stating that the family will shed their blood in order to wipe out the stigma on their name.

AN OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE FIGHTING. Wellington, Last Night. The Prime Minister has received the following from the High Commissioner:— London, November 12. Official: The Governor-General of •South Africa reports on November 9th as follows:

"Yesterday we drove the enemy from Welevrenden, over Zandfontein, in the direction of Reitfontein, and took a portion of their laager. At Zandfontein, thirty miles west of Warm Baths, about 120 of the enemy were killed and wounded, and 25 captured. The loss on our side was 10 killed, 11 wounded, three slightly. Officers and men conducted themselves very bravely. The left wing was held by Commandant Jones, and the right by Commandant Geyser.

'•'Acting-Commandant Botha Hofman, although wounded, led his men throughout the engagement. The officers and men killed were, with few exceptions, shot by dum-dum bullets, and suffered frightful wounds. This rebel commando was supposed to be under Jack Piemaar, an ex J Major of the Permanent Force Staff.

"A sharp engagement occurred outside Kroonstadt on the Oth November. The rebels were in strength. They had been gathering around Kroonstadt, with the evident intention of attacking the town. On the sth November their patrols approached and fired on our outposts at Kroonstadt. Colonel Manic Botha took 200 men, and attacked the rebels twelve miles out, with the result that one was killed, seven wounded, and seven taken prisoners. Our losses were two wounded. The rebels, 400 strong, charged right through the ranks, but withdrew before the arrival of our reinforcements.

"Botha reports that he chased the rebels under Meyer to Colliers, 30 miles south-west of Kroonstadt, until their horses gave in. He captured ten rebels. Amongst them was Hendricks Serfontein, a member of the Assembly. The rebels' losses are unknown. Three of Botha's men were wounded.

J "A small patrol of the Soutli African j Mounted Rifles came under fire from a j force of Germans in khaki between Naj kob and Upington an November 7th. , Rifleman Decoy was wounded slightly. ] "A squad of the Natal Light Horse on . the previous day had a brush with a , small roving band, under the rebel i leader, Stabler. The fight took place at ! Maraisvlei. The enemy attempted to ' hold a bridge, upon which our men ad--1 vanoed across open country, without