Africa

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 229, 6 March 1915, Page 5

Africa

THE AMNESTY BILL. Capetown, March 4. Mr Smuts, in moving the second rea 1ins* of the Indemnity Bill, emphasised that the rebellion was already in progress prior to the war. It was due to the machinations of highly placed persons upon some people seeking independence. Three things saved the country, the first of which was the loyal support to the Government by all sections of the people. The Government regarded the rebellion as a blot on the Dutch people and it was their duty and privilege t( wipe out the disgrace, therefore they employed the English as little as possible. Secondly, the expeditionary tr< ops were switched of! from the Germans to the rebels. It was idle to plead that tliv rebellion was due to the expedition. The Boers remembered the bitter experiences of those settling in German territory after the war. The third factor was the Government's refusal to surrender to pressure, especially in Orangia, and to isßue amis to civilians wholesale.

The Government proposed to disqualify for ten years those Tho surrendered or were captured after the amnesty. Those imprisoned would remain in prison until the end of the war. The rebel leaders and influential men would he tried by special courts. Mr Freeinantle moved that the Bill was inconsistent with the interests o< the Union and the Empire.