The Daily News. TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1915. BOTHA'S ACHIEVEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JULY 13, 1915. BOTHA'S ACHIEVEMENT.

, Throughout tho Empire the brilliant success achieved by General Louis Botha will be hailed with exceptional satisfaction and well merited tribute of praise. Xo incident has occurred in South Africa since the Union was established after the war, that has so completely vindicated the policy of tho British Government In its generous treatment of the Boers on the cessation of hostilities. It was General Both* who saw that the time for friendship and peace with Britain would be in the best interests of South Africa, and he I has never swerved from his loyalty from that daj' to this. As an opponent he r won the respect of the British, and now I as an ally he has earned their lasting , gratitude for securing the surrender of ! our German foes in South West Africa. It was a hazardous undertaking, demanding great skill and generalship, and its success has added fresh laurels to Botha's military career, while it also reflects the utmost credit on the bravery and enthusiasm of the troops whi-h were so splendidly handled by General Botha and Colonel Britz. Sir George Reid struck exactly tho right chord when he said: ''His (Botha's) magnificent victory will add to tho love an.l admiration which all the people of the Empire feel for General Botha." Th > value of Botha's work is greaf'y I enhanced by the fact that his aid to (he Empire was given prompt h mvl j spontaneously, and though the (ask was beset with (lidieulties lie surmounted ali obstacles and completed his objefc thoroughly j'nd absolutely. We knew from experioiiio that Ins troops were marvellously mobile and could accomplish lengthy marches over dill'icni: country without being distressed, and ' he fact that the uilminaiing march of two hundred miles was accomplished in ">•< 'hi v s. proves that. <»»• em-time enemies ai'e worthy to rink with tY> fine.) troops in the world. The actual victory; g; en I as is its ie.!uc. teas! he .judged ah-o by its moral effect. Germany has vccii\ed another illnst rati--;: the iolly el taking for granted tin! Hrilish rule breeds vesieii njeni a:cl loJer-. di slo\;;by. I'he iinscjao in!ie:s linns seem to have brought their wi'e miud) to conceive that they had only I " I e the opporl Uiiity for ! browing "'i' I 1m- chains of Kiuphv. and Imlii. Canada. South Africa. Australasia, and e\in !re T ,:nd would all rise up in anus again.-! the bated llnti-ii. No dou'nl I

ihe Wis!) \\a> failu-r to (he tin»iilll. !)■:!. i ! !)"1 ;• wlm' policy to build wi>li«'s, as (;<rii!:uiy ha* found to her !!(-r c\-r> Ij;i \t been «>pc a nc<l widely now. and wcil ji<:sy .-lie siand at. (he 1 !"irsonie spcHade pn -m>h(<*l bv a united Kiupi'.e ii>iwi iN manhood volunvarily but, eagerly io crush completely nnd f k-3 ni;s !i<-nl )y j ho power of t lie (•' viiv- ii in dji'a r\" oHopus. '.'"here was no iir.-itatinn in liothn's poli-y of aidlnj; I'i'iiaiii in her hull!- <if iced, instead ;»!' fiermau emissaries allowed to arm the Boer* with ihe vast stock of munitions accumulated for thai: purpose at. Windhoek. immediately after tin declaration of war Hotha summoned Parliament. and in the course of a very vigorous Speech said: l, \Ye will f.,y the Union Jack," and how he carried out. that policy we well know. In Xe\\- Zi"iland there should he nothing Imt the highest praise mid holier rendered to :

Botha, for some of our sons found a last resting place in South Africa, an-l h.V giving up their lives helped i 0 terminate a most regrettable slru;,%'lu and pave the way for a glorious additio'i to the jewels of the Imperial Crown by the addition of South Africa to tie.' Kmpire, and to-day we have good cause to rejoice at the fruits of that union as seen in Botha's grout victory over our enemies. As the Bishop of l.ondo.i aptly said, it was a 'spectacle for men and angels to see Botha achieving s-i much for those against whom he proved a strong and resourceful enemy, (ienerals Botha, and Smuts are both wonderful men of splendid personality. A visitor to Taranak'i describes them as the Seddon and Ward of South African politics, and that must be regarded as a very high compliment. It is pleasing to find that General Botha's services are so highly appraised by the Home authorities, and it is also gratifying to learn that he is equally Honored in his own country, where a movement litis been started to open a shilling subscription list in order to present Botha wivli a sword of honor. It would be a graceful act if Xow Zealand and Australia we:-e to mark their appreciation in some similar -way.