Africa.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 July 1915, Page 5

Africa.

GENERAL BOTHA'S STRATEGY I| . ENEMY TAKEN UNAWARES, j Pretoria, Julv 11. t "While the Germans followed a rout ,- in the proximity of the railway, til e Liiion columns under Colonels IMy.burg and Brits, marched simultaneously t form two horns, far separated, on" th right and left. When Central Both occupied Otaviafontein with the centra force, .Myhurgh's wing on the right o< eupied Timed railway, in the line 0 the enemy's retreat. * After a short ei , gagement they captured six hundre .Jnen, four guns, a large quantity of ma terial, and a wireless installation, am also released five hundred war prison . ers. In the meantime Urits, by a strenu , ous march on the left, occupied Xaimi , toni, in east EtaJiapau, releasing fm . ther prisoners and capturing lai"e sun plies. " ' The enemy evidently intended Namn toui to be their last base before dispers ing northwards. The Germans wen profoundly astonished at the rapidit\ of the advance, and believed that, witl the last water-hole, forty-five miles dis taut, they were safe for a day or twe at Otaviafontein, where 'they intended tc i make a stand. Their first intimation of our presence was the appearance of many of General Botha's dashing brigade of Free Staters advancing right up to their partially prepared positions, and they could not credit the appearance of the infantry when it also arrived. The latter had only had quarter rations and limited water, and had marched through choking dust and pitiless thornhusn.

. TERMS OF SURRENDER. Pretoria, July 11. Lord Kitchener has cabled to" General Botha, expressing Jiis admiration at his masterly conduct of the campaign, and congratulating him on his brilliant victory. He adds: "We shall warmly welcome you and the South Africans who can come over to join us." Under the terms of surrender the German officers in South-west Africa on parole were allowed to ''etain their arms, and other ranks to retain their rifles, without ammunition. Reservists of all ranks were deprived of arms, and allowed on parole, to resume their civil occupations. The German civil officials on parole were permitted to remain in their homes.

" Capetown, July 11. A shilling subscription has' been opened to present General Botha with a sword of honor. f General Rotha has issued an o'"dcr to » the troops in Damaraland to exercise „ self-restraint, courtesy and consideration ' to the vanquished. j '.MINES DETECTED.

Received July 12. 2.30 p.m. r , Pretoria, July 11. General Botha reports that a Genua? mine detachment is removing mines la»; to impede Botha's advance. An elabo. . rate system was laid across the defiles . of Khfauteiiberg, 'out' the field intellii gene force rendered them harmless , They captured five Germans waiting tc i explode the mines when the massed Union troops were about to cross. IMPORTANCE RECOGNISED IN GERMANY. Received July 12, <X33 p.m. Amsterdam., July 12. The Koelnische Volks Zeitung savs there is no need to exaggerate the importance of the enemy's momentary success in South-west Africa. The paper says: We know our colonies are cut off from the Fatherland, and are onlv a'ble to defend themselves with difficulty. Germany must 'he the victor in Europe, and then rebuild her colonial empire.