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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 227, 29 October 1914, Page 6

Are we to -witness still another Boer versus British war in South Africa? General Botha had no sooner got Maritz wounded and on the run than he was confronted with a rebellion headed by Christian de Wet and ex-Commandant Beyers. The new development has a sinister look. If the Dutch traitors are assured of a strong following, and if they have managed to obtain adequate guns and ammunition, the trouble which the Government is called upon to re move is likely to be intensified to a disquieting degree. Beyers, by virtue of the fact that up till a month or, so ago he held the position of Commandant of the Union forces, must be in possession of confidential information which will greatly assist the s revolutionaries in their machinations against the Government, lie will be aware of the resources and condition of organisation of the Union defences, : and this,. if backed' by substantial; support from the disaffected Dutch farmers, will make him and his .brother conspirators dangerous enemies to - deal with. De Wet the world! knows as one of .the most effective guerrilla; leaders history -has rfecovd of. His operations against the British in the South African War are one long list of unqualified successes. His movements were ever shadowed in mystery; he specialised in unexpected and sudden descents and elusive flights, and always he evaded capture. In his declining years the old antagonism, plus, no doubt, a leaven of German influence, has driven de Wet once more into the field to take up arms against an old foe. His success will rest upon .the support that can be guaranteed him by his own people. The Germans have uot been of much assistance to Maritz, who, according io latest reports, was in a bad way. What assistance the enemy can" lend/ Beyers and de Wet is not clear. " If General Botha is in a position to' throw a sivperior force against the revolutionaries immediately and in time to prevent them concentrating their fqrees, the rebellion may be crushed at the outset. It would not be surprising to hear that these traitorious Dutchmen haol planned such an insurrection from the time when the Government became embarrassed, by. the threat of an hruptixm of Germans. However it may be, the outbreak of Beyers and de Wet seriously complicates the position in South Africa, and each should receive short shrift if the Government can lay hands on them.