SOUTH AFRICA.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15112, 30 October 1914, Page 7

SOUTH AFRICA.

DE WET-BEYERS REBELLION.

BOTHA TAKES THE FIELD.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION. PRETORIA, October 28. It is officially announced that General Botha has gone to tho front to take command of the Union Forces iv the field. The Primo Minister has received tho following from tho High Commissioner : — LONDON, October 27. Official: The Governor-Genera" of South Africa has informed the Secretary of Stato for tho Colonies that the Union Government has issued the following announcement: — "The Government announces with extreme regret that, at the instigation of certain prominent -individuals, a number of burghers in the Northern Orange Freo Stato and Western District of tho Transvaal have been misguided enough to defy the authority of the Government, and to make preparation tor armed resistance aud rebellion. The members of the Government, although they had been for some days awiiro of these rebellious preparations, and have been taking steps to deal vrith the 6itiiation, have spared no efforts to preserve th& peaco without bloodshed. Now, however, the Government learns that in the Northern Orange Free State burghers' military requirements aro being commandeered under authority of General Christian Do Wet, and in the Western Transvaal under -the authority of General Beyers. Armed rebellious commandos aro already in existence, and the town oi Heilbron has been seized. Government officials made prisoners, a train has oeen stopped at Lit-z. and members of the Armed Citizens' Defence League Force taken therefrom and disarmed.

"In these circumstances, the duty of the Government is clear. It is determined to deal wii-i tho matter with a firm hand, and is taking all necessary steps to this end. The very great maioritv of the citizens of every province in the Union are thoroughly loyal, and detest tho very idea of rebellion. When they are aware of tho situation they will undoubtedly give the Government every assistance in restoring order, and will "be careful to abstain from giving the rebellion movement any encourage-

ment or support. « "ill loyal citizens ot the Lnion must therefore* be specially alert and prepared to give the Government all information when called upon, and every assistance in their power. •'Citizens who have been guilty or

! disobedience under tbo Defence Act need not fear any action against them on that ground, so long as they reI main quietly at home anu abstain from acts of violence or hostility against the

j authority of the Government."

GENERAL BEYERS IN ENGLAND AND GERM ANY-

FEELING AMONG TBE BOERS

LONDON, October 2S

General Beyers visited England in 1912, and spoke in public of the deep appreciation of the Boers of the confidence reposed in them by the Imperial Government. He said they were certain to prove worthy of *ucli confidence. General Beyers, when Commandant of tho Union Forces, attended the German war manoeuvres as the Kaiser 3 guest, and studied German Army methods. It was weU-kuown in South Africa that strong opposition existed to taking .he offensive against German South-West Africa, not only among Hertzogite*. but among burghers supporting the Government, particularly in the Western District of the Transvaal and the.Orange Free State, and some of the Cape districts. This section declared that they wornd fight to the last it the Germans invaded the Union, but saw no reason for taking the field themselves. ENGLISH COMMENT. LONDON, October 23. The "Morning Post is optimistic as jto General Botha's ability to suppress the De Wet-Beyers outbreak at an early date. The ''Chroniclo'' is deprecatory oT civil war, which it likens to that which divided the United States into .contending Federals and Confederates fifty 1 years ago. I "'The Times" says that the rebellion j is in nowise so serious as it is mado to i seem at first glance. Apart- from Genj era! Botha's enormous personal influence, tho weight of Dutch opinion is 1 solidly against the rebels, and if the I latter are relying on German aid, they will be rudely disillusioned.

Johannesburg reports state that owing to so many cricketers volunteering, all fixtures have been postponed.