WHEN BRITON FOUGHT GERMAN IN EAST AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 80, 28 December 1929, Page 27

WHEN BRITON FOUGHT GERMAN IN EAST AFRICA

Tribute to the chivalry on the field of battle of a former enemy is paid by several British Army generals in letters expressing approval of the invitation to General -on Lettow-Vorbeck, who commanded the German forces in East Africa during the war, to be the principal guest at a dinner in London on December 2, at which General Smuts, by whom he was defeated, will preside. Great interest has been displayed since the announcement of General LettowVorbeck’s acceptance of the invitation. Following are extracts from some of the letters :— General Sheppard (East African Expeditionary Force) : "I think that with this lapse of time the hatchet has been decently buried for the good of all. General von Lettow-Vor-beck played the game in East Africa, and we have nothing against him-, in fact, he was a most chivalrous opponent. General Sir Edward Northey (who commanded in Northern Rhodesia, and later became Governor of Kenya) : “I am entirely in favour of asking General von Lettow-Vorbeck to the dinner. If there are a few silly people who object let them stay away from the dinner. We cannot be permanently German s enemies.” General O’Grady also wrote expressing approval. Captain A. W. Lloyd, the organiser of the dinner, who served under General Smuts in East Africa, said to the “Daily News” recently: . “I was always very anxious to bring General Smuts and General von LettowVorbeck together at dinner, but I could not do this without the consent of my former Commander-in-Chief. When I mentioned the matter to him, he expressed his willingness, but asked me. before anything was done, to ascertain the views of the senior officers. I did that, and you have seen the answers. “When I showed these to General Smut's, he was delighted, and forthwith an invitation was telegraphed to General von Lettow-Vorbeck, who replied* ‘Delighted to accept.’ ” The dinner will be held in the Holborn Restaurant, and will be attended by those who took part in the East African campaign. General Smuts will propose the toast of General von Lettow-Vorbeck.