KIMBERLEY SIEGE DAYS

Evening Star, Issue 19198, 15 March 1926, Page 4

KIMBERLEY SIEGE DAYS

. -AN ATTACK ON TOES Colonel O’Meara’s story, ‘ Kc-kowich in Kimberley,’ was written ostensibly to show how considerable were tho services General Kokowioh rendered “ during an exceedingly trying period in the of the Empire.” But, it resolves itself into an astounding attack on Rhodes (says tho London correspondent of the Johannesburg Star’). . Colonel P’Moara was the Chief Staff Officer in Kimberley during _ the siege, and therefore in a special position to tell the story’of the’siege from inside. “It appears' to me,” ho says, “ that common justice demands I make public tho facts which hitherto have been known alone to the intimate friends of the dead general and tho few who occupied responsible positions on his .staff. 1 ' In tolling these facts, however, it appears to me that Colonel O’Meara almost goes out of his way to besmirch tho memory of Rhodes. RHODES’S DEMAND. Describing the events that look place hi Kimberley on February 9 and 10, IOtO, Colonel O'Meara says that on February 9 Mr Rhodes called at the military headquarters and informed General Kokewioh that he was arranging with the mayor for a meeting of citizens in order that their views should bo forwarded to Lord Roberts. General Kckcwich informed Mr Rhodes that such a meeting might seriously prejudice military interests and intimated that ho would forbid the holding of the meeting Mr Rhodes thereupon became exceedingly violent and let himself go. He slated that unless full and definite information were given to him within forty-eight hours of every step and measure being taken by tho military for the relief of Kimberley be would call a meeting in spite of any orders forbidding it. “ Before Kimberley surrenders,” ho shouted, “ I will take good care that the English people know what I think of all this.” CITIZENS’ DOCUMENT. Next day Rhodes called at military headquarters with tho mayor. Addressing General Kokcwich, Mr Rhodes .started oil: “ Yesterday you forbade a public meeting, but I hold a meeting all the same. U was attended by twelve of (ho leading citizens of Kimberley,” He then informed General Kokcwich that at tho meeting a document was drawn up containing _ the views of those gentlemen. Ho had it in his hands and tendered it to General Kokewich. Tho latter then slated ho had received two heliographic messages from Lord Roberts, and expressed the view that Mr Rhodes should road them. They counselled patience for a few days longer. Mr Rhodes persisted that General _Kokewich should receive tho communciatioii containing tho views of the loading citizens, and demanded that they should bo immediately flashed to Lord Roberts. RHODES IN A RAGE. General Kokcwich told Mr Rhodes that tho communication would have to bo put into cypher, and being so very long no promise could bo made that tho whole of it would ho sent off the same day. as the signallers were busy with military work. Mr Rhodes thereupon flow into a violent rage, and was most vituperative. Mr Rhodes made grossly insulting remarks about the British Army, and finally, clenching his fist, made a rush at Genera! Kokewicb, shouting meanwhile’: “ I know what damned rot your signallers are wasting their time in signalling. You low, damned, mean cur, Kckcwich; you deny me at your peril.” Tho mayor and staff officer worm standing in front of General Kekewich’s desk, and Mr Rhodes’s doubled fist shot over their shoulders. General Kckewich at onco rose from his desk. For a moment it looked as if tho two men would come to blows, but Mr Rhodes suddenly turned round and made for the door, and was hastily followed out by the mayor. MILITARY LOYALTY. In his introduction, Colonel O’Meara says that General Kokowich’s great offence in Mr Rhodes’s eyes was that as a soldier ho could not and would not abet Mr Rhodes to force the hands of the superior military authorities. One day in his anger Mr Rhodes shouted at General Kckcwich: “ You damned soldiers are so loyal to one another that I verily bolievo if God Almighty even was in a fix you would refuse to get Him out if doing so should interfere with your damned military situation.”