IN EAST AFRICA.

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 March 1917, Page 5

IN EAST AFRICA.

CAMPAIGN NEARLY ENDED.

STATEMENT BY GENERAL

SMUTS

LONDON, March 13

General Smuts, interviewed, said that the only thing that was delaying the absolute end of the German East African campaign was the prevalence of Hie rainy -season, wide h would last till May. when the Germans would be compelled to surrender or enter Portuguese territory, where the Portuguese were quite prepared to handle them. The enemy only consisted of a remnant of an army- Practically all the South African white troops had departed, the native battalions who had been raised owing to the unfavourable climate remaining._ Beneral Smuts spoke in high terms of the natives’ magnificent infantry work, lie said that they would shortly be available for service elsewhere- Nothing bad given him greater pleasure than Hon* Walter, Long’s statement

that no German colony would return to Germany. The mere suggestion was preposterous, and In' shuddered to think what would happen to the natives if any part were returned. The natives had supported ns magnificently and our prestige in East Africa would suffer if it were returned to Germany-