AFRICA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 19 December 1914, Page 5

AFRICA.

SOUTH-WESTERN OPERATIONS. BRITISH COMPELLED TO WITHDRAW. GENERAL BOTHA'S PAINFUL DUTY. HUNTING DOWIToLD COMRADES.

(Received Dee. 19., 10.30 a.m.)

CAPETOWN, Dec. 18. The Germans ambushed Duncan Mackenzie's forces at Garuab, in Luderitzland, on Wednesday, and maintained a furious rifle and machine-gun fire for two and a half hours.

Mackenzie's force behaved with marked coolness, but strong German reinforcements compelled them to withdraw.

General Botha, in an interview with a Dutch loyalist, said he had discharged a painful duty, and now wished the 'curtain rung down without controversy or recrimination. Regarding the ringleaders they might be sure that justice would be done. The last tl? re® montlls had been the saddest of his life, having been occupied in hunting down old comrades.

General Botha paid a tribute to General Smuts, who had done greater work than anybody.

Van der Emden will Be courtmartialled at Pretoria for attempting to organise a rebellion.