SOUTH AFRICA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 31 October 1914, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA

MR MERRIMAN AND THE REBELLION

JMAR.ITZ'S TREATY RIDICULED. CAPETOWN, Oct, 30. Mr J. X. Merriman denounced the rebellion, and ridiculed Maritz's treaty with the Germans. He said the rebels ■ were being used by the Gerrrans for their own interests. The South African Union was part of a- great commonwealth which stood for liberty and common protection.. Men who broke their oath of obedience should have the direst punishment. MORE SURRENDERS. CAPETOWN, Oct. 29. Twenty-four rebels surrendered to Colonel Von der Venter at Brand vies. REBELS AGAIN DEFEATED. (Received Oct. 31, i0.i.0 a.m.) ■CAPETOWN, Oct. 30. Colonel Alberts completely defeated the rebels under Classen near Nichtenburg. 'Classen wa6 wounded and captured. NO BLOODSHED IN ORANGE FREE STATE. BLOEMFONTEIN, Oct. 30. Although there have been a few specific. acts of armed resistance in the north ern part of the Orange Free State there has been no bloodshed. HERTZOG PERSUADING THE REBELS. i . LONDON, Oct. 30. i Reuter's Capetown correspondent states that General Hertzog is endeavouring ! to meet the rebel leaders and persuade them to return to their homes. IF (THREAT BRITAIN IS DEFEATED—LONDON, Oct. 29. The "Westminster Gazette," commenting on the South African rebellion, says : "Suppose Great Britain were beaten at sea and her power destroyed; ■ what would be the rebels' outlook? Merely the substitution of the German colonial system for the British self-government system. Is that a promising; outlook for a- self governing colony? It is one for which the free and independent.burglier, the master of his own country,. living under a. Government he himself has chosen, would decide ■ to. take nip arms? General Botha lias only to put- that.question to his countrymen, to obtain a rally which will quickly dispose of' the rebel party.-" DE WET PROCLAIMS A REPUBLIC FLIGHT OF BEYERS, . IN AN UNKNOWN DIRECTION. (Rec. Oct. 31. 8.45 a.m.) CAPETOWN, Oct. 30, The attitude of leading citizens throughout th<j country is quietly • confi^De t Wet proclaimed a mushroomlike independent republic in Northern Orangia, with Heilbron as the capital. Ho uses bogus authority in attempting- to commandeer the. more ,ignorant burghers under threat of confiscation of ; their P1 • papers unanimously denounce the rebellion. 1 Botha reports tliat Beyers s. oommand'oes have been scattered, and are unlikely to reunite., Beyers has, fled man imknown. direction-. .. . . . .Mr Meuriman, in a. speeph denouncing the rebellion, said he attempted to persuade Botha not to ! risk .his valuable .lite on the battlefield. Botha-replied .that •he had not asked the, I|utch- people to enter into a conflict with their brethi en unless he led them personally. REVOLT PLANNED FOR YEARS. A REMARKABLE INTERVIEW. \ (Received Oct. 31.. 11-45 a -™-^ . LONDON, Oct. 30. The South correspondent of the "Evening Standard'' states that the rebellion, was well considered. . - A remarkable.; recently appeared in. l the New York "Globe." A former field cornet of - the Boer arm\y named Tliiedmann, told a reporter that a : revolt • had been planned; for ; years. Thousands of .-Boers settled in the Oer,man colonies after war, and cherished "the idea of redeeming their .country;. Many ex-leaders all over the -.globe, were keening in touch . with •; each - other in | readiness for such an eventuality. Thiedeuiaßn produced a letter from'. a Boer j leader dated ' September •' 20, the passage: "Botha does not.answer. think it a sliame the-Boers do not-]*nmp in and clean ut p the' English' now there-is Such a .splendidv chance. lam dtoirjg' ail - I dan to stir up sentiment." • : Thiedeniarmi had letters .from Marita telling' liiiri 1 what the Boers cbnteihjolated. He said the rebels were thoroughly equipped with mostrmbdern German ai'infl, seht through German .East Africa, tliat. they had endless qiiantitiies of arms, and ammunition, ahd; the latest and inopt improved - field; artillery and' machine i guns. . ~ ' ..

PORTUGUESE WEST AFRICA

invasion; of angola not confirmed. LONDON. Oct. 29. The Portuguese " Legation states that it hfi,s received..no confirmation of the reported invasion of Angola. A. BRUSH AT A MILITARY POST. (Received' Oct. 31,' 9:30 a.m.) LORENZO MARQUES, Oct. 30. Details of the German' invasion of Angola show that 12 European and 20 native cavalry reached a military pbst- atNantila and <lesired to interview the commander. They we're about to retire when the Portuguese officers grasped the. German officer's bridle., and the Germans raised weapons, whereupon the Portuguese fired, killing .three,

CANADA

GIFTS FROM ONTARIO. OTTAWA. Oct.. '3O, Ontario .is presenting 100.00011)3 of evaporated apple's to the British Navy, and a. similar quantity to the Belgian relief fund. ILLICIT' WIRELESS PLANT .DISCOVERED. • I (Received Oct. 31, 10.10 a.m.) '; -■ - OTTAWA, Oct. 30. ; Three Germans were arrested at Halifax operating a wireless nlant, whereof the antennae was trailed from a thirdstorey window and concealed in vines.

{ AMERICANS CANADIAN * ( CO NT] NGENT.

LONDON, Oct.. 28. Offers 'fjxim Americans willing, to join tho Canadian, contingent have been 'received Jn hundreds by the Canadian. Militiii' Department. Ottawa reports that a man from Tex&s wants to bring 5000 Texans, all of British descent. who are at. border recruiting : stations. Half the recruits aro Americans. j i 4 V So many men have been secured- that probably it will now be. a question of selection.

AUSTRALIA

. PRICE OF SUGAR. SYDNEY; Oct. 30. The Queensland Sugar Millers' Association requested the Commodities Commission to advance the price of refined 1 siiigar, stating that aii advance of. tho •wholesale price would not effect ■ th© o-enerai consurrrer because the retail price would not alter when the.'reduction to the ruling prices was made.; ! Messrs Fairmaid and Company .su ported if: the application, Messrs Hordcn's• .representatives asked that the increase-, of 25s asked for would mean, an advance of a farthing a pound to small consu.. niers.

NEW ZEALAND

"OFFICIAL INFORMATION The Prime Minister ha:s received the following by cable from the High Commissioner:— Lioridon. Oct. 30, 12.5 a.m. (Official.) The Admiralty announces that the British naval flotilla continues to support the • Allies' left. ' • . Since the morning of October :27th the fire from 12-inch • guns lias been brought to hear upon Certran positions and batteries. i '--/.C Reports received from the shore testify to the effect and accuracy of the five, and its galling character. The flank has thus Been thoroughly maintained. Yesterday and the day before, the enemy brought up heavy guns, and replied vigorously to the fire from ..Admiral Hood's ships. The vessels received only trifling structural damage: - ;■ To-day the. opposition from the .shore practically ceased. The preponderance of' the naval gunnery seems .to be established. . , . ' i . . " Our casualties have been slight.. , A shell exploding on the destroyed Falcon killed an officer and eight m<>u and' wounded one officer and fifteen .men. One killed and several wounded are. reported from the Brilliant; also wounded on -the Rvnaldo. . ■ The enemy's submarines- have W?en reported; jis seelting to -lyttaclc the? \ hording ships, which are all covered oy British destroyers. V, . '' One hundred ,South African rebels, including officers, ! ; surrendered ; withoutf g of 120 others is expected at Onderstedbrhs. ■ London, 29tli Oct., 12.30 a.m. • ■. .(Official.)/ ' i,i -v.-.- ' ■ -Th« ' Allies made progress at 'several ■ points, particularly south of . Arras and round Ypres. ■ Between: the Aisri'e and; the Argonno. • tKe Allies captured trenches and . r»V. pulsed the enemy's, attack; ; ■ - ■:>; ■•• ■• We also made advance in the foreist of - _ There is nothing fresh from the Nieii-port-Dixmude front. ( .

THE EMDEN'S RAID

FULL. DETAILS. HOW THE STEAMERS WERE SUNK' EXPERIENCES OF .MEN ON BOAfrD . Calcutta papers' just to , hand 'give; "" sorre! interesting details of .tlio 'Taid '. in ~th'e Indian Oce&ii; by the German-cruiser Emdbn. 7."W'."-. 'V, : ''vV ' When the British' steamer Diplomat <'■ was captured the weatliW/was clear.'-' At' first the Etnden' was takenfor, a' British 'cruiser. The' Emden steamed slowly , towards; the Diplomat, aiid'simultaneous- ■ ly hoistedher ensign, and fired a shot l to stop- the British vessel. . It .was then realised .that she was l 'a Gei'mabl cruiser ~ and that there was no ..alternative! for the Diplomat to comply. A" "boafc; .; manned by arnre'd .seamen comnianc3 of a boarding; offiCef ;who had been 'itti the Ha.mbin\g-Anierika Line came along" side. The. officer ' examined the- dhip papers and promptiv. decided' that she was to be sunk. The captain' 01 the Diplomat , .was . ordered ' tc> . lower boats aiid' take' off the : crew an'd ( a wrtsenger- with personal effectsto the " ,Ka> binga, wjhich had ali'eady been captured • by'the Emden. THE EMDENIS CONVOYS. In obedience to this/order ship's corhplement was transferred tHe Sel named; which. nia a German cblliei',riihusii(r somp ten* knots,'.'and' a.Greek collik*, were in the. vicinity' of the; German*oruiseiv • The baicl no flan; hoisted: She was in a very' dirty condition; .and with some caus'e, as she wjjs\statod' t6 <- have' been several weeks at. rea without touching port. - The .Maikomannia.', ,is being , kept in'. 1 - at tendance ,on {he Ein«den. It; is gathered . (reports the •: CtiU \ cutta"Statesman',') that the Emden has be&n out on'-duty, a.s-a commerce -destroyer. The fact that th^;|iiarkoniiin» i | nia is always with the . . Emden . aindl ■ | tliat; the En:don is dependent, on' herfor her coal halves the pace at wliiela the German cruiser can travel' while sho is with her. There is, hpweverj" ho reason tc> suppose that .the Emden would not, promptly abandon the . Marlcbriijin-. - nia were she to suppose herself in danger. Tlie though, a neii'trall vessel, has been detained Iry the! Eindeti with tlie-idea «f : making her serve [i-he same: VTOVposo as the;' . Matkemafcniay' although t-hus far the Emden h#S; notv made use of her coal. . 'The vessels" , Jri question, when sighted by the Diplomat, lay about "at odd augles; with tne Einden. ,<>nd. heightened the curious impression caused by-the .-whole" affait\.' \ Although one ship's, boat- was inearljf • swamped, the to tlie Kabinga was accomplished without casualties.. As. lias been stated, the passenger and crewwere allowed to take with them all their personal baggage, but: the solitary passenger lost all his ■ heavy baggage which was in the hold, . The Germans,, to tell/the troth, showe'd every xeavon> able consideration and courtesy wader the circumstances. 1

SINKING THE OTHER STEAMERS. The worstexperience was' to; come, The crew was obliged to watch fro TOth<? deck of the Kabinga the destruction of. their own vessel, in which they had fully -expected to reach their ; Britisli - port-. Two hours after the transfer the gunners of the Err.den commenced to do over again what they had already accomplished in the case" of the Indus, Lovat, and Killin. Their markmanship appeared to be indifferent. In ' tlia case of the Killin nine rounds were • spent in sinking her. The Diplomat <le- ■ manded five. The first was fired end. on and struck her forward close : to the water-line. The other four were ;fire<i broadside oh. She struggled 1 gamely, setling down bow foremost till she was almost in a vei;tical position. There was no "explosion"—merely some escape of steam. The sight of this fine and comparatively new cargo steamer with all the valuable contents of he?

liolda going to the bottom created, a , feeling of indignation at the wanton : -wasteintness of the whole- proceeding. That is the worst grudge felt- against the officers of the Errden, who, after all were only carrying out orders. Tho sinking of the five vessels has been a sordid business throughout, utterly -without effect on the issue of the war. More than that it has been the act of a naval power unable for want of ports to capture and intern vessels according to the customs of civilised naval wariare. Calcutta must feel it, and feel it severelv. but all the while remembering that,* seen in its true perspective, the affair is but an incident regarded from the point of view of the whole war. lue 1 ineitable day of reckoning must come, and the Diplomat, the Kiliin, the Indus, the Lovat, and the. Trahbocb will all be ■put in the bill. . , Before the Emden's guns sunk the Diplomat the German flag was remove<l. As the sinking vessel disappeared, tfie Italian vessel Loredano. which standing bv after undergoing search by the Emden, dipped her flag as a last token of respect. MAKING FOR HER PREY. \fter the Diplomat had gone down her crew settled down as best they could in the Kabinga. During that night the Emden and her convoys had their liffhts out. It was shortly alter dark on Monday evening that they came up.with the Trabbach. The vision ot the Emden as she sighted her was another of the unforgettable things. At the time tht Emden was collecting her convoys together for tho transfer of the " CTS . ° f the other sunken vessels from the Mai-, komannia to the Kabinga, sudderdv sirrhtiner the Trabboch. she veered round rapidl\ r and made for her prey m a manner suggestive of a huge reptile. It was fhen dark, and all the proceedings in regard to tie Trabboch have not been 3 ,o£d m detail. It _ suffices that shq shaTed the Diplomats iate. her crew had been taken into the Kabinga she too was sent to the bottom . • It was at 8 p.m. on that dav (Mondav) that the Emden told the Kabmg.i, now crowded bv about 400 men of of the five sunken vessels—lier p rc> complement was <5 hands—that - miaht make the Hoogly Estuary. The Kabinga "was informed by the Emden that" the lightships were sh o%wn their lights, and that- the Pilot Lady Fraser ha'd gone ,to ban gar. The Emden seemed well posted in the movements cf shipping and shipping f r^ e ™ these waters. She professed to have derived her information from wireless messages tapped by her operator Th took the pilot on board on • Tuesday - evening after the Fraser had convinced herself that she was a . British vessel- i *1 p The "Diplomat was captmed on ti. - 13th.' The Emden people left-the Dip- j lomat with a mine in her and blew Tip the forward part. It took qnite> a namler of sink aTlndlS, whkl, took Ml »n hour to sink. REMARKABLE STORIES Y WIRELESS OPERATOR^Several stories were told to a "Statesman" representative by the wireless operators of the five ships sunk Germans. The smashing of the wire! .. of the Kabinga was, as in the case of the oilier vessels, the first .action of - It was very thoroughly done although the destroyers laughed oy r their and any. idea of receiving ■ news, except what the Emden te^ caught and chose to give away, was at Oll "Wii?less operators, even at a distance, however, are wily fellows, W from ""TheEmdSi'ill tWoigh her intercepted, both from the nnast stations and from Fort . le taken Jfcrt* were ■ -aeverai gi\ k the officers vessels from the ciocks, could One wireless operator- liitormeo 5 S&HX £sjd 4 ■:WQS&W%BS ■ from Tlangoon to - • \ n dre'.v : mmiS-SS's t,he most remar Kabinga to secure tho : attemp s The Katanga's ap- . a pilot- for the to atoms before" , paratus Yi return to Calcutta ; she was allowed to rrtiirn tho reconstruction l Qf t " hR five - ■ to th» ' 4.U0. C ; tv of Ha.Ti££Oon, v • u v the *-* t - , .a. Italian ship, and l>% "X turned back hvth relesse d for a - - the time tlie anc j down T pilot, the authoii & position. - the river were in a -.statesman" repreT. At all events .the ™;„ h t on extentative was .vhen the Kaw cellenfc anthorit\ -nilot she was put binga wirelessed w hich made it through, an " lterr °° o llsn ected of bems clear that she P comnruni- « the German cr«i=ei series - < cation was cut off, alter {m .- ficveral -of - questions and < civinff every boors, and it ., S nd Iho detail «t W ?"W«' h d 0 %£'-her down name ot the pil promised a river that the Kabinga was P for pilot and «er her conduct np -the Hoog .

IN NELSON

BELGIAN RELIEF FUND : Com»i«ee to KS&. Mis SSS «™ E "" ■"l'ioWription list is op«» »t "» Bant D»n«, Bl 7s 9d. . . presbvterian Guild The ladies ™J h £ rticles of clothing, m have packed 1600 i ana Be]ffUm four cases for po ,/ extended to refugees. Best thank, are c _ all who have helped in th- „no lady LIVERPO° L fund. me t TL^ST^axTE^ditTonS F °sS-etarv, Miss Wilton; treasurer. U ? t S£l th,t ,11 shirt, soA. ■t^Jn<r "irade =honld be returned to the t by "Wednesday 4s iis necessary to s&p them im-