THE DAMARALAND REVOLT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13031, 23 November 1905, Page 5

THE DAMARALAND REVOLT.

« ' <>■ ■■ ■ REPORTED DEATH OF WITBOOI By Telegraph—Press Association Copyright, Berlin, November 21. "Advices received from German West Africa say that Hcndrick Witbooi, the leading spirit of the rebellion in German South-west Africa, has died of wounds,; and that his son Isaac has committed suicide. Hendriek Witbooi was the most powerful; Hottentot chief in German West Africa. Soon after the Germans, took possession :of the territory they issued laws restricting; hunting by the natives in Witbooi's country. He rebelled in 1900, ; ancl after a battle in ' which he lost 600 men ho surrendered. The Germans took liini -into their pay, and ho was to control his tribe. Captain Arthur Bleksley, . who vitas been ,in the country as a war correspondent, says the Germans treated the. natives with a disdain that was bound to cause offence and trouble. The Datives complained ; of the hut tax and of the ill-treatment of native women, and out of these and other, grievances began the outbreak in 1903, which lias lasted until now. Witbooi, though paramount chief, held off until a year ago, and lie then joined in the rebellion and put 14,000 men into the field. Germany, in consequence, * had to . increase her expenditure until it reached £200,000 a week. Witbooi was repeatedly forced to retreat, sometimes with loss more or less heavy, but on several occasions lie' gained notable successes; mostly by surprises.;