BURYING THE HATCHET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20468, 21 January 1930, Page 9

BURYING THE HATCHET.

REMARKABLE GATHERING.;

FORMER FOES DINE* TOGETHER.

THE WAR IN EAST AFRICA.

[from our own correspondent.] LONDON, Deo. 5. The East African Campaign Dinner—held last night—was especially noteworthy for tfye fact that both the chairman, General Smuts, and the guest of honour, Captain von Lettow-Vorbeck,-have fought against Britain. Over 1000 people attended, including 10 generals, 8 admirals, 60 colonels and 40 nursing sisters. Frau von Lettow-Vorbeck, handsomely gowned, sat between Sir Edward Northey, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief in Kenya, and Earl Buxton, a former Governor-General of the Union of South Africa.

"No more remarkable gathering has occurred since the termination of hostilities than this massing of old comrades from all parts of the kingdom for a ceremonial ' burying of the hatchet,' " says the Daily Telegraph representative who was present. " That this was indeed the spirit behind the assembly was testified in unmistakable fashion by the enthusiasm with which every peaceful allusion made in the course of the speeches was greeted. As far as outward demonstration could betray the feelings of those present, there was nothing to break the unanimity of the great gathering. "It required three of the largest available halls to hold those who desired to attend. In the King's Hall General Smuts presided over a company that overflowed into every gallery. When, to the accompaniment of a general cheer, he shook hands with the chief guest," it was seen that the trim figure of the South African leader was overtopped quite three inches by that of his late antagonist. General von Lettow-Vorbeck is also of spare physique, but his shoulders are broad and his head massive. What remains of a fair head of hair and moustache is closely cropped. Below an aquiline nose his mouth relaxes at times in a pleasant smile.

Single-handed Rifle Duel. " There were few> indeed, present who had not fought actively against General von Lettow-Vorbeck's forces. Within a few feet of him sat Colonel R. Meinertzhagen, the former Chief of the Intelligence Staff of the British East African Forces, who on one memorable occasion fought a single-handed rifle duel with the German commander at less than 200 yds. Though von Lettow-Vorbeck is a crack shot and the colonel was open champion with, the rifle in South Africa, neither scored a hit. To-day Colonel Meinertzhagen is acting as host to his late enemy during his stay in England.

"There was one solemn moment during the evening, when the gathering, having drunk the health of the King and the President of the German Reich, rose in silence to toast fallen comrades. The speech in which Genei'al Smuts proposed the health of the guest of the evening was whole-hearted in its generosity. General Smuts praised his late adversary as a great commander of the highest type, a tribute cheered again and again in alf parts of the hall.- Then came some diverting recollections of the campaign, in which one general chased the other into corner after corner of tho Coniinent of Africa. General von Lettow-Vor-beck laughed heartily with the company against himself when he heard himself described as almost the greatest traveller in that region. General Smuts was cheered when he spoke of th.e example soldiers set the world in promoting peace."

" Fair, Honest Adversaries." Though he apologised ?n rising for his English, General von Lettow-Vorbeck spoke excellently. Gaining the esteem of his audience by first proclaiming himself no politician, the general indulged in all the customary soldiers' sallies at thei expense of those who fought their battles at a distance from the line.. He gave a fine description of the growth of sympathy between men who fight each other for months.

"You capture a man's letters,", said the German general, "you learn whether he is a good father, whether his wife is nice—or very nice. You know'the size of his boots. You get more and more anxious to make bjs personal acquaintance. Your first idea when you capture him is to say 'How niice to meet you. Come and have a drink.' - The conversation gets very interesting. You forget you have an enemy before you. You see in him only your personal guest. I know there are people in Germany and in England who do not quite agree with my accepting your invitation, But I decided to accept it to show you that I hold you for fail', brave, honest adversaries. "I'read with great pleasure in an English : paper that the German soldiers in East Africa did their rough work without gloves, but with clean hands. I think I understand this dinner now in its real sense—that men have come together who served their country with all their force and for that reason respect each other.

The Real Peacemakers. The Morning Post remarks"The true peacemaker is the honest patriot, like General Smuts and General von LettowVorbeck, who loves, his country so well that he does not seek to meddle in the concerns of other nations. The professional soldier has very often proved a more practical and constructive 'idealist than the inan who thinks that by sweep-* i.tg away all navies and armies you will at once usher in the Go]den Age. "General Smuts believes in the League of Nations, but that does not mean that he would not again take up arms in defence of the Empire. General von LettowYorbeck is so tired of 'Nationalism* that he has consistently refussd to take part in German politics. But if his country was in peril, would ho not be among the first to gird his sword ? It is patriotism, not internntionalism, that makes them—and us—brothers."

Tho international cable news appearing in this issue is published by arrangement with the Australian Press Association and the Sun-Herald News Service. Limited. By special arrangement, Reuter's • world service, in addition to other special sources of information, is used in the compilation of the oversea intelligence published in this issue and all rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserved. Such of the yable news on this page as is so headed has appeared in the Times and is cabled to Australia and New Zealand .by special permission. It should be understood that the opinions are not, those. ot the Times unless expressly stated to be so.