IN SOUTH-WEST AFRICA

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9093, 12 July 1915, Page 8

IN SOUTH-WEST AFRICA

ENTIRE GERMAN FORCES HAVE SURRENDERED By Telegraph.—Press Association. — Official:— ~ • ■ n 4.u 'l'lie. entire German forces have surrendered to General Boms Botha. Hostilities have ceased. [German South-WcSt Africa is a region lying heiu&m Portuguese W cst Africa and Capo Colony, and extending westward to tne British sphere exclusive of Wallisch Bay, which belongs to Capo Colony. Its a_rea is 322,400 square miles, and its population is 79,d56, belonging to the Hottentot, Bushmen, Bantu, and Dutnura races. Tho European population in 1913 was 1-1 810 (114,292 Germans), and the military force, inclusive of police, was 2992. Before tho outbreak of war this force was considerably strengthened. Iho • whole southern part and much of tho cast is barren and desert. Iho coast lands were hold by a German Land Company. Tho seat of admmistration was Windhoek, and tho chief harbour was fewakoprnund, where tho wireless •ssfcrJtei r, n ss *»*- * Swakopraund.l A MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL (Received July 11. 4 p.m.) - Ju , y UTbe Press Bureau states that Viscount Buxton, tho Governor-General,. socm u:3 transport facilities peunit, DETAILS OF THE SURRENDER THU GERMANS WERE NONPLUSSED AND BEWILDERED. (Received July 11. 3.6 p.m.) July 11. Sir George Reid, interviewed on General Botha’s campaign, said it was *" ss srs&’swr ssS «»*... which all tho people of xhe Empire feel for General Botha. (Received July 11. 3 p.m.) CAPETOW N. July l Vrcneial Botha’s ultimatum expired at toatimo on Thursday, when the Germans surrendered unconditionally. General Botha accepting the Governor s surrender at two o’clock in the morning. surrendered with General Botha reports that 204 oincers and 3166 men surrenderee, thirty-seven fibldguns and twenty-two Maxims- resulted in in-' Air the South Afncan towns are bellagged. Tho nows “. touso popular enthusiasm, tho populace giving vent to the pent-up leeimg, after the wild rumours of tho past few days. Generals Botha and Smuts have been inundated with congratulations. Stress is laid on the unparalleled character of the forced marches by the Mounted-Brigade, through the most difficult country, in the past fortnight, in order to complete the encircling movement. ,—r-, + When they realised that escape was impossible, the said make terms with General Botha, who brushed the conditions aside and said that the troops would attack at five o’clock. r . , The Gormans wore nonplussed and bewildered at tho rapidity of General Botha’s movements, and finally accepted his ultimatum. . _ * The whole Gorman force will be transferred to the Union as prisoners un til tho war is over, tho officers being released on parole in prescribed areas. General Botha is expected at Capetown in a fortnight. An immense reception is preparing. ALL BRITISH PRISONERS RELEASED (Received July 11, 4 p.m.) PRETORIA, July 11. Official. —“All the prisoners in South-West Africa have been released in good health. There were no deaths among the troops during their captivity. “Thera is great rejooing throughout the Union.” BOTHA'S EXTRAORDINARILY RAPID ADVANCE (Received July 11, 4 p.m.) LONDON, July 10. The Press Bureau states that Mr Sonar Law cordially congratulated General Botha and the Government ou the success achieved by the leaders, their brilliant generalship, and the trodjps’ bravery and endurance. Tho terms of surrender provide fbr the transfer of all the property ot tho Protectorate to tho Government equally with all war material. CAPETOWN, July 11. Jubilations continue. TEere“lmve been patriotic demonstrations at the principal centres. Tho National Anthem was sung and General Botha s name received an ovation. • , . ~. . The press pays a tribute to General Botha s great generalship in a hazardous undertaking. , , ~ It transpires that when tho German commander made the overture to surrender ho was unaware that General Botha, had already encircled the entire German position. ' ' , General Eramcke hoped that the Germans would retain their arms and remain in tho colony, but while the negotiations were proceeding. General Botha learned of tho successful termination of the encircling movement and informed. General Franoko. The latter then surrendered. The outstanding feature of the operations was the extraordinary rapidity of’General Botha’s advance. , . . His troops repeatedly marched thirty and forty miles a day for weeks in succession, living on the smallest rations, .and capturing game. General Brits’s culminating march of two hundred miles was accomplished ia six days.