THE CAPE RAIDERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13835, 23 February 1907, Page 9

THE CAPE RAIDERS.

SENTENCED TO DEATH.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

CAPETOWN, February 21. Piet Fcrriera, the leader of the late Cape raid, and four otlieiy participants, have been sentenced to death at Kimberley. Two of them, Potigieter and Retief, wero recommended to mercy. They alleged that a German captain named Siebcrt induced them to cross the frontier and cTeate a diversion, to Germany's benefit, and that they received £250 for doiiig so. Captain Sicbert flatly denied their statements.

Fcrricras raid rook place in November last. After giving, a great deal of trouble and causing considerable uneasiness, tho raiders vrci'O capfctirod on November 17 by a delachmciit of the Cape Mounted Hides. AH the men Ferrcira forced to join ]iim escaped before tho leader was captured. Pol-sinter, who was taken with two rolico horsc.s, admitted that he wag Ferreira's second in command.

As regards tho altitude of the Gorman authorities to the raiders, tho Berlin correspondent of tho London Daily Mail, writing' oh November 11, stated:—An authority who reflcds tho official view, summarised tho situation with imdoubtix! correctness when ho told me with great bitterness: "The Government, unfortunately, will littvo to respect international law, and suppress any friends of Commandant l'erreira who attempt to use German territory as their base. 'Yet we should only be paying the English back in their oWn coin for their hospitality to tho Herretos if we gave tlio rebel Boers assistance." Ever since the outbreak of the rebellion in German South-West Africa, the German Government has accused the British authorities of constantly facilitating 1110 Ilcrroro operation's by permitting the Hcrrcros to cross tho British frontier at Ihcir will, to recruit their force and rearm them. The prolongation of hostilities has been definitely attributed to this cause, and to the alleged "British ddplicity." According to Germans, this aid continued to bo given, despite vigorous • protests from tho Coi'iniln Government, until 4. few mohtlis ago, when a German force erdSsed tho Cope frontier in pursuit of the rebel cl'.ief Mdrcnga and drove liiln into the arms of riie Capo Police. Angry resentment has iweli cherished at Berlin ever since, because tho Capo authorities refused to hand Moronga over lo the tender mercies of the Kaiser's army.