GERMAN SOUTHWEST AFRICA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16433, 12 July 1915, Page 6

GERMAN SOUTHWEST AFRICA

ENTIRE ENEMY FORGES SURRENDER. GENERAL BOTHA'S TASK ENDED. HOSTILITIES CEASE. (Extraordinary to Press Association.) PRETORIA, July 9. Official: The entire German forces have surrendered to General Botha. Hostilities have ceased. SOUTH AFRICA JUBILANT. POPULACE DISPLAYING DELIGHT. CAPETOWN, July 10. (Received July 11, at 3.35 p.m.) General Botha's ultimatum expired at tea time on Thursday. The Germans surrendered unconditionally, General Botha accepting the Governor's surrender at two o'clock in the morning. General Botha reports that 204 officers and 3166 men surrendered, with 37 field guns and 22 Maxims. All the South African towns are displaying flags and bunting. The news resulted in intense popular enthusiasm, the populace giving vent to their pent-up feeling after the wild rumours of the past few days.

ENEMY NONPLUSSED AND BKWILDERED.

GERMANS TO BE KEPT PRISONERS,

OFFICERS GRANTED PAROLE IN PRESCRIBED AREAS.

LONDON, July 10,

(Received July 11, at 3.35 p.m.) Generals Botha and Smuts have been inundated with congratulations. Stress is laid upon the unparalleled character of the forced marches by the Mounted Brigade through the most difficult country for the past fortnight in order to complete the encircling of the enemy. When they realised that escape was impossible the Germans sought to make terms, but General Botha brushed conditions aside, and said that his troops would attack at five o'clock.

The Germans were nonplussed and bewildered at the rapidity of General Botha's movements, and finally accepted his ultimatum.

The whole German force will be transferred to the Union and kept prisoners until the war is over, the officers being released on parole in prescribed areas. General Botha is expected in Capetown in a fortnight, and an immense reception is in course of preparation for him.

GREAT GENERALSHIP.

MAGNIFICENT MARCHING OF TROOPS.

EXTRAORDINARY RAPIDITY,

GERMANS COMPLETELY ENCIRCLED.

CAPETOWN, July 10. (Received July 11, at 3.20 p.m.)

Jubilations continue and patriotic demonstrations are being held in the principal centres. The National Anthem is continually being sung, and General Botha's name is greeted with ovations. The press pay tributes to General Botha's great generalship in a hazardous undertaking. It has transpired that when the German commander made his' overtures to surrender ho was mot aware that the British had already encircled the entire German position. He expressed the hope that the Germans would be allowed to retain their arms and remain in the colony, but while the negotiations were proceeding General Botha learned of the successful termination of the encircling movement ,and informed General Francke of it. The latter then surrendered.

The outstanding feature of the operations was the extraordinary rapidity of General Botha's advance. His troops repeatedly marched from 30 to 40 males a day for Weeks in succession, living on the smallest rations and capturing game, the whole culminating in a march of 200 miles accomplished an six days.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S MESSAGE. LONDON, July 10.

(Received July 11, at 3.20 p.m.) The Press Bureau states that Lord Buxton has cabled stating that the South-west Africa campaign has been brought to a successful conclusion. Practically the whole of the citizen forces will be brought back as soon as transport facilities will permit. UNION PRISONERS RELEASED. ALL IN GOOD HEALTH. PRETORIA, July 10. (Received July 11, at 3.20 p.m.) Official : All the prisoners in South-west Africa have been released and are in good health. No deaths occurred among the troops during their captivity. There is great rejoicing throughout the Union. SIR GEORGE REID'S TRIBUTE. MAGNIFICENT VICTORY. LONDON, July 10. (Received July 11, at 3.35 p.m.) Sir George Reid, on being interviewed, said that General Botha's campaign was far more formidable than was generally known. Since the Agidir affair Germany had assembled vast munitions and stores at Windhoek, hoping that she could arm the Boers. General Botha's magnificent victory will add to the love and admiration that all the people of the Empire feel for him. MORE CONGRATULATIONS. PROPERTY AND WAR MATERIAL. LONDON, July 10. (Received July 11, at 3.20 p.m.) Hie Press Bureau states that Mr A. Bonar Law has cordially congratulated General Botha and the Government upon the success achieved by the leader's brilliant generalship and the troops' bravery and endurance. The terms of surrender provide for the transfer of all property to a Protectorate Government, as well as all war material. — A quarter of a million Jews arc •with the Russian fortes —the largest Jewish army ever gathered since the fall of Jerusalem. "Now, Gladys, get in off that gas-box. It's time all young girls were in bed; The nights are too cold for love-nonsense. And you have a bad cold in your head." "O. mamma, it's so warm in this corner, There's no need to worry, I'm sure, For Bertie's just bought me a bottle Of Woods' Great Peppermint Cure."