SOUTH AFRICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1916, Page 5

SOUTH AFRICA.

GENERAL BOTHA. HIS HANDS FULU Capetown, March 13. General Botha states that, owing to Parliament being in session and Genera] Smuts conducting the campaign in East Africa, it. is impossible fer him to fix a date to visit London to attend an Imperial conference.

EAST AFRICA.

GENERAL SMUTS' SUCCESS PURSUING THE ENEMY. The High Commissioner reports:— London,, March 13, 11.20 p.m. Geesral Smuts states that action commenced on Saturday against the German position in Kitivo Hills, west of Taveta, where an obstinate struggle continued until midnight, with wavering fortunes. The hills are densely wooded and steep, and were held by the enemy in strong force. A portion of the positions were taken and retaken several times. The final attack was made with the bayonet, and two parties Securing a hold maintained it until reinforced in the morning, when the German native troopa were streaming towards Kase, in a south-westerly direction. During the engagement the Kitovo Mounted Brigade were engaged in clearing the foothills north-east of Kilimanjaro of the enemy's force, which were cut off from the main body by the rapid British advance. The movements in progress bar the retreat of these isolated forces westward. A stromg column frtm the direction of Longsdo appeared on the Arushahoshi troad, in the rear of the main German concentration, and the enemy in consequence are retreating southwards towards Usambaba railway. The pursuit continues.