WITH BOTHA IN AFRICA.

West Coast Times, 24 November 1915, Page 4

WITH BOTHA IN AFRICA.

A NEW ZEALANDER’S PART, HERMAN SO (’TIT-WEST CAMPAIGN. WELLINGTON, November 18. Ample evidence reaches New Zealand from time to Time that the young men of this land are present in almost every campaign undertaken by the Em pire in the great war. Almost daily we hear of New Zealanders In Thunders or France, while news is not lacking of their doings with the Australian Forces, as well as our own in tlio Bar. dandles. They seem also to have taken a good part in the operations against the South African rebels, and the Hermans in Herman South-West Africa. There arrived in Wellington on Monday by the. Fliinaroa from Sydney, Air. O. Owles, a son of Captain Owles, New Brighton. Christchurch, who. as Corporal Owles, saw service both against the rebels in South Africa and against the Gorman forces in Hermany’s lost territory, South-West Africa. To a “Dominion” reporter yesterday Corporal Owles recounted some of the difficulties of that campaign. The actual loss of life through battle was not ureal, but nevertheless the undertaking was stupendous, and the difficulties that had to be overcome wore peculiar to the country. Naturally in such 5 land of large spaces, undeveloped wild, ernesses, ami roadless interior, the question of transport was the most important. The Enion Expeditionary Force nnlv numbered 80,000, hut in the closing stages only mounted men could hj? utilised, and the animals had hard time ot it. Mules wer o dying by the dozen, said Corporal Owles, and the Hovermnent was lorced to commandeer anything on four legs that could he of service to the troops. The first serious check to the loyal forces, after thev had got well under way for Herman territory, was occasioned by the news that a revolution had broke., out amongst Hie Boers, and at once the Expeditionary Forces had to.come hack. They were sent to different parts nf the Transvaal and the 1-iee State and fort unately the rebellion was soon nipped in the hud. The delay, however had given the small Herman force time to strengthen their positions. Corporal Owles was with the HU. Divisional Tram, under Majm Vincv an Imperial officer. As soon as the rebellion was settled General Botlm directed his energies to dravi. g Herman South-West campaign to a conclusion, ami in this he robed to a ~r"o extent on the loyal hnrghe.s • The forced niaref.es soon began to e on the infantry Umt acooinpamed tbo force and this branch was left to ga icon the different towns as the troop, advanced. Them was not a grctat dea . of fighting, as the Germans realised dial their forces were inadequate cope with the invading army. I heir _ object was, however, to delay operations us hum ns possible, and so keep a large number from being at liberty to proceed to Europe. The 8000 picked soldiers of the Herman forces were ideal troops at this sort of warfare, and the skirmishes were numerous. They kept on fullin'* hack,’ however, poisoning the they went, and the delay and hardship were heartrending to the advancing columns. General Rotha selected md.nv of the sturdy burghers, accustomed all their life to rough living, to bring the campaign to an end. Thus was the stigma attaching to the race through,the rebellion removed, for on till sides"the doings of these rough soldiers met with praise. General Botha is now even more popu lar with the majority of the South Afri can population than he lias been in the past, and the recent election boro ample testimony to this. While the racial feel ing still exists. Corporal Owles gave it as his opinion that it will die out with the old hack veldt Boers. The great trouble with these is their lack of education, and tlie narrow ness with which they view their outlook. It was all easy thing for Beyers and De Wet to preach racial hate to such a class. The clever rebellions spirits nf the leaders could simply twist the hack-vcldters to any action, and their preaching of a new free republic found greedy listeners, who were not loath to take action. At meetings organised by the rebels the old Free. State flag was hoisted time after time, and this symbol of a past independence stirred the minds of the Dutch to great depths. The younger and better educated Africanders, however, recognise that in a British State, with perfect autonomy, they are in a I better position than under an independent flag, but all the time subject to internal differences. Corporal Owles spent over four months in hospital with enteric, fever, contracted in German South-West Africa. He is now taking an extended holiday, and when quite recovered will once again join the Empire forces. He has another brother, Lieut. A. H. 1 Owles .serving in Africa, and a brother with the Artillery of the New Zealand forces in the Dardanelles.