Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-10-28
THE REVOLT OF THE Beers.

The extent of Boer disaffection in the Union
OF South Africa is not definitely known, but
certainly it is enough to give Britain some I'M
easiness at this critical time in her military
operations. A serious revolt among the Beers
will cripple the Empire tremendously in its
European operations. ...
The first public sign of rebellion among the
Beers came on October Ii, when it was learned
that Boer troops in the Northwest Cape prov
ince on the border of German Southwest Africa
had gone over to the Germans. The district
affected was the southern end of Kalahari
desert and runs parallel with the German from
tier. About 1000 white farmers, the majority
Beers, live in this district
Germans and Beers joined in tanning the
flames of revolt and the Beers who would not
consent to rise were made prisoners and sent
over into German Territory Col. s. CT Maritz,
who has been IN command of the Boer forces
in the province, headed the revolt, took the
title Of General comma ading the German troops
and prepared to wage war Against the British.
The British authorities learned upon investi-
cation that Maritz and the governor of German
Southwest Africa had entered into an agree
Ihent by which the Union of South Africa was
to become an independent republic, presumably.
with Boer government. : s.s''' -
How deeply Boer loyalty 10 Britain 6as been
undermined there Isl hd means III knowing If
the despatch this morning Is correct that Gen.
Christian De Wet, the famous Boer war leader,
is leading the rebellion-the situation is prob
ably quite serious. The dispatches of October
1S indicated that De Wet was still with the.
British.
Dissatisfaction with British colonial rllle Isl
not the cause of the rebellion, according to re-
ports 1t was the plan to carry military opera
tions into German Southwest Africa that
caused the trouble 80
AS Indicating the gravity of the situation,
the following proclamation of marital law Is
sued at Cape Town is interesting:
Whereas state Of war exists betteen the British
empire on the one hand and the German empire on
the other. and whereas. the government Of the pro-
4 widespread secret propaganda persistenty
0red eeduce citizens ofno Union and OFFICERS ana
members q re defensive as M linton ION fro sa
within the Union, and whereas these efforts have 20
Ear succeeded that Lieutenant Colonel SOLOMON Ger
hardus Maritz, the German, with number Of MS
0fhceu and portion OF the forces under hissco
mand has shamefnlly and t1sitotously gone over e
e6rernInent ana tie people Of the Union and is N
construction with forces OF the enemy, invading the
And whereas. there s grave reason to think tnat
the government of German Southwest Africa has
through its numerous spies and agents commuh-
Gated with and corrupted also other ciuzens OF the
Union under the false and treachefoun pretext OF
tsvoring the establishment Of republic IN Soun
Africa and
whereas the government OF the Union considers
1t necessary to take effective measures 70 protect
and defend the Interests OF the Union and Its loyal
and aw-abiding citizens against these insldious and
irsscherous attacks from within and without, and
"a that end to declare martial law.
The proclamation IS signed by Lord Buxton,
governors general Of the Union, and counter
.;e,,ed 81 General Smutz, Chief Of defense J,