The papers of Wednesday published the despatch from General Smuts
describing the first stage of his East African campaign. He reached Mombasa on February 19th, 1916, and in four days reported that he was prepared to occupy the Kilimanjaro area before the rainy season. The despatch describes the complete success of his plan. This success was made possible largely by General Tighe, who throughout the winter had not only. +held the enemy, who was stronger in numbers, but had prepared all the time for the coming offensive. General Smuts had rather more than two divisions. With his main force he advanced into the Taveta district, where the Germans are estimated to have had six thousand rifles, thirty- seven machine guns, and sixteen heavier pieces. He drove the enemy through the gap between the south-eastern flank of the mighty and beautiful mountain Kilimanjaro and the Pare Hills.
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