27 MARCH 1920, Page 21

My Reminiscences of East Africa. By General von Lettow- Vorbeek.

(Hurst and Blackett. 24s. net.)—The German com- mander in East Africa has written a spirited account of his experiences. He admits that he expected war, perhaps in 1914, and was preparing for it. He admits also that he never intended to observe neutrality, though his Government at home made it a grievance that the war spread to Africa. He says very truly that it was a greater disadvantage to us than to Germany to have an African campaign, although on the other hand we could employ troops who were not suitable for the European battle- field, while it was essential for 113 to expel Germany from colonies which had become a menace to the peace of Africa. The author asserts that he could have continued the war for years. But the last section of his book, on his adventures after evacuating the colony, shows that the " war " had become a game of hide-and-seek in the dense unmapped bush. The enemy had a very small mobile force and lived on what he could pick up at isolated posts. This was bushranging rather than war, and it could not have lasted many months longer.