THE TRANSVAAL WAR

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LII, Issue 2603, 3 September 1901, Page 2

THE TRANSVAAL WAR

Mr Brodrick mated that in view of the absence of a satisfactory assurance on the part of the Boers respecting the murder of the wtundad at the battle of Vlakfontein, and ia view of the occurrences at Graspw,. he had cabled to Lord Kitchener and prop >sed that a proclamation Bhould be issued declaring that members of any commando committing such an outrage thall after trial, proving they were present, be deemed guilty and the leader of the commando shall be sentenced to death, and the other membersof the commando shall he sentenced to death or to a lesser penalty according to the degree of their complicity. Great indignation prevaila over bhe Graapan murders. The news* papera regret the delay in announcing one ot the worst and saddest episodes of the oampaign. The principle of applying collective responsibility to any force guilty of such outrages is generally approved, provided the proclamation contains certain necessary safeguards. The issue and the final terms of the proclamation are dependent on Lard Kitchener's judgment. The •' Standard " referring to the proclamation, says that Great Brilain has humanely resolved to bring home guile to individuals before punishing them (She " Times" doubts the utility of formally proclaming what the enemy are aware they must expecb if they allow the war to degenerate into murder.

A number of sharpshooters north of Lady, brand captured five Boers and many horses at a farn house used as a Boer remount depot.

In connection with Lord Kitchtuer's complaints with reference to the selection of the Yeomanry, it is stated thit several substitutes underwent the riding and firing tests when incompetent Yeomen were enrolled.

Commenting on the proclamation against outrage?, the "St. Jimes Gazette" and •• Westminster Gazette " recommend sending more mounted troops acd a libaral supply of remounts, wiih a view to vigorou* steps to end the war and prevent acts of tavagery and embitterment. The " Globe '* says that Lord Kitchener only needs to have the waste of his forces mide good. The "Pall Mall Gazette "says that one execution is preferable to many proclamations.

Claims total.ing £315,000 for direct, and £818,473 for consequential d*mag«s were submitted to the Commission appointed at the instauce of the Marquis of Lansdowne to enquire into and assess the losses of foreigners expelled from the Transvaal. The I ommission ignored t ! ie claims for consequential damages and considerably redue 3d the claims for di.ect damages, owing to ihe absence of the claimants.

Commandant Lotter has reappeared in the vicinity of Cradock. Colonel Scubell i» pursuing,

Lieutenant D. G. Turleston, of the Now Zealand Seventh Coutiugent, died of pneumonia at Losberg.

Lord Kitchener forwarded to Mr Steyo and General Botha the sworn evidence taken before General Elliott showing that Lieutenant Malr, of the New South Wi ><* Artillery, and Privates Harvey and Bl

were shot down on June 6 at Graspan, i

Reiiz, when General Elliott engaged ' Wet.

Two rebels, who were sentenced to den j fir treason, have been shot at Graaf Reinet.

The Grusberg mine a; Johannesburg has re-started work.

Colonel Girratt surprised a laager at Losberg, Transvaal, capturing eight Boers ann a quantity of transpoit.

Three hundred Boers invaded the Vryburg district. Oue hundred and fifty traversed Phillipstown. aud are north west of Strydeberg.

Scheeper's followers were chased ia tho vicinity < f Lvdyamith.

Colonel Garrat 's column, which recently arrived at Kroonstad ftorn a three moutha' trek, compii ed Nw Zealandera and Qaeenalanders. The prisoners taken include De la Rey'a brother Piet.

A train was blown up between Watsrval and Hamamkraal; 250 Boers rushed and set fire to the train, killing Colonel Vandeleur, of the Irish Guards.

Dr. Leyds asked M. Delcasse to arraoge with the Cz*r to grant Mr Kruger an interview during the Czar's visit at Compiegne, France. M. Delcasss raised serious objections to the proposal, not desiring tociuse pro Boer demonstrations.