COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S PROCLAMATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 63, 15 March 1900, Page 2

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF'S PROCLAMATION.

CAPETOWN, February 18.

Lord Roberts has issued a proclamation to the burghers of the Orange Free State saying that he feels it his duty to make known to all the burghers the cause of the coming of the British, as well as to do all in his power to 'terminate the devastation caused by the war, and that he issues the proclamation in order that if the burghers should continue fighting they may not do so ignorantly, but with a full knowledge of their responsibility before God for the lives lost in the campaign. The proclamation goes on to say: — "The British Government believes that the wanton and unjustifiable invasion of British territory was not committed with the general approval of the people of the Free State, with whom the British Government has lived in complete amity for so many years. It believ.es the responsibility rests wholly with the Government of the Free State, aatin^ not in the

1 interests of the country, Mt under 'mischievous influences from .without.; ! "Great Britain, therefore, wishes the people of. the Free State to understand that it bears them no ill-will, and that so far as is compatible with the suecessfurconduct of the war and the r^Sablishment of peace, it is aaxtojj. Ito preserve them from the eyis Sought upon them by the wrongful action of their Government. I In conclusion, Lord Roberts warns all burghers to desist from further 'acts of hostility toward Her Majesty Government, and troops, and he gnes | directions regarding requisitions and ! complaints. \ CRONJE IN RETREAT. I LONDON, February 21. | * correspondent, of the "Daily IChronicle," telegraphing Sunday tnu* !va uated the* Magersfontein lines !At dawn on Friday the retreating Boer army was seen from B*ggJ I naval gun stationed on Klip Dntt I kopje trekking eastward across the I British front., a,t a distance of 0000 yards Our guns opened upon them, a.nda force of mounted infantry crossing the river made a •dashing charge in, the attempt to cut off the , head of the enemy's column, but in ■half an hour their whole force had I gained shelter under a line of kopjes. ° -Meanwhile two of our batteiies had come up, and the Oxfords, Puffs West Ridings, and Gloucester* Oui infantry crossed the drift and lor three hours were engaged with the enemy, while our batteries shelled his position. The moused infantry kept hard at work. ... ' "Unable to withstand our galling fire, ' the enemy retired, disputing every inch, and took up a second position on the kopjes to the eastward. It was a magnificent spectacle to see the Boer army thus at bay. Iheir rear guard, 2000. strong, fought us, while the main, body trekked further east and then brought their guns into ! action while the rear guard retired. "The action lasted throughout the day. Our infantry fought splendidly, but the enemy held his ground under the continued bombardment. Later on the Boer commandant ventured on a bold stroke. Leaving 2000 of his men under cover he withdrew the re«t from his main position and head!ed for Klip Kraal Drift, six miles to i the east. The movement was soon discovered. Our mounted infantry came back across the drift and marched along the south bank to endeavour Ito head off the enemy. When they I reached the neighbourhood of Klip Kraal Drift night had fallen, and the Boers were already across to the .south side. Our mounted infantry ; harassed their movements. "Meanwhile the Boer rear guard having covered the crossing of the mam ibody, retired slowly and successfully i past the drift. The rear guard fought desperately, and as it fell back to the river it was harassed on the flank and rear by the British. "Having thus passed the Modder river under cover of darkness, the Boers trekked, though . the night in the direction of Bloemfon.tein. General Kelly-Kenny, with the Sixth Division, pursued them at daylight. General McDonald, with the Highlanders, followed him. General McDonald reached Klip Kraal Drift by forced marches Sunday. General Kelly-Kenny, moving from Klip Kraal Drift.was endeavouring- to outflank the enemy and cut them off from Bloemfontein, so as to drive them back into General McDonald's hands. When I left the front General Kelly-Kenny had not come up with the enemy."