DE WET DEPRESSED.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 46, 23 February 1901, Page 5

DE WET DEPRESSED.

FRIGHTENED AND UNSTRUNG.

HIS FORCE IN DIFFICULTIES.

BRITISH ACTIVE IN THE TRANSVAAL

[N.Z. Press Associ

.tion. —Copyright.]

(Received 9.2 a.m.)

LONDON, February 23. The "Daily Mail" states that De Wet is depressed at having- to operate in unknown country, and is seldom in the fighting line. C'ommaudant Fronwan directs the Boer lighting', also the line of flight. De Wet, who is said to be frightened of capture, was heading on Tuesday towards Head's Drift, and intended to recross the Orange River. He wept at the doggedness and nearness of the pursuing British forces. One Boer commando was unable to cross the swollen Brake River, and turned west. (Received February 23, 9.9 a.m.) LONDON, February 22. Later reports state that part of De Wet's force was driven into a triangle formed by the junction of the Orange and Brake Rivers, which were flooded. Their horses were unable to swim. The rains continue. LONDON, February 22. Colonel Plumer, who is followingnorth in the direction of Griqualand West, is close on the heels of the main body of De Wet's force. Commandant Hertzog is northwards of Houwater. Lieut.-Colonel Torriuge and Major Haig are pursuingl Commandant Kxuitzinger northwards near Bethesda.