THE COLONIAL TROOPS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10887, 12 February 1901, Page 5

THE COLONIAL TROOPS.

A TRIBUTE FROM LORD ROBERTS.

(Received February llbh, 9.28 -p.m.) LONDON, February 11. Among the despatches .published 'by the War Office is one dated March 18th, in which Lord Roberts drew special attention to the good services of the splendid and higibly efficient Colonial troops, who bad a distinguished share in the advance Iα the Orange Free <Staite. All vied one wiibh another in sharing the hardships and dangers in a manner that won the respect and admiration </f everyone. In this despatch. Lord Roberts singled out Colonel Byron (Queensland) and Major Fkechi (of the New (South Wales Medical Corps) for special praise. He would also have selected Colonel TJmpheiby (of Victoria) and Lieutenant G. J. Grieves (New twuth Wales) for reward if they had not been killed. Writing in January last, Lord Roberts deeply regretted the departure of the First Australian and Canadian Contingents, as this materially impaired the nwibility and efficiency trf the Army, bat, h« added, it was impossible to disregard the urgency of the reasons for their return. He recognised in the Colonials many soldierly qualities and their self-sacrificing and uncompkinin- attitude. No episode of the war wae more praiseworthy fhan Mafeking. DE WET'S FORCE ENGAGED.