KRUGER'S DEFIANCE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11013, 10 July 1901, Page 5

KRUGER'S DEFIANCE.

BOTHA VAINLY URGES PKACE. LONDON, July 8. A dozen cablegrams have been exchanged between Kruger and Botha., the latter urging the acceptance of Kitdtiener's terms.

Kruger's and Dr. Leycfe's influence, however, has prevailed.

BRUSSELS, July 8. The "Independence Beige" declares Kxuger's attitude criminal.

Kruger's obstinacy in regard to the war is embarrassing the pro-Boers.

The "Daily News'' declares that the fighters alone, not tho intriguers on the Continent, out of reach of the guns, are entitled to be heard. It adds that the British Government was unwise in allowing Botha to communicate with Kruger.

THE REPORTED BOER ATROCITIES. (Received July 9th. 10.55 p.m.) LONDON, July 9. The "Daily Mail" advises Lord Stanley, Financial Secretory for the War Office, to secure the evidence of Lieutenant Hear, of the Imperial Yeomanry, with regard to the alleged shooting of British wounded at Vlakfontein, which he tendered to Lord Kitchener after an official contradiction of the shooting of British gunners.

The "Daily Mail" publishes letters from members of the Yeomanry, confirming the shooting of the wounded.

(Received July 10th, 12.14 a.m.) LONDON, July 9. In the House of Commons Lord Stanley, replying to Lieutenant-Colonel Lea, member for Farebam. promised to enquire into the

"Daily Mail's" statements with reference to the s_ooting of British wounded at Vlakfontein. If the statements were found to be false the correspondent would ba most severely dealt with. RAIDERS BURN A TOWN. (Ree-eived July 9tb. 10.55 p.m.) LONDON, July 9. Scheeper's commando entered Murraysberg, wb'ch was not garrisoned, and burned the public building- and a number of house*. Two rebels, convicted of the murder of an English soldier at Aliwal North, are to be treated as ordinary murd.rers and executed. AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR. (Received July 9th, 1.38 p.m.) LONDON, July 8. Great Britain declines to release Americans taken as prisoners of war in the Transvaal campaign. (Received July 10th. 12.14 a.m.) NEW YORK. July 9. ' The "New York Herald's' Washington j correspondent states -that the Secretary of State, Colonel Hay. agrees with Lord, Milner that anybody serving with the Boers as a belligerent loses 'his nationality. Colonel Hay is ratisfied that the reports of the British ill-treatment of prisoners are unfounded. -ICKNEvSS ON A TROOPSHIP. (Received July 9th, 9.2 a.m.) ALBANY, July 9. The troopship Orient, from South Africa, was not. allowed to berth owing to a case of scarlet fever and several cases of measles amongst the troops on board. The vessel brings back over a thousand Australian Bushmen, who have with them two captured Boer guns. NOTES BY THE MAIL. (PBESS ASSOCIATION _E__GRAM.) (By Telegraph from Auckland.) SAN FRANCiSCO. June 20. London has just cabled a report not known to b? reliable that Kruger has cabled to General Botha, declining to concede anything, and that, in conseoi_._ce of this decision, Botha and the commandantagreeing with his peace views have decided to repudiate Kruger.s authority. Further, a consultation with Botha's representative and Lord Kitchener will be arranged for next week.

Kruitziugw and Fouche. the Boer commandants, are busy piiv.-arding Cupe Colony with h. proclamation, that, Ln accordsuice with powers assumed when the northern part of Cape Colony iras annexed to the Orange Free State twenty months ago, any reporting the whereabouts of any Boer eoimnaiHi<!B will be £-50. or be compelled to follow the commando on foot for three months.

According to the best reports there are about 2100 Boers in Cape Colony, and they cofitin'ue to gain a few recruits. In the House of Commons, the report by Mr St. John Brodrick, Secret an* for War, of tbfi deaths of 93 men and women ;md 518 children in the concentration tsunps during May, was greeted with gi-oans and cries of "Scacdalotis' , by the Irish members. Mr Brodricfc added that the authorities were arranging for tne release of the women and children who had frieeds to receive them, but the Government could not undertake to care for them in isolated places.