THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11245, 10 April 1902, Page 5

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

DR. LEYDS'S LIES.

THE SLANDER CAMPAIGN REVIVED

THE REPULSE OF DE LA REV.

THE CANADIANS' STAND. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received April Qth, 9.24 a.m.) LONDON, April 8. Dr. Leyds has recommenced publishing his slanders against the British Army. He states that De La Rev sent a letter to him in January, in which be specifies the alleged British at.-ocities. (Received April 9th. 11.26 p.m.) LONDON, April 9. There are indications that De La Rev's letter contains inteipolations repeating lies originating on the Continent. There are also statements inconsistent with his thanking Lord Methuen for his kindness to his wife and children. (Received April 9th, 9.34 a.m.) LONDON, April 8. A returned Imperial Yesman declares that Dutchmen chiefly constituted tha mounted men who deserted Methuen. The War Office has apptied to the Hon. H. Copeland, Agent-General for New South Wales, for one hundred tons of New South Wales plum, apricot, and gooseberry jam. THE COMMONWEALTH CONTINGENT HOBART. April 9. The Tasmanian section of the Commonwealth Contingent has sailed.

A GREAT FIGHT.

THE DEFEAT OF DE LA BEY. | CANADIAN HEROISM. (Received April 9th, 9.34 a.m.) LONDON", April 8. The minimum estimate sets down Uie Boer loas on the 31st as thirty killed! and eighty wounded, the first item being included in Lord Kitchener's weekly return to that date. (Received April 10th, 12.55 a.m.) LONDON, April 9. The "Standard" says his reverse on the 31st ult. was the most decisive check in Dβ la Bey's career. Colonel Walter Kitchener sent 1700 well-mounted men under Colonel Cookson to reconnoitre in the direction of the Hart River. They were soon in touch with, 500 Boers escorting a convoy. Pursuit was soon relinquished on tibe news that there -were 2000 Boera ahead of the convoy. Returning, Colonel Cookson halted at Brakspruit. A shell from a Boer gun on a, ridge four thousand yards distant dropped into the camp, and- masses of the enemy appeared' on the flanks, leading to a\ general engagement. Twenty-four Canadians and forty-five Mounted Rifles were posted a mile and a half on Colonel Cookson's right, five hundred yards beyond a belt of trees. Two companies of artillery and rifles neldi. a farmhouse on the left flank a thousand yards distant, while the remainder, of the force stretched , along the Brakspruit, covering the farmhouse. Next to them were Keir's 28th Mounted Rifles and the 2nd Kitchener's Fighting Scouta, the bulk, of Cooison's- 2nd Canadians, and Colonel Damant's force. De la Rey sought to rush the farmhouse, which was the key of the position, his heavier guns aiming at the camp, and the pompoms concentrating on the spruit. Two hundred Boers occupied! a ridge. Riding in lines in extended order, they galloped to within five hundred yards of th& farmhouse. A volley caused them to halt. The volleys were returned by cross-fire volleys, but shells from the camp caused them to i retreat to the ridge.

Meanwhile six hundred Boers, under cover of the belt of trees, charged seventy British, and demanded their surrender. Lieutenant Caxru/fahers, of the Canadians, shot the foremost at fifteen paces.. His comrades, who were without shelter, lay in the grass and fired steadily,. straight at the Boers, who bolted back to the trees. Some climbed trees and fired, and others spread out in line. They were kept at bay for two hours, and then rushed, and captured the fifteen survivors. Lieutenant Carruther3 alone was not seriously hurt. He declined to go into hospital. ' .Some of the Boers wished to shoot him, but others declared he was too brave a man to die -thus. Several were wounded twice and thrice. Gradually the Britislh were surrounded, Ibut their defence was spirited, and the enemy, at four o'clock, were beaten off. The Boer casualties totalled 275. DISCOURAGING PRO-BOERISM. (Received April 9th, ,10.6Tp.m.) SYDNEY, April 9. The Anti-war League's petition is receiving scan* courtesy in this State. One Municipal Councif, to whom it was sent fox signature, passed a resolution authorising tfche Council's clerk, to apply a lucifer to the document, and to inform the promoters of the petition of its fate.