Affairs in South Africa.

Evening Post, Volume LXIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1902, Page 5 (Supplement)

Affairs in South Africa.

Tho following items of news fiom South Africa tuo taken from tho lolographed columns of tho laCtJut English files to hand : — • A notable feature of v leeonb meotiug at Durban repudiating tho slanders on the British troops was the reading of a letter of emphatic protost aguiust foreign calumnies irom Mr. Thomas Craven, lato Adjutant to Gonoral De Wet. Mr. Craven is now uvprisoner on parole, and hia mother and sisters have been in the coucoutrdtion cami> at Kroonsitud. A line of blockhouses has now 'been' run from Erinelo to Bankop, and this advancod depot provisioned with ease. Security from tamelo brings the columns 23 miles nearer the Boers remaining on tho Swaziland border. Although Tittle nows has come lately from this centre, steady work has been accomplished which will boar fruit before long. The first meting of the new Pretoria Town Council was held on 17th February* Boers from the -ranges between Lydeuburg and Pilgrim,'s Rust lost month looted nearly the whole of the contents of Andorson'a general store at Nooitgedacht, taking away three wagon loads of plunder. The announcement made on the 17th February by tho Chairman of the Pretoria Town Council that a Change in the seat of Government from Pretoria -to Johannesburg was no longer contemplated has given the greatest satsisfactiou. Per- ■ sistent rumours to the contrary had brought business almost to a standstill. The ett'oct of this statement, which is practically official, will be that property in Pretoria will not only maintain its value, but that thoro will bo a rapid incroase in building. Tho Vice-chairman of the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce recently announced that Lord Milner and Major Qoold-A,datns, ' Lioutonaut-Govemors of Ovnngo Colony, have viewed with approval tho extension of the railway to Fourteen Streams, and also other extensions of tho main line. Major Goold-Admns advocated a Klerksdorp extension going south of the Vaal River in viow of tho opening of a district favourable to new settlers. Besides placing tho Boer propaganda in America on a new footing— some of tho propagandists are understood to have done well for themselves financially— Dr. Muller, a recent dalegato bearing a letter from Mr. Krugor to President Koosovelt f was to direct his efforts principally to' obtaining from tha United btates Government a prohibition against tho exportation of articles regarded by the Boors as contraband of waf. Dr. Muller'B afforts were supported by wealthy Boer sympathisers in Europe, and great hopC9 were being built on the rasult of his mission. A list of 25 additional Boer leaders permanently banished has been published at 'Pretoria. It includes five commandants and ttvo former morabers of the Baad. At a meeting of German residents, of Durban to protest against Continental slandeis on tho British army in South Africa, most of tho speeches were of a stirring and vehement character. Tho speakers described the statements in question as "horrible libels" and "godless devilish lies." Although loving their own fatherland, the speakers said, honour demanded that they should condemn this "lewd conspiracy." Tho Boer delegates who loft Holland for America in. February last had taken oycry precaution to keep their destination a secret, but wore recognised at Boulogne. It is stated that an Influential robol mimed Troskie, who recently died of wounds, carried in the field cuttings from the Review of Reviows and other pro-" Boer journals, which wero of great service to his cause. A Reuter telegram from Middelburg on 19th February stated that the middlo district of Cape Colony was then clear of the enemy. ,