SOUTH-WEST FRONTIER.

Evening Star, Issue 11153, 31 January 1900, Page 2

SOUTH-WEST FRONTIER.

AN AMBUSH THAT DID LITTLE,

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION,

GAPE TOWN, January 30.

General Clements made a demonstration, which drew the, enemy's lire in the vicinity of Riotfoutoin, in tho Colesborg district. Two hundred Boers, pursuing tho retiring infantry, fell into au ambush, the Worcester Regiment -killing sbvoral of them.

Tho Now Zealanders took part in tho ruse.

TROOPS TOUR IN.

CAPE TOWN, January 29. Troops and ammunition are rapidly arriving at Capo Town.

THE BRITISH PUBLIC.

LONDON, January 20.

Several newspapers urge the mobilisation of the navy, in view of possible dangers on the Continent.

Consols show a further fall, and are now quoted at £IOO. (Thoy were £lOl 15s on Friday last.) Public feeling in Great Britain is depressed over the Spion Kop disappointment. The military resolution to persevere is unimpaired.

THE MAN BEHIND THE BOER

GUNS.

LONDON, January 30. M. Turpin, a French inventor and artillerist, is assisting the Boer's. It was M. Turpin who was fined in France in 1891 for imparting information about the melinite explosive to foreigners, lie subsequently sold the patent to Lord Armstrong’s Elswick Company. LEYDS'S -WORK. LONDON, January 29. Dr Loyds states that false secret information supplied to the British authorities caused the seizure of the Bundesrath and other vessels, with a view to embroiling Britain with the Powers. [lf this cabin imparts correct information, then tlh l action Oi Germany aud France in-honoring the representative of the peaceful pastoralists of t;.e Transvaal is the more glaring in its offensively .We may rest assured, however, that (treat Britain will detain and search any and every ship sue chooses.] A VOTE OF CENSURE. LONDON, January 30. Lord Edmond Fitzmaurice, member for Crickkcle, will, on behalf of the Opposition, move a vote of censure oh the Government for want of knowledge, foresight, and judgment in the management of South African affairs and in their preparations. for war. [ It is desirable and inevitable that some such ii should he brought forward. The prosecu* t i.-m of the war to a complete triumph will not ho seriously questioned by any responsible politician out the uupreparedness of the War Office and Ihufilond ft apparent ignorance of Boer movements prior to the war are -fair subjects for debate.] INDIA’S ANSWER TO ENGLAND’S DEFAMERS. _ CALCUTTA, January 29. A “remarkable monster meeting of Hindus and Mahomedans has beea° held here. It represented all parts of India. Resolutions of abiding loyalty to the Empire and supplementing the Lord Mayor of London’s war relief fund were carried. Several maharajahs spoke. The newspaper ‘The Englishman,’ an influential Calcutta daily, describes the -proceedings as tho most flattering tribute the Empire has ever received. (This is splendid news, and will form a fitting answer to united States politicians, Irish Na* tionabsts, hud the gutter journals of Paris.] THE HATED BRITISHER. BERNE, January 29. An influential meeting of Swiss scientists at Zurich have urged the Swiss Press to remember Britain’sservices to civilisation, and refrain from ill-founded abuse. THE BUSHMEN. SYDNEY, January 30. The Premier has received a cable from Mr Chamberlain intimating that the Imperial Government will defray the cost of the transport of the Bushmen’s Contingent. The exports from Sydney to South Africa during the last two months are valued at £-10,000. v,’Ellington notes. [Special to the Star ] WELLINGTON, January 29. The Mayor’s list of contributions to the War Belief Fund totals up to date £5,523. The ‘ N.Z. Times,’ whilst condemning the sending of a military contingent by private persona, suggests the sending of one or two hundred horses for remounts, landing them free of cost in South Africa, and sending nurses with tho New Zealand Contingents. As an example of the enthusiasm evoked in connection with the Rough Riders’ Contingent for South Africa, one man iu Wanganui offered to provide his own horse, equipment, and passage money, and pay a £5 premium for inclusion iu the Contingent. Much patriotism is also being displayed throughout Wellington Province. Wairorapa offers twenty-five men—good rough riders and shots, many of whom are farriers. Of these, from ten to fifteen offer to provide their own horses. CAPTAIN REID PROVIDED FOR. WELLINGTON, January 29. -.l ain Rsid has been appointed acting ■ • ji'.-int of the Auckland volunteer dis-Ui-t. and leaves for Auckland on Monday. [l’rjis is the officer whowas given command of >m. 1 Company of the Second Contingent, but was requested by Major Cradock to send in his resignation on the ground of incompetency. This step led to considerable comment in Wellington, and especially in camp, and Captain Keid requested tho Defence Department to institute an inquiry into the circumstances which culminated in his resignation. It was stated in one of the Wellington papers on the morning that the Contingent took their departure that the Minister of Defence disapproved of Major Cradock’s act and intended to reinstate Captain Reid. This was denied by the Premier iu the course of an interview with our special reporter at Wellington, lie said that tooth Colonel Penton and himself approved of what Major Cradock had done ; but recognising that Captain Keid had made sacrifices in leaving bis home to go to tho front an appointment would be made for him in connection with the North Island volunteer force.] * ■