The Transvaal WAR.

Evening Star, Issue 11683, 15 February 1902, Page 6

The Transvaal WAR.

THE BOER IRRECONCILABLE’S FUTURE. MR CHAMBERLAIN AND THE COLONIES. Press Association—By Telegraph—Coyprigtrt. LONDON, February 14. There is excitement in Germany over Britain’s action in refusing to permit the ctespatch of a German relief medical mission to the Boer concentration camps. No objection is raised to sending food and clothing. “AFRICA’S WORST ENEMIES.” LONDON, February 14. Mr Chamberlain, in his speech at the Mansion House, justified, on the ground of self-preservation, the banishment of irreconcilable leadem—tbe worst enemies of South Africa—who lately expressed a hope for a fresh opportunity of sweeping the English into the sea. He added : “We will not treat with them; we will not even tench their property. Our duty is to show that disloyalty does not always pay.” The right hon. gentleman enthusiastically eulogised the Imperialism and patriotism of the colonies. He emphasised Sir Henry Hsrkes’s watchword : “ One people, one destiny.” Mr Balfour declared that Mr Chamberlain, as a British statesman, had gained a position in the world second to note. The Agerrts-General were invited only to the reception which followed the luncheon. THE REMOUNT SCANDAL. LONDON, February 14.

An officer of the British Remount Department has resigned. He refused to answer charges in reference to the pur chases made in New Orleans. A military court will inqniro into the business.

LORD KITCHENER'S DRIVE

CLEARING UP THE REMNANTS

SEVEREST FIRING SINCE LADY SMITH.

I)E WET AND HIS KBUPTS.

12,000 BOERS FIGHTING,

LONDON, February 14, (Received February 15, at 9.38 a~m.)

The recent drive utterly demoralised the Bores, who htd in the grass, in tho dot,gas, and in the beds of the rivers, many of them shooting their horses. The country was systematically searched, and many prisoners, hundreds of horses, and thou sands of cattle were captured. Do Wet intended to make a big move when ins guns were captured, but the drive prevented him. Durfog the night of the fight rm (he 7th, aloag the Heilbron blockhouse line, tho searchlights facilitated the terrific firing of the British, which is said to have been the worst since the fighting round Ladysmith. The prisoners describe it as “ hell.”

Commandant Renters was killed, and Field - cornets Taljaard, Prinsloo, ani Obendaal captured. The prisoners estimate that there are 12,000 Boers still in tho field.

Do Wet lias some Krupp guns hidden

WESTLAND WAR MEMORIAL.

The foundation stone of the Westland war memorial was laid at Hokitika yesterday afternoon in a pelting rain. Fully 2,000 witnessed {he ceremony, iiduding numerous excursionists, some coming from Reef ton. The volunteers were present in strong force under Major Wolfe; and tiie stone was laid with full Masonic ceremony by Rro. R. J. Seddor, acting grand master, representing tho New Zealand Grand Lodge. It was explained by Mayor Michel that over 2,000 had subscribed to the fund', and that £250 was in hand. The promoters of the memorial looked forward with a light heart to the work of raising the balance. In the course of his address, the Premier said that we were now within reasonable distance of peace. The colony had contributed its quota. With a population of onlv 750,000, they had scut 5,000 men to the field, and there was the same enthusiasm and patriotism now as when the First Contingent sailed. Not one mar. too many had bean despatched to the scene of action. What the colony hadi done would last to its credit and respect. This position had lately been made plain, with the best effect. If necessary, the colonial farces could hold South Africa while the British troops went elsewhere, if need be. to protect the interests and fair name of England. The Committee presented Air Pcdilon with a handsome silver trowel as a memorial of the occasion. ,

TROOPER LOCHHEAD’S CASUALTY. Recent cable advices informed ns that Trooiier Lochhead. among others, had been wounded at Millville on the 13th December. The following is the young fellow’s own account of the affair:

In Field Hospital, South Africa. Bv the, time this reaches you you will liave seen the statement in the paper that I am reported seriously wounded, but that is all rot. The bullet entered about two inches below my kneecap, went right through the bone and ont at the back, and almost through the iielio stand I had hanging to my saddle. The wound will be all right in about two months. They will want to invalid me. home, so the doctor told me. bnt I’ll dodge them and rejoin my column. By the time 1 get better I will only have about another month to do, then 1 will be able to go home with the whole of the boys. I am too much of a thick-bead with the pen to explain tilings on paper. All I will say just now is this : Wc were retiring from a high kopje, Sid and t (two signallers) being among the last eight men to leave it, and had only got some 150 yards, when the “ Jackies ” (Boersfi opened fire, and commenced to give us “beans.’ We got about 300 yards, when Sid’s hors© came down, and I went back to help him. It was there I got my wound, bnt before 1 could do much for Sid the ball caught me, and at the same moment my horse gave a bad swerve, and I came off. My overcoat was under me on the saddle, and I landed with the coat between ray legs. Up I got and ran for about 200 yards. Whilst I was running Brown met me and asked me if I was badly • hit, and I said “ No,” for I thought he would get hit putting me on his horse, and I reckoned I could run for about 2 000 yards, then we would be out of range nearly. After Brown left me a C.I. V. called out that Cilirton wanted to put me on his horse, but I would not Jet him. I kept on till 1 fell in an old roadway from loss of blood, Chriton saw me fall, and galloped back to me, slung me on ids liorse, and got up behind, and when we got 2,000 yards away, out of range, he got off and caught my "horse. Lieutenant Quintle told me to ride to a kopje about two miles distance in company with Jack Quelche’s brother. Before I got there I fainted. The doctor came down .to me and dressed by wound, stopping the bleeding. 1 then rode nitre miles into camp. Brown and Hitchens brought Sid out of the firing line. We had left camp at twelve o’clock the night before., and at daybreak we got to the farmhouse at the foot of the kopje where I was hit. This farm bad been made use of by the “Jackies,” and we were compelled to destroy it. About an hour afterwards I was hit." Now', I do not want you to worrk about me. I will be Ml right in about two months, and my Christmas will be spent in the hospital instead of on the veldt.