A REPORT FROM LORD ROBERTS.

Feilding Star, Volume XXI, Issue 213, 13 March 1900, Page 2

A REPORT FROM LORD ROBERTS.

SEVERE FIGHTING. BOERS OUSTED AT THE BAYONET'S POINT. THE ENEMY LOSE HEAVILY. LORD KOBEItTS SENDS A PROTEST. " A DISGRACE TO ANY CIVILISED POWER." KRUGER'S OVERTURES FOR PEACE. RECEIVED COLDLY ON THE CONTINENT. Telegraph. Press Association. Copyright. London, March 12. The New South Wales Mounted Rifles displayed great gallantry in the attempted capture of ode of the guns which outranged those of the British. The Bluejackets arrived too late to participate in the engagement. Broadwood, discovering the enemy in strength on the kopjes, posted mounted troops on a kopje facing the centre, and awaited Kelly-Kenny's arrival. The enemy, with three guns and two Vickers-Maxims, shelled freely and fought obstinately. The Essex, Yorkshires, Gloucesters and Buffs were conspicuous. The First Australian Horse, with the Scots Greys, advanced to within 800 yards of the enemy under a heavy iire. One trooper was wounded in the shoulder, while another sustained a fractured leg through his horde being killed under him. The N.S W. Lancers, with Porter's Brigade, were under a shell tire after the enemy's position had been turned. The N.S.W. Mounted Rifles, under Major Knight and Captain Antill, with Legallai's Brigade, did splendid service. The N.S.W. Ambulance Corps, under Surgeon Frascen, were engaged all night collecting the wounded. The enemy at Dreefontein evacuated and re-occupied positions with subtlety, concealing their intentions and withdrawing their guns only when likely to be captured. The withdrawals fatigued the cavalry horses. On the Continent Krugcr's overtures for peace are admittedly inadmissable. London, March 12. Bethuen's Mounted Umvoti Rifles and the Natal Police, with three Maxims, heavily engaged the enemy, but they possessed too many big guns. Bethune was unable to dislodge them without artillery, and retired South of the Tugela. One Britisher was wounded. The Boers loss was considerable. The following report has been received from Lork Roberts, dated Dreetontein, Sunday: "The enemy opposed us throughout yesterday's march, and owin" to their intimate knowledge of the country gave us considerable trouble. The Welsh and Essex Regiments expelled the enemy from two strong positions at the baponet point, the Boers suffering heavily, and leaving 102 dead behind." Lord Roberts has telegraphed to the Presidents protes'iug against the continued abuse of the white bag, and stating — " Your Honour's troops have committed such breaches of recognised usages of I war and the Geneva Convention that- are a disgrace to any civilised Power." At Dreefoutein engagement the Welsh in the evening carried the central position at the bayonet's point. ! The cavalry then turned the enemy's position, the latter fleeing northwards under cover of the night. '

The Australian cavalry alone were able to pursue them. After Dreefonteiu Lord Roberts resntned his advance, and arrived at ( Dasoogal. ] Kruger's overtures for pea^e were met by a chilling reception on the Continent. Kruger and Steyn iuvite the Powers to intervene, and secure honourable peace.