TUB RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY.

Feilding Star, Volume XXI, Issue 214, 14 March 1900, Page 2

TUB RELIEF OF KIMBERLEY.

LATER PARTICULARS. KRUGER MAKING INQUIRIES. Telegraph. Press Association. Copyright Meleouhne, March 13. Ou the receipt of the news of the relief of Kimberley Capetown was decorated with flaiis. Ail the warships hoisted the white ensign in honor of General French's victory. On the 14th February a small cavalry patrol entered Jacobsdal, and found the place full of wounded. A series of small skirmishes ensued next day. A battery of artillery drove out the Boers. Gen. French seized three drifts on the Modder River, aud then moved rapidly towards Kimberley. Events followed quickly. Gen. Ro berts' force answered gallantly to the heavy marching, under a succession of great heat and rain and cold winds. When the artillery drove the enemy from Jacobsdal, the latter had to cross a ridge in order to escape, thus affording an excellent mark for the guns, showers of shrapnpl causing heavy loss. The Boer attack on the British convoy bad been countermanded, but the order failed to reach them. The Boers opened on the convoy with 15-pounders aud Vickers Maxims, but had a hot time. Colonel Ridley, with a brigade of mounted men, prevented the enemy actually approaching the waggons. Washington, March 13. It is understood here that President Kruger is inquiring through America about the minimum terms of peace. London, March 12. Mr Balfour, in the House of Commons, stated that papers dealing with Britain's conditions of peace would shortly be laid on the table of the House. Mr Wyndham announced that with a view to further action the Government was verifying a report that the Boers were treating the South African troops worse than other prisoners. In cxplaning the Estimates, Mr Wyndham referred to the prospect of a pre-arranged scheme for the colonies to participate in Imperial defence whenever an emergency of importance arose. The Estimates enabled the continuation of military efforts at a full pressure for six months, and at half-pressure for a further term of six months. In future the normal garrison battalions of Africa will be twelve of infantry, Capetown, March 13. General Gatacre commands the road at the Bethulie Railway Bridge, which is damaged.