The Boer War.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 36, 12 February 1901, Page 2

The Boer War.

BOERS OFFERING TO RESIST

INVADERS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.

London, Feb. 10. Field-Cornet Steynberg, a loyalist, of Graafreinet district, offers to bring fifty landowners to join the defence force to resist the invaders.

Before evacuating Petrutburg, tho British destroyed the supplies in tho town, and collected 3500 horses and cattle and took them to Kimberley. The first symptoms of plague at Capotown appeared at the South Arm Docks, where the military transports discharge. Rats have since deserted this spot, and are migrating to Green Point, where tho British camp will probably be abandoned. A reward of threepence per head is offerod for rats. ■ ./

Kruitzinger is still retiring north-east. Two hundred Boers at Oatlands Station, south of Graafreinet, fled at the approach of the British. ' They abandoned many horses, saddles, and rifles.

The burghers of the Orange River Colony are everywhere indignant at the barbarity of De Wet in shooting the onvoys of the Pcaco Committee. Sir Alfred Milner got LieutenantGeneral Forestier-Walker to inspect 750 Capetown City Guards, including artillery, cavalry, and cyclists. The General warmly complimonted tho Guards on their appearance.

Colonel W. H. Davies, of New Zealand, has recovered and resumed duty.

LORD ROBERTS’ PRAISE OF THE COLONIALS. A VERY WARM TRIBUTE. (Received Feb. 12, 9.28 p.m.) London, Feb. 11. Amog the despatches published by tho War Office there is one dated March 18th, in which Lord Roberts drew spocial attention to the good services of the splendid and highly efficient colonial troops, who had a distinguished share in the advance on the Orange Free State. All, ho stated, vied with one another in sharing the hardships and dangers in a manner that won the respect and admiration of everyone.

In his despatch of March 18th, Lord Roberts singled out Colonel Byrne, of Queensland, and Major Fiaschi, of the New South Wales Medical Corps, for special praise. also, he stated, have selected Colonel Umphelpy, of Victoria, Lieutenant G. J. Grieve, of New South Wales, for reward, if they had not been killed.

Writing in January last Lord Roberts deeply regretted the departure of the First Australian and Canadian Contingents, which materially impaired tho mobility and efficiency of the army, but it was impossible to disregard tho urgency of the reasons for their return.

Lord Roberts stated that he recognised in the colonials many soldierly qualities. They were self-sacrificing and uncomplaining in then- attitude. No episode of the war was more praiseworthy than that of Mafoking, the despatch stated.

A SEVERE ACTION.

A POM-POM JAMMED. BRITISH GET INTO A TIGHT PLACE. (Received Feb. 13,9.45 p.m.) London, Feb. 11. General Pilcher and Major Crewe, on opposite sides of the Tabacsberg ranges, engaged a large foroe of Boers commanded by De Wet on the 31st. General Pilchor, with lyddite shells, dispersed the Boers, who, streaming down the range, encountered Major Crewe’s forces of seven hundred, with three 15pounders and a pom-pom. The Boers, numbering at least 2500, attacked both flanks.

The rear pom-pom jammed. At last, despite the desperate efforts of the Boers to save the position, the British brilliantly seized the rising ground, just forestalling the Boers, who charged the British. The latter fought a rearguard action against a terribly severe rifle fire until, the ammunition failing, they retired to the laagers of waggons, defending the position until nightfall. Though the attack was renewed at daybreak, Majors Crew and Conroy joined General Knox, both regaining Bloemfontein.

BRILLIANT WORK BY AUSTRALIANS. DANGEROUS ATTACK. Received Fob. 11,10.38 p.in.' London, Feb. 11. A wide flanking movement, admirably executed by. the New South Wales Mounted Rifles, commanded by Captain Bennett, compelled the Boers to evacuate Regreveld Range, thus enabling DeLisle to secure the pass leading on Calvania. Capt. Bennett crossed country hitherto considered impassable. Several horses of the force rolled over precipices two thousand feet deep. Ten mon ascended the precipitous face of the mountain, five thousand feot high DE WET’S BROTHER APPEALS TO HIM. THE STRUGGLE HOPELESS. GOOD ADVICE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 10.38 p.m., Feb. 11. London, Feb. 6. Griet Do Wet has appealed to Christian De Wet to use common sense, and recognise that the struggle is hopeless. It is better, he says, that all should yield, be loyal, and try to win responsible - government. Otherwise, the Boers will be in the impoverished, degraded condition of a mere working class. He is. convinced that the.other Transvaal generals would submit if Christian did.

ANOTHER FIGHT,

24 BRITISH KILLED AND 53 WOUNDED.

DE WET SAYS HE WILL ENTER CAPE COLONY.

A BRUTAL DECLARATION. Per Press Association. Telegraph. Copyright Received 11.10 p-.m. London, Feb. 11. Louis 'Botha, with 2003 men, at daybreak on the 6th, attacked General SmithDorien’s force at Bothwell. Twenty-four British were killed and 53 wounded. The Boers left 20 dead on the field, including General Spruit and two Fieldcornets. -. Many Boers were sevorely wounded, including Genera! Raademeyer. The Boers have wrecked three more trains on the Natal-Johannesburg line. Lord Kitchener reports that the British movement in the East has thoroughly

upset the Boers’ calculations, and created a regular panic.

Botha, with 7000 men, SOO waggons, and a very largo number of stock, is going East.

DcWet and Steyn have issued a proclamation that they intend to entor Gape Colony to give tho farmers a taste-V 1 tho sufferings of war.

SLIPPERY DE WET.

AGAIN DODGES THE BRITISH.

EVADES SEVEN COLUMNS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

Received Feb. 12, 12.12 a.m. London, Fob. 11, De Wet, failing to cross tho Orango river at East Bethulio, suddenly turned west, under cover of a dotachod commando.

He crossed tho line south of Jaggcrsfontein Road, ovading sevon columns of the British.

General DeLisle has occnpiod Calvinia, the Boers retiring towards Konliardt.

PLAGUE AT CAPETOWN.

ELEVEN MORE CASES,

Received Feb. 12,12.12 a.m. London, Fob. 11. Eleven fresh cases of bubonic plaguo havo been reported at Capetown. The authorities are rapidly destroying rats.

Wellington, last night. The Premier lias received the following cablegram from the oilieer commanding : Capetown—Socond and third contingonts moving from Naawpoort for a destination unknown.