Some Interesting Facts.

Hastings Standard, Volume V, Issue 1425, 16 January 1901, Page 4

Some Interesting Facts.

Gradually the truth about the Boer determination to declare war against England is coming out. An ex-Land-drost of one of the principal towns in the Transvaal, now on parole at Durban, frankly admits that a conspiracy existed amongst the Boers to oust the British from South Africa. He declares that all the engineering work during the war was done by young Boers who had been sent to Europe years before to receive adequate training, the object being to utilise their services when hostilities, which the Boers regarded as inevitable, commenced. The Landdrost further stated that after the battle of Spion kop General Joubert wrote to Mr Kruger to the effect that tbe Boers were bound to suffer defeat and, if the struggle were persisted in, ruin. He urged the President to sue for peace on the condition that the Boers shouid have selfgovernment under British suzerainty. The Landdrost states that General Joubert drafted this letter, containing peace proposals, and another asking General Buller for an armistice of fourteen days in order that a settlement might be arrived at. Kruger, however, merely wrote urging Joubert to rush Ladysmith and hold that entire route before General Buller renewed his advance. Furthermore, the Landdrost says that when urged to adopt a certain course General Joubert absolutely declined to play false with the agreement entered into with Sir George White, or to make dishonorable use of the Red Cross flag. The same Landdrost says that a German officer who was attached to the Boers told him that no German or European army, after suffering such reverses as those of Colenso and Spion kop, would have aeain pushed forward. For pertinacity ;mJ pluck no soldier in the world could equal the British.