LATE WAR NEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7424, 1 April 1902, Page 3

LATE WAR NEWS.

THE EXECUTION OF AUSTRALIAN OFFICERS.

THEIR SOLICITOR'S STORY.

THE SENTENCE AN ASTOUND-

ING ONE.

r Received Aptil 1, 10.5 a.m. ; Melboubnb, April 1. Mr Thomas, solicitor, who defended the exeouted Australian officers, in a letter to Lieutenant Witton's father, confirms the late Major Morant's statement that Hunt, who was formerly an Hussar officer, gave his junior officers orders that they were to take no prisoners. He states that nine Boers were shot by RMorant's orders, the charges being that they were train-wreckers, bandits, and were concerned in Hunt's maltreatment. The courtmartiali considered the shooting of tho Boers illegal, and all the officers concerned equally blamable. The defence was that similar procedure had been adopted in similar cases, with the approval of other officers. Mr Thomas adds that the sentence astounded every unbiased person, and that when everything is known it will not be thought the disgrace amounts to much, or anything, as the Boers deserve all they get. With less nonsense and sentiment the war would soon be over. THE TENTH CONTINGENT. Over 80 applications have been received locally for tbe Tenth Contingent, and Capt. Liardat, freoraiting officer, has selected 35 (whose names appear in advertisement) to parade on Thursday morning, for examination, Twenty of the men have already passed the riding test. LEYDS LYING LUBTILY. Received April 1, 10.59 a.m. London, March 31. Dr Leyds, addressing the Boer Independence Committee in Paris, said the position was never more favourable. There was every prospect of England abandoning the conflicts The present negotiations were the outcome of Lord Kitchener's express invitation. The prisoners taken in the Orange Colony inolude Field-Cornet VRnschoer, of Bethlehem. ' Wellington, April 1. Between 200 and 800 applications have been received for 20 teaoherships in the Boer concentration camps. > The Agricultural Department has "*■ , obtained nearly all tbe horßes required " for the Tenth Contingent.