THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Lake County Press, Issue 976, 22 August 1901, Page 5

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Colonel Goring indicted losses on Kritzinger, Erasmus, Pyper, and Cachet near Steynsbnrg, Erasmus and Cachet being mortally wounded. Mr Balfour in the House of Commons said that not a man or horse would be withdrawn unless the military situation justifies the step. The war was being unduly prolonged, even from the standpoint of the Boers. It is stated that General Lyttelton’s presence in Soutli Africa is merely a precaution in the event of General Kitchener being taken ill : otherwise Kitchener will remain until resistance is suppressed. Col. Crabbo is hotly pursuing Kritzinger’s which Col, Goring put to flight. Commandant Erasmus was captured unwounded, Major Toll and a party of Queenslanders surprised and captured a small Boer laager on the 9th. Reuter’s correspondent states that a party of South Australian Bushmen belonging to De Lisle’s column rushed a farm house on horseback and with fixed bayonets, expecting that it contained only a few Boers, but fifty emerged and a smart fight ensued. Five Boers were killed, nine wounded, seven captured, and eight wounded escaped. The British casualties are not stated. The Daily Mail gives the following details of the Koppiesfontein fight. Ou the night of the Gth 200 Boers trapped a patrol of eight Queenslanders killing two. They then attacked the outposts and got within 30 yards of them, but were repulsed by the supports. Mr Bennet Burleigh states that in response to the proclamation many Boers are enquiring what treatment they will recehe if they surrender. The Standard states that Kruger protests against the proclamation and quotes Articles 7 and 20 of The Hague Convention, prohibiting belligerents confiscating the private property of landowners. The Commission will not receive claims for compensation for losses sustained in South Africa unless lodged by 15th September. The Times’ Berlin correspondent says that Great Britain has offered German debenture-holders in the Netherlands Railway Company the full amount for their investments, with arrears of interest. The shareholders’ committee has declined Britain’s offer to buy the shares at present market value, seeking better terms. Some Boer leaders refused to receive the proclamation, but surrenderors declare that it will ultimately be successful.