THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12531, 19 June 1901, Page 5

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

THE CAPE RAIDERSHUSTLED BY BRITISH , COLUMNS. A HOT ENGAGEMENT. AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES. THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS LIVELY DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. Uailtd Press Association—By Elaotria Telegraph—'Copyright. LONDON, June IT. Soobell and Colonel Gorrimge forced Kruitzinger’s, Fonche’s and My-, burgh’s commandoes across the borders of Kaffraria. The commandoes having dispersed, broke back, re-united and crossed the railway line alt Molteno, on June 13. They were well,clad, with several horses each and plenty of ammunition. After Colonel Sladen’s Mounted Rifles had captured his convoy De Wet sent help, and a hot engagement followed. General Elliott despatched: Colonel Delisle’s Mounted Infantry to Colonel Sladen’s assistance, and the Boers were routed. The British killed included Lieutenant John Mair, late of the New South Wales Mounted Infantry, Corporals Hamp and Barrow, and six men of the South Australian Bushmen. NEWS OF AN ENGAGEMENT CONFIRMED. THE SURPRISE OP A BOER LAAGER. ! LONDON, June 17. Reuter’s Durban correspondent states that Kitchener’s Scouts and the Bushveldt Carbineers, on May 13, surprised a laager at Pienaar’s River, capturing 40 prisoners, all the enemy’s waggons, and 7000 head of. cattle. Twenty-seven Boers were killed, and-86 wounded. Five British were killed, and 20 wounded. This intelligence is considered to be a confirmation of the engagement at- Warmbaths, particulars of which were cabled on June 6. SIR DAVID BARBOUR’S REPORT.’ ' APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT. (Received June 18, 10.40 p.m.) LONDON, June 18. Mr Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, said that the Government generally; agreed with the principles of Sir D. M. Barbour’s report, though it did not guarantee that Lord Milner would apply them all. i LOOTING BY BOERS. (Received June 18, 11.15 p.m.) : LONDON, June 18. ; Scheeper’s force partially looted Murraysburg. The Boers determined effort to recapture a convoy at Reitz, and charged 1 right up to the Mounted Infantry. , SPEECH BY MR CECIL RHODES. ; THE BRITISH OPERATIONS. £ . LONDON, June 18. Mr Cecil Rhodes, addressing a gathering of 3000 persons at Bulawayo, estimated that there were 9000 Boers in the field. It would be nonsense to concede self-govern-ment to the' Transvaal and Orange . State until federation. When that'was achieved, Natal and the northern States would not sympathise with the Cape, which had eni couraged rebellion.

Lord Kitchener .advises that since his last report twenty-four Boers have been killed, fourteen wounded, 265 taken prisoners , and 165 surrendered. Three thousand cattle, 1500 horses, 198 waggons, 137 rifles and 8200 rounds of ammunition have been captured, apart from General Elliot's operations. THE CONCENTRATION DAMPS. DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. ■ (Received June 19, 1.6 a.m.) ’ j ’ LONDON,, June 18. In the House of Commons, Mr Brodrick Stated that there were 37,738 persons in the Transvaal concentration camps, including natives, 2524 in Natal, 20,574 in the Orange River Colony and 2490 in the Cape. Mr Lloyd George moved the adjournment of the House. He complained that the’ refugees were nob treated with consideration. Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman declared that concentration was barbarous. Mr Brodrick hotly denied that there had been any inrramanity. Extreme leniency had protracted the war. The high mortality in the Johannesburg camp in May was owing to measles. The women refused to follow the' dietary directions. Every mail brought complaints that injudicious proBoer were encouraging resistance. Mr Haldaue, amid Liberal •interruptions, declared that the Government was showing ail possible humanity. Tho motion for adjournment was negatived by 253 votes to 154. Fifty Liberal Imperialists abstained from veting; including Mr Asquith,' Sir ri. Grey, Messrs Haldane and M’Arthur. Fifty-six Irish members and Sir W. V. Harcourt and Sir Henry uampbeli Bannerman, voted wi'Dh the minority .

RETURNING .TROOPS.

THE X'UCIITH AN r, D .'FIFTH CONTIN- . GENTS., [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 18. The Premier has been advised that the a s. Tayne left Cape Town :on June 13, having on board-for New Zealand LieutenantCclonel Davis, Captains Walker,. Pringle, Nicolson- and Davey, Lieutenants Known, Thomson, Macdonald, Rolhson and Jolley, Quartermaster Gsrdiner, Surgeon-Captain Watt and -287 men of the Fourth Contin gent, Captains Major, Jackson, Curry and

Polaon, Lieutenants M’Millan, Marshall, M’Lellari, Whyte, "<Haselden, Manson and Ferguson,; Quartermaster Sanderson, Sur-geon-Captain Thomas and 326 mem of the Fifth Contingent, Lieutenant Loudon of the Second Contingent, Second-Lieutenant O’Farrell of the First Derbyshire Regiment, Lieutenant Heather, of Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts, and 58 men, including 40. New Zealand reserves. The steamer is expected toarrive here on July 5. .