THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12590, 27 August 1901, Page 5

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

CAPTURE OF A LAAGER, A COMPLETE SURPRISE. CONVALESCENT NEW ZEALANDERS., ; the:duke andithepri- ■ . SONERS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. *.: iONDON, , Ahgust 25. Further particulars of - the capture of Commaindant Haasbroek’s laager at Doom, berg last week, show that Colonel-Barker’* column almost encircled the Boers during the night, and at dawn opened a heavy, fusillade with big guns and rifles. For ten minutes the wildest consternation reigned amongst the enemy. ' The captures included a mass of official correspondence. Surgeons Peter, Randall and W. Fitzpatrick, of the New Zealand forces, are convalescent, and have resumed duty. During the Duke of ComwaH’s visit to Cape Town a number of Boer prisoners presented his Royal Highness with curios mad® from Kruger coins. The Duke shook hands with the prisoners, who were delighted..

v A BELGIAN, PLOT. BRUSSELS, August 25, The Belgian Socialists desired 'a uni/ versal labour strike as a protest- against the war in South Africa, .but the British Socialists sent a discouraging answer to the proposal, and the movement collapsed. r A COUNTER PROCLAMATION. (Received August 27, 1.6 a.m.) LONDON, August 26.' It is officially reported l that Commandant De la Rey has issued a proclamation warning the Boers against Lord Kitchener’s proclamation, and adding that .tihs, struggle will be-continued. . ■ ; _ ,s. ■ Mr Kruger, in the course of an- interview, said that the. Boers will disappear if God wills it, but man will ngyer conquer them.- / The “Daily Mail’s” Brussels correspondent states that General Botha has decided to keep British prisoners as hostages in- the event of Lord Kitchener’s proclamation being enforced. l IMPORTANT CAPTURES; ' - (Received: August 27, 1.6 a,m.) LONDON, August. 26. A detachment of the Tibtt Hussars ha 4 a sharp fight with fi cheeper’s commando ait South, Uniondalte, •. The. British- had ' four killed! and eleven wounded.' : Commandant Vandtermero and FMd-ccirmcit Duplessis were among the Boer wounded. 1 ■: :-i ' i Thu “ Standard’s ’’ Pretoria correspondent reports 1 that capedi scathlless in cormootten [with fhe capture of the. convoy, near Klerksdorp. The prisoners include,[Miss Sfceyn, the ,es-Presh dent’s niece, and Commandant: Dd mother.

A PARTY LEVER. LONDON, August 26. ill’ Balfour’s le’.ter supporting Air Faber’s says that to weaken the Government would be to encourage the lettnemy to, prolong ; the war. i ■' ;; -

SEVENTH CONTINGENT. - - [Per Press Association;]-’ ' WELLINGTON, August 26<, ' The Premier has received the following cable from the officer commanding the Seventh Contingent .•-—“Part of the Seventh New Zealanders under Colonel White made a night march and captured a Boer, laagot and 27. prisoners. There, .were no casualties on our side. -AH ranks were oompli* mented by the Commandef-in-Chief.”