THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12696, 30 December 1901, Page 5

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.

CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

SWISS WOMEN'S APPEAL.

BOER FICTIONS.

CAPTURE BY THE-BRITISH.

THE TWEEFONTEIN AFFAIR.

A BRITISH CAMP SURPRISED

HEAVY LOSSES.

United Press Association.—By Electrie Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, Dec. 27,

Forty-three thousand six hundred and fif-

teen Swiss women (have signed a Christmas letter to the women of Britain and Ireland, protesting against the extermination of the women and children at the concentration camps. The "Morning Post" sujfi gests a suitable reply showing the real facts.

The British officials photographed an emaciated child, showing tfhe Boer mother's neglect. The Boers on the Continent circulated many copies of the photograph as evidence of British barbarity to Boer children.

Twenty-eight Boers have been at Jagersfontein. They include Field Cor-. neb Dutchit, who was concerned in the

murder of natives.

AN ESCAPE FROM ST HELESfA. LONDON, Dec. 27. A Boer at St Helena smuggled' himself in a box on board the Goth. He was dig- ' covered and transferred to naval custody ait Ascension. "■

A HUNGARIAN STORY,

MR KRUGER AND LORD ROSEBERY BUDA PESTH, Dec. 27. '

The newspaper "Keoter Lloyd" 6tates that Mr Kruger's friends are trying to arrange for Mr Kruger andi Lord Rosebery to meet at Utrecht.

A LAAGER SURPRISED

LONDON, Dec. 27.

General Bruce Hamilton surprised Pretorious' laager, killing one Boer and cap turing fifteen.

DETAILS OF A RECENT FIGHT. (Received Dec, 29, 4.55 p.m.) /LONDON, Dec. 28. Details of the Beginderlyn. fight shovr, that the Mounted Rifles chased! six Boers over successive ridges. Owing to a halt, a third company occupied the foremost tion. They mistook a body of kharki-clad. .enemy approaching in»led sections, "■"- BritishT~ The Boers dismounted at a distance of thirty yards, and commenced volleying, and overpowered the company. The second company, which was to the leftward, made a stand. The first company in the rear was thus enabled to retire. The fourth company sustained eight casualties J da«hing through the Boers.

THE SURPRISE OF A BRITISH CAMP.

LATER DETAILS. (Received Dec. 30, 12.25 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 29.

Further details of the Tweefontein affair states that Major Williams, of the South Staffords, who was commanding in {Lionel Firman's absence, encamped on the northern slope of a solitary kopje, placing! outposts on the edge of the almost precipitous southern side. The outposts pushed well out north, where the slope was gentle. The, position, wfiich was naturally strong, was entrenched. The night was moonlight, but cloudy. The Boers climbed the precipitous side, collecting near the top, and at two o'clock in the morning suddenly attacked the pickets on the summit. Before the men encamped could get clear of the tents the Boers rushed through, shooting all as they emerged. The officers were killed in trying to stem the tide. There was no panic, and all did their best. Lieutenant Hawick was killed while firing a pom-pom, and Lieutenant Watney when leading a charge. (Received! Dec. 30, 1.7 a.m.)

When the picket at Tweefontein was overwhelmed 1 , the 1200 Boers under De Wet had all the advantage. Including Mlled and wounded, with those now at Elands River Bridge, about half the column, is accounted for. The rest were taken prisoners. \ The fifteen-pounder fired two round's and! then jammed. The gunners were shot round the gun. Lieutenant Scarlett, who was overlooked and! left ibehind:, saw -two waggon loads of dead and! wounded Boers mostly hit in the first attack on the pickets. Major Hoag, who was wounded and left behind, confirms Lieutenant Scarlett, stating that he saw Boer dead all around at daybreak. The Boers behaved well, leaving men to assist the wounded. The Imperial Light Horse, who were fourteen miles away at Elands River, arrived l before seven in the morning and pursued' the enemy, securing a few before the Boers reached the broken country south, of Langoerg. Major Williams, five officers and' fifty-two men were killed. Nine officers were wounded and! five are missing.

RETURNED TROOPERS' PAY. SYDNEY, Dec. 28.

A number of returned soldiers have decided to commence an action against the

aovetnment to Tecover the balance of pay which they allege is due to them. The action lunges on the point whether the men .were to be paid 4s 6d> per day exclusive of Imperial pay. The Government contends that the 4s 6di was meant to include the Imperial rate. ■

THE LATE LIEUTENANT RUSSELL, [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Dec. 28.

Captain Russell has telegraphed to the Premier that 'he fears that the Lieutenant Russell killed in the West Yorkshire regiment is his son. The Premier has cabled to Lord Kitchener, Major Pildher and the Agent-General, asking for information. NAPIER, Dec. 28.

No official confirmation has yet been received regarding the supposed death of Captain Russell's son. ■ . NAPIER, Dec. 29.

. Captain Russell has received the following cable from a friend in England:— "Holland/Dec. 19.—Philip is dangerously wounded. Has died. Holland is near Beginderlyn." This refers to Lieutenant P. L. Russell, of the West Yorkshire Regiment, and son of. Captain Russell, regarding whose death some doubts were' expressed.

REMOUNTS AND FORAGE. [Per Press Association:] '.,;■■ MASTERTON, Dec. 28. The Stock Department has purchased likty horses as remounts in this district, ind also considerable quantities of forage.

Lieutenant A. Rose (son of Captain Rose), vho went away with the Sixth. Contingent, is now an officer of the 3rd Manchester . Regiment, stationed at Aldershot. Captain Rose's elder son, Lieutenant J. Rose, of the Fifth Contingent, is coming out to Australia by the Ormuz, and will probably reach Wellington next week. Captain, J. G. Hughes, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for the gallant part played by him at the New Zealand Hill engagement with the First Contingent, received the insignia of the Order from Lord Ranfurly at Government House en Monday evening. • The Countess of Ranfurly pinned the order on Captain Hughes's breast, and hiSjExcellency complimented the officer upon the honour he had won. The Dunedin members of Parliament interviewed by the "Star" are inclined, to favour the importation of Boers as prisoners of war, to be maintained and guarded by the Imperial authorities. They are unanimous in opposing the proposal to settle Hhem on the soil or their reception as ordinary immigrants. .