TRANSVAAL WAR.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 716, 27 March 1900, Page 4

TRANSVAAL WAR.

SCHRIENEB BECOMES LOYAL. BOER WOMEN THIRST FOR BRITISH BLOOD. MAFEEING STILL HOLDING ITS OWN. London, March 22. It has been* reported that Mufeking has been relieved. The War Office awaits verification. The War Office withholds until it is verified the message that Mafeking has been relieved. A scout brought the news. The Britishers are going north, and the rebellion at Prieska, Griquatown, Carnarvon, and Campbell has been crushed. The 'Daily News' states, tha^ the State Presidents meet at Kroonstadt to discuss the situation. The feeling between the two Republics is very bitter. Incendiarists destroyed Pomeroy. Five thousand Boers are posted in the hills at the rear of the town. General Buller lias engaged 600 stretcher bearers prepa; atory to an advance. The 'Daily Chronicle' states that General Warren's division is embarking at Durban for East London. President Schieiner, in an unexpectedly cordial letter, says the gallant defence of Mafeking was probably the most dramatic act of the war. He says, may the holiday which he promised upon the relief of the town come soon. General Kitchener is at Doornbergh. The ' Times ' Bloemfontein correspondent states that Kruger on the 21st issued a proclamation annexing the Free State. Steyn issued a counter proclamation that the Free State was intact. The ' Daily Mail ' states that Steyn, replying to Lord Roberts declared that his Government was unchanged, and that he was commandeering as usual. Brigadier-General Brabant has occupied Rouxville and Zaston. Gatacre's detachment at Smithiield captured some Transvaalers and loads of arms, ammunition, and guns. A handful of rebels who quitted the town previous to its capture are reported to have passed Jamesborough, drifting in the direction of Sand river. Groups are reinforcing them. March 23. Free Staters are surrendering many inferior weapons, and there is an impression that they are concealing Mauser rifles. Cape rebels are disarming slowly, and it is believed they are hiding their rifles. 'i'he Boei's are mussing and have entrenched Kroonstad. A reconnaissance at Fourteen Streams on the 21st resulted in an artillery duel the whole morning. The Boer guns were silenced. ' The Times ' states that Colonel Plumer, after a. reconnaissance at Ramathiibama, retired at night to Crocodile Pools. His base hospital has been removed to Gaberones. Pretoria is preparing for a two years' siege. Jioer women demand that British prisoners be shot. At Thabanehu, General French received a heliograph message from Maseru that 4000 Colesberg Boers were trekking towards Ladybrand, in Orange Free State, east of Bloemfontein and near the Basutoland border. The 'Daily News' fixes the meeting between Presidents Kruger and Steyn to discuss the situation for April 4th. Steyn, addressing the burghers at Kroonstad, said the Boer losses amounted to 800 and the British 04,000. The British would be unable to continue the war much longer. Arrests and trials of many suspected rebels are proceeding at Ladysmith. The Transvaal and Free State prisoners have had to be arrested at Simonstown owing to quarrels. Twenty thousand arsenal employes sang tbe National Anthem during the Queen's visit to Woolwich. In the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain stated, in reference to Sir A. Milner's proclamation refusing to recognise the forfeiture of British property by the Boers, that the proclamation covers forfeiture non-pay-ment of ordinary rent, fees for license, and also war tax. The Australia, with a detachment of N.S.W. Lancers, has arrived at Capetown. The enemy, with four guns, hold a ridge across the Vaal river facing Warrenton. Five hundred Boers are entrenched near Faurcoinich. The Boers in Natal have sent their women and children to the Transvaal. Deserters report that they intend to retreat with guns and stoics via Laing's Nek. The Australian ltegiment at Norval's Pont is starting on a l(i days' march via Bloemfontein. The following Australians have died of enteric fever : — Jenk, N.Z.M.K. ; Trooper Cuinncr, Queensland M.R. ; Private J3udd, N.S.W. M.lt. ; and Private Harrison, N.S.W. Medical Corps. A sentry at Capetown shot a Boer who was attempting to escape. A committee is being formed for each colony to control the colonial officers' and families' relief fund. The Princess Henry of Battonberg is president of the Australian committees, the Duchess of York president of the Tasmanian as well as N.A. committees. March 25. General Methuen has secured an important crossing east of Fourteen Streams, and,a new punt is in readiness. Reiufoi'cemonts are being hurried forward, with a view to crossing and outflanking the Boers. There arc indications that Mafeking can hold out for three weeks. A battle is imminent near Maseru. Joubert has resumed supreme command at Kroonslad. The Knight Templar's N.Z. contingent have been sent to Capetown to join Sir Frederick Currington's new force for the protection of Rhodesia. General Woodgate has died of wounds received at Spion Kop. It has been decided to include the families of colonial officers in the fund being raised for the relief of officers of families. It is affirmed that a committee of burghers at Kroonstad has resumed the government of Orange State and deposed Steyn. Lord Roberts reports that four officers rode without escort, except one trooper, eight miles beyond their camp on the ilodder river on tbe 23rd. Boers fired on them, killing the Hon. E. Lygon, Grenadier Guards, brother of Earl Boauchamp, and seriously wounding Lieut. -Colonel Crabbe, Lieut. Trotter, of Grenadiers, also Lieut.-Colonel Codrington, of Coldstreams. Boers say that in response to handkerchief signals they attended the wounded men, conveyed them to a farm, and and cared for them all night. There is a great concentration of Boer forces, with enormous supplies, at Kioonstad. The rebels are entrenched between Kenhiu'dt and Van Wyksolti. Trooper Harding and Piivate E. Smith, Now Zealanders, are' seriously ill at the Cape. Lord Kitchener, having completed successful operations against the rebels in northwestern Cape Colony, has rejoined j?ieldMarslial Lord Roberts at Bloemfontein. Lord Roberts reports that the Free State country is becoming settled and that the people, recognising the advantages offered them under British rule, are selling supplies to the conquerors. Twelve thousand troops landed at Capetown last week and four thousand sailed yesterday. Correspondence has been published which shows that Premier Schieiner declined the Mayor's request to strengthen Kimberley in June and August. The Boer leaders are circulating a story that the Russians have captured and occupied London, and that General Gatacre has been defeated with great loss. Mr Balfour credits Captain Lord Edwaid Cecil with acting on his own responsibility, and having the foresight of provisioning Mafeking for a long seige. Albany, March 23. The s.s. Afric, from Capetown, brings a lengthy despatch by Lord Roberts on the flight of Cronje from Magersfontein and the attack on Koodoosrand. After describing the pursuit to where he surrendered, he said Cronje was expecting help, and mistook Kelly-Kenny's diusion for bis reinforcements, and made no efforts to secure the best available position, and was thus cut off from flight.