THE LATEST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6625, 17 February 1900, Page 2

THE LATEST.

kinilierley Relieved.

(Extraordinary— Press Association) Eeceived February 16, at 9.25 a.m.

London, February 16. Kimberley has been relieved. MajorGeneral French reached there on Thursday.

Received February 17, at 9.30 a.m. London, February 16. Kimberley has been relieved. Roberts reached Jacobsdale, a town in the Orange Free State, a tew miles north of the Reit River, and Major-General French relieved Kimberley, on Thursday.

(Agent-General's Cable.) Wellington, January 17. The Agent-General cables :—London 16, 11.40 a.m. The following cable message has been received from Lord Roberts:—MajorGeneral French, with the cavalry and Horse Artillery, reached Kimberley on Thursday evening.

NO PARTICULARS OF THE ADVANCE. Received February 17, at 10.10a.ni.'

London, February 16;. Despatches to the War Office do-not mention whether Major-Gfeheral French encountered any opposition in getting to Kimberley. > -/^

BOER LINES OF. RET|j|^LT. It is also unknown whether tfc^-Bpj|£ lines of retreat are actually sevesp^^^ BOERS WITHDRAWING -iSlil

MAGERSFONTEIN. ? * '" '~" There were indications on Wednesday that the Boers were withdrawing from Magersfontein, leaving ten thousand of their forces.

LORD ROBERTS' FORCE 50,000.

Lord Eoberts' entire force consisted of fifty thousand, including Major-General French's mounted corps of six thousand. BRITISH RETIREMENT. Capetown, February 16. The British have retired from Rensburg to Arundel. BOER ADVANCE. The enemy reoccupied Twibosch hills.

CHARGED BY THE INNISKILLINGS. The Inniskilling Dragoons, who were so kind to the New Zealanders on their first arrival, stopped further advance southwards and charged the enemy, inflicting great loss. HOME PARLIAMENT. In the House of Lords, Lord Roseberry criticised the Government military proposals in an impassioned speech. He complained of the militia movement, and said that the country was being denuded of troops. The proposals were inadequate and showed no conception of the urgent gravity of the present crisis, the imminence of danger or over* burdening the tension of the country. The South African ravenous maw demanded many victims. Where were the fifty thousand -additional men required to come from ? Foreign nations were well aware of Great Britain's military deficiences and it would be impossible to reckon upon their benevelent neutrality. If South Africa were lost Britain would lose the enthusiastic support of the colonies. The Government ought to take a larger grasp of the situation and recognise it was a matter of life and death. The Earl of Lansdowne, Secretary of State for War, denied that Lord Roberts j had asked for more troops than were already under orders. At the same time, if more were needed they would be sent. Lord Salisbury ridiculed Lord Rosebery's lugubrious vaticinations, arguing it was useless to insist upon providing against dangers'' that were not likely to arise. The tide of war was changing in Britain's favour. He felt confident the, campaign would prove successful. In the House of Commons the Supplementary Army Estimates were brought down by the Government and were carried by 239 yotes to 34.

A PEOPEE STEP. Mr Chamberlain stated that the Natal Government would not be responsible

for the Zulus maintaining peace since the Boer invasion of native territory belonging to Cape Colony. The invaded natives would be encouraged and assisted to defend their lands. Mr A. J. Balfour stated that if the tacit compact that war should be limited to whites were infringed Britain would reconsider her. decision respecting the employment of native Sikhs and Goorkas from India, who ars known as some of the bravest troops in the world. . _ Eeceived February 17, at 9.45 a.m. ■■■■: London, February 16, '" BOER GAINS. Router's message reports that the Boers olaiin to having killed 13 British lancers, at Springfield, besides wounding five and capturing njp6' AUSTBALI#H LOSSES. The War Offifl^eports the following members of ja§ Victorian first coatin"

genfc were killed at Eensberg on the 10th and 12th:—Major -Eddy, Lieut. I C Eoberts, Sergt. N. Grant, Corporal.' Armrop (sic) and Boss,. Privates Hock Wilson, McKane and Williams j also H. Powell.

Of the South Australian Contingent the following were wounded : — Lieuts. Gamble and Tremearue, Corporal D McCauley, Privates Lamdorn, William' son, Wallace, Elms, Bush, CoUey, Hegon, Peters, Edwards, the latter dangerously and Byers severely. The Victorians had the following wounded and taken prisoners :-Corporal Mowley, and Private Eoberts, all of the Victorian Rifles. BOMBAEDMENT OF LADYSMITH, Durban, February 16. The Boers on Sunday were approach* ing Potgieters. They constructed trenches and other defences on that side. The bombardment of Ladysmith is betiming brisker. PEOTECTING JZULULAND. Befleiyed February 17, at 11.30 a.m. Durban, February 16. UlcingV column, despatched to Zululand, was for ihe protection of Eshowe. a town m the sowth of Zululand. A SAFE RETREAT. Eeceived February 17, at 10 a.m. I London, FeO;ruary 16. Advice has been received tn'ai the magistrate and Addison's column haV* reached Isandlwana, Zululand, Having* retired from Ngutu, in order to avoid a strong Boer division. On several occasions the small force were nearly sur. rounded by the enemy. FILLING WAR VACANCIES. Eeceived February 17, at 10.45 a.m. Melbourne, February 17. Government has decided to despatch additional officers to fill the vacancies caused by death and disablement.