THE ORANGE FREE STATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11195, 16 October 1899, Page 5

THE ORANGE FREE STATE.

REPORTED ADVANCE OF TROOPS. NATAL INVADED, , FORCES MARCHING ON LADYSMITH. BRITISH RECONNAISSANCE. A- VIOLENT PROCLAMATION. RESIGNATION OF A CONSULGENERAL. PRESIDENT STEYN'S ACT SUICIDAL. Capetown, October 13. [ It is reported here that the forces ! of the Orange Free State have in- ■ vacl'ecl Natal through Van Keenan J Pass,' and that they are within 15 miles of Ladysmith, at the junction of the Durban and Harrismith railways. Capetown, October 15. General White, who is i n command of the forces in Natal, madu a strong i reconnaissance from Ladysmith, in i the direction of Van Roman's Pass, where the Orange Free State forces are posted, but failed to draw them. He then returned to Ladysimith. Bloemfontein, October 13. A violently-worded proclamation ! has been issued by Preside nt Steyn, | of the Orange Free State, in which i he accuses Great Britain of unscru- ! pulously distorting the terms of the Convention, and violating the national rights of the Boers. He also charges the British Government with craft and greed, and asserts that they have long been Sleeking a pretext to annihilate the Afrikanders. London, October 13. Sir William Dunn, M.P. Itor Paisley, and head of the firm -of Dunn and Co., who have extensive business connections in South Africa, has resigned the position of hon. Consul-General in London for the ' Orange Free State, which he has ' held for some years, as a, protest against what he terms President Steyn's suicidal policy in joining the Transvaal against Great 'Britain. ' He states that the Presidents action i'S at variance with the wisheis of the majority of the burghers in the Orange Free State. Sir William supports Mr. Chamberlain.'