A BOER ON THE WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11854, 4 January 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

A BOER ON THE WAR.

, . CREUSOT GUNS PURCHASED IN PARIS. A representative of the London Express had a conversation recently with Mr. Hans Marais, a Transvaaler who has just come to England on parole. Mr. Marais, who is staying at a sma l ! private hotel in the West* End, has com-.-to England on account of his health, which has partially broken down with campaigning, -v; He served on the Natal side, and cfterwards took part in the blockade below Mafeking, which Sir Archibald Hunter di.= persed by his brilliant dash on the trench?s at Fourteen Streams. Asked what was the condition of the Boer forces in the field, Mr. Marais said: — ' " The chief drawback is lack of artillery. The possession of big guns, besides being of moment- to the attack, gives great moral strength to the burghers who, since the early days of the'war,, have come to. look 'upon guns as necessary for backing up the Matisser." ;■' ; 0 .•'• ■■ ' .". ' ' ' '•'.; ; "Is it true that guns are being purchased in Europe?" he was asked. " Yes," replied Mr. Marais, " six Creusot guns have been bought in Paris in a roundabout way by the committee there, but the company which has been running rifles to the East Coast won't undertake artillery." " Then no field pieces have as yet been included in the gun-running through Portuguese territory?" "That I cannot say," replied Mr. Marais. " I only know that Louis Botha has asked for artillery, as the guns which he has dug up are found to be now useless." "And ammunition?" "The burghers had plenty of it when I left. But they are all disheartened, a /id would willingly give up the struggle. It is the leaders who keep them at it, as they have personal fears of the punishment which may be inflicted upon them."