GENERAL FRENCH’S VICTORY.

New Zealand Mail, 15 February 1900, Page 33

GENERAL FRENCH’S VICTORY.

BOER PRISONERS INTERVIEWED. THEY BLAME THEIR GENERAL. PUZZLED BY BRITISH TACTICS. PATHETIC SCENES. (By Special Correspondent of the Cape “Times.”) NAAUWPOORT, Jan. 5. Coming down from Rensburg I have had a long conversation with the Boer prisoners. They informed me that they surrendered not because they were afraid, but because there was absolutely no chance for them. _ They were shelled from three and a Maxim commanded the other. They had all their horses shot, and could not escape. Others who had horses got away. They describe, our artillery fire as terrible. They could not hide anywhere hut in kloofs, as the shells came from all directions. They ascribe their defeat to the bad generalship of their commandant, Du Toit, of Pliilippolis, who brought his guns up too late to assist. They expressed great admiration for the braveiy of our troops. They appear worn and weary, and" are dressed vey

badly, some being without hats. They regret bitterly being taken prisoners, b'ut seem glad to have a rest, having had a terribly hard time. They all seem, anxious for'peace. Some cried like children in the train, and on being asked, said they jvero thinking of their wives and children. They say their commandants are puzzled at the English tactics. They expected frontal attacks. I discovered that Geldenhuis was on his farm, Jasfontein, when Sergeant Freeman and Private Scott were shot, and he volunteered the information to Lieutenant Coelis that there were no Boers about as a trap. When Rimington Scouts occupied ' Jasfontein he fled in. a cart and two horses. They pursued, and seeing he could not escape, Geldenhuis out spanned one horse and got away.