THE TRANSVAAL WAR

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4312, 22 March 1901, Page 7

THE TRANSVAAL WAR

CABLE NEWS.

UNITED IUIESS ASSOCIATION. —BY EI.EOTKIO TBLKOKAPn.—OOPYBIGHT.

NEGOTIATIONS FOB PEACE. BOTHA BEFTJSES THE TERMS • OFFERED. LONDON,. March 20. It has been announced by the Prime Minister in tin; House of Lor<J» and by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in the House of Commons that Lord Kitchener, tbo British Commander-in-Cliief in South Africa, has received a lelter from General Louis Botha, tho lioer Commander-in-Chief, stating that he is nob disposed to recommend to tho earnest consideration, of his Government the terms of peace which Lord Kitchener had been instructed to offer him. The Boer General added that his Government and tho principal officers fighting under him entirely agreed with Ins views on tho .subject. The British Government has promised to Issue to-day a Blue Book allowing the course of the negotiations. Commenting upon General Botha’s reply, “The Times” cites Botha’s reference to ‘‘lns Government.” and says it’ would be interesting to know whatFhis Government is. ;

The unpleasant necessity for prosecuting the war has not, adds “The Times,”' abated tho energy of Great Britain. It will, on the other hand, give /emphasis to Lord Kitchener’s appeal for comforts for the troops during the approaching winter. President Kruger, now in - Europe, slates that General Botha entered tho lai n negotiations in order that the truce which it entailed would give him time to collect supplies. THE SHOOTING OF*BRITISH-BORN BURGHERS. PENALTY OP TRANSVAAL CITIZENSHIP. V LONDON, March 20. Fnrtlier particulars of the execution of the two British-horn burghers of tho Transvaal (Boyd and McLachlan) at Wolmaranstad, in the south-west Transvaal, at the instance of General Do la Key, for refusing to light, show that their trial was presided over by one Noething, lauddrost or magistrate of Klerksdorp. The execution took place at Wolmaran.stad, on the 9th Inst., some of Do la Bey’s scouts being sent to act as a firing party.' ’■ ; ' ■Two other men named Uni.ssiu shared tho fate of the Englishmen. On the four being withdrawn from, this gaol they clasped hands and they ■ were subset fluently placed in a row and shot separately. ■ . ■■■■■■■•'• Mrs McLachJan, widow of one of tho victims, who was heart-broken, arrived on tbo 13th with coffins for their burial. . PUNISHMENT OF TREASON. ..... (Received March 22, 0.44 a.m.) ; LONDON,. March 21,• Lord Kitchener confirmed" - thejt sentences passed on Jan Ninaber. Sard Number and Jan Nieuwondt for treason, .murder and train-wrecking at Talbois.

The men were shot at Do Aar at sunset. Tho Dutch pastor was-present.

MIXING ON THE RAND. - . (Received March 22, 1.2 a.m.) LOisDON, March 21. Sinking and crushing has begun on a limited scale at the Summer Jack, Jail ee, City and Suburban, Salisbury and other properties. > * AUSTRALIAN TROOPS! (Received March 22, 0,66 a.m.) SYDNEY. March 21. The second portic/!i of the Imperial draft contingent embarked to-day on the transports Ranee and British Prin. cess*.. : ■., ••■■'‘‘••’.■■'.•rVc ' 'MISCELLANEOUS.. •(' LONDON, March 20. Sir. Alfred Milner, in tho capacity of Governor of the Transvaal .Colony, is establishing his headquarters at Johannesburg. ' ' , Commandant Krnitzingcr,' who has been raiding in the south-eastern part of Cape Colony, in the country at the hack of East London, has escaped across the Elands River. ? (Received March 22, 1.2 a.m.) LONDON, March 21. The War Office is sending three million blankets and many comforts to South Africa. ■- - Colonel Decne is returning to organise the central camp of .16,000; yeomanry at Genniston;. ■ Sir Alfred Milner remains at Johannesburg for three months. ~ , (Received! March 22, 0.44 a.m.) LONDON,’.March 21. The Boers under Commandant Kruitzinger have been driven north. They lost forty killed and- woandodi on the 17th, also seventy horses arid mariy saddles. .. ■ ;■ •. ■ LIEUTENANT SEDDON. . LONDON, March 20. .Lieutenant Seddon, son .of, the New Zealand Premier, has been'granted a commission lin the Field, Artillery. THE SEVENTH CONTINGENT. A meeting of citizens convened by the Mayor to arrange (or.a sj?nd-off to tho Seventh Contingent was’held' in tho Council' Chambers yesterday'' afternoon. Only half , i dozen people attended. The Mayor (Mr J..G. W. ■ Aitken) explained why the meeting had been call- , ed, and regretted there was not a larger attendance. Judging by the number present, it. was evident.’tho citizens of Wellington had 1 had 11 riioro ■ tiffin their slums of celebrations; lately!Ho was prepared to receive ‘ suggestion's from those present as to the form the sendoff to tho Seventh Contingent at present camped at Newtown Park should take.., " .. ; The Mayor, in ~reply, to a, .question, stated that a’ dinner would cost five shillings per head. For'six' Hrindred men. the total cost would therefore be £l5O. , ■ Mr A. R. Atkinson, M.H.R.,did not, think, after the manner in which the public had responded to the meriting that a dinner could be given the men: Pfobably, a send-off' sirnilar: to that given thojyixth, Contingent' poitkii he. sufficient. Tho Mayor stated that be would commumcate 'with the Deferfrie Department, and find out the day hhd liitrin* rft 'which tho men would, leave the Park. The 1 men would march through the city to tho Band RotUnd»;‘'sVl|e‘ro they would be ad- . dressed by his Excellriricy the Governor, the Premier and tho Mayor. He was agreeable to this, provided the DefenceDepartment fell in with tho arrangement. ■ ' ' ', ' , The; strength of thri'eamp at N.ewtown. is’iidw 557 offiqei'S; amir men. ;. Every pian-in? cainp^j;e|terday received his pdiy* rip' ip date. It is rumoured in camp that the date

on which the contingent will sail for ,South Africa has been fixed for Saturday .week, p. , Tbo sick-list has been greatly reduced. Yesterday uthe only* fresh .case.' was that of an Auckland, man, who was thrown irom.a horse..at Lyell Bay,; and had his thumb.badly put out, ' -