GENERAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2408, 26 April 1900, Page 37

GENERAL ITEMS.

CAPETOWN, April 23,

The Boers at Wepener are jubilant ovei a message they have received from Ml

Steyn, in which he announces that foreign intervention on their behalf is certain. 'He also threatens the confiscation < f the property of any who refuse to take up arms, and declares that all who refuse to fight will be shot if they are captured. 1 He further implores the burghers to reBisfc, pending the outcome of Mi- Fischer's fefforts to obtain foreign intervention. ! The Boersv have officially declared that recently captured 13,000 British troops, and that two and a-half millions of Russians were invading India. ( -These statements are apparently issued to Stimulate their troops to persevere in opposing the British.

A man named Gertbairn, a Government Horse contractor at Capetown, has been arrested for concealing three escaped Boer prisoners, who were disguised as clergyman.

CAPETOWN, April 24.

The rebels captured at Sunnyside were tried at the criminal sessions here. The prisoners urged that many of their witnesses were unprocurable at Capetown ; to which the prosecution replied that this was because they were fighting with the Boers. Three were sentenced to five years' imprisonment, and the others and three youths from six months to one year. LONDON, April 23. &ir Charles Warren has been appointed Military Governor of the Free State.

Roberts has already taken steps 1o re Tea and develop a large trade in the Free State with a view to increasing the customs receipts.

One thousand Portuguese troops guard the Transvaal frontier.

SYDNEY, April 24,

The Armenian, v/ith 750 New South Wales Bushmen and 800 horses, sailed tonight. The troops reserved an enthusiastic send-off.