GENERAL ITEMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2427, 19 September 1900, Page 24

GENERAL ITEMS.

LONDON, September 10. The natives report that Mr Kruger is collecting arms with a view to surrendering. The resistance to General Buller's progress is so feeble that General Botha taunted the Boers with being cowards in abandoning their strongest position since that occupied at Tugela. Finding the bush veldt not habitable, the Boers in the vicinity of Warm Baths are negotiating for a surrender, in order to save their herds. September 11. General Buller on Saturday, the Bth inst., attacked the Boer position. The enemy occupied a precipitous ridge, in horseshoe form, 1500 ft high. The Spitzkop road lay at the farthest point, while deep ravines prevented the possibility of a turning movement. The position was carried under cover of the artillery fire. The Devons operated on the right, the Royal Irish in the centre, and the Royal Scots on the left. The enemy retreated over a narrow causeway, losing many in their flight, although a heavy mist sheltered them. Some shrapnel burst over a volunteer company and Gordon Highlanders, who were marching in column seven miles from the enemy, killing three and wounding 16 of them, but not interfering in any way with their steadiness. Tlie total British casualties throughout the engagement were 13 killed and 25 wounded. General French, whilst marching from Carolina to Barberton, thrice dislodged the enemy, the Suffolks capturing one of their positions most gallantly. 4.7 guns Avere u&ed by the British with excellent effect. September 12. Lord Roberts reports from Pretoria that the . road towards the position attacked by General Buller on Saturday followed the spur, and was exposed for the most part to the enemy's fire. The attacking force started from various points six miles away, and gradually converged as they approached the summit, Generals Kitchener and Smith-Dorrien skilfully leading, Avhilsl General lan Hamilton's assistance proved invaluable*

CAPETOWN, September 13. There was an immense demonstration at Capetown on Wednesday in honour of. General Baden-Powell. There were 30;000 people in the streets to witness and ptirticipate in a huge torchlight procession.. September 14. ' Sir Gordon Sprigg proposes that the Go-, vernment shall pay 50 per cent, directly the Commissioners have assessed the) amount of compensation which should bo paid to the loyalists whose property, etc., has been destroyed or damaged during the war. The Premier hopes that Great Britain: and the Chartered Company will contribute towards the compensation fund. I LONDON, September 10. The Boers heliographed to General Buller protesting against annexation until the Boers are conquered. Many prominent burghers are urging Kruger to surrender. General Baden-Powell has been appointed chief of the Transvaal police. September 11. C. Smith, a New Zealand mounted man^ died of enteric at Pretoria. The Portuguese authorities at Delagoa. Bay allowed the Boers at Barberton to receive a cargo of flour when almost provisionless, rendering them again ' defiant. September 12. Mr .Kruger arrived at Delagoa Bay on Tuesday last, the 11th inst. The Natal volunteers remain on active seivice until November 11. General Baden-Powell will probably command 25,000 irregular police, chiefly colonials^ Baroness Burdett Coutts entertained 85 invalided colonial soldiers. Sepi ember 13. Lord Roberts concurs in the scathing verdict of the Cotirt of Inquiry at Pretoria, into the treatment of the British prisoners by the Boers. The treatment of officers Avas fairly good, but the meat given Ic* soldiers Avas a ,starA'ation ration, Avhila other food Avas short and inferior, despite the abundance and cheapness of excellent meat, bread, and vegetables. The treatment of some South African colonials was seA r ere and unjustifiable. They Avera throAvn into the common gaol and treated as criminals, contrary to the usages of civilised warfare. The treatment of the sick, says Lord Roberts, Avas inhuman, and reflected the greatest discredit on the Boers, and Avas in contrast Avith the fact that the British invariably tended Boers on an equality Avitli the British. Lord Roberts commends Drs Hazlett andi Gernetr for trying to ameliorate the condition of the patients, but reprobates the conduct of Dr Veale, belonging to th.3 Transvaal Red Cross Society, and accuses him of heartlessness and wilfully ignoring the disgraceful treatment of the sick. The c\ r idence showed that Dr Veale Avas unwill(Conliaued on page 234

—Ring, photo, Greymouth,

— Stuart, photo.

— Stuart, photo.