THE USE OF EXPLOSIVE BULLETS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 24

THE USE OF EXPLOSIVE BULLETS.

PERSISTENT SNIPING BY BOERS DE WET'S LATEST PROCLAMATION.

ACCIDENT TO LORD ROBERTS. NO SERIOUS RESULTS.

t)E WET AGAIN ESCAPES.

THREE BOER ATTACKS REPULSED—tee ENEMY'S CASUALTIES HEAVY.

A TASMANIAN GAINS A V.O.

CONTIKUEI? - KAJDS AND SURPRISES.—CAP EURE OF PRISONERS AND LIVE STOCK.

FATAL MISTAKE OF A LIEUTENANT.

BOERS CAPTURE A CHIEF OF POLICE.— ROBBED AND MUEDERBD.

CAPETOWN, November 19. ■ The ..Caledonian Society of South Africa -are raising a corps of 300 mounted Scots- ' men. November 21,. Sixty selected refugees have left here in order to prepare .certain Rand mines for the- commencement of operations. LONDON, November 19. - The horrible wounds Caused by the Boers' constant, use of explosive bullets is causing a demand for retaliation. "An Italian, who had been fighting with the Boers and sworn neutrality, has been , sentenced .to be,hange,d at Johannesburg for / Killing- tw.o J ' members of ComptonV Horse garrisoning arfarmhouse. ' General Sir Redvers Buller and Lady Buller are visiting ' Windsor, i The Queensland -Government are inviting Applications in Pretoria for 10 lion-co'mmis-- " sibned officers 'to' act" as instructors to the" colony's troops. ; • - November 20. General Lord Kitchener has returned to Standerton. ,He is sending the families of the Transvaalers on commando to Natal. Sniping is persistent in many places, and^ occasionally in the streets of Pretoria. . Reuter states that Harvey and P. T. Finlayson, of Adelaide, commanded the detachment of the Cape Mounted Police at" Modder, relieving the Highlanders at Jacobsdal. Finlayson, with four men, witho'ufwaiting for the laggard foot nien, galloped into the town, experiencing in the. square fire from' four sides. He chased a number of fugitive horsemen, and then returned and arrested the 'snipers. Colonel' Smith, of the Australian Artilleiy, has been appointed to the command of the Prieska district. The date of the departure of Lord Roberts for England is uncertain. . The Daily News says that Finlayson's exploit in rushing Jaccbsdal with four .troopers reflects much glory on him and .the Cape police, who ought to have a conspicuous place in ' the history of the iwar. November 21. Many surrenderors are arriving at .Lindley, - owing to De Wet's proclamation -■that he will shoot all refusing to rejoin •him. - Thirteen men belonging to the York and Lancasters, travelling in a waggon, were ambushed .south of Utrecht. Four :were wounded. All were released. . A New Zealander named Rudgeli was wounded, and another named F. Bruce is missing at Ventersdorp. [There is a Trooper Euddell, of Whangarei, who is a member of the fourth contingent.] The Daily Express states that F. Eloff, who has arrived at Marseilles, declares that 'Mr Kruger is seeking an honourable peace .through the intervention of the Powers. ; Reuter, from other sources, foreshadows a final theatrical appeal to the Queen to -.modify the demand for unconditional surrender. Boer circles at Marseilles are despondent over the result of the visit. One hundred and eighty Boers narrowly escaped an ambush to the north of Lindley. November 22. A horse, fell with Lord Roberts on Sunday, and" he was slightly shaken. The Field-marshal has cabled that he suffers no ill effects from the accident. Lieutenant Seddon, of New Zealand, has been' appointed extra aide-de-canrp to Lord Roberts. . , - A. -gale and haze delayed the Netherland warship' Gelderland, with Mr Kruger on board, and she was signalled a day late. Rain spoiled the decorations, which were confined chiefly to the quays and yachts. Owing to the preponderance of Nationalists the general public were listless, although vautf w|ti»p.n were granted a holiday.

I The consul forwarded to the authorities I a number of letters, offering pro-British demonstrations for cash. Dr Leyds ad1 vised Mr Kruger to act with caution. Some angry scenes were witnessed at the Reception Committee's room, some attributing the postponement of the landing to political motives. [No place is mentioned in the cables, but it is probable the events referred to occurred at' Marseilles.] The British are gathering together and bringing in to the garrisoned towns of the Eastern Transvaal all outlying Boer families and their cattle. A British outpost, consisting of a number of men belonging to the Buffs and stationed to the south-west of Balmoral, was recently surprised by a Boer force. Six of them were killed in the engagement that followed, .five wounded, and 31 captured. The post was afterwards reoccupied by the British, who captured four of the enemy, in addition to five who were wounded. The British ' on Sunday last shelled the Boers out of a hi^l at Barberspan into the plains around, when the Lancers several times charged them, and pursued -the fleeing enemy for miles. The Boers suffered very heavily, and their commandant, Brand, was wounded, l'ne jtsrinsh uaMi2.lties were few. Eight hundred jtßnprs gathered at De--wetsdorp. i\inp nativps were shot in the vicinity of the tnwn mi suspicion of their acting as informants. When the Gelderland arrived at Marseilles all the forts fired a salute. Messrs Fischer, Wessels, and Leyds went aboard the ship to confer with Mr Kruger. November 23. The natives of Maseru, the capital of Basutoland, report that De Wet, with 1000 men, got through the British lines between Alexandria and Warringham's, and went to Dewetsdorp. Mr Theophilus Schreitftr warns Great Britain against the .premature withdrawal of troops from South Africa. Mr Kruger received an enthusiastic reception at Marseilles. There were no antiBritish cries. He declared on landing that he often had occasion to fight barbarous tribes, but . the British barbarians were worse than any others. They had armed the Kaffirs, and were leaving women and children roofless, and without bread. The RepiiblW would never surrender. The loss of independence would imply that no Boer man, woman, or child was left alive. Lord Roberts is somewhat bruised by his recent accident. He cables, however, as follows : — " I am doing my work, and hope to be about again soon." , ' - " - , A British column, under General Boyes, in clearing the country between Vfede and Harrismith', killed 23 Boers. , " _ The Freedom of the City of Exeter (Devon) has been conferred" upon General Buller, accompanied by a sword of honour, which was presented by the county. General Baaen-Powpll is recovering from his attack ot enteric. I7ovember 24. The- Imperial Light Horse, recruiting in East London (Cape Colony), with an Imperial brigade, 2000 strong, will form the nucleus of a fome of 50,000 gathered from the different t'olrmies, to be placed under a general with colonial experience. A German, deported to Ceylon amongst the other Boer prisoners, was shot dead when attempting to escape.Olivier, one of the" "captured Boer generals, lunched with the Governor of Ceylon. Dr Hornabrook, a South Australian, who distinguished himself early in the campaign by capturing single-handed a number of prisoners, has been retained as adviser to the Cape Government in connection with the plague, on the strength of experience gained in India. Two hundred of the Royal Fusiliers, splendidly entrenched^ on the Wilge River, ' after an eight hours' fight, repulsed 600 Boers, whose casualties numbered 100. The garrison at Bronkhorst Spruit repulsed a Boer attack, the first shell killing and wounding 13. The Buffs, at Balmoral, fought six hours, killing and wounding 60 of Pretorius's men, mostly by shells and lyddite. The Buffs who were captured earlier in the fight were released. The Buffs had six killed and 11 wounded. Lieutenant Guy Wyley, of the Tasmanian troops, has been awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery at Warm Baths. Queen Wilhelmina, addressing Mr Kruger as President of the South African Republic, telegraphed that she was pleased to offer the use of the Gelderland, and glad he had effected his journey in good health. American papers previously pro-Boer in their sympathy now advise Mr Kruger to admit his defeat. The coolness of the British press is commended. Leading French newspapers declare that intervention is impossible. All wars, especially mercenary - guerilla wars, were barbarous. They commiserated with the suffering of the surrenderors " who had sworn neutrality. November 25. The Standard announces that Lord Kitchener has been promoted to be lieu-tenant-general forthwith, and receives a higher grade still when Lord Roberts returns. General Smith-D'orrien has destroyed the township of Dullstrom owing to. the residents, having continuously made a practice of harbouring and supplying the enemy with stores. Colonel White, in the Petrusburg dist rict, rescued a party who had, been sur-

rounded. The mounted police inflicted great loss upon the Boers. During a midnight raid on a Transvaal farmhouse a Hussar, seeing a Boer rise, rushed forward, and received in his stomach a shot intended for Major-general Broadwood, which proved fatal. Sir Alfred Milner will estal*4ish his final headquarters at Pretoria.,? Sir A. Milner is overworked, and will shortly recuperate on board the warship Doris. Trooper Gey, of New South Wales, has died from enteric. Eleven thousand men applied in London for the 1000 vacancies in General BadenPowell's police force. November 26. General Settle's column captured in the south-western district of the Orange River Colony twelve prisoners, 200 horses, and 10,000 sheep. A Boer attack on Dewetsdorp has been repulsed. Lieutenant Paxton and four men, mistaking the road from Thabanchu to Ladybrand, x rode straight into a Boer position. Lieutenant Paxton and three of the men were killed. The other man was wounded. Five Boers captured Lieutenant Newrneye'r, commanding the Orange River Police, at Smithfield, while "driving unarmed towards Aliwal North. He was handcuffed, and then shot in the back and head. " They then robbed and threw the body into ai spruit. Two natives witnessed the murder. The affair Jias caused intense indignation. The European press, commenting on Mr Kruger's visit, says it is hopeless for him to expect anything beyond sympathy. The British press admits M. Rousseau's scrupulous correctness of procedure in connection with Mr Kruger's visit and the abstention by the crowds of any exhibition cf unfriendliness towards Great Britain, and the moderation of the French press. PARIS, November 23. A number of Englishmen who occupied a position on a balcony at Marseilles declined to uncover as Mr Kfuger passed. At the same time coppers were thrown from the direction of the balcony towards the ex-President's carriage. This exasperated the crowd, who made attempts to storm the building. They also made demonstrations later on against the British Consulate. It was subsequently proved that the coppers came from another -window, probably the act of an Anglophobe. Mr Kruger adroitly postponed a reply to 'an invitation from the municipality of \ Paris until he had paid his < respects to President Loubet. The Mayor of Marseilles, and many deputations brought endless addresses to the old gentleman. Dr Leyds represented Mr Kruger at a banquet. Owing to the absence of any notification from G-reat - Britain respecting the 'annexa- ' tion of the Republics, the French Government "have decided to receive Mr Kruger as a sovereign travelling incognito. President Loubet will exchange visits if desired. A mob of a thousand French patriots besieged for some hours the Hotel Louvre, from where the coppers had been thrown. The police escorted the passengers of a Peninsular and Oriental steamer from the hotel to the quay. The crowd of patriots compelled the Peninsular Company's manager to hoist the French flag. Mr Kruger has started for Paris, where the Boer Committee have placarded the city, urging all lovers of genuine liberty to warmly welcome the ex-President. Mr Kruger, in taking farewell of the people of Marseilles, expressed the hope that French sympathy would be followed by acts. November 24. The authorities took a -prominent part in a great demonstration at Lyons. An enormous crowd at Dijon accorded an overwhelming ovation to Mr Kruger, who slept in that city. The mayor, in welcoming him, sympathised with Mr Kruger in the sadness of his mournful journey, and with the Boers in »their ill-fated heroism. The town was decorated and illuminated. It is noticeable since M. Loubet's decision to receive Mr Kruger that the enthusiasm heightened as Mr Kruger advanced northwards, military officers mingling with the deputations presenting addresses of sympathy. These come from all classes of the community. The Nationalists are thus deprived of a monopoly of fussy platonic sentiments. Mr Kruger is much cheered by the addresses presented to him. He received bouquets of flowers at all stations where the train stopped. November 25. Mr Kruger met with a demonstrative reception in Paris. ' M. Crozier, one of the officials at the Foreign Office, introduced to Mr Kruger such ambassadors as were present, welcomed him, and handed him numerous addresses. The President of the Municipality, in welcoming the old gentleman, declared that he had the good wishes of France, and that they would accompany him throughout Shis" European mission. Mr Kruger replied that the greetings he had received throughout France indicated the conviction of the nation in the righteousness of the Boer cause. The Boers had not ceased to demand arbitration. A flood . of oratory followed, but the keynote of the addresses oi the deputation was : " Our good wishes in your pious pilgrimage through Europe." Thoroughfares and balconies were crowded, and Kruger was cheered along the entire route. Flowers were everywhere thrown, and the new cry, "Vive l'inde^endance,"

was conspicuous. There were no extra flags on the public buildings, and order was excellently maintained. Kruger alighted at the Hotel Scribe, and was welcomed by Mr and Mrs Eloff, the Princess Mathilde, and Princess Jeanne Bonaparte. A Dutch hymn was also sung. During the afternoon Mr Kruger, with an escort, drove to. the Elysee, and was received with military honours, President Loubet and M. Delcasse giving him an audience of 10 minutes. They afterwards returned Kruger's visit. The semi-official newspapers state that there were no speeches at the audience, but merely compliments passed, nothing of a political nature being said. " France," these newspapers say, " may congratulate herself on the Government's tact in satisfying the public and at the same time not offending Great Britain/ Dr Leyds attended the diplomatic dinner given by M. Delcasse in honour of Prince George of Greece. Mr Kruger seems tired since his arrival in Paris. He was apparently disappointed at the hysteria and unreality of "the demonstations, and retired early to bed. Yesterday he remained indoors all the day. The 'members of the Municipality of Paris are chagrined at the postponement of his reply to their invitations until to-morrow. M. Henri Rochefort has appealed for an international subscription of 40 millionfrancs (£1,600,000) in order 'to equip 250,000 men to go to Africa and assist the Boers ! November 26. In order to evoke enthusiasm, Mr Kruger's suite display his giand-daughters in Paris, and keep his great grandchild m a window for hours together, waving a Boer nag. BERLIN, November 24. Herr Reithofen, in the Reichstag, explained that the expulsion of undesirables from the Transvaal was in accordance with international law. Britain, replying to Germany,' promised to compensate any Germans expelled without due ' cause. Herr Reithofen added that many claims had be.en presented, but they were exaggerated or untenable. MELBOURNE, November 23. There is to be a great demonstration on the arrival of the Harlech- Castle with the home-returning members of the colonial contingents. [The Harlech Castle has on board some 90 .New Zealanders, including a number of first contingent men. Among these are Sergeants Hazlett and. Ellis, Corporal M'Kegg, Troopers Hastie, Waldie, M'Donald, and others from Otago.] _ • November 26. Private M'Cause, who was wounded at Rendsburg early in 'the war, has had the X rays thrown upon him.- The bullet was located in the ' liver, after having passed through his right lung. - . SYDNEY, November 26. Trooper Ellis, of the New South Wales Lancers, died oh the Harlech Castle. ADELAIDE, November 25. Lord Roberts has cabled that he has given instructions for the despatch to Adelaide as soon as possible of 1500 MartiniHenry rifles captured from the" Boers. ALBANY, November 23. The Harlech Castle passed Cape Leuwin this morning. November 25. The Harlech Castle, with returning Australian and New Zealand troops on board, lias arrived here. November 26. The Harlech Castle has arrived. ' There was a great reception, the crew of the Royal Arthur participating. The officers landed, and were officially, entertained at luncheon. Great disappointment is expressed at Colonel Tom Price not allowing the men to land.