THE BOER WAR.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 31

THE BOER WAR.

1 CAPTURE OF BOER ' . SNIPERS. AN ATTACK ON BKAKFAN EE- ' PULSED.— A GALLANT RESCUE. ANOTHER PLOT AGAINST LORD ROBERTS. STKONG KACTAL FEELING-.— DE •VVBT AGAIN ACTIVE. DEATH OF AN OTAGO BOY. AN UNPLEASANT INCJDBNT.— SURRENDER OF 400 BRITISH. GENEEAL KNOX DEFEATS DE WET.— DB LA EEY SAID TO BE SURROUNDED. DE LA EEY SAID TO I3E SURROUNDED.FIGHTING STILL GOING ON LORD ROBERTS LEAVES ON THE 6th. THE ENEMY SCARCE OF FOOD.- 'j I GALLANT NEW ZEALANDEES. MR KRUGER ADMITS ALL IS LOST. : CAjPETOWN, November 29. The Cape railway authorities refuse to grant special facilities to those who propose attending the Afrikander Bond Conference at Worcester, in Cape Colony. LONDON, November 26. , - The Keitfontein garrison captured 28 Boer snipers and 50 women and children who were found baking bread for the Boers at Thabanchu. They will be conveyed to Bloemfontein. Mack, a German- American, who was sentenced to death on a charge of trying to seduce a soldier from his allegiance, has bad his commuted by Lord Boberts to imprisonment in Ceylon until guch time as all the Boer prisoners now .there are repatriated. Private Fulton, of the New South Wales Mounted Rifles, died of his wounds at Kroonstad. November 27. The Boers propose to raid the Cape frontier, hoping the disaffected Dutch will rise. General Clements has brought to Krugersdorp twenty-three Boers and their families who had surrendered to the British and remained loyal since June. They have suffered the utmost hardships, and had to (bake to hiding from the cruel marauders. "General Clements dispersed a commando of 900 Boers, with three guns, who were under De la Rey. There are 800 Boers near Windsorton. Colonel lanshaw had a rearguard fight with 60 Boers at Damsfontein. One of the New South Wales infantry was killed. JOaptain Watson, seeing Private Robinson, iof the New South Wales Infantry, fall, returned under a hot fire and carried him ©ut of action on his own horse. Trooper J. Anderson, of the New Zealand Rough Riders, died, of enteric at Pretoria. [There are seven Andersons in the third and fifth contingents, and yet the message conveys ito indication of which of the seven, is referred to.] Private Butler, of Tasmania, died at Pretoria of enteric.

November 28. One hundred Boers in the Eastern Trans-

vaal have signed a petition prof erring surrender if they are not exiled.

Seventeen British splendidly repulf-ed a fierce attack at Brakpan, killing ' three Boers and capturing a flag. Lord Roberts reports that the police, having for some time been aware of a plot against himself, arrested, on the 16th, five Italians, four Greeks, and one Frenchman on a charge of plotting to explode a mine at the morning service on the 18th at St. Mary's Church, Johannesburg.

Mr Johann W. Colenbrander, managing director of the Colenbrander-Matabele Development Company, is enrolling a British regiment,, 1000 strong, at Bulawayo. Fresh coal, copper, gold, and diamond deposits have been found within 20 miles of Pretoria. Kruger was aware of their existence for years, but kept his knowledge secret, fearing an influx of Uitlanders. -

The Right Hon. R. W. Hanbury, President of the Board of Agriculture, speaking at Preston, said that this was no time for undue generosity. The dying embers of rebellion in the annexed Republics ought to be stamped out. The paroled prisoners at the Cape are circulating frightful stories of the barbarism of the .British soldiers, with a view to inflaming the T>utch and preparatory to thfe forfchcoming Afrikander Conference, which is to be held at Worcester in Cape Colony.

The Cape papers declare that the political and the racial condition of the colony was never worse since the war began. The loyalists are clamouring for the application of martial law throughout the whole colony.

Colonel Berwicke Copeley, of the King's Royal Rifles, defeated 150 Boers at Greylingstad with considerable loss. He also captured much live stock.

Several British farms in Natal and the Orange River Colony have been looted and burned and the inmates turned out on the veldt.

In one instance the owner was ill in bed with rheumatic fever and was removed in a cart, his family walking for 12 miles and not being allowed any food for 24 hours.

Two thousand more Boers have been despatched to St. Helena.

Johannesburg contains so many aliens who are suspected of trea-chery that there is great difficulty in sanctioning the return of the refugees. 1 A borrbb was found in the possession of the Italians who were arrested at Johannesburg on the 16th. November 29. General De Wet and ex-President Steyn are in the vicinity of Dewetsdorp, though a small garrison with two guns is stationed on .the heights outside to prevent the Boers entering the town. The British strongly hold all the drifts along the Orange River from Aliwal North to prevent De Wet raiding Ca.pe Colony for recruits and supplies. The Boers hold a strongly fortified line between Ladybrand and Thabanchu. More British mounted forces are xirgently needed in the Orange River Colony. - Duke of Abercorn, who was recently appointed president of the committee to "arrange for the welcome and entertaining of colonial troops returning from South Africa, is appealing for subscriptions for the purpose. Sir Alfred Milner, through the Colonial Office, emphasises the scarcity of employment and the great cost of living in South Africa. H. King, of the New Zealand Rough Riders, and E. H. Palmer, of the New Zealand Mounted Rifles, died of enteric at Klerksdorp and Pretoria respectively. [There was a Corporal H. King among the reserve men sent with the fifth contingent. He belongs to Wellington. Palmer is the only son of Mr and Mrs Palmer of Otakia, Otago.] The Times Paris correspondent states that Mr Kruger visits Belgium, Holland, Germany, Hungary, and Russia. He appeals to the Czar to invite the Powers to intervene and secure the Boers honourable conditions of peace. General Knox, by a rapid and successful march, got between the Orange River and De Wet. •The latter is now moving to the westward. The British, as a precautionary measure, have disabled all the flourmills in the Ladybrand district. November 30. General Knox has reoceupied Bewetsdorp. Colonel Pilcher stampeded and captured 300 of De Wet's horses. Lord Roberts reports that the Dewetsdorp garrison, consisting of two guns of the 68th Battery, 400 of the Gloucester Regiment, Highland Light Infantry, and Irish Rifles, surrendered on the 23rd, after four days' fighting. Fifteen were killed and 42 wounded. The Boers numbered 2500. A relief column of 1400 from Edinburg failed to arrive in time. When joined by General Knox on Monday they found Dewetsdorp evacuated, excepting 75 sick men. General Knox pursued and defeated De We'fc and Steyn at Vaalbank, driving them west and south-west. It is reported Mr Steyn was wounded. Many farmers are joining De Wet. Newspapers consider the surrenders at Dewetsdorp unaccountable if the British were properly entrenched, and had sufficient supplies. Colonel Plumer dispersed 400 Boers at Dewagindrift.. The Scots Guards, after a sharp fight, captured a strong position at Tiger's Kloof.

General Clements defeated De la) Rey near Krugersdorp, killing 25. It is reported De la Rey is surrounded, with small prospect of escape.

While marching to Belfast a force of Canadians weie ambushed. Dismounting, they drove their horses in the direction of the main body. The column took cover, defending a ridge until help arrived. Several horses Avere killed. There were no casualties amongst thp Canadians.

The Household Cavalry have returned from South Africa. The Queen, in welcoming the First Life Guards at Windsor declared that their gallantly amply fulfilled her expectations.

Reuter's Agency reports 1000 Australians are returning home in a few days.

Colonel White defeated Haasbruck's commando, 400 strong, at Bullfontein. The Welsh Yeomanry displayed great gallantry in the engagement.

General Bruce Hamilton cleared the country between Wilge, Orange River Colony, and the Vaal, capturing great quantities of stock.

General Settle on Tuesday attacked a strong position held by Hertzog's commando, comprising 500 men, midway between Fauresmith and the Orange River.

For four and a-balf hours -there was obstinate fighting ; then a detachment of the Lancashire Fusiliers, the Imperial Yeomanry, and the Diamond Fields Horse, under cover of the artillery, rufched up the precipitous ridges to storm the position. The enemy fled, not waiting for the bayonet charge.

The Boer losses were heavy, but those of the British were only slight. Eight hundred horses had previously passed the spot to join De Wet. Hertjwg boasted that he had shot 200 native sympatkisers with the British. A column from Vryburg has relieved Colonel Chanier, who for some time with a garrison of 150 have been besieged at Schweizer Reneeke. The column dispersed the Boers with considerable loss. The British had three wounded. December 1. It is officially announced that Lord Roberts has been ordered to return Home to assume his new duties as Commander-in-chief. He has handed the command over to Lord Kitchener, who has been promoted to be a lieutenant-general, with the local rank of general. Lord Roberts, with his youngest daughter, leaves Johannesburg, and arrives at Burban on the 6th. He leaves Capetown for England on the 15th. General Bruce Hamilton shelled the Boers in two strong positions at Springs, inflicting loss. He occupied Heidelberg, and sent to Natal 80. women from the fai*ms because of their constant communication with the Boers. Three hundred troops are encamped at Worcester, where the forthcoming Africander Bond Conference is to be held. (Received Dec. 2, at 5.9 p.m.) The military posts throughout Cape Colony have been strengthened. Four hundred Australians, journeying to Capetown, were detrained at Worcester, where they will remain till further orders. Six hundred additional Beer prisoners have left_ Capetown for Ceylon. December 2. General Paget on Wednesday and Thursday engaged Viljeon and Erasmus at Reitfontein. Colonel Lloyd, of the West Riding Regiment, was dangerously wounded, and five other officers seriously wounded. Five men were killed and five wounded. General Lyttelton is operating with General Paget.

Several prominent Dutch ladies, after visiting the women's camp at Port Elizabeth, telegraphed to the Dutch perpers that the charges of inhumanity and brutality brought against the British were untrue. They were completely satisfied with the treatment accorded to the Boer women.

The Boers were twice repulsed in an attack on Boshof. The British have occupied Lichtenburg. General Knox is in touch with De Wet at Tafelberg.

The strictest defensive precautions are being observed at Bloemfontein, where the Boers often chase the farmers close up to the town

Famine is compelling large batches of Boers from the south-eastern Transvaal district to come in and surrender.

General Baden-Powell has again resumed duty.

Lord Kitchener is requisitioning all . the horses possible, and rapidly mounting men to act as irregulars.

The Romf?n Catholic priests and the Unitarian ministers at Worcester protest against the presence of the -Australian troops who were recently detrained there. A strong special corps will shortly sweep Swaziland, where Joachim Ferreira is entrenched. Before crossing the frontier Mr Kruger, addressing the French Transvaal Independence Committee, said : " Since arbitration had been their watchword he hoped that the friendly mediation of the. Powers in favour of peace and justice would soon follow." The old gentleman reiterated his charges of baifoarous conduct against the British, although he had the manners to thank Lord Roberts for the consideration that had been shown his own family, and which he himself had left. He reached Cologne at midnight. There was no official reception, but some cheering from the persons present. December 3. Details of the engagements at Reitfontein, north-east of Bronkhorst Spruit, show that General Paget was surrounding the enemy during the evening, intending to attack at dawn. The enemy obtained reinforcements^ including three guns, and

made a determined attack, but were repulsed, with heavy loss. They withdrew during the night to the north-east.

General Paget occupied the position vacated, and sent mounted troops in pursuit.

The New Zealanders showed great gallantry, and lost five out of six officers.

A force called the Rand Rifles is being established at Johannesburg, comprising all British workers between certain ages.

English newspapers declare that the frank, honourable course adopted by the Kaiser is in the tiuest interests of the Boers, who themselves, relying on the success of the ex-President's mission, are devastating the country.

The Times says the Kaiser's action will unpleasantly impress the Nationalists in France of the sagacity of M. Rousseau's line of conduct.

The Empire League's first distribution of the funds it received in aid of the widows and children of colonial iorces, and also of those disabled, includes £350 to New South Wales, £200 each to Victoria, Queensland, and New Zealand, £5100 to South Australia and Western Australia, and £60 to Tasmania.

PARIS, November 27. Mr Kruger exchanged a ten-minute visit with M/ Waldeck-Rousseau.

The Fenian leader O'Leary, Major M'Bride, and Maude Gonne (a young Irishwoman who has won a name for herself »s an agitator -and a bitter opponent of England) were introduced to Kruger. They all- made fiery speeches.

Kruger, by receiving a complimentary visit from the Dreyfusite League, now engaged in its battle for the rights of man, has alienated man3 r of the Nationalists. November 28. Mr Kruger had an hour's interview with M. Delcasse, Minister of Foreign Affairs. He afterwards visited the Hotel de Ville, where, in the course of a speech, the old gentleman declared that the Boer resistance would be continued until justice had been obtained. He would not cease to appeal for arbitration. Mr Kruger has accepted from M. Henri Rochefort the sword of honour for Cronje, which was subscribed for by admirers of the captured general and haters of perfidious Albion. He also received a deputation of 1000 students. November 29. In the Chamber of Deputies M. Delcasse, Minister of Foreign Affairs, declined to admit an interpellation involving a debate on the question of arbitration re'the Transvaal. It is understood that the French Cabinet is convinced that any offer in the direction •of arbitration would have no chance of acceptance. Mr Kruger goes to Cologne on Saturday, resuming his journey and proceeding to Berlin on Monday. November 30. The Chambers imanimously passed a colourless motion of sympathy with Mr Kruger. M. Delcasse discouraged discussion on the resolution. M. Henri Rocheforfc is appealing for subscriptions to create agitations against England in Ireland, Egypt, and India. Mr Kruger is impatient, and is trying to rush the Powers into supporting his appeal for arbitiation. With this objective, an active interchange of telegrams is taking place between Paris, Berlin, and Livadia, where the Czar is at present staying. The Senate adopted a vote of sympathy with Mr Kruger. The non-committal attitude of both the French Chambers has dispelled Mr Kruger's last hope. He has countermanded his arrangements for his journey to Berlin, and it is believed he is abandoning his visit in fade of the authoritative warning that arbitration overtures will not be entertained, unless Germany is informed Britain agrees. December 2., Mr Kruger is starting for Cologne. He received an ovation at Paris and all country stations. The crowd at Liege shouted, " Down with Chamberlain ! " Mr Kruger's companions immediately drew the curtains of the carriage. Mr Kruger advanced and waved his hand. The crowd, reinforced by students, repeated the cries before the British consul's residence, and threw stones, until the police induced the consul to withdraw from the balcony. BERLIN, November 26. The German newspapers declare that the Kruger demonstrations will merely encourage the Boers in the field to continue their useless struggle. November 29. The newspaper National Zeitung, referring to the latest plot against Lord Roberts, says that it would be impossible to feel surprised if England adopted relentless measures against such a people. December 3. Mr Kruger gave an interview to a Belgian journalist at Cologne, in which he stated, "All is lost." BRUSSELS, December 3. King Leopold and the President of the Cabinet have decided to apologise for the smashing of the windows at the British Consulate at Liege. ADELAIDE, November 29. The Wooloomooloo brought 62 returned soldiers, including the following New Zealanders: — First contingent : Surgeon-major Burns, Corporal Hall, Privates Burton, Lewin, Johnson, and Sergeant Hall; also Private Turner, of Brabant's Horse. Decembei 1. The Harleeh Castle has arrived. Great preparations are being made for the reception of the troops to-day. The officers state that the Australasians

had great difficulty in getting away. LcriS Kitchener regarded them as the most suitabie men, and he would not have allowed a. single one to depart if he could have helped it. A responsible officer waited upon Lord' Kitchener and appealed to bs allowed todepart on the ground of business engagements. The interview was a very stormyone, and but for the intervention of Lord' Roberts Lord Kitchener would not have consented to the return of the men.

They speak of the campaign as an exceedingly arduous one. Several of those who are practical farmeis give the country a bad name agriculturally.

The city enthusiastically seized the opportunity and handsomely discharged the coveted duty of -welcoming home the firsti large contingent of returning soldiers by the Harleeh Castle. A special train conveyed the men from Port Adelaide, where the mayor and a large crowd gave them a warm reception to the city. Under command of Colonel Price, and escorted by. 1500 loca] troops, cadets, and bluejackets from H.M.S. Pylades, they marched through the-, principal streets to the Exhibition Buildings, where they were officially welcomed. Speeches were delivered by the Governor, Premier, Chief Secretary, and Commandant. They were, regaled -with' refreshments. The entire route was densely crowded and gay with bunting. At night the returned South Australians were entertained in the Town Hall. The city was illuminated.

ROCKHAMPTON, November 28,

Trooper Roberts, one of the recently-re-turned South African invalids, shot himself dead. He had been eccentric since his: return.