THE BOER WAR. HUSTLING DE WET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2499, 5 February 1902, Page 25

THE BOER WAR. HUSTLING DE WET.

OFFER OF ST. HELENA PRISONERS. VOLUNTEERING FOR SERVICE.

GENERAL HAMILTON'S ACHIEVEMENTS.

Hints of a General Surrender.

German Traders on the Alert.

PROSPECTS OF PEACE.

WILSON'S GALLANT DEFENCE

237,800 Men in the Field.

BRITAIN'S KKPLY TO DR

KUYPER.

GENERAL FRENCH AT WORK!.— LORD

KITCHENER'S OPERATIONS.

Two New Zealand Casualties.

LONDON, January 27.

Three hundred prisoners at St. Helena, including a number of large landowners, have volunteered for military service in South Africa. Fully 1000 would gladly serve.

Notwithstanding the Nationalists' denunciations, army recruiting in Ireland has increased 12 per cent, for the yeai'i while that for the militia has increased 8 per cent. All Natal rebels will in future be tried by court-martial instead of by special civil court.

A trooper who had deserted from Nesbitt'a Horse was captured and shot. A party of intelligence agents, while searching for the notorious traitor, trainwrecker, and ex-guardsman Jack Hinton, brought about a skirmish which resulted in the capture of Viljoen and his two aides. Hinron's whereabouts were not discovered.

Field-cornet Snynian, when taken, had dynamite in his possession, with which he intended to explode the Nylstroom railway.

De Wet's horses are in a bad condition, and the Harassing of the British compels him "to be constantly on the move.

Several shipments of Australian hordes have reached South Africa in very poor condition, but horses from the Argentine arrived in a much better state.

January 28. General Plumer has captured 36 Boers.

General Bruce Hamilton captured a laager at Nelspan. The details show that Major Wools-Sampson located the Bethel, Ermelo, and Standerton commandos at Nelspan. At early dawn the British charged the Boers, who fled. They were pursued for miles, 12 being driven into the blockhouses, where they surrendered. The total result was two Boers killed, four wounded, and 82 unwounded prisoners, including Fieldcornet De Villiers, Captain Dejaager (of the Staats Artillery), and L. Dejaager (a member of the Volksraad). Three British were wounded.

In the HoUbe of Lords, Lord Welby moved an amendment to a motion by Earl Wemyss which justified the Governfl\f i 4' B nou^rt oi iUe war. TJus> aiuend-

ment was negatived by 60 votes to 16, and the motion was carried. Lord Rose l bery did not vote. The Manchestei Guardian states &a.3 i&r See, on behalf of New South Wales, charged 3 per cent, commission on all amount s> New South Wales had paid out on ihe Imperial account during the wax, &v.d hat friction arose because the Wa< Office had disallowed the charge. M* Chamberlain Is ndvisiag the War Office c pay. January 29. General Plumer has taken 19 Boers. Major Oit, of the Royal Irish, \nk buscading, captured General Viljoen. who was about to meet Schalkburger. The Supplementary War Estimates uj co April amount fo £5,000,000.' In the House of Commons, the Hon, Mr Balfour, replying to Mr Labouchere, said no overtures for peace from anyone authorised to act on behalf of the Boers had yet been received, but on Satjurday night a communication from Mr Kuyper, the Netherlands Premier, wa{_. received, and was now under considers^ tion. The Daily News claims the initiative in leading Mr Kuyper's suggestions. "" The Standard hints that Mr Kujfcfjejr asks for certain pledges in the event o$ surrender, and these he will transmit to the Boers in the field, whom he fe aware are prepared to abandon their claim to independence. ! The Boer delegates disclaim any association with Mr Kuyper in sounding Britain. A Yeomanry patrol south-east oi Lichtenberg was isolated and stirrounded. Eight were killed and five wounded, while 41 were captured, but subsequently released. ■ The Distinguished Service Order hag been conferred on Colonel Royston, i Westralia, for ability and dash in capturing laagers in the Ermelo district.

Distinguished conduct medals hare been awarded Sergeant W. Kent, of the New Zealand Regiment, and Private J. Baigent, New Zealand Mounted Contingent.

In the House of Commons, the Hon. Mr Brodrick, replying to Mr Redmond, said the Government allows the colonies the usual commission of 3 per cent, on local expenditure in connection, witfe, raising and equipping contingents on behalf of the Imperial Government. The feeling in the House of Common^ is not hopeful concerning peace. There is an impression that .the Boers are specially anxious for an amnesty for all rebels, money to restock - their farms, and* the withdrawal of the banishment proclamation. Kruger, Steyn, De Wet?V De la Rey, and Leyds insist- on independence. Fischer, Wolmarans, Schalkburgher, and Botha are willing to recognise British sovereignty. It is understood at The Hague that Dr Le-yds utilised Dr Kuyper to draw from Mr Chamberlain the terms would offer in the event of independence being waived.

The northern blockhouses in the Orange River Colony are completed. Lord Kitchener's report for the week shows that the enemy lost 31 killed, 20 wounded, 322 captured, and 53 surrendered.

Major Orr waylaid General Viljoen on a mountain bridle-path in a district swarming with Boers. It was moonlight at the time. The major demanded the Boers' surrender, firing simultaneously, killing two despatch riders, shooting Viljoen's horse, and putting a bullet into his coat. Viljoen and Adjutant Besters immediately surrendered. January 30.

The impression prevails in Berlin that' Kuyper is acting on behalf of the Boers in the field and is endeavouring to facilitate their negotiating with Lord Kitchener.

Kruger's denial of co-operation id regarded as bping significant.

An African United Colonies Company, 'to supply cold storage, fs being formed, with a capital of £200,000, to acquire Heinrich Kamp's business at Capetown, Port Elizabeth, and Johannesburg. Dr Vissner has beea sentenced to two years' hard labour for niisnrision of treason in connection with the Brocksma oath-breaking.

German merchants, relying on Afrikander co-operation, are preparing tc make tremendous efforts to capture the South African trade.

The Daily 'Mail is the only papei claiming to know thai Dr Kuyper had asked for a safe conduct=d6fl¥*_a Dutch Commission to assure the fighters that European intervention is hopeless, and that their struggle is futile. Dr Kuyper represented the despairing negative attitude of the delegates, who justify their obstinacy by citing the fact that fighters are still in the field.

Reuter says that Dr Kuyper's was merely a tentative suggestion to facili tate the conclusion of the war.

The general feeling in London, however, is that nothing can be achievec until the Boer belligerents intimate a desire to negotiate for terms. The Times, Standard, and Telegrapb have denounced the Daily News in< triguing with the enemy ai going perilously nf*ar a legal offence.

The House of Commons Committee acquit British officers of bribery and corruption in connection with the Hungarian remounts, though they admit there was blundering. Lord Halsbury, speaking nt Pufea§j^

-/said that the war was still proceeding, 'tore- Boers' delegates repudiate the idea .of peace, yet the pro-Boers advise us to ijffer terms. He believed in doing what lire are doing, and in doing it with all our Jjnight. The Government were determined to end the war, but to so end it that it would never recur, and to bring not an insufficient but a lasting jbeace. The eagerness on the part of fthe Maoris to help was an additional [(tribute to Great Britain's principles of jfreedoni, equality, and kindness to every race under the flag. I At the Imperial Government's instance (Newfoundland, as her contribution towards aiding the Empire in time of war, is renewing the modus vivendi in con1 section- , with the French fisheries dispute. January 31. ' Mr Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, stated that a Legislative "Council would be appointed in the Transvaal when practicable, accordiug to the state of the country dud the progress of military operations. ' Mr Balfour announced that Great Bri- i "tain's reply will reach Dr Kuyper to-day. .ffhe communications will be cabled to j •feouth Africa at an early date. j k The Daily News (pro-Boer) says that j there are indications that Dr Kuyper nad sent word of "his willingness to act as a friendly negotiator, and to strive to induce the abandonment of the independence cry. Mr Chamberlain -is said to have replied that any advances must emanate from the Boers. Dr Kuyper later wrote to Lord Lansdowne extending the offer of his negotiatorship as between the Boers in Europe and the "Boers in the field. The Daily Telegraph understands that Lord Lanbdowne's reply was a courteous assertion that, owing to the lack of his authorisation to speak for the Boers and j r the lack of any tangible proposals, Dr j Ktiyper's suggestion was not serviceable J even as a basi.-> for negotiations. i Nine militia battalions are being em- ! bodied for service. 1 Lord Roberts inspected 6000 reinforcements who are leaving Aldershot for South Africa. j Mr Brodrick, in the House of Com- ■ mohs, said that New South Wale^ uloup { had raised the quo i ion of disburse- j ments, but the decision to pay a commission applied to all the colonies and , the Premiers had been so informed. Fcbiuary 1. - General French . dispersed Fouc he's j commando- .north-ea&t of Cape Colony. ' capturing -26 Boers". j ' Major Driscoll captured 17 Boers, iucludiug Field Cornets Ventar ami Grobelaar, at Makawf-drift, Grobelaar subsequently died of his wounds. Mouwindt's commando attacked Colonel Dumonlin's column at Abra- j ham's Kraal on Tuesday, and a sharp ! action followed^ Dumonlin had eight of the Susses Regiment killed and seven wounded. The Boers were replused with loss. Wilson's assailants on the 2oth numbered 900. The British advanced a party of 200, but they were surrounded by a heavy fire. They then charged 'through and rejoined Wilson, who fought along 14 miles of ridges to Frankfort, with difficulty escaping being surrounded. Commander Maritz is storing great quantities of supplies in Bu^hmau'^ Land, which is a dry, waterless country, north-west of the Cape, and full of military obstacles. In a thin House the motion for supply .was carried by 159 to 56. A supplementary five millions for the war was voted. Mr Brodrick stated that the monthly expenses had fallen by a million. • Mr Brodrick announced in the House of Commons that -the -blockhouses had 'hampered the Boers, enhancing the pTospect of General Kitchener's bringing into action .the three chief groups of commandos. 1 The criticism by members was chiefly directed to the subject of remounts. Sir' H. Campbell-Bannerman praised the action of the troops on the field. • Mr Brodrick announced that, there were 237,800 men in the field on Ist of January. Tile full Cabinet sat two and a-half ihours, and finally adopted the committee's reply to Dr Kuyper rejecting his media tiou, and attributed the rejection to the absence of credentials binding on the l^oggs, there being no evidence that theydesired his mission. Twenty-three columns are operating against De Wet. j There ib a ccm>en«u> of newspaper | opinions that the Continental paper*. I Imagined that Britain was tired of the war, and would snatch any chance of peace in view of the Coronation ceremonies, but they are now beginning to denounce Kruger and Leyds for their obstinacy. M. Blowitz, the Paris correspondent I of The Times, interprets the obstinacy "to a desire to convince the commandos .that England must now face, beside the Boer resistance, the moral suasion of Europe. "■ A Blue Book, just issued, foreshadows Lord Milner's policy as one of kindness and firmness towards the natives, compelling them to observe contracts, and showing a determination to suppress drinking. Professor Delbruck, the historian, has altered bis views regarding the war. He-i

now disproves the Boer stories, and declares they are increasing the unfriendly disposition of Germany. He recognises the gallantry and humanity of the British troops, and severely condemns Miss Hobhouse. The Westminster Gazette says the precedent for Mr See's exaction of commission is very slender, and probably the colonies would not have thought worse of Britain if the Government had refused to pay. The tioopships Manchester Merchant and St. Andrew have arrived, and the Custodian and Antilliau are expected in a few days. These convey the Commonwealth contingents to the Cape. The Anti-War League forwarded their petition to the Political Labour Conference, requesting them to sign- it, but the conference by a majority of one vote declined to do so. February 2. Colonel Rimington on Thursday surprised a Boer liager north of the Orange River and captured 22 of the enemy and 16 wngeons of prcn i-,ions. Mr Fischer, when interviewed, asserted that Mr Stc-rii iv a recent order to the commandos, had stated: '""We will drain the cup to the dregs, though I believe in our final success." Three hundred men have joined Vilonee's Scouts during the week. Many surrendering burghers are requesting to be permitted to retain their arms and horses for the purpose of joining. Private Thomas Drenton (r 1 Drennan), of the Seventh New Zealand Contingent, died from chloroform poisoning. February 3. The rain is preventing the columns j heliographing. A sharp engagement took place on January 2-j at Lecuspmit between portion oJ De Wet's force and Jagrett's, compiling the South African Light Ho;'t, the 'Nev.- Zealnnder.=. lh*» Queensland Busiuncii, and Yeomanry, wLt-n 100 of llu- cii\ commando made a rush and drove in the South African Light Horte rearguard. Seventy of T)- Wet's bodycu.ird were wearing Jiriti-h cavalry cloak*, and umler thp rever of the heavy rain tbey ope lied lire. , Another force on a hill in the vicinity charged boldly on to the Light Horse, hoping to capture their pom-pom. The New Zealanders, with a Maxim pom-pom, scattered the Boers when within .100 yards. Five were killed and many wounded, but tire British loss was slight. • De Wet, with six* men, fled up'the Liebenbergsolei River. jT Prisoners report that a pom-pom shell killed' 10 Boers'on Januaty 19 at Liejbenbergsolei. 5 *~ l^oni'teen Boers were captured At Blaiwlseschspruit. Except a few hundred in the South Orange 'Colony, all the Free Staters in the field are confined to the northeastern part of Orange River Colony. They show plenty of fight, though they are constantly hustled. MELBOURNE, January 29. The Leader of the Labour party called the attention of the Federal House to the action of Sir John Forrest in granting permission to contingenters to attend a political meeting in Adelaide to-night, called for the purpose of sympathising with Britain again=t the slanders of anti-patriots and Germans. A Westralian member dubbed Sir John Forrest " a crawling Jingo." A scene ensued, but the member apologised. The Government defended the action, and the matter dropped. The Agent-general has cabled that the War Office intends in future to give preference to grass hay instead of oaten forage for South Africa. This practically puts Victoria out of the trade. The Minister has protested against the change.

January 30.

The Hon. Mr Reid called the attention of the House to Lord Hopetoun's speech to the Natives' Association last week, in which he justified Mr Barton over the South African contingent. The Hon. Mr Tpaaps <=et forth the issue involved, declaring the GovernorGeneral must not assume responsibility in Australian politic-, and must not, even by accident, trespass on ground between Minister-, and their responsibility. After discussion the Hon. MiReid withdrew his motion to suspend the Standing Orders to consider the matter.

SYDNEY, January 28

Professor Wood, of the Sydney University, and a member of the Anti-war Society, in addressing the Political Labour League, urged that Great Britain should abandon her demand for unconditional surrender and meet the Boers' demand, which he sought to justify by saying that it was supported unanimously throughout Australia. He urged that the terms suggested be offered by Lord Kitchener to the Boers ; that the various races in South Africa should be brought together, and that Britain give them self-government similar to that of Australia, which would be the truest patriotism an<l truest Imperialism.

In consequence of the discovery of ticks in the Queensland contingent'? horses, the animals were stopped at the border.

January 29. The Treasury explains that only 3 per ceut. commission was charted \>u. the

pay moneys advanced to relatives of soldiers, and this only in deference to instructions from London.

The Hon. Mr See states that he knows of no frictiou in the matter. -

January 30.

Victoria made a charge of 3 per cent, on all payments made to returned soldiers or their wives. Queensland did the same. Mr Philp states that at first no commission* was charged, but they were advised by New South Wales that the authorities were insisting on the commission, and recommended Queensland to follow suit.

~ . - " • January 31. The Peace Society, numbering about 100 members, have drawn up a petition expressing condemnation of the war as conducted in its later Stages in devastating the country, and declaring against the concentration camps. The petition modestly suggests what terms Great Britain should give the Boers — viz., an amnesty for all offences except murder, immediate self-government, and compensation to all non-combatant*. A member points out that this last condition would cost about £40,000,000, and it seemed to him doubtful whether Great Britain would agree to it. A further revision will probably be made of the petition, and the compensation clause is likely to be eliminated. Several strong pro-Boer speeches wore delivered. ADELAIDE, January 30. At the request of the Premier, the Governor has cabted to the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain conveying the resolutions carried by the patriotic meeting held here the other night upholding the Government's attitude in South Africa.