THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 54, 13 March 1900, Page 2

THE WAR.

[By Elbotmo Tklkuiiaph.—Copybiuht 1 [PER PHESS ASSOCIATION.] LORD ROBERTS' MOVEMENTS. THE OSFONTEIN ENGAGEMENT. (Received 12, 9.30 a.tr.) London, March 11. Id the operations at Osfuntein and Poplar Grove, the Queensland Mounted liifantry were conspicuous. Their scouting is described as excellent. Trooper Wargult, of the New South Wales Mounted .Rifles, wss dangerously wounded, and Trooper McOracken, of New South Wales, was severely I wounded at Poplar Grove.

A SEVERE ENGAGEMENT. FORTY BOEKS TAKEN PRISONERS. (Received 12, 2.30 p.m.) London, March 11. i Major General Broad wood's cavalry .aid Major-General Kelly - KennyV division had a severe but successful engagement at Dreefontein, south of Abraham's Kraal, on Saturday. Forty Boers were taken prisoners and many left dead.

LORD ROBERTS ADDRESSES THE PRESIDENTS. (Received 13, 1.20 a.m.) London, March 12. Lord Roberts reports that during Saturday's march the conduct of the ttoops throughout was admirable. Ttie wounded include Colonel Umphelby, who was injured in the abdomen dangerously. The following is the full text of Lord Roberts' communication: —"I have telegraphed to the Presidents as follows: ' Another instance of gross abuse of the white flig and the raising of bands in token of surrender was witnes-i sed at East Dreefontein by the stafl officers and myself, resulting in the wounding of several officers and men. If such abuse recur, I will be reluctantly compelled to disregard the white flag entirely. A large number of explosive bullets of three kinds were found in Cronje's laager, and also after every engagement. Your Honours' troops have committed such breaches of the recognised usages of war and the Geneva Convention that are a disgrace to any civilised Power. A copy of this telegram has been sent to my Government, requesting that it be communicated to the neutral Powers.'"

REPORT FROM LORD ROBERTS. STUBBORN RESISTANCE BY THE BOERS. THEY LOSE HEAVILY. (Received 13,1.45 a,m. London, March 12. The following report has been received from Lord Robertf, 'luted Dreefontein, Sunday:—" The enemy opposed us throughout yesteiday's march, ind, owing to their intimate knowledge of the country, g-ive us conaiderabl. 'rouble. The Welsh and the E-sei expelled the enemy from two positions at the bayonet's point. Tht B. ers suffered hwvily, 102 of their I lead being abandoned." THE BOERS' WONDERFUL MOBILITY. GALLANTRY 01'' NEW SOUTH WALES RIFLES. OBSTINATE FIGHTING BY THE BOERS Received 13, 1.40 a.m. London, March 12. The Boers at Dreofontein numbered i 6000, newly arrived from the south. Their mobility in moving their gun' was more remarkable than ever. The New South Wales Mounted Rifles difplayrd great gallantry. The) -ittempttd to capture one of the guns, vhich outrangrd those of the British. The bluejackets arrived too late to participate in the engagement. General Broad wood, discovering the enemy's strength on the kopjes, posted his mounted troops on a kopje facing the centre, and awaited General KellyKenny's arrival. The enemy, with three guns and two Vickers-Maxims, shelled freely, and fought obstinately

The Essex, Yorkshires, Gloucesters, and JBufi's were conspicuous.

Tne First Australian Horse, with the Scots Greys, advanced to within eight hundred yards of the enemy under a heavy fire. One trooper was wounded in the shoulder, and another had his leg fractured through his horse being killed under him.

The New South Wales Lancers, with Colonel Porter's Brigade, were under a shell fire.

After the enemy's position bad been turned," tha New South Wales Mounted Rifles, under Major Knight and Captain Antill, wi;h Legallais' Brigade, did splendid service. The New South Wales Ambulance, under Surgeon Frascln, were engaged all the night collecting the wounded, The enemy, at Dreefontein, evacuated and re-occupied the positions, with subtlety concealing their intentions, and withdrawing their guus only when they were likely to be captured. The withdrawals fatigued the cavalry horses.

THE POSITION CARRIED AT THE POINT OK BAYONET. ENEMY FLEE NORTHWARDS. Received 13,1.13 a.m. London, March 12. At the Dreefontein engagement, the Wilsli, in the evening, carried th« central position at the bayonotb' point'. cavulry then turned the enemy's po.-ition, the enemy floeii g northwards under cover of the night. The Australian Cavalry alone were able to pursue them.

After the fight at DreofonteiD, Lord Roberts resumed his advance, and hat arrived at Dasoogal.

IN NORTH GAPE COLONY. A RECONNAISSANCE NEAR OOLESBUKG. (Received 12, 9.30 a.m.) London, March 11. During ft reooDnaiHsaiice near Colesburg, on February Bth, by a force of Usmatiians and Victorians under Captain Oameron, the Australians killed a field-cornet and five other Bom besides wounding seven. (Received 12,2.40 p.m.) Capetown, March 11, General Kitchener is at Yiotfcria Road, in North Oape Colony, organising measures for dealing with <Eauffected districts.

A WOUNDED VICTORIA^, (Received 12,11.3* am.) Melbouhne, March 12. Colonel Umphelby, of the Victorian Contingent, who waß wounded at Pre** fontein, is progressing favourably.

fibhtinb in natal A SKIRMISH AT WABOHBANK. (Received 12, 9.80 a.m.) Lobdon, March 11.. The Boers report a skirmish, presumably with Major-Ganeral Hunter's advanced guard, at WaarhUnW, DMr Biggarsberg.

ENGAGEMENT AT POMEBOT. THE BOERS IN TOO STRONG TOBOE. (Received 13, 1.45 a.m.) London, March 13. I Major Bethune'a Mounted TJamrti I Rifles and the Natal police, with three Maxims, heavily engaged the enemy aft Pomeroy on the 9th, The enemy pesuased too nwnjr fcif guns. Major Bethune was unable to dislodge them without artillery, andntired south of the Tugela. ' One Britisher was wounded, white the Boer loss was considerable. h ,

THE HERO Of UDYSMtTH. HE TAKES LEAVE 07 Hffi tKIOP& (Received 12, 9.1S ug.) lomxm, Maroh 11. General Sir Geo-gs Wbija is still feeble from attacks offeror contracted daring the siege. He has left Ltdysmith for Stormberg. H»e leave-taking sf bis troops was a touchiog one. On his arrival at Pieteimaritzburg h* Wat presented with an addrets by th« Corporation. In reply, he remarked that the garrison of Lidysmith, whan supplies became short, measured their rations in the hollow of their hands. In all the hardships and trials tha | troops were cheerful. So presumptuous were the enemy that they |ctuaUyjMt .rucks to convey the gtrriaMiTO Pretoria.

PRESIDENT JCRUBER. WHAT THE 1 BELIEF OF LADYBMITH MEANT. (Received 12, 9.XS a.m.) London, March 11. A letter from President Kruger was found in the Oommatdant's bag among the stores captured by the British on he Tugela River. The letter, which was dated January 17th, stated that •' if Lady smith is relieved the Beer jause will be indeed doubtful and carious; but if Lsdysmith is cap* tur.'d by us, we will secure peso* and iiidipendence." Pi etidtnt Kruger has arrived at Pretoria.

KRUGER S APPEAL FOR PEACE. (Received 13, 1.45 turn.) London, March 12. On the Continent President Kruger's overtures for peaoe ore admittedly in* idmissible. (Received 13,1.C0 a m.) London, March IS. President Krugei's overtures fop peace have met with a chilling reotp* • ion on tho Continent, Kiuger and Stcjn invite the Poweis to intervene and secure hononipU* peace. , : Jf

GREAT BRITAIN'S REPLY TO KRU6ER AND BTEYN, BRITAIN WILL FORMULATE TERMS. (Receivod 12, 9.15 tun )" London, March 11. It ia unofficially state! that Gr«tt Britain has replied ts Presidents Krugcr and Steyn that tbe campaign will conticue until the growiug prospects of restored peace are further strengthened, enabling Britain to formulate terms.

THE WAR LOAN. (Received 12,!) 30 a m.) London, March 11. The " Khaliis" was ocverod tturM times in the provinces alone, and MM in Americt.

DISLOYALISTS SUBMITTINB. (Heceived 13, 1.10 am.) London, Ai»rch 12. The rebels at Barkley East and Aliwal North are submitting. Loyalists at Aliwal North arrested a Boer landrost [magistrate] after a big fight at Vanderwali'n farm. Many rebels were killed and wounded.

CRONJE'S RUSSIAN FRIENDS. (Fecoivcd 13,1.10 a.m.) London, Russian newspapers have optjud subscriptions to present a Icving ci'p to Qeuernl-Cronje.

THE BUSHMEN'S FORCE.

(Received 13, 1.50 a.m.) Adelaide, March 12. Two thousand have been enrolled for the Imperial Bushmen's Contingent. Two hundred is this colony's proportion.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. (Received 12, 9.5 a.m.) London, March 11. lieutenant Dowling, of New South Wales, has nearly recovered. The rebels in the Lady Grey district are surrendering wholfsile. Major-General Sir H. Bundle, Commander of the Bth Division of the Army Oorpe, and his staff, sailed for the Cape yesterday.

NEW ZEALAND'S AID TO THE EMPIRE. Wellington, March 12. It is Btated that seventy-five per cent, of those gene to the front from New Zealand have instructed the authorities to pay the greater portion of their wages to parents and relatives left behind. Dosedra, March 12. The Fourth Contingent camp was visited this afternoon by Lieut.-Uolonel Webb, the officer commanding the district, and taken over by him for the Defence Office. It is understood that the officers of the Otago Hussars will continue to give instruction to the camp. It has been impossible up to the present to get ammunition, although the Department has been repeatedly approached, and the result is that not a shot has so far been fired over horses. The Committee have prepared a sketch plan of the send-off arrangements, hut these will not be settled definitely until more information is available as to whether the Fifth Contingent will leave on the same day. Twenty-three men arrived from Invercargill to-day for the Fifth Contingent, and went to the camp at Tahuna Park. OUR FIFTH CONTINGENT. TERMS OF SERVICE AND PAY. Responding to the toast of " The Army and Navy and Veterans " at the Yeterans' smoke social on Thursday Bight the Premier alluded to the request of the British Government, received by cable on the 17th February, that New Zealand should enlist, equip, and despatch 500 men at the expense of the Home authorities. He had thought at the time that a similar request had been simultaneously made to the other Australian Governments, but that was not so. It was not until the request to New Zealand had been accepted that the British Government asked the Australian Governments to furnish between them 2000 tnen. On the same day as the request for a farther New Zealand force came he had forwarded the following memorandum to His Excellency the Governor:— " The Premier presents his compli-

ments to His Excellency and respectfully rtques's that he will send th* following cable to the Secretary of State—'New Zealand Government willing to undertake purchase of hems and outfit; for men as desired in ycui cible. Five hundred volunteers wil! be enlisted at the earliest. My Ministers having enlisted on behalf of New Zealand—including Fourth Conticgect —a thousand mounted infantry, are of opinion tbat it would cause some feelirig if the volunteers who are now to be enlisted were to be paid at Imperial rates only, and wish to have the 500 men sent the same as the other?, the people of New Zealand making up the difference in pay. Further, the 500 men will form part of the Imperial Army at the Cape, and will be disposed of and placed in such positions as may be directed. Arrangement to be for one year, or during continuance of the war in South Africa. Officers to be appointed in terms of your cable.' "The Imperial Government," pro-

ceeded Mr. Seddon, "accepted these terms, informing the New Zealand Government that if the 500 men were sent to fight outside British territory, then the Imperial authorities would pay them 5s a day. They had, therefore, adopted the suggestion of New Zealand. So long as the men were fighting within British territory, of course the colony would have to pay. He (Mr. Seddon) had, at times, been blamed for not, taking the press into his confidence, but it was not always wise to do that. Had the intention of the Government to purchase 500 horses leaked out the price would have gone up."—Evening Post.

AUCKLAND NEWS.

fpBB PRESS ASSOCIATION.J Auckland, March 12,

The Rev. Joseph Parker, minister of the Congregational Church, Beresfordstreet, has resigned. The Rev. F. Warner, minister of the Congregational Church at Newton, has received a call from the South, but declined it. The mails of the Mararoa are not yet available. The Official Assignee offers, if any person can give private information or a clue which may lead to the recovery of the thousands of pounds said to be " put away " by Charles Grant Daley, that 20 per cent, on the sum recovered •will be paid as a reward, and the information held in the strictest confidence.

Donaghey, on a charge of shooting with intent to kill J:imes Brennan, was remanded for eight days.

COMMERCIAL NEWS.

[FEB PBI3SS ASSOCIATION.] (Beceived 12, 9.45 a m.) London, March 11. Thft'total quantity of wool catalogued so far if 4' 623 bales, of which 36,627 tales | have be<'a sold. Americans are baying the j 1 bes'. lots of merinos »nd crossbreds. The ] A. April c'ip realised 7fd, Kereru, B^. Hemp ii firmer; Wel'in?ton January and M r,h shipments sold at £3l 15s. j Sheepskins in moderate supply, two-thirds sM ; Irng wool declined a h'Of-penny to farthings; short wools fell a faitlii:.^*. Mutton; Oossbrcd wether?, maiden ewes, C*> terhury, 3 5-16 d ; Dunecin and Southend, 3 3-18 d; North Island, 3p. Lamb: Prim.' Canterbury, 5 l-16d; f*ir ayerage, inrlading Danedin, South'and, Wellington, smd secondary Canterbury, 5 l-10d; Biver Plate cross-bred or merino wrtbere, S^d.