SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 4014, 21 February 1903, Page 1

SOUTH AFRICAN AFFAIRS.

LONDON, Feb. 17.. The Daily Telegraph states that the Hollander gang at Pretoria are endeavouring to incite the inhabitants to uisloyalty. Deportations are expected. ■ Mr Krugcr denies that he ever offered Germany a protectorate of the Transvaal, or tnat Prince Bismarck refused it. ' Sir George White, in giving evidence before the War t ommission, testified that prior to going to South Alrica he considered the expenditure m preparations for the war too restricted. He went out uninstructed and uninformed of any plan of campaign. General bunions, in an interview at Durban, urged him to hold Glencoe. Nevertheless, he only retained a force there owing to the Governor emphasising the probable effect of the withdrawal on the people. The action at Talana Hill produced ,a valuable effect. Witness justified his strategy in holding Ladysmith, which he said upset the Boer plan of campaign, and saved Natal. He intended, as a last resort, to cut his way out. General Sir Redvers Buller testified when selected in June 1899, as Commander-in-Chief in the event of war, he concurred with Lord Lansdowne that an army corps, a cavalry division, and seven battalions on trie lines of communication, were suf ficient if the war were confined to the Transvaaal, but witness declared that it was impracticable to ignore the Free State. The only practicable route was through the Free State Witness estimated that 15,000 men south of the Tugela would suffice for Natal's preliminary defence. He did not anticipate that the Cape would, be seriously invaded until the Boers succeeded in Natal. He foresaw at the beginning of September that this was inevitable, and recommended diplomatic delay to strengthen the columns. He recommended on the 24th that in the event of war they should advance on the Free State. Lord Lansdowne on the 30th concurred, and it was decided to proceed with their preparations, except the mobilisation. Witness urged that reinforcements to the reserves be sum moned on the 7th. He was always convinced that the Free State would co-operate with the Transvaal As Commander-in-Chief designate ht ought to have been more fully consuited. He was not instructed regarding the plan of campaign. He added that the relief of Kimberley was decided upon owing to the persons there at the end of October representing its danger, was adjourned. Feb. 19. In his evidence before the War Commission General Buller said that his telegram on December 15th merely implied the abandonment of an immediate attempt to relieve Ladysmij'th. The Government without consulting him had deprived him of a fifth division. He did not consider himself strong enough to relieve the place. The Government in sending a division to the Modder River he interpreted to mean thajt they preferred the relief of Kimberley. His heliograph was intended to be followed only in the event of Sir George White's inability to hold out for a month. Witness hoped, thinking it practicable, that it would induce Sir George White to break out and join hands with him. General Buller testified that he withdrew the guns at Colenso earlv, as the guns were too close the enemy, which was contrary to his intention. The openness of the ground and the men's exhaustion prevented the covering of the guns. The action at Spionkop enabled the men to gain a knowledge of war and confidence in themselves and their officers, besides inflicting on the enemy a great loss. CAPETOWN, Feb. 18. Mr Chamberlain is slightly indisposed. He has reached Capetown and is the guest of Sir W. Hely-Hut-chinson. The reception ait Capetown was most enthusiastic. The city was lavishly decorated, and a triumphal arch was a prominent feature. Mr Chamberlain was accorded a tremendous ovation from 10,000 people in Green market Square. Sir Gordon Sprigg was present, and was vigorously hooted. THE CYCLONE AT THE ISLANDS AUCKLAND, Feb. 18; News by the Ovalau gives particulars of the terrible cyclone which struck Low Aechipe.ago on January 13th. The islands of Kavahere and Marokau were swept completely, not a house remaining. Abouit 100 people lost their lives on Marokau. At Takeune a whpjp- village was swept away, 15 persons being killed. The village settlement on Raroia had alll the houses blown down, 15 people losing their lives. In Bow Island, one of the finest villages on the archipelago suffered terribly, every house being blown don by the gale, but fortunately only five lives were lost. The village of Avanu was devastated, five persons being killed. The island qf Hikiwea, carrying a population of 1000, suffered most severely from the hurricane, having apparently felt the full force of the cyclone, the island on which the village was established being swept, not a store or house remaining, and but few cocoanut palms resisted the fury of the storm. The number lost or killed on this island is abouit 4000. Grave fears are netertained as to the | safety of several schooners. More than 80 pearling cutters were lost at i Hikcura. In some of the islands the people saved themselves by climbingup the cocoanut trees, and remaining :■< in them for six or eight hours.