A SUPPOSED BOER PLAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6729, 26 February 1900, Page 3

A SUPPOSED BOER PLAN.

ITS PARTIAL COLLAPSE, THE ENEMY'S STATEMENT. THEt REPULSED BULLER. CONTINUOUS FIGHTING IN NATAL. THE BRITISH CASUALTIES. BOER WAGGONS TREKKING NORTHWARD. LADYSMITH CLOSELY INVESTED. THE ENEMY'S LOSSES AT SPIONKOP. IMPORTANT OFFICERS CAPTURM). CAPTURE OF GERMAN SPIES. United Press Association— By Eleotrio Telegraph— Copyright. (Eeceived F.eb. 26, 9.30 a.m.*^ LONDON, Peb .25. To Cronje is persistently attributed a preconcerted plan, a part Qf which was thab the attention, of the British was to be occupied, with a view to the concentration of the Boer forces to protect the approaches to Bloemfohtein and Pretoria. The recrudescence of the fighting on the Tugela is, interpreted to mean that the Boer plan of campaign has partially collapsed. The Boers claim that the Ermelo and Middleburg commandos repulsed the attacking force under General Buller on Thursday, the British suffering heavy loss. General Buller reports that owing to the continuous fighting it is impossible at present to give a list of the casualties sustained by the rank and file. Three of General Buller's officers were killed in the engagement at Pieters on Thursday, including Lieutenant the Hon Reginald Cathcart, the fourth son of the Eari of Cathoart. Major-General A. S. Wynne and thirteen other officers were wound-ed. Although the Dundee Road is covered for miles with Boer waggons, trekking northwards from Ladysmith, there has been no general retirement of the besiegers, and Ladysmith is still closely invested by the Boers. A. letter from General Joubert, found at Inhlangwani Hill, states that three thousand Boers were disabled at Spionkop. (Received Feb. 26', 9.50 a.m.) Lord Roberts captured Count Sternberg, an Austrian general. Baron Von Dam, a German, and chief of the Bofer artillery, ha-s been captured by General Buller. (Received Feb. 26, 10.5 a.m.) '"'*' The Ladysmith garrison captured two anped German spies, wearing the red cross. The men were asking the natives for details of the town.