THE BOER WAR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4900, 16 October 1901, Page 1

THE BOER WAR.

London, October 11.

General Botha, wuh 2 000 men, fought all day Sunday to the onai of Vryluid. He finally retreated. Botha has crossed the Binian River. The ' Morning Post ' Btates that Botha, after conferring with Da Wet and Steyn, j informed Lord Kitchener that he intends to make reprisals tor the execution of Broecksma, late prosecuting attorney for the Transvaal. October 12. Baffling mists favored Botha's retreat. The Boers in Holland describe the extension of martial law as a terrorism that ia certain to increase the rebellion. Martial law ia being applied to parts of Tembuland and East Griqualand. Lord Kitchener confirmed the death sentence passed on Commandant Lotter and a Cradock rebel, and the latter's execution is officially announcod as having taken plage, October 13. The Court found Commandant Lotter guilty of sedition, the murder of a colored and unarmed scout on two occasions, the murder of troopers in action on three occasions, destroying a railway by means of explosives, sjamboking Britisherß and Europeans. Looter pleaded that he was a Free State burgher, but did not ad« duca evidence in support of his claim. Kavanagh captured 110 horses belonging to Scheepers's commando. An official message states that General French has captured Commandant Scheepers. Scheepera's captors were a troop of the 10th Hussars. The following casualties to members of the Seventh New Zealand Contingent are reported :— Sergeant D. Cotton and Corporal E. Pointed, severely wounded at Botha's farm ; Sergeant Kayd, Corporal R. M'lvor, and Private G. Dandy slightly wounded. Eighteen additional Boer leaders have been banished. There is a unanimous opinion that General Buller's speech is amazing and unseemly, and that he is the victim of an halluciuation. London, October 11. Sir C. E, Howard Vincent, M.P., on the eve of hia departure for South Africa, wrote and offered to remain there and help in the recruiting of troops if he were needed ; otherwise he would carry a message.

Mr Brodrick replied that they had 200,000 men, with 450 guns, in South Africa, while another 100,000 were in training at Home. They were able to maintain the army in the field at the requisite strength. Tf a further call were made it would be met with the utmost promptitude. At present they were feeding 314,000 persons and 243,000 horses and mules, and maintaining a reserve of four months' food supply. Ljrd Kitchenei'e only demand of 9,000 reinforcements had been far exceeded. The Government had never in any way interfered with Lord Kitchener's dispositions. He possessed their entire confidence in a vigorous prosecution of the war, aod he had the advantage of Lord Roberts' advice, which was a guarantee of tho cohesion of the Government and Lord Kitchener. There would be no flinching, and any sacrifice would be made to terminate the struggle on the lines laid down. No Cabinet Council could advance these preparations, and Buch meetings might be interpreted as a want of confidence in the plan of operations, and an anxiety about the issue, on which latter both the minds of the Government and of the country were finally made up.