rHE BOER WAR.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 4927, 22 January 1902, Page 1

rHE BOER WAR.

London, January 16.

The ' Dilly News' ' war correspondent, who accompanied Major Vallentin's expedition in the engagement near Amerspoort, which ended so seriously for the British column, gives a vivid description of the fighting.

Major Valientin, with 230 men, was Bent to hustle the Boers northwards from General Plumer's column, and Colonel Pulteney's column acted as support, while Colonel Colvin's New Zealanderß were held in reserve.

Major Tolls' Queenslanders made a brilliant charge upon the highest eminence, when the enemy fled, and the march was resumed. Shortly afterwards the Hampshire men, forming part of Major Vallentin's command, rested for dinner in the corner of an evacuated plateau. Suddenly swarms of Boers sprang up in front and on both flanks, and taking advantage of their good cover they poured in volleys, disabling our men right and left.

Lieutenant Wilson, who had charge of the pom-pom, the Hampshires Mounted, and the Queenslanders vied with each other in the stubborness of their resistance, but they were outnumbered by three to one, and had no cover.

Tbe British right retreated under a murderous fire. Captain Johnstons, formerly belonging to Strathcoua's Horse, fell mortally wounded, vainly trying to rally. Major Valentine fell when iaeuing orders, which Lieutenant Toll executed. His dying injunctions were . ( We muat stand, Toll, to the last.'

Hundreds of Boers charged within 80 yards of the British. Lieutenant Wilson's pom pom with the last shells mowed down five of the enemy, then limbering up the gun he galloped back to shelter and reorganised the scattered remnants of the force.

Meanwhile the gallant Queenslanders and Hampshires were overwhelmed, but Colonel Pulteney at this stage arriving with his guns checked the advance against Lieutenant Wilson, the latter now being supported by some mounted infantry on a knotty kopje.

A Boer detachment whilst attacking Colonel Pulteney's left found themselves confronted by two companies of Victorians, who seized the kopJ9. The New Zealandera also appearing caused the enemy to retire.

• The Daily Telegraph's ' correspondent mentions that General Oppermann was killed by a shell during the engagement. His death is expected to lead to the desertion and surrender of many Boers. Lieutenant-colonel Violls, the Westralian, greatly distinguished himself during the engagement, seizing a number of positions, and replying to the enemy from all points.

Commandants Kemp and Bdliiers raided 1,000 cattle in the Mafeking district.

The Guards Brigade were given a great public farewell. Viscount Northland and Lord Falconer accompanied them.

January 17.

Some Boers surprised Willowdam, to the west of Mafeking, and shot the wife of an officer as she was standing at her tent door.

Lord Milner, in 4 despatch under date November 7, stated that the whole of the loyalist refugees must return to the Transvaal and Oranga River Colonies before the Boer prisoners are allowed to do so.

A Blue Book has been published dealing with the war. It shows that the concentration-camp policy was imperative owing to Botha's threat made in November, 1900, to confiscate the property and burn the houses of the surrendering burghers. Lord Kitchener offered not to disturb the farms and families of the burghers on commando provided they were no*t actively assisting their relations, and if Botha would spare the farms and families of the neutrals or surrenderors. Botha refused this offer, telling Lord Kitchener that he must take tho surrenderors and their families out of the country, otherwise they would soff-jr.

Lord Kitchener has indignautly denied the alleged rough and cruel treatment of women and children.

January 18. Lord Kitchener's despatches of December 8 mentioned Lieutenant G. IX Shern for gallantry in attacking a laager at Pongolanbosch and for good services, and Sergeant J. Davidson and Lancecorporal W. Rutherford, for bringing in wounded under a heavy fire. All these belong to the New Zealand Seventh Regiment. Sergeant J. Walker, of the Fourth New Zealand Contingent, for capturing unaided three armed Boers on a farm at Standerton, and a number of Australians are also mentioned.

Out of 17,688 men, 42,905 women, and 56,424 children in the Boer concentration camps in December, 160 men, 453 women, and 1,767 children died.

Owing to General Botha's complaints of the treatment of the women and children in the concentration camps, Lord Kitchener in December last volunteered to allow all willing to leave to return. The Boers inquired where General Botha desired then: to be sent, but no reply was received. Lord Kitchener also offered the Boer leaders a safe conduct to inspect the camps.

Renter's Agency states that Dr von Kuyper, the Netherlands Premier, after ascertaining the terms which the Boers' delegates were willing to negotiate peace upon, visited London privately to ascertain if Lord Salisbury genuinely desired peace.

In answer to a question in the House of Lords, Lord Salisbury stated that he was not aware Dr von Kuyper had made overtures.

A Blue Book Bhows that Mr Schalkburger, the Acting-president, in September last informed Lord Kitchener that the independence of the Boofs and an amnesty for rebels was imperative. In connection with the trial of Dr Krauee, Lord Chief Justice Alverstone decided that inasmuch as it was not proved that Dr Krause's letters had reached Brocksma, the charge of inciting to murder was not maintainable. The case against him for attempting to incite to murder ia proceeding. Dr Krause has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment, the maximum sentence allowed for a charge of attempting to incite to murder.

In the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain urged that there should be no relaxation of precautions in South Africa until normal conditions were restored.

The Government decline to publish the heliograms that passed between Generals Buller and White whilst the latter was besieged in JLadysmith.