THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 14 January 1901, Page 4

THE BOER WAR.

[by ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.]

(PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

Boers Scattered in all Directions

London, January 13. Lord Kitchener has cleared Johannesburg of undesirables. Many foreigners were shipped away. The refugees at Capetown are returning to guard the Hand mines, bat the number per mine has been limited. A Reuter message estimates them at 1200. London, January 12. Lord Kitchener reports that Hertzog 8 commando is near Sutherland, and General Settle is arranging to head him off. The invaders on the Midland line have broken to fragments, some returning north. One-half of the easternmost Boers is going north. The others are hiding in the monntains to the northwest of Jamestown. The attack on Machadodorp on Wednesday night was repulsed at dawn. It is semi-officially announced that the Capetown invaders are avoiding the railway and garrisoned towns. They are continuously on the move, seizing horses and food-stuffs. Iheir mobility eludes pursuit. Kruiizinger finds it easier to push south than retreat. All the country which the invaders have quitted is again quiet. Garrisons protect the chief towns. A portion of the mounted forces moved south to protect the South-west. 100 Boers crossed the Orange River towards Barkley Eest. The Cape Police and British farmers are repelling and punishing them. All the towns on the main line of the Orange Colony and Pretoria are held strongly, but the Boers show no disposition to attack.

The Mounteds occupy Piekmierakloof Pass, blocking the invaders westward, The march of Hennikcr’s troops with others cover the railway in the Matjesfontein. The screen across Capetown is considered impenetrable. Hofmeyr, who is recruiting his health at Munich, cabled to the Afrikanders that the proposed mission to England is useless. A naval brigade 2000 strong, with six Hotchkiss guns, are at Capetown in readiness. 4000 of the Town Guard and 450 of Postal Corps and enrolled and drilling daily. The Cape times and Argus each formed an employees’ corps. Lord Kitchener has warned mine owners that dynamite in the mines near the Eand is property that the military are not answerable for any damage caused by its explosion. A number of City Imperials are ofiering to return to the front. The Daily Mail says that the English have decided to bring a train from Pretoria to Delagoa direct without transferring the control to Portuguese drivers. Holland has prevented Dr Leyds reengaging Boer exiles in Holland.