THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 23 February 1901, Page 3

THE BOER WAR.

De Wet Hardly Pressed

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT.]

[per press association.]

Received this day, at 9 2 a m. London, February 22

Kitchener telegraphed from Klerksdor]) (hat Methuen who is operating in the south-western Transvaal has cleared that part of the country.

Marching through Wolmaranslad to Klerksdorp, Generals Debilliers and Liebcnbcvg with 14,000 men obstinately held strong positions. At Haartebeestefontein, 20 miles west of Klerksdorp, they were expelled after severe fighting. On tho 10th the Yeomanry, Victorian Bushman and Royal North Lancashives rendered distinguished service. The British losses Mere three officers and 13 men killed and five officers and 2!) men wounded. The Boers suffered severely and left 18 dead on the field.

The Daily Mail states that, Do Wet is depressed at having to co-operate in an unknown country.

He is seldom in the lighting line, and Commandant Fronwan directs fighting also on the line of flight. Do Wet, who is said to bo frightened, was heading on Tuesday towards Read's drift intending to rccross tho Orange River. He wept at the doggedncss and nearness of the pursuing British. One Commandant was unable to cross the swollen Brak River, and has turned west.

Later reports state that part of De Wet's force were driven into a triangle formed at the Junction of the Orange Brak Rivers, which is Hooded. The horses were unable to swim, and Uic rains continue.

The Standard states that a big force including a naval detachment and a volunteers composite regiment are operating in the vicinity of Vryhcid with the object of checking Botha's retreat. The chocolate presented months ago by the late Queen to each soldier at the front has only just reached Mafeking. The Daily Chronicle accuses the South African Conciliation Committee of issuing pamphlels purporting to illustrate the horrors of Kitchener's iron hand. It is compiled from letters of British officers. The Chronicle proves that there have been numerous interpolations of letters and omission of all facts incriminating the Boers. Kruger has abandoned the intention to seek an interview with King Edward at Flushing, when lie arrives on his visit to the Kaiser, on the ground that the interview would infringe the Sabbath.

In the House of Commons, Chamberlain in reply to a question said the At-torney-General of Cape Colony after careful consideration lias decided not to prosecute Captain Cox of the New .South Wales Lancers for ordering the shooting of a native at Colesberg in November, 1809.