THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 13 March 1901, Page 3

THE BOER WAR.

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.]

Kitcheners Extraordinary Escape.

Negotiations with Botha.

Received this day at 9 16 a m. London, March 12,

Particulars are published of Kitchener's escape at Balmoral on January 23rd. Referring to this'incidont an officer narrates that the pilot engine had gono over the lino and reported all clear ; Kitchener then ordered two heavily laden trucks to be attached to the pilot engine to retost the suspected spot; when it reached the spot it was blown to pieces. A hundred concealed Beers then rushed to the shattered trucks and found the mangled remains of only tho engine driver. The result of tin negotiations between Kitchener and Botha are hopefully awaited at Pretoria ; Tt is thought that Botha will surrender even if l)e Wet declines. In tho I-lous9 of Commons Brodiick explained that Lord Robes ts had gravely censured iieut-Gcnerui >ir Henry Colville. Ho was blamed for not attempting to save the guns lost at Sannas Post, and subsequently neglecting to help Colonel Spragge and the Irish Yeomanry near Lindley. Received this day at 9 25 a.m. .London. March 12. The railway line from Pretoria to Delagoa Bay is now clear of Boers,

Ths Boers recently surprised a squadron of tho 18th Hussars, escorting Kitchener. All tho Hussars escaped excepting fifteen veterans who wero captured.

A thousand Australians reached Cape town to-day. They procaed to the fi out immediately after the arrival of horses. Received this day at 9 31 a.m.

Colville's friends are widely blamed for raising the debate of establishing his incompetency. Colville was reinstated iu command of Gibraltar without Robert's knowledge.

The Boers in tho Eastern Transvaal are short of avnmunitioa and are burying their artitlerv.

Fifty of Commandant Richart's Boers hoping to capture provisions undermined the line at Hciclleberg, and shot Kaffirs in the adjoining Urnal, to prevent their divulging when the trolly arrived. A charge of dynamite was placed under the line and exploded. Three British were killed, ancl two injured. Pilcher has cleared the country from Orange River t:> Bloemfoutem, capturing thirty-three Boers, and three thousand remounts.

Gorringe having secured fresh remounts is pursuing Kruitzinger eastwards Sheldon.