THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 6 May 1901, Page 3

THE BOER WAR.

[pee peess association, copyright.]

London,. May 4,

Commandant Malan captured near Cradock a patrol of the Diamond Fields Horse after a gallant light. The British were outnumbered, and all their horses were killed.

The Boers subsequently released the prisoners.

Strong drafts of British are concentrating at Orange Hirer station preparatory to a big, concerted movement on the Haartebecstcfontein district.

The Outlander committee at Durban are surprised at the lenient terms offered to General Botha, and urge Sir A. Milner to insist on the unconditional surrender of the Boers as a prelude to peace. £30,000 worth of Kruger’s unsigned bank notes were seized at 11 ooscnkal.

The captured correspondence included letters from Schalkburgher and Reitz respecting the Cape Colony invasion, a list of burghers on commando, and a scheme for the formation of a corps of train wreckers. Civil administration has been extended to Heidelberg and Standerton. Small parties of Boers are surrendering daily.

The War Office is more hopeful of the speedy termination of the war than it has been for any time for weeks. In the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain stated that the constitution of the Orange River and Transvaal Colonies will be defined by patent promulgated by proclamation in each colony. M’Kinley’s reply to a communication from Kruger informed the ex-President that he will welcome him unofficially in America in August.

Lieut-Colonel Colville’s column surprised the commando of H ans Botha at a laager near Heidelberg during a fog. After a short fight the enemy fled, leaving wagons, blankets, dynamite and »fuse detonators.

London, April 5,

Kitchener reports that an additional ton Boers were killed, three wounded and thirteen surrended.

93 Boors, 280,000 cartridges, 100 wagons with teams of 2,070 horses, have captured.