THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 June 1901, Page 4

THE BOER WAR.

[BY KiSOTRIC TBLEGRYPH. —COPYRIGHT]

(per press association).

Victorians Surprised. London, June 16. A detachment of Victorians was surprised at Sieenkocspruit. There were GO casualties and two guns lost. Londox, June 17. Lord Kitchener reports that 250 of tho Victorian Mounted Rifles, detached from Beatson's column, were surprised injeamp* at Stoonkoospru.it, near Wilmansrust, 20 miles south of Middleliurg, at 7.30 in the morning of the 12th by a superior force of Boers. The enemy crept, within short range and poured in a deadl}' (ire. killing two ollicers and 16 men, and wounding 4 oiiicers and 38 men. 28 of the hitter have only slight injuries. Only two officers and 50 men rejoined •Beatson's column the remainder were captured and and released, Two Pompom 3 were captured.

General Bruce Hamilton has cleared the country bofcweenßloamfontein, Faureflmith and Petrusburg, cap uring IOO.OOC fiheep and many oattlo, horses and wagons. The Times commenting on tho disaster to the Victorians ; says that there will be profound and sincere mourning throughout the Empire for the bravo colonial kinsmen, who diod a soldier's doath ; but t is necessary that the Government continue the war until the Boers own that they are finally defeated. The nation does not want a patched-up peace. The Peace Question. Brussels, June 17. Mrs Botha has returned here after a two bouts' interview with Kruger. The Indcpondonce Beige states that Louis Botha informed Kruger that influential members of tho Transvaal Government wero divided, the majority desiring peace Krugor's entourage assert that he will issue a proclamation disclaiming all responsibility for peace without independence.