THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 19 June 1901, Page 4

THE BOER WAR.

[BY ELECTRIC TULEGRiPn.—COPYRIGHT]

(per peess association). London, June 18 The Hon. Cecil Rhodes, in addressing a gathering of 3000 at Bulawayo, estimated that" there were 0000 Boers in the field, while it would he nonsense to conoodo self-government to the 'Transvaal and Orange Colonies. Until Federation was achieved Natal and the Northern States would not sympathise with the Cape Colony, which encouraged the rebellion.

Lord Kitchener advises that since his last report 24 Boers were hilled and 14 wounded, 255 taken prisoners, IGS surrendered, and 3000 cattle. 1500 horses, 198 wagons, 137 rifles, and 5.230 rounds of small arm ammunition were captured, apart from Elliot's operations. At the Colonial Club dinner at the Hotel Cecil 259 were present, including the Agents-General, General Buller receivod an immense ovation. He stated recent events showed that Great Britain possessed a number of very strong, lusty, well matured children, prepared to help her in every difficulty iu which they thought her right by sending fine men, fine soldiers, and gallant fellows. Imperial unity was a dangerous idea unless backed up solidly. Hon Mr Cockburn, of South Australia, suggested that an emblem should be added to the Union Jack specially appealing to the colonists and reminding them of the part borne in sending contingents to South Africa. Lord Strathcona (chairman) advocated the establishment of a Colonial Volunteer Corps in London. Hon Mr Chamberlain in the House of Commons" said that the Government generally agreed with the principles of Barbour's report, though he did not guarantee that Sir Alfred Milner would apply them all. . Scheeper's force partially looted Murray sburg. The Boers made a.determined effort to re-capture the convoy at Reitz, and charged right up to the Mounted Infantry. In the House of Commons, Mr Brodrick stated that there were 37,738 persons in the Transvaal concentration camps, including natives 2,528 in Natal, 20,374 in the Orange River Colony, and 2,490 in the Cape Colony. Mr Lloyd George moved the adjournment, and complained that the refugees were not treated with consideration.

Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman declared that the concentration was barbarous. Mr Brodrick hotly denied the charge of inhumanity. Extreme leniency had protracted the war. There was a high mortality in Johannesburg camp in May owing to measles, a 3 the women refused to follow the dietary directions. Every mail brought complaints that the injudicious proBoer speeches had the effect of encouraging resistance. Mr Haldane, "amid Liberal interruptions, declared that the Government was showing all possible humanity. The adjournment was negatived by 253 to 134 Fifty I Liberal Imperialists abstained from voting, including Asquith, Grey, Haldane, M'Arthur, and 56 Irish. Sh W. V. Harcourfc and Sir H. CampbellBannerman voted with the minority.