THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 10 July 1901, Page 3

THE BOER WAR.

[BY ELBCTRIO TBLEGEAPH —COPYRIGHT.]

[PeeJ Press Association.]

Botha's Statements.

France Beady to Interfere.

Will fight for Independence.

A .Smart Engagement.

Received this day at 9 18 a. m. London, July 9. Commandant Foucb.es haa returned from Barkly East district. Since July Ist 40 Boers were killed, 27 wounded, 182 captured and 312 wagons 7,000 cartridges and many horses and cattle were captured. - 21 Boers have surrendered. Vienna July 9, PKapusoba, the pro-Boer agitator at Vienna was, sentenced to five years imprisonment for emblezzing funds subscribed by sympathisers of the Boers. London, July 8. A Blue Book has been issued dealing with the number of captured documents. One shows that Commandant Botha, in an address of March 15th, told the Burg- - hers that he. had informed Lord Kitohener that they were fighting for, what they would never surrender—Their Independence. He also complains about the incomplete restoration of Boer Independence in 1881. In October Botha, in an order to pre--r-vertt,Bjii?renders, threatened to confiscate the property of surrenderee, and burn their houses.

la November it was propagated that France was ready to lend troops in South Africa; also that the Canadian and Australian troops were withdrawing in May. On the 10th Lord Kitchener in replying to Botha's request to facilitate a despatch of Envoys to Kruger, declared he recognised only Boer officers in the field. Londjn, July 9.

The Daily News correspondent reports a smart engagement. The British railway guard stationed southwards of Kroonstad, quitted a block house to intercept a Boer convoy crossing the railway. Other Boers occupied the block house, ana*" the British between two fires took cover and defended the position until an armoured train arrived, which emptied the block house. Six Boers were killed, 30 wounded, and the remainder and convoy captured.