THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 July 1901, Page 4

THE BOER WAR.

[by BLBCTRIO TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.] [Per Press Association.] London, July 19. Amongst the letters found m Steyn’s baggage was one from Kelt/., writing to Steyn on May 10th, stating that the Transvaal Government —Botha, Viljoeu, and Smuts—considered it advisable to ask his permission to communicate with Kruger, owing to the continual surrenders. Another big fight and it wo.uld be impossible, owing to tin- exhaustion of i ammunition, the difficulty of feeding the commandos. Government becoming weaker and disorganised, it was therefore necessary to obtain a definite assurance from the European deputation regarding the prospects of interventies. It was impossible to drift, the time had come to take a definite step. Steyn replied on May 12th stating that the letter was a great blow and ho felt it deeply, He was hurt at their deciding on the matter without consulting him. Despite their reverses they had not y t come to the last extremity. If the officers surrendered the Orange burghers would sti 11 resist. They ought to continue to rely upon God. When too small Republics declared war on mighty England they trusted to God and foreign intervention. Late European papers, he adds, convince me of early and beneficial “ European complications. The deputation in Europe Would not allow us to struggle if intervention was hopeless. If wo wish to remain a nation now is the time to struggle. Milner and Kitchener are unable to pull together. Milner has gone home because he is not allowed a free hand.” Private Norman Low (New Zealand. Mounteds) was severely,; wounded at Wolvehock. While the troopship Armenia was conveying 900 Boer prisoners to Bermuda, two German and French officers amongst them plotted to seize the ship and compel the officers to navigate the vessel to an American port, A Boor informed the authorities, and the foreigners were arrested. Sydney, July 19. Lieutenant-Colonel Mackay, who has just returned from the Cape, says that it is worth while for any State, or-Australia as a whole, to send a competent commercial agent to South Africa to develop a trade.