THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 5 August 1901, Page 3

THE BOER WAR.

——o:o ■ [al BLIOTBIO TBLBOBAPK—COPTBIQHT.]

(P*B PBBBB ASSOCIATION.)

London, August 3. The censor stopped the following Beater message from Standerton on July 6th s

“ Driving in a pre-arranged cart and four Greys, General Botha and his secretary brought to Colonel Walter Kitchener at Platrand Kruger’s reply to Botha’s Sroposal for surrender, as follows, adressed to Botha, De Wet, Do la Boy and Steyn;— “Continue fighting. Stanley, Financial Secretary of the War Office, stated the natives were employed on both sides scouting. Presumed they were unarmed. If armed on occasion mentioned in Kitchener’s despatch, it is contrary to all instructions."

Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, in dealing with the Colonial officers’ vote, closely Bquiredpnto the South African situation. The Hon. Mr Chamberlain in a weighty speech said that the regular war and the guerilla war had been succeeded by a third stage of ruffianism in the shape of brigandage and outrage requiring a change m the attitude towards the authors. , Lord Kitcheners new policy of establishing block-houses on the lines of communication separating the fighters from surrenderors and re-establishing conditions of peace in the protected districts was so successful that Lord Kitchener believed it possible to send soqio considerable portion of the troops home from the end of September. Mr Chamberlain then proceeded to announce severe methods dealing with incursions into the protected areas. [Regarding Kruitzinger’s threats Government had telegraphed to Lord Kitchener that such acts and those of killing the wounded are contrary to civilised warfare, and that those committing them or authorising them are to be eourtmartialled, and, if found guilty, to suffer the penalty of death. (Loud cheers).

General French is instructed to inform Kruitzinger of this decision. Mr Chamberlain added that the Admiralty situation was more hopeful than for a long time past. * The speech provoked intense hostility on the part of the Irish party. Mr Chamberlain made crushing retorts to their interruptions, and greatly aggravated the feeling. Mr Murphy, member for Kerry East, declared that Chamberlain had shed enough blood to swim in. The obstructionists’ tactics were maintained until six in the morning. The Gazette announces that the King

has accepted the resignation of Major

Kaori Davies of the Companionship of the Bath in accordance with his his expressed wish to serve His Majesty without re war 3.

General Elliott’s column was frequently sniped at on its march from Bethlehem Reitz and Frankfort to Klerkadorp. Farming everywhere was in evidence, but the majority of the farmers deserted their homes on the news of the British advancing and proceed the columns under the protection of Yoster’s commando. The captures included 60 prisoners, mamy cattle, thousands of horses, arms and ammunition, some of the latter being brand buried.

The Boers Badly Beaten. Received this day at 8 40 a.m. London, August 4. Remington’s guides captured a portion of Commandant Steekamps convoy at the Klip river, and also two loaded wagons aad 2000 cattle in 'the Lindley district.

Commandant Hermann, Steyn’s eousinaa ex-President, was killed at Ficksburg.

A New Zealander, Private A. Small' was severely wounded at the Wildes* taagt.

A skirmish south-wards of Aliwa, North on the 14th developed into an eight hours light.

600 Boers under Commandant Foucke posted in the surroundings hills opened lire upon a detachment of the Connaught Rangers under Lieutenant-Colonel Moore escorting a convoy.

The Eangers with one maxim did splendid work, and under heavy lire they stormed the hill, everflanked the Boers and drove them into a donga, where Field Cornet Olivers was fatally wounded. Since the beginning of the war, 6,058 loyalist refugees have been shipped Horae, 37,315 regularly relieved, and 10,458 provided wi h permanent labour.