THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 2 December 1901, Page 4

THE BOER WAR.

[I'ER PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.] General Buller. London, Nov 20. A draft resolution to be submitted at a fro Buller demonstration at Hyde Park to-morrow declares that Bailer's speech on October 10 was used as a more excuse for his dismissal, which was due to his refusal to alter the Spionkop despatches. Tho Standard contradicts the statement and warns Buller that unless he rjstraini hia injudicious bickers the Government will be compelled to break its magnanimous silence, and broadly hints that when Sir George White declined to treat fjr the surrender of Ladysmith and helographed if the instractions to surrender were authentic, they were deliberately repeated, but disoboyed, and a'dds that if tho evidence supported the charges a profound revulsion of feeling would be created.

The Standard says that the only extenuating hypothesis is that the shock of two defeats destroyed the brave man's nerves and paralysed his judgment.

The Times Pretoria correspondent states that more troops are needed to accelerate the attrition of the Boers.

The frequent meetings of the enemy to discuss the situation show that they are less pleased wiih the prolongation

of the struggle and they ought to be hustled everywhere while in this state of mind.

The Devonian Society, London, entertained General Kir E. Buller. He said that discipline compelled reticence, otherwise he would gladly tell everything. Ho dwelt on she hardships tho troops were enduring The Dtvonshire Regiment had marched 997 miles in 143 days, constantly fighting. Several hundred Boers made a determined attampt to cross tho railway west of Middleburg, Transvaal, but were repulsed.

They are suffering considerabhj. In the beginning of 1902 no persons wid be allowed to land at the Cape and Natal without a permit certifying that their character is satisfactory and are in possession of means for tiieir maintenance.

Will Earopa Intervene ? The Berlin Post says:—"lf Eussia has taken no steps to intervene in the war in South Africa, the reason is that Russia's policy is so fully occupied in the Far East that it is not interested in expediting the conclusion of hostilities. This statement reminded me (says the Berlin correspondent of the Daily Mail) that the dissatisfaction felt in Great Britain at the slow progress of the war is undoubtedly appreciated here. A diplomatist whose position entitles him to speak with authority on foreign politics declared to me yesterday with earnestness, which carried conviction with Great Britain, from her international standpoint, cquld not exert herself too much or ni?ke too great sacrifices to bring the war to an end. "You run a growing rish," he said, "with every day that passes. It is impossible to predict what may not happen so long as you are as vulnerable as at present. Do not let your easy going methods blind you to the truth." Boer Leaders still in the Field, The following is a list of the most prominent Boer leaders at present in South Africa who have not yet surrendered, and who will be affected by Lord Kitchener's proclamation: — Commandant Gen. Com. Wessels. Louis Botha. Com. Kritzinger. Comdant. Christian Com. Fouche .Botha. Com. Malan. Com. Viljoen Com. Scheepers. Com. Delarey Com. Smuts. Com. Beyers Ex-President Steyn Com. Lucas Meyer Ex-State Sec. Eeitz Com. Do Wet "Acting-President" Commandant Kemp Schalk Burger. A Frenchman's Plans. Kruger to employ Privateers.

The " Matin " says :—The Transvaal and Orange Free State Eepublics are on the point of consenting to the employment of corsairs on their behalf against the British Navy, and are preparing to deliver letters of mark to the adventurers who are offering to fight for them.

The following is, indeed, the important document which has been submitted to the Transvaal and Orange Free State Governments, and may be signed at any moment: —

Sir, —"We accept your offer to orgonise a volunteer fleet. It is agreed that you shall arm vessels against Great Britain at your own risk and peril, andjthat as remuneration for the risk and peril you shall be allowed by the Governments of the South African Republics and the Orange Free State, if they r.etaui-t! 1 <\sr independence, the sum or AoO per ton of displacement of British ships of war, and £-10 per ton gross tonnage of British merchant ships taken or sunk by you. "It is agreed that you shall warn neutral commerce of the clanger which British ships will incur, and that you will respect British ships at sea at the moment of this warning. " Payment will b. 9 made on the signature of peace from the indemnity exacted from tho British Government within 15 days of such signature. "In the event of peace being signed and the independence of the two States being recognised, after notification of danger run by British ships—such notice being tantamount to the interdiction of the British merchant fleet—you would be reimbursed for your expenses, and the sum of £40,000 would be granted to you for your intervention. In the case of vessels sunk regarding which you can adduce no material proof that they have been sunk by your ships, it will be sufficient for you to have designated beforehand as objects of attack for their disappearance to be attributed to an attack on the part of your ships. "Except as regards the obligation to warn neutral commerce and to respect ships ignorant of the notification of danger, you may employ any means you think fit to attain your end. " You shall have full power to treat with third parties on any conditions you choose, not exceeding those granted to you by the present letter.

" Your operations shall only be arrested by signature of peace, it being impossible to notify you of any armistice.

" All disputes as to interpretation of this letter will be submitted to arbiters—two to be appointed by you, and two by

The " Matin " adds—Such is the very text of the document Mr Kruger is asked to sign.—lteuter.