THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 3 December 1901, Page 4

THE BOER WAR.

[per PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.]

London, December 2.

Sir G. Sprigg, in speaking at the Caledonian Society banquet, said that the army of the Cape Colony numbered 18,000, three-fourths mounted, and were increasing weekly. The colony was controlling 31 districts, including the Transkeian territories, with the view of preventing the invaders’ return or their encouragement thereto and paying the whole cost of the town guards and Government.

Lord Kitchener is working with the Cape authorities in perfect harmony. The meeting of Parliament was dependent on the ending of the war. The attrition of the enemy is proceeding steadily. The loyali-ts were in a hopeful mind, but a large debt had been incurred in maintaining the requisite forces. A customs conference would be the first step from which a federation of States would gradually mature. Government were opposed to the ultimate subdivision of the colony into two States. Commandos totalling 1,509 men occupy positions in the west of Cape Colony, some distance from the railways and where water is scarce.

General French with eight eolnmns is operating southwards and eastwards of the invaders, and the loyalist troops occupy various villages. A meeting of 20,000 at Hyde Park adopted the previously announced resolutions.

A constable broke the processionists gilt effigy of Buller, and a disturbance was narrowly averted. The gathering was mostly workers. A small minority raised shouts against Lord Roberts and Chamberlain. Buller’s dignified reticence is interpreted as a rebuke to the demonstrators.