THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 14 December 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

Boer Atrocities at Brakenslaagte*

[per press association-copyright.]

London, December 13.

Lord Kitchener’s inquiry concerning the atrocities at the battle of Brakenslaagte, when Brigadier-General Benson’s column met with a serious disaster, shows that 73 British prisoners complain that they were robbed of everything and stripped nearly naked. The brutality towards the wounded was shocking. Broken legs and arms were twisted and wrenched to expedite the removal of garments and boots. An officer’s shattered thigh was twisted round, in order to secure his spurs. A man already shot in the chest was roughly robbed of his shirt. A Sergeant, who had been twice wounded, was shot down with his own carbine, because he was unable to raise his arms. An armed private was shot dead at a distance of five yards. Benson’s body was robbed of the gaiters, spurs and private papers, despite General Grobelaar's promise that the wounded would be respected. The Commandants were unable to control their follows.

The wounded lying near the guns were fired on long after they had been unarmed and robbed,,• and fighting had ceased in their vicinity. Eleven were thus killed and others rewounded. Brussels’ advice states that Botha executed fifteen of the captured burgher scouts, whose services were recently accepted by the British. The Transvaal revenue now nearly equals the expenditure.

Dr Krause was committed for trial on the charge of inciting the murder of Forster.

Botha’s forces have split up. 700 have gone south-west of Amsterdam, others to Sternkoolspruit and South Groot, and Olifant’s River station.

Part of De Wet’s force has joined the De Larey party. The Boers raided the hotel at Ingogo.

Lord Kitchener has forbidden ox wagons to accompany the mobile columns.

Sydney, Deo 13.

A Buffer memorial has been started in the city, and subscriptions are already coming in freely. Corporal Eairclough and Trooper F. H. Higgins, both New Zealanders arrived in the Wiloannia from South Africa. Received this day at 9 8 a.m. London, Dec 13.

A large body of Boers failed to cross the railway westwards of Wonderfontein and abandoned a cart load of train wrecking material. Dartnell while making surprise visits to farm houses in the Harrismith District captured twenty-four Boers. Lloyd Gorge, the Liberal member of the House of Commons for Carnarvon, in the course of a speech said that the speedy termination of the war rested with the necessity of recognising the British people who had resolved that annexation was inevitable.

Rome, December 13.

Lord Currie, the English Minister and staff, attended requim Mass at ihe English Catholic Church in Eome for soldiers who have fallen in the Boer War. The Scottish Canadian colleges assisted but the Irish College was not represented. Received this day, at 9 Bam. London, Dec 13. Delary and the Commandants met at the Lichtenburg district. Some favored surrender if the farmhouses were re-built. Dtlarey declared that it was hopeless of Great Britain insisting in unconditional surrender.

Another conference of the Commandants will be held shortly.

Bruce Hamilton, Brigadier-General, Sir Henry Eawlinson, and Colonel Williams co-operated and captured a hundred and thirty-one prisoners, belonging to Grobelaar’s commando. They also captured four thousand cattle, teveral families, a quantity of waggons and carts. Grobebellaar escaped. The execution of fifteen burgher scouts was in pursuance with Botha’s proclamation on November 15th, that he would shoot all burghers assisting the British. Received this day at 9 42 a m. London, December 13. Many Colonials are handsomely to the “ King’s Colonials.” One offered £SOO, and another machine guns. There were three hundred volunteers in a week.