THE BOER WAR.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 31 December 1901, Page 3

THE BOER WAR.

[PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.]

Crazy Old Kroger. Received this day at 9 5 a. m. •London, Deo 80. Kroger acknowledged giving congratulations to many pro-Boer European societies over De Wet’s success. He expressed the hope that the Republics .would regain their independence.

Sydnby, Dec 31. The transports Cornwall and Surrey have been Chartered to convey, troops to South Africa. One or both may be used for the New Zealand Contingents which will presumably be ready before the Commonwealth force.

London, December 30.

Scheepers’ trial is proceeding. Sclieepers testified, claiming to be a Freestater. He admitted that he obeyed De Wet’s proclamation in reference to reprisals on the British, and punished loyalists for helping the British. He destroyed railways and Government building, killed a native spy after he had been tried and sentenced. He denies murdering natives and blamed Commandants Vandermerwe. Fouche and Kruitzinger. The Times states that Lord Salisbury convered to Szell, the Hungarian Premier, the assurance that Britain will ever bo grateful for his chivalous defence of Britain contained in his recent speech delivered in the 'Hungarian Diet.

The Standard states that Lord Eosebury declined Bannermann'a invitation to join the leadership of the party. Bannerman shortly challenges the Liberal Imperialists whether they will support him in the House of Commons. The prisoners taken by the Boers in the Tweefontein affair were released and they arrived at Bethlehem. Two Boers were executed at Mafeking for murdering natives. Eeuter’s agency states that 700 Boers, led by Commandant Smuts, took part in the recent attack on a convoy in the Calvinia district.

Vienna, December 80,

The pro-Boer women at Vienna adopted an appeal to the women of England, containing a wicked accusation that the troops dishonored the women at the concentration camp, also a petition to Queen Alexandra.

London, December 30. The newspapers agree that De Wet’s brilliant prowess at Tweefontein recalls Joubert’s tactics at Majuba. They claim that the British reverse does not affect the situation.

The Standard suspects a grave lack of vigilance on the part of the British.

The Times makes a similar remark, and adds that it is hardly conceivable that any large portion of De Wet’s force of 1200 men ascended the ridge to Williams’ camp, otherwise falling stones would have revealed their presence.

The Dutch Taal monument at Bfirgbersdorp has been secretly overthrown and mutilated,

Lord Kitchener issued 1600 permits to return to the Transvaal prior to January 15th, also 80 special permits weekly for months to workers in mines.

Sydney, December 30.

At the Conference of State Commandant?, Mr Barton was present to consider the question of fixing the basis of allotment of the Federal Contingent to South Africa. It was decided to divide the force into nine units of 121 officers and men each, New South Wales and Victoria each contributing three unite, Queensland and South Australia one each, Westralia and Tasmania each half a unit, the various quotas-/being on a population basis. The question of commander and officers was not decided.

The contingent will be ready to embark at the end of January if possible.