The Boer War.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 35, 11 February 1901, Page 2

The Boer War.

COLONIALS RECOVERED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Feb. 9. The following colonial officers have recovered from thoir wounds:— Colonel Wallach, a Tasmanian. ■ Lieutenants Neywoed and Moore, Victorians. W. King, a Queenslander. J. Montgomerie, a New Zealander.

BUBONIC PLAGUE AT CAPETOWN. RIGOROUS' PREVENTATIVE MEASURES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Feb. 9. Two cases of bubonic plague aro reported at Capetown. - A Major Yarrow, an export, and Colonel Mac Kay, of New South Wales, have been summoned from Pretoria, and are consulting with and advising the authorities. Every precaution, and rigorous preventative measures are being taken. The outbreak has so far caused no alarm.

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.

INTERESTING DISCLOSURES. ’ BULLER ASKED ROBERTS’ ADVICE A TERRIBLE RISK. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Feb. 9. The despatches issued by thp War oftico show that General Buffer doubted the possibility of being able to relievo Ladysmith. General Buffer telegraphed to Lord Roberts, on February 6th, asking whether he ought to risk the sacrifico of two or three thousand men to gain access to the plain within ten miles of General Sir George Whito’s position, adding that the success of the movement was doubtful. Lord Roberts replied: “ Ladysmith must bo relieved, “ even at cost anticipated.” General Buffer, on February 9th, asked for reinforcements.

WHAT HUNTER SAYS,

THE DELUSIVE WAR MAPS. THE GUNS AT FAULT. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Feb. 9. Major - General ' Hunter’s despatches stated that the war maps issued were a positive danger and a delusion. The Major-General also stated that the guns and not the gunners were at fault. DE WET’S ADVANCE: HIS FOLLOWERS DESERTING. A TRAIN LOOTED, AND CIVILIANS WOUNDED. BOERS REPULSED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Feb. 9. The Boers on the 6th held up and looted the Greylingstad-Vlaklaagte train, six civilians being wounded. De Wet was northwards of Smithfield on Thursday morning. The eastward part of De Wet’s force is advancing on Philippolis. Many of his followers are deserting him. They are inclined to accept Lord Kitchener’s terms.

The Boer force moving in the south has been repulsed near Reddersburg.

TWO. VOLUMES OF DESPATCHES,

■ WAR OFFICE MUDDLING. . LORD ROBERTS’ PATHETIC LAMENTATION. A TRIBUTE TO BULLEB. By Telegraph. Press Association. Copyright Eeceived Feb. 10, 5.47 p.m. London, Feb. 9. The War Office has- issued two volumes of despatches covering the period of Lord Roberts’ command. The despatches graphically reveal the terrible drawbacks encountered. The Army Corps organisation was disintegrated on first contact with the enemy. In reality there was no organised transport corps. After the transport corps had been organised, Lord Roberts consciously encountered the" risk 'of ' a rising in Cape , Colony, and of having his lines of communication cut, rather than forego the enormous advantage of striking at the enemy’s capital. His reports pathetically lament over the subsequent condition of the mounted forces, preventing any operations demanding rapidity of movement. Lord Roberts pays a high tribute to General Bullor and his subordinate officers as brave soldiers, who were marching and fighting from January 15th to February 28th of last year. Finally he emphatically declares that the permanent tranquillity of the annexed colonies is dependent on the complete armament (?) of the inhabitants. He admits- that this task is difficult, yet one to be accomplished with time and patience. [The word “armament” is given as cabled, but the context shows that the correct word must be disarmament..]

A COWARDLY COMMANDANT.

MURDER OF A DOCTOR, NURSE ROBBED OF £25. A DUTCH PASTOR’S STATEMENT. Per Press Association. Telegraph. Copyright Received Feb. 11,12.24 a.m. London, Feb. 10. Commandant Mears sjamboked and then shot four -Boers at Standerton for refusing to fight. Surgeon Walker was thrice wounded at Modderfontein. A Boer then battered his head in with a stone, killing him. The Boers robbed the passengers of the Greylingstadt-Vlaklaagte train, relieving a nurse of .£25.

, Bosman, the leading Dutch pastor at Pretoria, was afforded opportunities and investigated charges against the British of ill-treatment of women. He reports the charges to be baseless.

ACTIVITY OF THE BOERS,

REPULSED - WITH HEAVY LOSS,

BRITISH SUFFER SEVERELY.

GENERAL FRENCH DRIVES OFF 6000 BOERS.

By Telegraph—Press Association. (Received Feb. 12, 12.29 a.m.) London, Feb. 10. The enemy' violently attacked General Smith.Dorrien’s outposts at Bothwell, near Rietretiefti

The British suffered severely, but repulsed the enemy, and inflicted heavy losses upon thorn. General Frenoh occupied Ermolo, whence six thousand Boers retired towards Amsterdam. A PROTEST FROM FRANCE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. London, Feb. 9. French people holding Transvaal bonds have made a protest to Dr Loyds against the Boers destroying mining properties.

COLONIAL TROOPERS GOING TO THE WAR, Adelaide, Fob. 10. The Fifth Contingent, of 300 men, boarded the Ormazan yosterday, and sailed for Capetown to-day. There was a large crowd on the wharf. Tho Governor paid a visit to those aboard. Tho men paraded tho streets and wero ontertaiuod on the previous day. Tho Teviotdalc, with horses, accompanies the Ormazon. Melbourne, Feb. 10. The City of Lincoln, with 624 contingent horses, has sailed for Capetown.

RETURNING TROOPERS. [By Telegraph—Press Association.] Woffington, last night. Tho Promier received tho following cable from the Premier of Tasmania:— “ The following members of' tho 4th and sth Contingents arrived by tho Kawamea: Licut.-Colonol Nowall, Sorgts. Ross and Gregg, Privates Brown, Cook, Clunie, Canioron, Dormer, Gill, Harris, Home, Hopelcins, Huntor, Hayward, Huntzell, Jackson, Loan, Morrison, Morret, McDougall, Macnuloy, Popliam, Riddel, Ruddell, Regan, Bettor, Smith, Sommorvillc, Stovens, and Valentine. All are well except Sorgt. Challis and Private Searlc, who aro suffering from pneumonia, and have been transferred to the Wellington Hospital. Tho following New Zealand Irrogulars are also on board Privates Tait, Rowland, and McDonald (Brabant’s Horse), Keane (Roberts’ Horse), Gibson (South African Police).