The Boer War.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 46, 23 February 1901, Page 2

The Boer War.

ON, THE HEELS OF DE WET,

THE ATTACK ON KITCHENER’S TRAIN.

BOERS CAPTURE A TRAIN LOAD OF FOOD-STUFFS.

By Telegraph—Press'Association—Copyrigk London, Feb. 22.

Colonel Plumer, who is following Do .Wet and compelling him to turn north in t-lic direction of Griqualand West, is close on tho enemy’s heels. Hcrtzog is northward of Houwatcr, Lieut.-Coloncl Gorringo and Major Haig pursuing. Kvuitziager is northward, near Bethcsda.

v The attackers of Lord Kitchener’s baggage train had carts in readiness in a donga to transport the loot.

Tho Boers destroyed a culvert between Natal Spruit and the Klip River. They captured a train load of food-stulls, and burned the train.

BOTHA STILL SAYS, “ NEVER

SURRENDER!”

DESPONDENT REPLY BY BURGHERS.

“THE.LORD PIIOVIDETH EVERY

THING.”

A FIERY PROCLAMATION,

STEYN AND DE WET URGE RETALIATION.

REITERATING LIES.

By Tolegrapk. Press Association. Copyright London, Feb. 22. Botha, on the 15tli, recommended his followers novor . surrender.

He would, lie said, continue to lead them while five hundred were left.

Tlic burghers replied that it was difficult to continue the struggle, as tho ammunition was almost exhausted, and the British woro destroying the crops and food. Botha replied: “ The Lord provideth everything.” Stoyn and Dc Wet have issued a fiery proclamation, denying that tho war was ended, and urging retaliation for farmburning. Tho proclamation reiterated lies in regard to outrages upon Boer women by tho British; and advocated raids upon unfriendly colonists.

ADVICE TO SURRENDER,

THE MYSTERIOUS “ P.S.”

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrighi London, Feb. 21.

A correspondent signing himself “ P. 5.,” supposed to bo Mr Philip Schreiner, a brother of the late Premier of Cape Colony, has addressed a letter to tho Times, in which ho states that he has the painful duty to advise the Boors to surrender.

The sympathy, of Continental nations he says is hollow.

Tho tardiness of tho Liberal members of the Houso of Commons in declaring that they opposed th 3 idea of Boor independence, and their oyalty to tho Empire, he declares, disagreeably surprised the Boers. If tho intentions of tho Liberals had been made clear months ago, tho war would-long since have been honorably concluded.

Had the Dutch won, they would have taken every penny of the stakes. In his letter “ P.S.” makes a strong case against the maintenance of the dual lan-

,iagc difficulty. He points out that the Dutch of Cape Colony and Natal enjoy equality' of rights and language with the British, and yet they arc not satisfied, because, as long as two languages are permitted to remain, a peaceful fusion of tlic two races is impossible. The British arc advised to take steps to abolish the Dutch language throughout South Africa in favor of the English, and to place the descendants of brave commandants in the scats of the mighty. He concludes by stating that the universal loyalty of the colonics to the Empire has been a great lesson to tlic Dutch.

* Though small bodies of Boors manage to break through tho lines, General French is hard-pressing Botha’s mam body, numbering four thousand men. He is encumbered with Women and children and a huge convoy. When French threatened Ermclo Botha ordered the Ermclo commando to cover the Boer retreat, threatening to shoot any of the leaders who d obeyed the order. The entire commando thereupon deserted.

There is accumulating evidence that the Boors leaders represent to the burghers that Mr Chamberlain's conciliatory assurances are signs of weakness, and mere bribes for them to surrender.

At Lord Kitchener’s request, MajorGeneral Earl Dundonald and Colonel Ward, who played prominent parts in the early part of the campaign, arc returning to South Africa.