THE BOER WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 102, 9 May 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

RAIDERS STILL IN CAPE COLONY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London. May 7. Mr St. John Brodriek stated in the House of Commons that altogether 49(5 foreigners had been captured during the South African campaign, including 45 Frenchmen, 42 Russians, 3(1 Americans, and 273 Germans. One hundred and fifty out of the total claimed to bo naturalised burghers. Scattered bands of Boer raiders are still operating in the northern and central parts of Cape Colony. Kvuitzingor wrecked and burned a supply train at Erstromcrg. Shortly afterwards the raiders encountered a . British force at Driefontein and sustained losses.

Commandos led by Schccpcrs and Malau, having been hustled in the Midland districts, have retreated eastward.

Major General Douglas and Colonel Benson, after hard fighting on (lie hills eastward of Dulstroon, dispersed tile Boors and captured a laager, with several prisoners. There were a few casualties on both sides.

Kruger has abandoned his proposal to visit America. The Times states that many British soldiers in South Africa, more especially tho Mounted Infantry, have grown stale, and require rest. Fresh men are indispensable in order to finish the war by the end of August. Fifteen thousand troops stationed between Komatipoovt and Pretoria find it difficult to protect the railway. The St. James’ Gazette re-echoes the Times’ statement that England is making inadequate efforts to end the war. The Pall Mall Gazette expresses a similar view.

(Received May 9, 12.27 a.m.) London, May S.

Botha, after the failure of peace negotiations, published a letter in the Ermoloo Post newspaper, urging the continuance of

the war, asserting .that Great Britain desired to suppress the Afrikanders, lie declared that the voice of the people would he totally disregarded under tho Council of Administration, the officers of which would bo nominated by members of the Council. Great Britain ought to accept tho responsibility of tho State debts of the two Republics, instead of walking away with the assets. The transport Victoria, with the Queensland Contingent, has arrived at Durban. (Received May 9, 12.27 a.m.) London, May 8. ■ Lord Kitchener reports that eleven more Boers have been killed, seventy-eight taken prisoners, and thirty-one have surrendered. A 12-pounder, a 9-pounder, and a Maxim gun, and 32,000 rounds of small arms ammunition have been captured. Capetown, May 9. Sir A. Milner, at a banquet,, declared that he loft for a holiday far happier than he would have done six months ago. The enemy’s strength was slowly ebbing under Lord Kitchener’s iron grasp. The first beginning of an orderly civil government, and resumption of industry, were visible, lie was confident that ho would find great progress made towards settlement when lie returned. The speech was received with tremendous applause. Sir A. Milner sailed by the steamer Saxon. Received May 9, 12.43 a.m. London, May !). Lord Kitchener's despatch detailing tho operations up to the beginning of March mentions the valuable services rendered by Colonel Cradock, Captains Crav/shaw and Chaytor, Surgeon-Captain Godfrey, Lieut. Somerville, Scrgt. Tudor, Quartcr-master-Scrgt. Stephenson, Troopers Hill, R. Windgato, H. Harlcr, and J. Stevens, New Zealanders. ANOTHER NEW ZEALANDER KILLED. SPEECH BY MILNER, By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright " ; London, May 8. Private J. H. Atkinson, ol the Now Zealand Rough Riders, lias been killod near Paardeburg. Capetown, May 8. Sir A. Milner, speaking at a banquet given to him by the Capetown Corporation, denied tho possibility of weakening the Imperial policy in South Africa, since Groat Britain was unshakably determined to leave no room for the recrudescence of Dutch ambition. ' THE CASUALTY LIST. DISEASE KILLS NEARLY FOUR TIMES AS MANY AS BULLETS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, May 7. The British casualties in South Africa during April were: 86 killed in action, 44 died of wounds, 389 died of disease, 36 died as the result of accident, 270 were wounded, and 2,313 were invalided home. The Royal Engineers, under Colonel Rice, have erected bullet-proof blockhouses throughout Middleburg district and elsewhere, consisting of two sheets of corrugated iron witli stones between.

DUKE AND THE SOLDIEKS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Deceived May 9, 12.16 a.m. Melbourne, May 8. It is understood that the Duke presents handsome flags, inscribed with the name of the regiment, to each regiment which served in South Africa. The Duke to-day presented the troops who served in South Africa with war medals. It was a brilliant gathering. Five hundred soldiers one by one stopped forward, received a medal, saluted, and retired. Three men who have not yet recovered sat apart. The Duke and Duchess walked over to them, shook them by the hand, and sympathised with them in their sufferings.