THE BOER WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 190, 19 August 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

CAPTURE OF ERASMUS. A COLONIAL PARTY IN ACTION,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Loudon, Aug. 16. Colonel Crabbe is hotly pursuing liruitziuger’s commando, which Gorringe put to flight. Commandant Erasmus was captured unwounded.

Major Toll aud a party of Queonslandcrs surprised and captured a small Boer laager on the 9th. Reuter’s correspondent states that a party of South Australian Bushmen, belonging to DeLisle’s column, rushed a farmhouse. They fixed bayonets, expecting that it contained only a few Boers. Fifty emerged, and a smart fight ensued. Five Boers were killed, nine wounded, and seven captured. Eight wounded osea ped. Tho British casualties are not stated.

BOERS ENQUIRE AS TO TREATMENT IF THEY SURRENDER. KRUGER AND THE HAGUE CONVENTION. THE NETHERLANDS RAILWAY COMPANY. GERMAN SHAREHOLDERS’ REFUSAL.

By Teiogr iph-l’ress Association-Copyright London, Aug. 17. Mr Bennett Burleigh states that in response to the proclamation many Boers aro enquiring what treatment will be received if they surrender. Tin Standard states that Kruger protests against the proclamation, and quotes Articles 7 and 20 of the Haguo Convention, prohibiting belligerents confiscating private property. The Land Owners' Commission will not receive claims for compensation for losses sustained in South Africa unless lodged by the loth September. The Times’ Berlin correspondent says that Great Britain offered the German debenture holders in the Netherlands Railway Company the full amount of investments, with arrears of interest, but tho shareholders’ eommittco declined tho British offer to buy shares at tho present market value, seeking better terms.

A RECENT FIGHT. By Telegraph—Pross Association—Copyright London, Aug. IG. The Daily Mail gives the following details of the Koppiosfontcin fight:—• Two hundred Boors on the night of tho 6th trapped a patrol of eight Queenslanders, killing two. They then attacked the outposts, and got within 30yds, hut were repulsed by tho supports.

BOER LEADERS REFUSE TO RECEIYE PROCLAMATION.

FIFTY OF FRENCH’S SCOUTS SURRENDER.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Aug. 17. Some of the Boer leaders refused to receive tho proclamation, but tho surrenderors declare that it will ultimately be successful.

Commandant Therson, with a superior force, surrounded fifty of Gonoral French's Scouts, near Bethosda. After two hours’ lighting the Scouts surrendered. Ono was killed, and four wore wounded, but wero subsequently released.

DEBATE ON THE WAR. London, Aug. IG. Tho second reading of the Appropriation Bill gave rise to an animated debato in tho House of Commons.

Sir W. Vernon Harcourt, referring to Lord Kitchener’s proclamation, said it was calculated to irritate, while futilo and unwarranted by the existing military situation. It deprived the Boers of their belligerent rights. Mr Chamberlain replied in a persuasive, powerful speech. He emphasised the value of the proclamation by the large number of surrenders since its issue. Tho proclamation had precedents in the Civil War of America, Alsace, and, more recently, when General McArthur warned the Filipinos after their organisation had disappeared that tho shooting of American soldiers would be treated as murder.

Sir W. Harcourt: Is that your policy ? Mr Chamberlain : Ido not say that condition has yet been reached, but if tho Boers degenerate into banditti, I shall say, “Yes, that is our policy.” (Ministerial choers and Opposition silence.) Continuing, Mr Chamberlain said tho proclamation had been prepared and approved by Cabinet prior to Natal’s suggestion. It upheld belligerent rights, and would be worth trying, even if it failed to rid the colonies of tho irreconcilablcs.

Mr 11. H. Asquith emphasised the disorganised guerilla warfaro, and tho fact of annexation rendering tho Boers British subjects. He praised Lord Kitbliener’s energy, moderation, and the patient pertinacity of the troops during the year that had passed.