THE BOER WAR,

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 289, 13 December 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR,

BOER DELEGATES CONFER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Dec. 11. General Hamilton, by a night march, captured the Bethel commando at Trichardsfontfliu. Seven were killed and 131 captured. A conference of Boer delegates at Brussels resolved to ask Steyn and Schalkburger's views of the situation, and especially the burghers' opinion, on the question of the possibility of acknowledging a formal British suzerainty. London, Dec. I'd. A combined force of seven commandos were thrice repulsed when attacking the grain depot at Touted, Boshkops, Cape Colony. Most of the attackers have retired north. Theron's commando has doubled hack to the Big River. The Hungarian Premier has declined to prohibit the sale of horses to Great Britain. He declared that the great British nation deserved to be esteemed. Lord Kitchener is allowing four hundred refugees weekly to return to the Hand, and the increasing of the stampers at work by a hundred per week, j The War Otlico has published Lord | Kitchener's statement implicating Commandants Myburg, Hertzog, Muhm, Tberon, and Seheepers in the cold-blooded murder of sixty Kaffirs, suspected of assisting the British. Mr llrodrick, speaking at Glasgow, accused the Boor ambulances of gross breaches of the rules of war. The Boers twisted the legs of the wounded to secure boots and spurs ; shot some of the wounded, and treated the Kaffirs awfully, lie accused Bannerman of stabbing the army in the hack. Every letter front tho front declared that the Opposition speeches and Continental sympathy added to the prolongation of the war. Ere long bandits in the Held would no longer he treated us belligerents. Government would accept no bait’ settlement. Any fresh overtures must come from the Boers. Lord Kitchener is at Standcrton directing movements. Botha with a large commando is northeast of Vryhcad. Broadwood and Byng have dispersed Do Wet’s forces hovering in tho vicinity of Kroonstadt-Lindlcy lino of blockhouses. DeWct, Steyn, and a hundred men have gone to Senekal. Prinsloo, with the remainder of the force, has been driven in the direction of Bethlehem. Mr Robson, member of the House of Commons for South Shiolds, in an outspoken letter in the Times, indignantly repudiated Sir Campbell-Bannerman's charges of deliberate and wanton cruelty during the war. He says that tho British leniency lias been converted into a weapon against herself. Sir Edward Grey, speaking at Bristol, said that he did not object to farm burning if it would shorten war. Sir A. Milner lias proposed to break up most of the concentration camps, reducing tho number of those continod, and Bonding tlio overflow to the coast districts of Cape Colony and Natal. Berlin, Dee. 12. A meeting at Munich, attended by thousands, including a number of Bavarian Deputies, denounced Mr Chamberlain, and called upon the Reichstag and Government to take the initiative to stop tho war.

Brisbane, Dec. 12. The Queensland Government have just received .£120,000 from the War Oflice, being amounts duo to previous contingents.

Melbourne, Dec. 12. Mr Barton, the Fedoral Premier, states that, in the opinion of the Government, the present position of affairs in South Africa does not warrant the colonics in sending further troops. If oflicial intimation is made that further contingents are wanted, the matter will be considered.

liio Now South Wales Premier considers the State lias done a fair share in providing troops. If tho Federal Government chose to take the responsibility of sending more men they could do so. The Queensland Premier approves of send in. ’ ' r*" con VtYi If tlliiiKv* * r " • should have olio red to seneff ■"uiaw long ago.

Sydney, Dec. 12. Circulars have boon received in Sydney from the Mayor of Exeter, appealing for shilling subscriptions in aid of a memorial to commemorate tho brilliant services of General Bullor during his military careor. It is explained that the movement has no party bias, and subscriptions are being sought in all parts of the Empire.

CABLE FROM COLONEL rORTER,

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) Wellington, last night. The Premier received the following cable from Lieut.-Colonel Porter Report for November: Operating against Botha’s detached commandos ; no general engagement ; several skirmishes and night surprises. Amongst tho captured were two Field Cornets ; 70 Boors surrendered ; we also captured 960 rounds of ammunition, 18 waggons, 270 horses, 8 carts, and 30 trek oxen. The health of the regiment is good, and all ranks are cheerful.