BRITON AND BOER.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 443, 14 June 1902, Page 2

BRITON AND BOER.

FUND TO ASSIST DE WET AND DE LA REY. THE GAY-HEARTED BOERS ARRANGE A DANCE. By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. LONDON, June 12. Beyer's commando, 152 strong, surrendered at Pietersburg, and Hans Grobelaar’s, 318 strong at Erelmos. Beyers admitted getting ammunition through Portuguese territory. Large numbers have surrendered at Reitz, nearly all armed with Lee-Met-fords. They express resentment at the French and German press encourj aging them to hope and protracting the war. A fund has been started at Johannesburg to rebuild De Wet’s and De la Rey’s farmhouses. Lord Kitchener inspected and thanked the National Burgher Scouts for their services. I-Ie promised that they should return to the r farms as soon as possible. The Scouts enthusiastically cheered Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner. They also gave three cheers for peace. The Scouts and the surrenderers are on amicable terms.

The Middleburg surrenderers went to tlie refugees' camp and arranged <m impromptu ball with the Scouts and refugees.

THE YOUNG FIGHTERS,

COMMENDED BY DE WET. By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright. LONDON, June 13. Some surrenderers in the Transvaal were wholly clad in skins, their boots being made from old portmanteaux, and their hats from cow’s paunenes. Seventy hundred and eighty-two Boers, belong ng to Kroo’nstad and Hoopstad commandos, the majority ill-clad, under General Mattings, surrendered on the tenth.. Some of the old men were unarmed. Many of the youngsters had rifles. DeWefc described the latter as the best fighters, holding tiieir positions after tlie older men retired. He urged the surrenderers to prove their fidelity to the new Government.

Lieutenant - General Elliott spoke, bringing the King’s messages or goodwill. The King and Lord Kitchener were lustily cheered. A Government Gazette issued at Gape Colony announces that rebels surrendering before July loth, or captured or surrendered since April 12th, will not be punished by deatli on admitting that they are guilty of high treason, hut will be disfranchised for life.. This does not apply to Justices of the Peace, Field Cornets, or colonial officials, who wll be tried, but excused the death penalty. Murderers and others found guilty ‘of acts contrary to the usages of warfare are not exempted from the utmost severity of the law.