THE WAR.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIX, Issue 2053, 30 March 1900, Page 2

THE WAR.

Operations in Free State. PHILIPPOLIS OCCUPIED. SURRENDER OF STATERS. ARREST OF REBELS. STRONG BOER COMMANDO. STATERS AGAIN DECEIVED. LONDON, March 26 Clements, who set out from Norvat’s Pont for Bloemfontein, by way of Philippolis and Fauresmith, having with him 3 columns, including the Westralian and Tasmanian troops, has arrived at Philippolis. Tasmanian troops and Rimington’s Scouts were the first to enter the town. Clements arrived later, escorted by Dragoons with drawn swords. After commander of force had read the usual proclamation, burghers surrendered arms and took oath of neutrality. The landrost and sheriffs were reappointed to their offices. Number of Colesberg rebels who had taken shelter in the town were arrested. Commandant Oliver's force of Boers, supported by 15 guns, is reported to occupy position North of Lady Brand, which is situated in East of Free State. Othor reports from Lady Brand say Oliver has deserted his laager, and that his forces are flying wildly, with Gatacre’s cavalry in hot pursuit. Free Staters threaten to shoot Commandant Oliver for grossly deceiving them. Renter’s telegraph agency states resistance being offered at Kroonstad and elsewhere is designed to cover the Boers ultimate withdrawal to Transvaal.

Boers before retiring North from boundary of Cape Colony and Free State destroyed the railway bridge over Orange river at Bethulie. The line i's. now being diverted so as to cross the river by means of a waggon bridge. Pacification by Roberts. * The halt of Roberts at Bloemfontein is due to a cautious effort to secure peaceful transition f authority. Roberts’ proclamation calling upon Boers to surrender, recommending them to trust to clemency of British, does not apply to rebels. He offers leniency to burghers who were misled by Steyn if they reconsider their notion ■ and disarm. The Position at Mafeking. j BESIEGERS DECREASING. I GARRISON CAPTURE CATTLE, NATIVES REFUSE HORSEFLESH RELIEF ADVANCING. Powell reported on 13th all well, and that cordon of investing Boers was much relaxed. Later. Another report from Mafeking dated 13th states that the garrison captured 26 head of the enemy’s cattle. Many natives shut up in Mafeking refuse to take horse flesh, and are starving. Relief force of Kimberley Light Horse, under Colonel Peckenbam, has advanced to 18 miles North of Christiana, or about 40 miles North of Fourteen Streams, where Methuen is opposed by the enemy. In Cape Colony. 1 TROUBLE IN GRIQUALAND. A force of about 400 Transvaalers has occupied Griquatown. Loyal residents have been seized and imprisoned. A column of British troops has left Kimberley to expel the invaders. About 400 persons are shut up in I Griquaiand district, most belong to labouring classes. Govt are feeding them, using men to clean up place.

Affairs in Natal. BULLER AGAIN AGGRFSSIVE. Skirmishes have taken place between an outpost ot Buller’s force marching Nor<h from Ladvsmi'h and Boers North of Elands Ln . ;te. Fresh troops are toting pushed to the front as rapidly as possible. Colonists in Natal are excited to a dangerous degree in view of likelihood of the disloyal element of the population escaping punishment whatever. Defence of Pretoria. REPORTED BOER WEAKNESS. Message sent by Reuter’s agency states long range guns are required for defence of Pretoria. BOERS OBTAINING RECRUITS. CAPETOWN, March 26 Great fire occurred in Grave St., Capetown, in which the Govt, offices narrowly escaped destruction, archives being damaged. Foreign steamers are landing 500 Boer recruits monthly at Deiagoa Bay.