MR KRUGER'S THREAT.

Manawatu Herald, 17 October 1899, Page 2

MR KRUGER'S THREAT.

President Kruger, in a cablegram returning thanks for expressions of sympathy received by him from the United States, says that if the Transvaal is compelled to be British, the price of its acquisition will stagger humanity. President Steyn has issued a violent proclamation. He accused Great Britain of unscrupulous contortion of treaties of craft, greed and violation of national rights, Great 1 Britain, he was assured, had long sought a pretext to annihilate the Afrikanders. Eight thousand Kaffirs from the Rand have arrived at Delagoa Bay, and steamers will convey them to Lempopo. The Free State Farces are within 15 miles of Ladysmith. The naval contingent co-operated with Sir Redvers Buller. The military authorities anticipate that the Boers at an early date will run short of provisions. The Boers commandeered twentyfive thousand ounces of gold in transit from the mines. The Boers have destroyed an armoured train on the main trunk railway between Mafeking and Vryburg. It is believed that the train was conveying a large number of women and children southward, and that there has been great loss of life. The train destroyed by the Boers contained guns for British troops at Mafeking. The train conveying women and children from Mafeking arrived safely at Vryburg. The Boers destroyed the main line at Kraapa, and derailed a train which they captured. The train was conveying ammunition and two seven-pounders to Mafeking. The enemy did not capture the train until they had shelled the force I in charge of it, which was under the charge of Lieutenant Nesbitt. It is reported, indeed, that the Boers were twice repulsed before they took the train. The Lieutenant's party consisted of fifteen troopers and a few workmen. Slight wounds were received by Lieutenant Nesbitt and the enginedriver. The other defenders of the train were unharmed. The members of the party were taken prisoners. It has been arranged that a contingent from the warships of the South African squadron shall co-operate with the British army under Sir Redvers Buller.

The women and children at Barkly West — a town in Griqualand West to the north of Kimberley, and near the Free State boundary — have been housed in the town gaol for safety, and sand bags have been piled against the prison. The British force that sallied out from Mafeking towards the Transvaal border was commanded by Colonel Baden- Powell, and was bent on reconnaissance. The expedition entrenched itself in a strong position. It is believed that Mafeking has been isolated. Mafeking is isolated. General Sir George White, commanding the British force in Natal, made a reconnaissance from Ladysmith, but failing to draw the Orange Free Staters, who are in position at Van Reenan's Pass, he returned to his starting point. The Princess of Wales is appealing for subscriptions towards a fund for the relief of relatives of British soldiers and sailors who may be killed or wounded in the Transvaal war. The German Consul at Pretoria has issued a proclamation declaring that all Germans in the Transvaal who do not maintain neutrality will forefeit consular protection.