CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 23 December 1899, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal. HELPING THE BOERS. The conviction that the Boers are receiving a large amount of assistance from foreign aud military experts is being gradually borne in upon the British public* The newspapers declare that there are a much larger number of German and French officers in the enemy's army than has hitherto been imagined and that others ate arriving by each steamer that calls at Delagoa Bay, the costal terminus ot the eastern railway from the Transvaal. READY FOR EMERGENCY. The Imperial response that has been made to Englands's needs has markedly impressed the Continental Powers, who nave also been struck by Mr Goschen's warning with reference to the preparedness of the navy. FALL'S IN CONSOLS. Consols are now quoted at £gg ss, having fallen £2 since last Thufsday. tt is rumoured that a large new issu/ti is about to be made. Consols have still further fallen and are quoted to-day at £98 10s. LORD METHUEN'S POSITION. A system of strict surveillance has been established by the British officers with Lord Methuen over the civilians resident in the vicinity of the Modder river» the loyalty of many of whom is distrusted. Lord Methuen's army has with it ample supplies for a fortnight ahead. The official Boer accounts of the great battle at Magersfontein on the 4th inst. between Lord Methuen's and General Cronje's armies admit the sublime courage displayed by the British regiments as they advanced towards the entrenched burghers under a devasting bail of Mauser bullets. Advices that have been received from Modder river show that by the use of balloons Lord Methuen has been able to ascertain that the position taken up by General Cronje, who is disputing his march to Kimberley, is becoming increasingly formidable. The Boer leader has entrenched his army over a wide area of country, its front extending for fully twelve miles strongly entrenched throughout. The position is protected with barbed wire fencing and is supported by a number of heavy guns. GENERAL BULLER. I During the attempt made by General [ Sir Redvers Bullet to force a passage of the Tugela river, instances were apparent in which the Boer guns outranged the British artillery. The same thing has also been recorded elsewhere, particularly at Ladysmith, until the timely arrival of the four seven-ton guns from H.M.S. put a different aspect on the state of affairs. Advices from the front state that it is not believed the Boers will cross the Tugela to capture the ten guns which were abandoned by the British during their recent reverse.

The guns are still in their entrenchments, and are being carefully watched by the British, who are prepared to resist any attempt to destroy them or carry them off by the enemy. During the engagement several civilians and stretcher-bearers were shot by the Boer riflemen. The official report says that 137 of the rank and file were killed at Tugela river.

It appears that in order to make the passage of the drifts still more difficult to the British troops the Boers, before General Buller's advance, had dammed this river, thus deepening the water in the channels of the river. During the attempt to cross the stream four of the Royal Dublin Fusilers were drowned. The Boer riflemen, as in all their engagements, were particularly alert in trying to shoot down the British officers, thirty-seven of whom were either killed or wounded during the battle. Major-General Sir C. F Clery had a very narrow escape, the horse he was riding being shot. Later accounts of the action show that when the attack was delivered the enemy were quite invisible^ being sheltered behind their entrenchments on the rising ground on the north side of the river. As 4he British regiments advanced they encountered a perfect hail of bullets while crossing over 1800 yards of perfectly level country in column formation. The battle raged for two and a half hours before the first retirement was ordered — that of Major-General A. Fitzroy Hart's brigade, on the left flank. Though the Boer position was an exceedingly strong one when attacked by Sir Redvers Buller the burghers I have since been perfecting their en- ' trenchments, and their stronghold is now considered to be the strongest in Natal. The scouts attached to the Natal Volunteer forces have seized stock from disloyal Natal farmers to the value of £15,000. LADYSMITH. Newspaper correspondents confirm the reports from other sources that the supply of shells for LieutenantGeneral White's army, still beleaguered in Ladysmith, has run low. It is hoped that General White will have pre-arranged with General Buller, commander of the column advancing to the relief of the garrison, for an early sortie in the direction of the town. THE NEW ZEALANDERS. A cablegram received by the Premier from the Agent-General yesterday states that Lieut.-General French reports that the New Zealand contingent showed great steadiness under fire. His Excellency the Governor has received the following cablegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies : — ♦General French, reporting upon the operations of 18th December, sa y S: "The New Zealanders were most steady under a hot fire at short range.' , . "Glad my anticipations of the

value and qualities of the Colonial troops are fully confirmed." Official reports from the northern district state that General French shelled the enemy's position at Wasfontein farm, near Vaal Kop, in the vicinity of Arundel. The New Zealand mounted infantry occupied the farm and an adjacent hill, and were most steady under a hot fire at short range. General French after completing** his reconnaissance withdraw ther troops engaged. It appears that Trooper Bradford of the New Zealand contingent, was not killed. He was wounded and taken prisoner by the enemy. REINFORCEMENTS. The British Government is forming a body of mounted infantry to foe called the Imperial Yeomanry. It is to be recruited from the Yeomanry* the volunteers and eligible citizens. The period of service in the new corps is to be for the duration of the war. The men are expected to pro- . vide their own horses and accoutre«<jjtffe ments. ffj The Lord Mayor of London is pro* moting a movement for the raising of 1000 London volunteers for service in South Africa. . 4 City firms and companies are .providing large sums for the equipment 1 of a flying column with eight guns ; also for a howitzer brigade which is being organised at Woolwich, the principal British arsenal. The second Lancashire Fusiliers reached Capetown, and have been « ordered on to Durban. - It is believed that the second Dorsetshire regiment, now enroute for the Cape, will be intercepted at sea. and sent to the same place. Mr Charles H. WUson, • M.P. jjftw Hull, has offered to fit out a transport — equal to adonation of £15,000. ; The Freedom of the City will be presented to every volunteer whose services are accepted.