The Transvaal.

Manawatu Herald, 1 March 1900, Page 2

The Transvaal.

LORD ROBERTS.

BATTLE OF KOODOOSRAND.

The bombardment of the Boer position which had been intermittently carried on during Thursday was resumed again in strength on Friday, the British gradually closing in on all sides.

General Cronje's command is now confined to a spot in the river bed two miles long, 150 feet wide and 50 feet deep.

The Fourteenth Brigade (attached to Lieut. -General Tucker's Seventh Division), under Major-General Mr H. G. Chernside holds the upper end of the ditch, and Lieutenant-Colonel

•mith-Dorrien's force occupies the lower portion and higher banks and trunnions*

A number of dongas (or dry water courses), which line the lower banks of the river, afforded the cooped-up Boers some shelter. Their food supplies are abundant but their ammunition is failing. OFFERS OF HELP REJECTED. Lord Roberts sent an offer to General Oronje guaranteeing safe conduct to the women who are in his laager, but it was refused. Medical aid from the British was also rejected unless the Boers were allowed to retain the doctors. Some of the deserters from Cronje's forces, declare that the general is willing to surrender, but is overborn in his desire by the young Transvaalers who are with him. GENERAL FRENCH. With regard to the operations of General French's coltims, information has been received that his troops expelled a body of Boers,\ who intended reinforcing General Cronje, from a fortified kopje to the eastward. The position which has thus fallen into the hands of the British affords a splendid defence against any relieving force whioh may be sent forward. It also appears that General French has captured 540 prisoners, including several hundred mounted men who had escaped from Cronje's laager during the night. Numbers of sheep and cattle were also capturedt Lord Roberts cables to the War Office on Saturday that his outposts were attacked on the previous day. The casualties suffered by the Boers were many, and a hundred prisoners were captured including a commandant and three field cornets. IMPROPER PRACTICES. In his despatches to the War Office Lord. Roberts complains that the Boers has used the worst form of explosive bullets.

General Buller says that during the fighting at Grobler's Kloof many British soldiers were wounded by " soft-nosed " bullets dipped in chemicals. These missiles caused serious injuries. MAPBKING. Colonel Baden-Powell has reported that all was well with the garrison at Mafeking on the 15th inst: NEAR LADYSMITH. The latest news from Natal shows that on Friday while assaulting Grobbler's Kloof, the high range of hills on the northern side of the Tugela, the Irish Brigade (MajorGeneral Hart's command) lost heavily. On Saturday General Buller's advance guard got to within two miles of Sir George White's outposts. The second battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry on Wednesday seized and held until nighfalla kopje commanded by the Boer guns on Grobler's Kloof, sustaining one hundred casualties. The Royal Lancester Regiment ("The King's Own") in repelling two fierce assaults by the Boers also lost a similar numbers. Every hill around Ladysmith has been strongly entrenched by the enemy, the country being splendidly ! adapted to their tactics. Every foot of ground is being contested by the Boers. During the progress of hostilities the casualties amongst the British officers were again heavy, eight being killed and thirty-four wounded. Amongst those killed are Colonels Sitwell, Thackeray, and Thorald. One of President Kruger's grandsons was kiUed. The Boers are showing a splendidly stubborn defence. The British attack was magnificent. On Friday thȤttt batfiffi&fe of the InmskUKa^ FosflbMi made repeated heroic attempts to storm a bill on which tne enemy was posted* bat encountered a perfect hafi of lead, and were unable to reach the summit.

Confused, close and sanguinary fighting still continues. On the 20th inst the casualties among the rank and file at Colenso numbered 113.

SOME BRITISH CASUALTIES.

Twenty more Canadians that those already reported — i.e., 69 besides 20 killed— were wounded in the early part of the attack on Cronje's position. Major de Montmorency (leadet of the corps formed in Cape Colony, and knows as Montmorency's Scouts), and Lieut.-Colonel F.H. Hoskier (of the 3rd Battalions of the Middlesex Volunteer Artillery), were killed when reconnoitring at Stonabcrg, on the

East London-Aliwal North railway.

CAPTURE OF MERCENARIES.

Lord Roberta's troops have captured Count Sternberg, an Austrian general. Baron Von Dam, a German, who was chief of the Boer artillery, has been captured by General Buller's forces, now advancing to the relief of Ladysmith. The Ladysmith garrison has captured two armed German spies, who were wearing the red cross. The men were asking the natives for details of the town. The steamer Admiral has. landed at Delagoa Bay a hundred German recruits for the Transvaal. The steamer Germonde also landed 150 recruits of I many nationalities. DISMAY AT PRETORIA. The Delagoa Bay correspondent of "The Times" sends trustworthy information which shows that consternation reigns at Pretoria, General Cronje's position is regarded as being hopeless. Commandant Louis Botha has telegraphed to headquarters that the Boer forces besieging Ladysmith are knocked-up, and advising President Kruger to sue for peace. President Steyn has wired to President Kruger that the Free State burghers have refused to continue fighting. President Steyn also recommends immediate overtures for Peace being made, recognising that a rout is imminet. SPtONKOP. A letter from General Joubert, which was tound at Inhlawe Hill, east of Colenso, states that three thousand Boers were disabled in the fighting at Spionkop, the hill in the western Tugela district, which was partly captured by Lieut-General Warren's troops in January, but had- to be relinquished owing to the want of water and the impossibility of getting artillery up the steep side held by the British.

GENERAL CRONJE SURREN-

DERS.