The Transvaal.

Manawatu Herald, 17 May 1900, Page 2

The Transvaal.

ENTRY INTO KROONSTAD.

On his entry into Kroonstad Lord Roberts found a field-cornet and three hundred Free Staters, all eager to surrender. A few British residents who were in the township warmly cheered the troops as they arrived. The British arrested some of those who surrendered, believing them to be malingering, but the others were permitted to trek to their homes. Lord Roberts's entry into Kroonstad was the most impressive scene of the war, excepting General Buller's arrival at Lady smith. The Union Jack was hoisted over the Town Hall by Mrs Lockhead, the American wifoof a Republican statesman.

The Field-Marshal with his staff was stationed in Market square at the head of Major-General PoleCarew's division. The whole of the infantry and artillery marched past, the Guards Brigade swinging along to the accompaniment of fifes and drums. The whole scene vastly impressed the recently disarmed Dutch who witnessed it. The inhabitants of the town were overjoyed at their relief and cheered vociferously. MUTINY IN THE BOER RANKS. Later particulars show that Kroonstad was in a pandemonium on Friday. The disheartened Transvaalers threatened to burn the town. It also appears that the comman_oer were reduced by half through desertions. A photographer took a snapshot of Ppsident Steyn in a mad rage whipping those of his followers who intended to trek to their homes, and kicking and cuffing some burghers who had refused his leadership. The enemy's drunken Irish Brigade burned down a goods-shed which contained, quantities of fodder. President steyn went west before the Britj-h troops arrived at Heilbron. Two Boer guns were smashed in action on Thursday and three afterwards. FLIGHT GF THE COM-" MANDOES. On Friday last Lieutenant-General French's cavalry seized; one of the over the Yalsch river, but too late to cut the railway north-east of Kroonstad, as the Boers had already gone. > A large bridge to the southward of Kroonstad, was found to be destroyed, but another had been left intact. A force of the enemy is now entrenching at Staat, to the west of Ventersburg. The British front extends for thirty miles rounding off the enemy's forces. Some of the commandoes are proceeding oast along the Harrismith road to Lindley, the newly-created capital of the Free State! Others, consisting of broken bands of fugitives are driving their herds in the same direction towards Bethlehem. SUCCESS IN THE EAST. The efforts of the Boers in the eastern part of the Free State to recapture Thabanchu have ended in failure. At latest advices the columns under Lieutenant' General Bundle and Brigadier-General Brabant had succeeded in driving the enemy out of the distriot. CAPTURE OF PRISONERS. Generals Rundle and Brabant captured vast stores of grain at Thabanchu, and also secured fifty j prisoners. Amongst the latter is a brother of President Steyn. The Boer commandoes in the district have been irresolute and demoralised for a week past, being astounded at the swiftness of Lord Roberts movements. QUARRELLING AMONGST THB BURGHERS. The feeling between the Transvaal Boers and those of the Free State has now become very bitter. After the evacuation of Kroonstad Generals Botha and De Wet retreated with the Transvaal commandoes to the Vaal river, which separates the territories of the two Republics. They declare that they will fight no longer for the Free State. On the other side, the Free Staters accuse the Transvaalers of having made use of them and now desert them. MAFEKING. The correspondent of the " Daily Mail" accompanying the Mafeking relief force has sent a message to that paper from a point beyond Vryburg. In reply to a message from Queensland expressing admiration at • the splendid defence at Mafeking, the Mayor on Tuesday received a cable message from Colonel BadenPowell dated the 10th inst., saying — '• We highly appreciate Queensland's kind and encouraging mes- ; sage, and hope eventually to beat : the enemy off." BURGHERS TIRED OF THE I WAR. Reuter's correspondent states that the opposition of the Free Staters has ended. At several meetings in their laagers submission was favoured The burghers complained that the British troops, pretending to make frontal attacks, allowed their cavalry to sweep around the enemy's flanks Such tactics were very unusual, and it was useless to continue fighting against them. AFRIKANDER BOND. The Schism in the ranks of the Afrikander Bond at the Cape is widening. KROONSTAD. The number of Boers who surrendered their arms at Kroonsad is now stated at four hundred. Eight thousand burghers had left the town prior to the arrival of the British troops. Part of them have gone Heilbron, and some to Kindley. i

The majority of the Boer houses in Kroonstad were found in a wretched condition. F. R. Bn.nham, chief of Lord Roberts's scouts, and a party of engineers, exploded a bridge fourteen miles north of Kroonstad, preventing the removal of storef from the town. Lieut -General French's cavalry division has reached a position eight miles north of Kroonstad. LORD ROBERTS. The bulk of Lord Roberts's army is now resting, in order that men and horses may regain form after the arduons labours of the last couple of weeks. SUCCESS IN NAtAL. General Buller has been successful in hi? -aovement on Helpmakaar, the town in the southern part of the Biggarsherg Range, some forty miles east of Ladysmith. The column which he sent in this direction came in contact with the enemy on Standay, and in the engagement that ensued drove them out of a strongly-held position. „.„,... BRITISH PRISONERS. v Mr Reitz, the Transvaal State Secretary, has ordered tbe release of forty political prisoners who are in custody at Pretoria Three Englishmen named Parke, Neale and Barry, who were captured when the Boers re-entered Ladybrand at the end pf March, after the the temporary British occupation, have been released, and have arrived at Delagoaßay. They were brutally flogged while in Boer etffltody . BOERS ON THE VAAL SOTS. Boer troops are entrenching on the Vaal river, which divides the Transvaal from the Orange Free State. OUR CONTINGENTB The Government has received the following cable messages in reference to the New Zealand contingents now in South Africa: — -p~^ From Lieutenant-Colonel Son#n# vill, of the fourth contingent, wt&h was travelling in the troopship; Gymeric :-— " Beira, 12th May. — Arrived 10th : well." ~^ From the Agent-General, London, 14th May:— "Major Robin telegraphs that ten cases of comforts have been received."