The Transvaal.

Manawatu Herald, 6 September 1900, Page 2

The Transvaal.

BADEN -POWELL AND DE WET. Further information has been received of the recent operations to the northward of Pretoria, in which Lieut.General Baden-Powell and General Christian De Wet took part. It appears that a race took place between the British and Boer troops for Warm Baths station, the Transvaalers winning by a few minutes. They were, however, expelled before they were able to arrange a defence, and compelled to retreat from a strong nek. With a view to misleading the Boers General Baden -Powell made elaborate preparations to bivouac, but during the night moved off and occupied the railway sixteen miles in the enemy's rear. A telegraph line was tapped, and it was discovered that General Louis Botha had ordered the despatch of a train load of reinforcements from Pietersburg, the northern terminus, in response to De Wet's appeal for aid. A trap to capture this train failed, owing to the Boers discovering the presence of the British force. BOTHA. The Boers remined General Louis Botha, the Boer Com.mander-in-Chiel, of his promise that the last stand was to be made at Machadodorp. He replied that "He was running away out of shame, and would not fight again." BULLER'S MOVEMENTS. General Buller's troops have now reached BadContem. R&ius ace itapeding their advance. The Boer 9 admit that they had 70 killed and 100 wounded at Bergendal, the position captured by General Buller near Dalmanutha during the recent battle. A force of 1500 Boers is hastening to Komati Poort, the point where the Delagoa Bay railway enters Transvaal territory, to oppose a force expected from Swaziland. A VICTORY FOR PLUMER. Colonel Plumer's force defeated a commando under Commandant Pretorius, east of Pilnai's river, capturing thirty-one waggons, twenty-six prisoners and 1000 cattle. CHASING SOUTHERN RAIDERS. The scouts of Commandant Theron's commando cut the railway in the vicinity of the Klip river. They also burned a supply train of twenty-eight trucks, and captured thirty-five prisoners. A body of General Brabant's mounted force pursued the enemy and rescued the prisoners. CARRINGTON RETURNING NORTH. Lieut. -General Carrington's force, which has lately been near Mafeking and Zeerust, is returning to Rhodesia owing to a report that an armed commando has appeared on the frontier. THE RELEASED PRISONERS. It transpires that the foreigners attached to the Boer forces and the Doppers wanted to take the British prisoners released from Nooitgedacht on to Barberton. but President Kruger refused permission. Commandant Viljoen remarked to the prisoners " You know why you have been released. I hope the British and Boers will be friends." OCCUPATION OF VREDE. Brigadier- General Bethune has occupied Vrede, in the north-east of the Orange River Colony, capturing quantities of cattle sheep and ammunition. ANNEXATION OF THE REPUBLIC. Lord Roberts has formally annexed the Transvaal. BULLER ADVANCING ON LYDENBURG. General Buller's forces are now on the north bank of the Crocodile river, which flows parallel with the Delagoa Bay railway north of Machadodorp. The troops are advancing on Lydenburg. Commandant Viljoen seized a number of ambulances and mules sent by General Buller to relieve the prisoners at Nooitgedacht. He utilised the mules to remove his big guns. PLUMER AGAIN SUCCESSFUL. Colonel Plumerhas again defeated the Boers, the latest engagement having been at Rooikop. One hundred rifles, 40,000 rounds of ammunition and a large quantity of supplies were captured. FIGHTING NEAR JOHANNESBURG. On August, 31st the Boers vainly endeavoured to destroy the Johannesburg waterworks. They were, however, surprised by Major-General Fitzroy Hart, and defeated. Detachments of General Christian De Wet's commando were also defeated in the same neighbourhood, with heavy loss. TROUBLE AT LADYBRAND. Lieutenant-General Sir Archibald Hunnter is hastening to the relief of Ladybrand, due east of Bloemfontein, which is being hard pressed by several Boer commandoes. PRISONERS LIBERATED.' Five hundred Boers released and armed the prisoners confined in the Klip gaol. CONVICTS LIBERATED. Seventy-one British prisoners released from Nooitgedacht Hospital have arrived at Delagoa Bay. ANOTHER OUTRAGE, The " Standard " correspondent states that during the fighting at Belfast the Boers deliberately shot Surgeon O'Neill while collecting wounded in the field, and seized an ambulance waggon. ARREST OF RAIDERS. When the Boers recently blew up the railway near Krugersdorp, Lord Roberts ordered a sudden descent on ' the village of Rdodepoort. All the '

burghers who failed to give a satisfactory account of themselves were arrested.