The Transvaal.

Manawatu Herald, 4 December 1900, Page 2

The Transvaal.

FOUR HUNDRED BRITISH SOLDIERS CAPTURED. Lord Roberts reports that the garrison at Dewetsdorp— recently attacked by General Christian De Wet and Mr Steyn — consisting of two guns of the 68th Battery of Artillery and 400 men of the Gloucester Regiment, Highland Light Infantry and Irish Rifles surrendered to the enemy on the 23rd instant, after four days' fighting. Fifteen of the defenders were killed and forty-two wounded. The Boers numbered 2500. A relief column ot 1400, which had been despatched from Edenburg, on the main line oi railway, about fortyfive miles from the scene of the disaster failed to arrive in time. When the relief column was joined by Major-General Knox's force on Monday it was found that Dewetsdorp had been evacuated with the exception of seventy-five sick men. : Major-General Knox at once pursued and defeated De Wet and Steyn, who were marching north-west, at Vaalbank, about twenty miles from Bloemfontein, The Boers were turned and driven south and south-west. It is reported that Mr Steyn was wounded. Major-General Knox's troops has reoccupied Dewetsdorp, Colonel Pilcher's force stampeded and captured 300 of De Wet's horse. The English newspapers consider the Dewetsdorp surrender to be unaccountable if the troops were properly entrenched and had sufficient supplies. FIGHTING WITH DE LA REV. News has been received of an engagement at Krugersdorp, twenty miles west of Johannesburg, where Major - General Clements defeated General De la Rey, killing twentyfive of his commando. j The Boer general is now reported to be surrounded with small prospect of escape. RECRUITS FOR DE WET. Many farmers are now joining General De Wet. VARIOUS ENGAGEMENTS. Colonel Plumer dispersed 500 Boers at Dewagendrift. The Scots Guards, after a sharp fight, captured a strong position at Tigerskloof. Colonel White defeated Commandant Haasbruck's commando, four hundred strong, at Bullsfontein. The Welsh Yeomanry during the engagement displayed great gallantry. I Major-General Bruce Hamilton's force has cleared the country between the Wilge, in the extreme north of Orange River Colony, and the Vaal capturing great quantities of stock. THE JOHANNESBURG PLOT. The newspaper National Zeitung, referring to the latest plot against Lord Roberta, says it would be impossible to feel surprised if Britain adopted relentless measures against such people. KITCHENER IN COMMAND. It is officially announced by the War Office that Lord Roberts, in order to return Home, and assume the duties of Commander-in-Chief of the Army, has handed over the command in South Africa to Lord Kitchener. Lord Kitchener has been promoted to the rank of Lieatenant-General, with the local rank of General. LORD ROBERTS. Lord Roberts, with his youngest daughter leaves Johannesburg and arrives at Durban on the 6th inst. He will sail from Capetown tor England on the 15th. MR KRUGER IN PARIS. The Senate has adopted a vote of sympathy with Mr Kruger. The non-committal attitude of both Chambers has dispelled Mr Kruger's last hope. He has couutermanded his arrangements to journey to Berlin. It is believed that he is abandoning the visit in consequence of an authoritative warning that arbitration overtures would not be entertained. ANTI-BRITISH DEMONSTRATION. The crowd at Liege shouted " Down with Chamberlain." Mr Kruger's companions immediately drew the

curtains of the carriage window, and he advance and waved his hands. The crowd was reinforced by I students, who repeated the cry before the British Consul's residence. The I mob also threw stones, until the police induced the Consul to withdraw from his balcony. FIGHTING IN THE EAST. On Wednesday and Thursday Major-General Paget engaged the Boers under General Viljoen and Commandant Erasmus at Reitfontein. Colonel Lloyd, of the West Riding Regiment, was dangerously wounded, and five other officers were seriously wounded. Five men were killed and fifty wounded. Major-General Lyttelton's brigade is not co-operating with Paget's force BOERS DEFEATED AT FAURESMITH. Major-General Settle on Tuesday, attacked a strong position held by Hertzog's commando, 500 strong, midway between Fauresmith, in the southwest of Orange River Colony, and the Orange river. Five and a half hours' obstinate fighting ensued. A 'detachment ot the Lancashire Fusiliers, the Imperial Yeomanry, and Diamond Fields Horse, under cover of artillery fire rushed the precipitous ridges occupied by the enemy, who fled, not waiting for a bayonet charge. The Boer losses were heavy, and those of the British slight. Eight hundred horses had previously passed the spot tor De Wet. Commandant Hertzog boasted that he had shot 200 native sympathisers with the British during the action.