The Transvaal.

Manawatu Herald, 22 December 1900, Page 2

The Transvaal.

the charge brought against Australian troops by Mr Bryn Roberts in the House of Commons to Lord Kitchener, who replied that Mr Roberta' story absolutely without foundation. MR ROBERTS WITHDRAWS. Mr Bryn Roberts, M.P., in a letter to The Times, apologises, and expresses regret at having named certain Australians, against whom, he says, there was no imputation of misconduct. He finds that the Imperial Yeoman's letter, from which he quoted, alluded to South African colonials, and not to the Australians. The Times stigmatises Mr Roberts'* aCwj ■-':•- as recklessly careless and blun^ ueiing, in making a quotation.

REPORTED DEATH OF LUCAS MEYER. Private letters have been received stating that the Boers have shot Commandant Lucas Meyer for alleged treachery. SENTENCES ON TRAITORS. The sentences passed on the Colesberg prisoners have satisfied the loyalists. Mr Solomon, who presided, referred to the enormity of their crimes, and his utterances much impressed his hearers. Several prisoners wept when they heard the sentence of disfranchisement for life passed upon them. BOERS IN MADAGASCAR. A number of Boers who settled in Madagascar, not content with the free land granted them, claimed to enslave the natives, but General Gallieni, Governor of the island, refused to permit them to do so. A VAIN HOPE. The recent . spirit of energy on the part of the Boers is attributed to Lord Kitchener's comparative inaction, awaiting a sufficiency of mounted troops. The enemy's activity is attributed also to a vain hope ot suddenly forcing better terms from the British. BOER PRISONERS. Six hundred Boers, who have from time to time surrendered and who are unable to undergo transportation, have been transferred to Durban for trans, port to the military camp at Ladysmith. Some 643 other prisoners, including nineteen officers, are being despatched to Ceylon. MR KRUGBR AT AMSTERDAM. Mr Kruger, in defiance of Dr W. H. de Beaufort's wishes, has visited Amsterdam, and received "an ovation. He is trying to excite the people against the Netherlands Government. LORD ROBERTS' RETURN. Lord Roberts will arrive in the Solent on 2nd January. Upon his arrival he will visit the Queen at Osborne, her Majesty's marine residence in the Isle of Wight. Further arrangements are that the Field- Marshal will land at Southampton on 3rd January,* and will be received by the Prince of Wales and other Royal personages and the Army Headquarters Staff on his arrival in London. Thence he will go direct to Buckingham Palace to luncheon. The thanksgiving service at St. Paul's Cathedral has been deferred until the end of the operations now in progress in South Africa. SPEECH BY LORD SALISBURY. Speaking at a luncheon of the Conservative Union Conference, the Marquis of Salisbury declared that there are matters still calling tor explanation in connection with South Africa. "It may be," said his Lordship, " that we shall have to scrutinise every step taken, but whatever attitude we assume towards the pasf, we must remember that on the issue of that great enterprise rests the glory in perpetuity of British Empire. We must spare no effort to achieve ultimate complete and crowning success in South Africa." INVASION OF CAPE COLONY. One column of invaders is advanc ing upon Philipstown, Northern Cape Colony, about fifty miles north-west of Colesberg. At the same time, Commandant Hertog advanced with a strong commando to near Burghersdorp, on the East London- Pretoria Railway, twentyfour miles south of Knapdaar. % Sharp fighting has taken place between the British forces and both Boer commandoes, in each instance the British being successful. The latest report is to the effect that the Boer guerillas are retreating towards Orange River. A GROUNDLESS STORY. The Right Hon. W. St. J. Brodrick, Secretary of State for War, has sent a cablegram containing the substance of