The Transvaal.

Manawatu Herald, 27 December 1900, Page 2

The Transvaal.

WHAT THE BOER LEADER

DEMANDS.

An English gentleman, who w cently t- k-»n prisoner at Dewet^dorp reports th 1 De Wet said that his dead outnumbered the British killed and w Minded in the battle and ad mitted that the Boers were beaten but said they would not surrendei unconditionally. They were able t-*> resist till March, he added, and demanded a free pardon for himself and his followers, including the Cape rebels and oath-breakers.

INVASION OF CAPE COLONY,

It is estimated that the Boers who crossed the Orange river at Sanddrift numbered two thousand.

Their attempt to reach Colesburg was foiled.

The invaders then diverging occupied a position at Phillipstown, and a commando occupied Houlkraal, cutting the railway.

The British at Steynsburg, however, forestalled the Boers, but the Venterstaad garrison, numbering thirty, were captured. The garrison at Mamalfontein, after a five hours' fight, repelled the attack of the Boers, inflicting heavy loss on the enemy. Strong garrisons are now stationed at Burgersdorp, Stormberg and Naauwpoort to checkmate the invaders while the swollen river blocks their return.

Martial law has been proclaimed in various districts of Cape Colony.

GENERAL KNOX'S COLUMN. A portion of Major-General Knox's column has been diverted from pursuing De Wet, in order to deal with bodies of raiders in Cape Colony. The raiders are without guns.

Louis Botha is at

Commandant Nslspruit.

IN THE TRANSVAAL. The British are now strongly reinforced at Koomati Poort. The troops under General French have joined those under Major-General Clements. LORD KITCHENER. Lord Kitchener has established his headquarters at Pretoria. THE CZAR AND MR KRUGER. In declining an audience with Oom Paul, the Czar addressed the ex-Presi-dent of the Transvaal as " Mr Kruger," and this has greatly pained the latter. ORANGE RIVER COLONY. Sir G. Y. Lagden, Resident British Commissioner in Basutoland, has | arrived at Bloemfontein, where important business is proceeding. It is likely that Sir Godfrey Lagden will he appointed Administrator of Orange River Colony. HOW DE WET ESCAPED. - The details concerning the dash of De Wet through the British lines have been received. It is described as one of De Wet'a boldest conceptions and finest efforts in the wole campaign. The Boer genet al led his 2500 men through Springbaanck Nek, an unbroken level pass, four miles broad, and fifteen miles to the eastward of Thabauchu. The British occupied two fortified posts at the northern entrance of the pass, and Lieut. General Thornycroft's Artillery was waiting on a hill to the eastward of the Nek. De Wet was apparently cornered, and was expecting Major.-General Knox's force to come up with him in an hour.

The Boer general despatched a body of his follows un^ter HnsHrook, to feign an attack on Victoria Nek, to the southward of Thabanchu, himself with 2500 men galloping in open order through the Springbaanck. Mr Steyn and Commandant Fourier led the charge, under a rapid fire from he British guns and rifles. The Boers mounting the pass to the •Ist, encountering Lieutenant-Genera! Thorneycroft's fire, galloped along the foot of the hill on the west side, where the fire of only one was effective. De Wet brought up the rear of the column.

Altogether the movement was a piece of magnificent dating:, and its success was complete, despite the loss of a fifteen pounder, a pom-pom, and twenty-two prisoners. Commandant Haasbrook's force meanwhile were scattered and galloped away helter-skelter. The Welsh Yeomanry dashed among them, and used their revolvers and the butt ends of their rifles. MORE TROOPS FOR SOUTH AFRICA. The War Office is despatching a force of 800 mounted infantry next week. The recruiting of ten thousand colonial police is being expedited, and detachments are leaving as fast as they can be formed. Drafts of cavalry are to be sent to the Cape immediately. The sending of a special consignment of three thousand horses beyond the usual monthly supply is arranged for. GENERAL FRENCH. General French on the 19th instant expelled 2500 Boers, and captured four guns and a pom-pom from their positions near Thorndale, north-west Sf Krugersdorp. Fifty Boers were killed and many wounded in a subsequent rout and flight of the enemy. General French's casualties were inly fourteen wounded.

CONCENTRATION OF BRITISH

TROOPS.

Martial law has been proclaimed it the following places in Cape Colony : — Britstown, Victoria West* Richmond Hanover, Muiraysberg, Graffenit. Cradock, Larka, Molteno. Martial law will also be shortly be proclaimed at Worcester, Wellington, Stellensbosch.

A proclamation has also been issued warning all residents of the penalties for rebelling. Previous offenders, renewing assistince to the Boers, will be treated with exceptional severity.

MR BRYN ROBERTS'S CHARGES. Lord Kitchener, in reply to the War See, concerning Mr Bryn Roberts'? Jtingofhis charge against Austra ; ins from them to South African ■■ lonials, complains that owing to a ievance the corps refused to inarch, mt the action was due to inexperience >f military procedure. There was no question of using force against fhem, and their brilliant services in the field since had entirely obliterated the incident. SOURCE OF DE WET'S SUPPLIES. Lord Kitchener is now' at De Aar, directing the operations of the British j troops against the raider?. There are sixty thousand horses be longing to the Dutch within the dis tricts that have been proclaimed as being under martial law. They have been the source of De Wet's supplies, and the object of th« Boers' raid was to remove them. CHASING THE BOERS. Generals French and Clements are pursuing the broken forces of Commandants Beyers and De La Rey towards Potchefstroom. General French has captured Commandant Krause and other prisoners. De Wet is reported to be in the vicinity of Senckal. NORTH OF THE VAAL. Small mobile detachments of British artillery shelled a force of three hun dred Boers to the south of Standerton, and routed another force to the eastward, inflicting heavy loss. LARGE PURCHASE OF HORSES. The First Dragoon Guards have been ordered to Cape Colony. They will embark on January Bth. The British War Office has purchased fifty thousand horses and mules in Kansas for transport to South Africa.