CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 9 January 1902, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal.

ENGAGEMENT IN THE EAST.

A party of Scots Greys had a sharp encounter at Bronkhort Spruit. The Boers allowed the advance guard to pass, and then attacked the left flank. Six of the Greys were lulled, and thirteen wounded. After* two hours’ fighting the Boers retired. Major-General Bruce Hamilton’s column crossed the flooded Vaal in pontoons, and pursued the enemy in thick mist and steady rain, capturing many without firing a shot, but were compelled to give up the pursuit, and returned to reprovision and get fresh horses. ADVICE TO THE AUTHORITIES. “ The Times ” says;—The continuous wearing down'processes ought to be maintained in South Africa by keeping the advance .depots well supplied. More men and horses are required; also light railways along the lines ot blockhouses.

THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS! The Government insists on the concentration camps being supplied with the best brands ot imported foods and fresh vegetables daily and other luxuries which civilian loyalists are unable to obtain. TWEEFONTEIN. Major-General Sir Henry Rundel, with the Grenadier Guards and Staffordshires, was three miles north of Tweefontein at the time of General De Wet’s attack on that position on Christmas Eve. He sent the Staffordshires to Colonel Firman’s support, but they were nearly ambushed. They regained camp with a small loss. BRITISH LOSSES. During December 30 British officers and 190 men werfe killed and 49 officers and 382. men wounded! There were 393 deaths from accidents or disease, and 1456 of all ranks were invalided Home. MINOR ENGAGEMENTS. Major-General Elliott's force captured 12 Boers in an action with General De Wet’s rearguard, north ot Reitz, in the north-east of Orange River Colony. , While reconnoitring nedr Vryheid, in the South-east Transvaal, Colonel, Garrett’s advance guard was charged’ by 500 Boers, who were, however, repulsed. IN ORANGE RIVER COLONY. Operating in central Orange River Colony, Beresford’s Constabulary captured Field-Cornet Leroux and eightyfour men were killed. PURSUIT OF DE WET. Major General Elliott’s keen pursuit—covering seventy miles in thirtyfour hours —caused a dispersal ot Christian De Wet’s force. DENIAL OF AN ALLEGED OUTRAGE. Lord Kitchener denies the truth of the recently-published statement that two Intelligence officers—Steere and Keer—were treacherously shot by concealed Boers during a parley. GENERAL ERASMUS. The General Erasmus who was recently captured is presumably the leader who commanded the Transvaal Staats Artillery and failed to co- , operate with General Lacas Meyer at the Battle of Talana Hill, in October, 1899. PRO-BOER MEETINGS. Mr W. J. Ryan, who was an unsuccessful candidate for the Presidency last year, addressing a meeting of four thousand pro-Boers at Cleveland, Ohio, said the war had been costly and had taught England a lesson. He urged the Boers to persist, in their resistance. The Rev. Mr Askew, a popular Baptist minister of Liverpool, has been mobbed for preaching a pro-Boer sermon. Every window in his residence was smashed. MISCELLANEOUS. The Boers in the Eastern Transvaal try to keep twenty-five miles ahead of the columns. Latest. BOER LOSSES. During the last six months 1162 Boers have been killed, 876 wounded, 7593 taken prisoners, and 1912 surrendered ; 5696 rifles, 656,041 rounds of ammunition, 5565 wagons, 59,468 horses, and 166,027 head of cattle captured. The total Boer casualties since May Ist were 14,184. POLICE PROTECTING PRO-’ BOERS. Mr Lloyd George, member for Car. narvon, addressed a well-organised ticket-meeting at Bristol of pro-Boers, protected by an immense police force. He accused the nation of being responsible for the slaughter of 11,000 Boer children. A great crowd of Loyalists demonstrated outside. BOERS CAPTURED. Colonel Winton’s column captured twenty Boers near Amsterdam, in the Transvaal. DR. KRAUSE. Dr. Krause has visited Berlin. Many people have offered to subscribe his bail to enable him to remain in Germany. Dr. Krause replied that he was in honor bound to return to England, being an official. Mr Ranbenheimer, an Africander Bond member of the Cape Parliament, resigned as a protest against the disloyal attitude of some of his constituents.