CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 21 January 1902, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal. FAREWELL TO THE GUARDS. The Guards Brigade was given a great public farewell. Viscount Northlane (son of Lord Ranfurly) and Lord Falconer accompany their regiment. RAIDING IN THE WESTCommandants Kemp and Belliers have raided a thousand cattle from the Mafeking district. MORTALITY IN THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS. Out of 17,688 men, 43,905 women and 56,435 children in the Boer concentration camps during December, r6o men, 453 women and 1767 children died. Owing to General Botha’s complaints as to the treatment of women and children in the concentration camps, Lord Kitchener in December volunteered to allow those who were willing to return to the Boers. He inquired where General Botha desired them to be sent, but no reply was received. Lord Kitchener also offered the Boer leaders safe conduct to inspect the camps. SURPRISE OF A BRITISH POST. The Boers surprised a British post at Willowdam, west of Mafeking, and shot the wife of an officer who was standing in the entrance of a tent. ALLEGED OVERTURES FOR PEACE. Reuter’s agency states that Dr Von Kuyper, the Netherlands Premier, after ascertaining the terms on which the Boer delegates were willing to negotiate peace, visited London privately to ascertain if Lord Salisbury genuinely desired peace. In answer \o a question in the House of Lords, Lord Salisbury stated that he was not aware ot Dr von Kuyper having made overtures. GALLANT NEW ZEALANDERS. Lord Kitchener’s despatches of December Bth mention Lieutenant G. D. Shern for gallantry in attacking a laager at Pongolabosch, and for good services; also Sergeant J. Davidson and Lance-Corporal W. Rutherford for bringing in wounded under heavy fire. All belong to the Seventh New Zealanders. Sergeant J. Walker, of the Fourth New Zealanders, is mentioned for capturing, unaided, three armed Boers in a farm at Standerton. A number of Australians are also mentioned. BULLER’S MESSAGES TO LADYSMITM. The Government declines to publish the heliograms which passed between Sir Redvers Buller and Sir George White whilst the latter was besieged at Ladymith. DR KRAUSE. In connection wi|h the trial of Dr Krause, formerly of Johannesburg, on charges of inciting to murder, Lord Chief Justice Alverstone decided that inasmuch as it had not been proved that Krause’s letters had not reached Brockma the charge of inciting to murder Mr Forster was not maintainable. The case against Krause of attempting to incite to murder is proceeding. Dr Krause has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, the maximum

sentence allowed, for attempting to incite to murder. MISCELLANEOUS.

Mr Kruger’s latest advices are to the effect that Afrikander recruits for the Boer cause are rapidly dwindling. Other advices state that Commandant Kemp’s and General De la Key’s men are clamouring for surrender.

The recently-seized papers of General Smuts show that the Swazis had supplied the Boers with information, provisions and munitions of war. A Colonial Office Blue-book contains an intercepted letter from General Shalk Burger to Mr Steyn, ex-President of the Orange Free State, stating that condition of affairs was daily becoming more serious. He writes:— “ The Boers have lately suffered and lost much. If we are convinced that our resources are’ exhaused and last strength broken, we must bow down and surreader, no matter how bitter.” General Burger's letter is dated *ist March last. Mr Slooter, lately a Transvaal predikant, has created a sensation in America. He asserted that the Boers aimed at the expulsion of the British from South Africa, and that Mr Kruger was divinely commanded to declare war. Slooter’s statements were contained in a pamphlet published in America. Latest. BOER GRADUATES. Several Boer prisoners at the Cape have passed University examinations. THE BOER SUPPLIES. The chief Boer depot between Oliphants’ and Crocodile rivers, in an almost inaccessible position, contains sixty thousand small arms andquaatities of ammunition. There are indications that the resistance will not be broken nntil the British occupy Zautspanberg.