CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 8 March 1902, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal. COMPLIMENTED BY LORD KITCHENER. The Premier hns received through the Governor the following cable message from Colonel Porter, officer commanding the Seventh Contingent dated Harrismith, xst March “ Arrived yesterday. Lord Kitchener met the column, specially paraded the Seventh Regiment, thanked them for the gallantry at midnight engagement 33rd. He said they had set an example to all the forces in the field, and were an honour to the people and country they represented. “ He also said that the repulse with heavy loss of enemy had caused nearly 600 to surrender, which contributed largely to the general excellent result of the 1 drive.’ “ Prisoners confirm that De Wet and Steyn, with only 200 men, got throught onr lines. We found thirtynine Boers killed, also 100 horses, numerous waggons, Cape carts and 6000 cattle. “ Boers carried off their wounded and some dead, but admit seventy casualties. “ Seventh correct casualty list is twenty-three killed and forty wounded. Latter doing well. _ Regiment below strength. Trek again on 4th.” VON DONOP’S FIGHT WITH DE LA REY. The “Standard” states that, believing everything was quite safe, part of the escort of Colonel von Donop’s convoy, including a detachment of Paget’s Horse, was allowed to ride to Klerksdorp the previous night. Covered by the dark, wet night, General De la Rey placed thirteen hundred men between the camp and Klerksdorp, concealing five hundred in thick scrub a few hundred yards round, leading to a spruit. When the British vanguard was assailed at daybreak its guns instantly raked the scrub with shrapnel, - Maxims compelling the Boers to retreat after half an hour’s engagement. The waggons had hardly resumed their march when a secend onslaught was delivered with extreme dash _ and courage, the enemy riding within a hundred yards, and firing from the saddle, causing a few mules to bolt and overturn the teams.

After the second repulse there was a brief lull; then the Boers recklessly galloped to the flanks of the column, overwhelming the British by sheer weight of numbers. Colonel von Donop’s attempt to pack the waggons across the road when the final attack was made failed, owing to the native drivers bolting, and the mules stampeding. The guns from the high ground shelled the enemy vigorously until the Boers, charging with tremendous impetus, captured them. A a few waggons and one Maxim gun reached Klerksdorp. De la Rey burned most of the waggons, and then, dividing his force into three bodies, moved north. Thirty Boers were killed, and twentyeight wounded. CONDUCT OF THE CONCENTRATION CAMPS. In the House of Commons Mr Humphreys Owen, Liberal member for Montgomeryshire, moved a resolution condemning the Government for its delay in improving the condition of the concentration camps. Mr Chamberlain made a brilliant speech in defence of the Ministry. He condemned the grave and wicked exaggerations of the pro-Boers, and eulogised the ceaseless labour, the sacrifice, and the devotion of the administrators of the camp. The Government was maintaining a hundred and fifty thousand persons in the camps at the cost of £IBO.OOO a month. The mortality among the children in the camps under twelve years of age had fallen to 7S per thousand. The motion was negatived by 232 votes to 111. Mr Chamberlain is engaging forty teachers in Canada to work in the concentration camps in South Africa. MISCELLANEOUS.

Colonel Driscoll has captured Commandant Jacob’s laager at_ Orange river, taking six prisoners, including Field Cornet Smit. Captain Howgate, of Stemacker’s Horse, captured fifteen Boers near Steynsdorp, in the north-east of Cape Colony, including Cooper, Botha’s chief telegraphist. The Boer prisoners at Umballa, in India, are sullen and defiant, and refuse to sign a parole if they are transferred to Simla. Latest. THE VREDE-BOTHASBERG FIGHT. HOW THE NEW ZEALANDERS WERE CAUGHT. Further accounts of tho fight on the Vrede-Bothasbopg line, in which the New Zealanders showed such suoerb bravery, state that the Boei attack took place at midnight on February 23rd, The Boers rushed with a great mass of stock the position held by the New Zealanders, overwhelming the pickets. Notwithstanding the disadvantage at which they were caught, in being surprised in the middle of the night by a mob of cattle and eight hundred mounted Boers, the Neiy Zealanders made a splendid defence, but were caught on the flank and were unable to use their full strength. They were eventually compelled to shift their position to avoid the furious fare. Other pickets warned Captain Cox’s New South Wales’ troops, who altered their formation. The Boers in the van pushed north with their wounded. Daring tho last hour and a half tho colonials used seventeen boxes of

ammun non. Seventy dead horses were found in front of the position held by Colonel Cox’s New South Welshmen. De Wet escaped in the confusion when the oxen rushed the New Zealanders’ line at Botbaaberg. Lord Kitchener’s line during the drive extended one hundred and twenty miles over terribly hilly and broken country. The transport and guns were tremendously difficult to manage, especially on the Natal border. CAPTURED BOERS. Field-Cornet Jan Bester and twelve others were captured in Orange Colony. LEADERS IN CONFERENCE. The Standard states Steyn and De Wet are conferring with Botha in the Utrecht district. THE LOSSES OP THE WAR. Since the beginning of the war the British losses have been—' Killed—4B9 officers and 4,956 men. Wounded—l7s2 officers, 20,096 men. Died of Disease —The deaths from all causes totalled nearly 21,000. DITELY NOT DEAD. War Office correction Lytton Ditely (New Zealand) is dangerously wounded, not killed. A COOL RECEPTION. President Roosevelt received the Boer delegates, Weasels and Wolmarans as private citizens. He declared America could not and would not interfere in the war. BLOEMFONTEIN CHARGE. Lieutenant-General Sir Y. E. Knox succeeded General Tucker in the command of the Bloemfontein district.