CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 8 April 1902, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal. SHOOTING UNARMED BOERS. The Morning Leader’s ” correspondent, continuing his story of the murder, of tea Beers by offioets of the

Bush Veldt Carbineers, says that, hearing a German missionary who had camped near was aware of the facts of the shooting, Lieutenant Handcock visited’ his tent at night, and shot him dead while ha was reading. Handcock also tried to kill a nigger servant, who, however, was only wounded, and, after escaping, informed his chief. The latter communicated the matter to the mission, the members of which, with the German Consul, informed Lord Kitchener, and insisted on an inquiry. On the night the Boers were killed, a trooper named Van Buren, an officer’s orderly, overheard Handcock and the unarmed captain planning to shoot Sergeant-Major Morrison and Sergeant Grey for insubordination. Van Buren warned the intended victims, and they succeeded, in evading the sentries and escaping whereupon they rode at night for Pietersburg. Handcock seat pursuers, who overtook the fugitives, but decided to accompany them to Pietersburg, where they reported the matter to Major Leneham.

The tnajor said the party had been guilty of mutiny, and advised then to return and trust to the clemency of their officers. The fugitives, however, refused to return, and remained at Pietersburg. They were never courf-martialied, but the officers suspected Van Buren, and had him shot.

Lord Kitchener and Major Poore (Provost-Marshal) examined many time-expired troopers without the knowledge of the unarmned captain or of Handcock. The Commander-in-Chief was much pained over the affair, and soon ordered the Bush Veldt Carbineers to return from the front. On their arrival the officers were arrested. It is! expected that the War Office will publish a statement concerning the Bush Veldt Carbineers after further details have been received from Lord Kitchener. An official of the War office states that the present information does not support the "Morning Leader’s” details,'Which are, for the most part, untrue. Lieutenant Wittoa denies the looting and robbery charges. He will be confined in Lewes Gaol. PRESS COMMENTS. " The Times ” says the execution of officers for shooting prisoners in cold blood has given a very grievous shock to the nation. The Government ought immediately to publish the facts. It is wholly incorrect and misleading to speak of the guilty men as Australian officers. They did, not form part of the splendid Australian contingents which have woo so much dsstinction. The Times is confident the Australians will endorse the general judgment of the Empire when the facts are disclosed. There is no reasonable doubt that the officers bad a fair and careful trial.

The “ Daily Mail ” states that four officers were sentenced to death, but Lord Kitchener commuted the sentences «f two subordinates, who are now in Gosport Prison. “ The Times ’’ says naturally but quite wrongly the Australians feel a slur cast upon their good name over the shooting of officers, and reiterates the necessity for a full and prompt official disclosure of the affair. The New York “ Advertiser " says Lord Kitchener’s impartial punishment of colonials ought to check the torrent of Continental abuse. FIGHTING IN THE WEST. A heavy running fight occurred in the Western Transvaal between Major-General Walter Kitchener’s and De la Key’s forces. The British were eventually obliged to entrench their position. Both sides suffered severe losses. Ultimately the Boers were repulsed. General Walter Kitchener, on the 31st ult, followed the trail of Boer guns, and on overtaking them engaged in a running fight for a distance of eight miles through the bush. On emerging on the plain the Boers received reinforcements, and the British entrenched themselves. The Canadian Rifles distinguished themselves. In one party of Canadians every man was either killed or wounded. The artillery and rifles displayed great steadiness. The enemy were fifteen hundred strong, and commanded by Generals De la Key and Kemp. They engaged in close fighting, but were repulsed on all sides. De la Key vainly urged the Boers to renew the attack. General Kitchener’s fight took place towards Hart’s river. The casualties of the Canadian Rifles numbered fifty-three; The fight on the 31st, in which the Canadians suffered, occurred at Roschbuit, a few miles south of where Lord. Methuen’s defeat took place. The casualty lists show that three officers and twenty-four men were killed ; sixteen officers and thirty-one men wounded, including Captain H F. Hurst (severely), of the West Australian Mounted Rifles, who was attached to the Royal Horse Artillery. The Boers admit losing 137 killed and wounded. Lieutenant Bruce Carruthers, once an officer in an Australian regiment, commaned the Canadians. DEFENDING NATAL. The lines of blockhouses are being extended around Ladysmith. , Traffic north of the Tugela River is suspended. The Town Guards of Ladysmith and Dundee and Newcastle are being maintained at their full strength.