CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 6 May 1902, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal. PROSPECTS OF PEACE. ■a. The war correspondent of the “ Daily Telegraph ” (Mr Bennett Burleigh) states that the . delegates who recently visited Pretoria are placing the issue honourably before the commandoes without reserve. General Christian Da Wet admits the struggle to be hopeless, and has told the burghers that Britain’s terms are reasonable and generous. At some of the Boer meetings, noisy and irreconcilable minorities have become very heated, their conduct almost resulting in violence. Consequently the leaders insist on voting by ballot on the peace proposals. It is reported that General De la Rey and the members of the Transvaal Government will adhere to the decision of the majority. The women of the Transvaal are clamouring for peace. “ The'Standard’s ” correspondent at Pretoria states that the Vereeniging conference will he representative of ail sections of the Boers. Most ot the recent meetings favour peace, though it is thought that a few irreconcilables will possibly refuse the most generous terms.

THE BOUNDARIES OF NATAL.

Natal claimed a portion of the Harrismith and Vrede districts, undertaking to take £%00,000 of the Orange Colony debt. The Administrator of Orange Colony opposed this, as the inhabitants objected to be transferred on the ground that it was likely to cause endless complications. Lord Milner and Mr Chamberlain did not endorse the transfer, but Mr Chamberlain concurred in the transfer of the Transvaal, subject to a few points referred to a Boundary Commission. The Times states that Natal declined to cede Closi Bay to the Transvaal. REINFORCEMENTS. Ten thousand troops and two thousand horses will be embaked for South Africa during May. CAPTURE OF MAINE BOTHAj Major-General Rochfort’s column is still hustling Badenhorst’s commando. During an engagement on Tuesday Field-cornet Bekker was killed and Field-cornet Geldenhuis was wounded. Colonel Barker reports the capture on Wednesday of Commandant Maole Botha and twelve other south of Frankfort. Manie Botha is General EWtha’s nephew, and was De Wet’s ablest lieutenant. The previous report that he was killed during the drive that culminated in the engagement at Bothasberg was incorrect. MR STEYN’S FAMILY. Mr Steyn, who was president of the Orange Free State, has summoned his wife and children fiom Holland, and they have sailed for the Cape. FOOD FOR THE TROOPS. The War Office has ordered from Victoria Boo,ooolb of corned beef and mutton, chiefly beef. From New South Wales 150,0001 b of beef and mutton has been ordered. MISCELLANEOUS.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Chamberlain stated that one third of the Johannesburg refugees had returned to the Rand. Viscount Selborne, First Lord of the Admiralty, said the transport service was a magnificent record for the mercantile marine. The Goverment was considering the recognition of the services of captains and officers. The “ Daily Express ’’ states that no more Boer prisoners will leave South Africa. Lieutenant Vallance, of the Eighth NewLZealand Regiment, is convalescent and has returned to duty. Latest. OAKIEF RELIEVED. The advance of the Mamaqualand column practically relieved Oakief.

ANOTHER DB WET. The trial of Peter De Wet, a member of the Cape Assembly for treason, is proceeding at Aliwal North. A, VAIN PROMISE. Mrs. Steyn’s letter to a- prisoner nromised that colonists joining the Republic ,a burgherahip. 1 MURDER BY BOERS. With native assistance, during harvesting, a party of khaki-olad rebels at Tweefontein murdered Lt. Murray, who approached under the impression that they were British. WONDERFUL TRANSPORT PERFORMANCE. Earl Selbournb, eulogising the Transport Department, said 1,000,000 quarters of stores, exclusive of forage, 400,000 remounts, and 500.000 men were conveyed to the Cape without loss of life, owing to the fact that 600'British ships had been employed. .. ~,-y ■ ■ I \\