South Africa.

Manawatu Herald, 23 August 1902, Page 2

South Africa.

MERCENARY FORCES,

General De Wet’s staff officer states that about five hundred Irishmen and five hundred Americans fought with the Boers during the late war. One commando numbering three hnndred included thirteen nationalities. THE CAMPAIGN ON THE TUGELA. , A Blue Book which has been issued dealing with the late war shows that General Buller, a fortnight before the battle of Colenso, had accurate information regarding General White’s supplies at Ladysmith. - ; Lord Roberts, on the 26th January, hearing that Spion Kop had been abandoned, suggested to General Buller (hat if he was not confident of forcing his way into Ladysmith he should wait at the Tugela till Lord Roberts himself was in the Free State.

General Buller, on the 4th February, wrote, regarding an expected attack on Ladysmith: —“ General ■ White affects to be confident, but I don’t know if be really is, I do not think your move into the Free State will much affset the position here.” RETURNED BOERS. The first four hundred Boer pri-. soners from Ceylon, on arriving in South Africa, wrote to the captain of the transport Templemore thanking him for his kindness on the voyage, and adding In claiming (he hand of friendship with you as Britons, we hope to prove as loyal -and brave as true Britishers should be in upholding the glory of the Royal house and the Empire.” Four hundred families have been repatriated, and have settled in the Rouxville district, Orange River Colony. They possess a hundred thousand sheep, twelve thousand cattle and five hundred horses. POLITICS AT THE CAPE.

The “ South African News ’’ pnblished at Capetown, has declared that it will support a policy securing for South Africa autonomous freedom the same as Australia, which is consistent with complete loyalty to the Crown. SETTLEMENT PROCEEDING. Lord Milner, speaking at Barberton, declared that good progress was being made in settling the country in all directions. The congestion between the coast and the inland towns would soon be relieved.

THE ST. HELENA PRISONERS. General Cronje and 997 prisoners have sailed from St. Helena tor Capetown. AN ADDRESS TO THE KING. The Cape Assembly unanimously adopted an address of congratulation the King on his recovery. The address stated that none of his subjects rejoiced more at his Majesty’s restoration to health and at the Coronation. They were proud to belong to the Empire, and would always be ready to maintain its integrity.

The Speaker in a letter to the Governor, has formally protested against the suspension of the constitution.