AFFAIRS IN TEANSVAAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 63, 15 March 1881, Page 4

AFFAIRS IN TEANSVAAL

It is to be regretted that we cannot assume the same confident tone with regard to matters in the Transvaal, which seem to be going from bad to worse. The newly created republic is carrying matters with a high hand, and seems determined to leave itself no means of escaping from the position taken. The Boers now admit that the attack on the 94th Regiment on the road to Pretoria was pre-arranged, and. that their men advanced and fired on the colonial troops after the flag ol truce bad been ostentatiously displayed. Captain Lambert, of the 21st Fusiliers, has arrived at Moritzburg, and reports that he and Pay-master Elliott, of the 94tb, were takea prisoners by the Boers, and were subsequently released nn parole. They were escorted to the Free State by an armed force. "When crossing the river the escort fired, shooting Elliott, and continued firing at Lambert until he got out of range. Elliott's body haß since been recovered, j and Bhows five bullet wounds. Postal communication with Cape Colony and Natal has been stopped, and there is great difficulty in information reaching us from the scene of the outbreak. It is supposed that the administrator, Colonel Laynon, remains shut up in Pretoria. It is said that the fort is capable of resisting an armed attackf; mines charged with dynamite have been made at different poßitioDß and connected with the G-ov-ernment House by electric wire. Ib is believed there is ample ammunition in the fort, but water is scarce. The troops in the Transvaal and immediate borders consist of the 21et .Regiment, 58th iBegimenr, 60th Eifles and 94th Hegimenr. All have suffered from desertion and other causes. The number of men available for service against the Boers in the four infantry regiments will be about 2000 men. Sir George Colley's artillery has been etienethened by the lauding of ihe Naval Brigade with field-pieces and Gatlings, from II M.S. Boadicea. Strange as it may seem, the sell- styled republicans claim Natal ts their port, and lately made an incursion into the northern portion of the colcuy. They now occupy a position within the boundary of the Transvaa', and threaten

to oppoan a»y troops who attempt to enter the country. At Utrecht the Boera sejgad tho mngi.gine, containing a large quantity of mnmunltioiu The central improseioti hero in that the Portuguese will not allow tho Imperial Government to land reinforcement! t.t Lcrenoe Martjuez (Delogoo B.iy), em hitherto they have maintained ,tnoflt friendly relations with the jftobi'fl, and in fact have refused to grnnt this And other privileges some time ago. Public meetings ore being held in all directions in the Trnoavanl to give expression of sympathy with the malcontents, fu ihe Free Slate the feeling ia more fn'msp, and it is openly Mated that those soldiers who have been tuken piisoners by the Doers »nd released on parole have been unable to obtain food ard shelter while passing through the Orange River Republic, in tho direction of this colony or Natal. President Brand, wl o is a native of tbie colony, practised many yetrs at ihe bar of our Supieixe Court nnd occupied a sent in the House of Assembly, ip, doubtlesp, well disposed towards fiagUud, an] it is stated tb»t lie will resign in the event of finding that to cannot restrain his people. 'Ihe Volksrand has been convened for the 19. h of the next month. The present outlook of (.fT-ira te very dismal, and Governor Sir Hercules Robinson will! hove a difliooli task before him. An Eaglish telegram stales that the Government advised S'r Hercole3 Robinsou that any proposals for confeJeration must be initiated by the colonies concerned. He is directed to exert his influence in favour of leniency and moderation towards the Bosutos, and not to consent to any confiscation of territory. This fits in with the general feeling of the public. Trade i3 steadily increasing. The custom duties last month nra iu excesß of those of RDy similar period. The harvest ia the western district ia s failure. It is estimated that during the current year ihe colony will have to import, about 20 000 tons of wheat and 10,000 tons of fijurj