THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 52, 7 March 1900, Page 2

THE WAR.

LORD ROBERTS' OPERATIONB. KRUGER APPEALS TO BURGHEBS. DISPOSAL OF CUONJE'S MEN. VERY LARGE BRITISH FORCES. [By Eleoteio Telegraph, —Copyright.] £ I.PHB P&ENS ASSOCIATION.! (Received 6, 9 a.m.) London, March 5. President Kruger is at Bloemfontein, whence he has issued fit >fervid appeal to the burghers to put their faith in God. Iho entrenchments at Pretoria are being extended, Some of Cronje's men attempted to escape while journeying to Capetown. Eleven hundred of them have been distributed amongst the warships. It is anticipated that General Joubertwill have some difficulty in concentrating 35,000 troops in the Free State. General Roberts has nearly 60,000 men, and is receiving constant reinforcements, while General Buller hw 40,000. General Clements holds Achterbang, a position on the railway midway between Colesberg and Norval's Pont. The Boers are still in strong force at Norval's Pont, while 5000 belonging to the Ladysmith and Colesberg commandoes are at Abraham's Km] THE BOERS DEFEATED AT DORDRECHT. COLONEL BRABANT PURSUING THEM. Received 7,1.50 a.m. Capktown, March 6, Colonel Brabant was victorious over the Boers at Dordrecht, and is now pursuing them. A MOVE FROM KIMBERLEY.J ™ RESISTANCE EXPECTED AT FOURTEEN STREAMS. (Received 7,1.50 a.m.) _ London, March 6. A strong British force, including the Kimberley Light Horse, has northwards from Kimbetley. It is «z-. pccted to meet with resistance at Fourteen Streams, where the Boers have wrecked a railway bridge. Martial law has been proclaimed at Prieska, Konhardt, Britsfcown, and , Barkeley West. STORMBERG EVACUATED BY THE * ENEMY. LORD ROBERTS SOUTH OF MODDKH RIVER. FOUR THOUSAND BOERS ISOLATED ON KOPJES. , (Received 7, 1.50 a.m.) London, March 6. . A Router's correspondent states that • the Boers evacuated Storm berg on Sunday night; " Lord Roberts' Sixth and Seventh . Divisions and a mounted force are south'' - . if the M odder River. The Ninth Division and the Cavalry Brigado are lorth of the river, where there is plain •ountry and grass. Water is abundant. Four thousand Boers are isolated on copjes surrounded by open, level counry south of the river, and a smaller ■>ody near General French. A BOER TREK FRUSTRATED. (Received 7,1.50 a,m.) Capetown, March 6. General French frustrated the attempt of a body of Boers to trek northwestwards from his position. DEATH OF ONE OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES MEN. (Received 7,1.50 a.m.) Capbtown, March 6. Trooper McLeUan, of the New South * Wales Mounted Infantry, has died from round* received while patrolling at Arundel. THE MAFEKINB_ RELIEF FORCE. BOERS EVACUATE CROCODILE POOIfI, (Received 7,1.50 a m.) , London, March' 6, The Boers evacuated Crooodile Pool* on the 25th, and Colonel Plumer occupied the position. (Received 7, 1.50 a.m.) Capetown, March 6. Advices from Mafeking, dated 19th, state that the besiegers are using natives, Germans, and renegade British to screen their own men. THE POSITION AT LADYSMITH. "LONG TOM" NEARLY CAPTURED.

(Received 0, 9 a.m.) Londos, Maith 5, There were only four days' full rations in Ladysmith when tha town was relieved. There were scores of abandoned Boer tents outside tho town containing ample provisions, and even luxuries. A well directed fire from the naval guns prevented the enemy from removing "Long Tom" till the last minute. Pursuit by 2000 men of the Ladysmith garrison accelerated the starting of tho last three trains containing the lleeing enemy from Modder Spruit .station. Tho Boers, in their hastO| abandoned largo stores of ammunition, aid destroyed the railway bridge over ;he spruit in order to prevent pursuit. Scouts report that there are none of

the enemy within 30 miles of Ladysmith. 1 Lord Roberts wired to General 'White: "Thank God, the nation's ' prayers have been answered." i (Received 7, 1.50 a.m.) 1 London, March 6. The late besiegers of Ladysmith are recuperating on the Transvaal border, i GENERAL BULLER'S CASUALTIES. I Received 7, l.fO a.m. ! London, March 6. , General Buller reports that his ( casualties from February 14th to 27th . amongst the rank and file totalled : . Killed .. .. 127 Wounded .. .. 919 ( Missing .. .. 57 j The chief losses were amongst the ( following regiments:— ( Killed. Wounded. , East Surrey 31 105 ' West Surrey 7 108 Lancaster's 20 128 ' Devons 5 76 ! West Yorks 6 81 . Royal Fusiliers 2 57 All belonged to the 2nd Battalions of ( the regiments named. Of the Ist Battalions the losses were:— Killed. Wounded. ■ South Lancashire 10 81 j Rifle Brigade 11 70