THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 81, 6 April 1900, Page 2

THE WAR.

OPERATIONS IN THE ORAN6E FREE STATE BOERS' BRILLIANT STRATEGY. THE KOORNBPRDIT AFFAIR. SEVERE LOSS OF THE BRITISH. [By Electric Tbmkihaph.—Comiaat.l |PBB PBBBS ASSOCIATION.] Roccivod 6, 9.16 ajn. , London, April 4. . Commandant Ollivier's brilliant strategy, in re-occupying Ladybrand and re-taking Thalmnchu, struck the only vulnerable point in Lord Roberts' position. Further details of the Koornspruit aflair show that after the capture of five guns of the V Battery the remainder were rapidly withdrawn, «««<, opening lire, shelled the Boers heavily. The enemy were steadily driven back* wards towards a low ridge, but strong reinforcements arriving, they resumed the offensive and the Brhish were compelled to retire. They wore pursued for miles by the Boers, killing, wound* ing, and capturing. As showing how severely they suffered, when they reformed after tlw pursuit a squadron of the 6th Dragoons mustered only ten instead of 140 mm. As a bait for the convoy at Koom* spruit, a couple of unarmed Bom loitered near the drift. The captured guns were removed before the arrival of General Oolville. The enemy were not pursued hmanse they held a long range of kopjes oovaring the roads north-eastward. Many foreigners, including Ookmel Blake's Irish Brigade, participated la the ambush. General French's division has re* turned to Bloemfontein. MOVEMENT IN FAVOUR OF ANNEXATION. THE CAPE PREMIER HOOTED. Received 5, St.ls a.m. Capetown, April 4. An open-air meeting, attended by 20,000 people, held here, favoured .annexation of the Republics. The crowd boot* d Mr. Scbreiner, who took refuge in a cafe for an hour, while the crowd sin,- the National Anthem. Mr, Scbreiner escaped to Parliament Houst, tmidfet cries of " Traitor." He replied: " Reserve your judgment." One hundred and fifty annexation meetings have been held throughout South Africa during the week. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMB. (Received S, 9.25 a.m.) London, April 4. The steamer Duke of Portland, with the Queensland Third Contingent, has arrived at Capetown. Sir Alfred Milner has returned to Capetown. President Kruger, in an oration at Joubeit's funeral, attributed their defeats to the rampant wickedness of the Republics. He stated that Joubert's last words were : "My poor country, what will become of it ?" (Deceived 5,11.30 p.m.) Sidkky, April 5. The War Office has asked ihat four postal officials be Bent to Capetown to Help to deal with the Australian Oon- ! tingrnts' corn f poodeDW. Cables have been received that the Maplemoro and Euryalus, with the Victorian ai d Now South Wales Bushmen, have reached the Cape. The men have been ordered to Beint, whence they will ] roceed to Rhodesia. NEW ZEALAND REMBUNTB. Wellington, April 5. The Government intend to send a hundred remouiitn for the use of the contingent, probably by the Kumara.