BOER WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 33, 11 February 1901, Page 2

BOER WAR.

BOERS LOO!' A TRAIN. DE WET'S MOVEMENTS. HIS FOLLOWERS DESERTING. BI'ULSB OK BOTCUS NEAR RKDDEUSBUKC.

PER ntKSS ASSOOIATIOK. (Received 10, G.'JOp.m.) London, February!). The Boers on the oth held up and looted the Greylingstad-Vlaklaagte train, 6 civilians being wounded. Dj Wet was northwards of Smithfield on Thursday moving eastward. Part of De Wet's force is advancing on Phi'ippolia. Many of his followers are de«rting, being inclined to accept Lord Kitchener's terms. A Boer force, moving South, has been repulsed neir Reddersburg. ■ LORD ROBERTS' DESPATCHES.

BREAKDOWN OF THE AHMY CORPS. IMPORTANCE OF STRIKING PRETORIA. LAMENTABLE COVDITION OF MOUNTED CORPS. TRIBUTE TO GENERAL BULLER. ONLY ONE MEANS FOR PERMANENT TRANQUILITY. Received 10, 5.47 a.m.

London, February 9,

The War Offieo has issued two vjlumns of despatches coveting the period of Lord Roberts' command. They graphically revival the terrible drawbacks encountered by the Army Corps organisation which was distinegrated at the first contract with the enemy. In reality, there was no organised. transport corps, and after this had been organised, L.ord Roberts consciously encountered the risk of a rising in Ctpe Colony, and having his lines of communication cut, rather than forego the enormous advantage of sti iking the enemy's capital. Thereports pathetically lament the subsequent condition of the mounted forces, preventing a,ny operation and demanding rapidity of movement. A tribute ia paid to General Buller and his subordinate officers, the brave soldiers who were marching and fighting almost incessantly from January 15th to February 28th last year. Finally, b« emphatically declares that the permanent tranquility of the annexed colonies is dependent' on the compete disarmament of the inhabitants. He admits this is a task of difficulty, yet is one to be accomplished with time and patience.

GENERAL BULLER AND THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH.

LORD ROBERTS INSISTED ON THE RELIEF. GENERAL HUNTER DENOUNCES THE WAR MAPS. "GUNS, NOT GUNNERS, AT FAULT" (Received 10, 5.17 p>m.) London, February 9. The despatches issusd by the War Offife show that General Buljer doubted th« possibility of boing able to relieve Ladysmith. Ha telegraphed Lord Roberts on February 6th asking whether he ought to risk the sacrifice of two or three thousand men to gain access to the plain within ten miles of General Sir George White's position, adding that the success of the movement was doubtful. Lord Roberts replied, " Ladysmith must be re'ieved evon at the cost amicipited." General Buller, on February 9th, asked for reinforcements.

MBJor-General Hunter's despatches htates thit the war maps were a positive danger and delusion, and that the guns, not the gunner?, were at fault, CONVALESCENT 00LONIALS FRENCH PROTRST AGAINST BOERS DESTROYING MINKS. OUTBREAK Olf fLAG.UK AT CAPETOWN, I (Received 10, 4.30 p.m.) LoNDO.t, Februiry 9.

j The following colonial officers hive

recovered from wounds:—Colonel Wullack, IVmanian ; Lie'its. Heywood and Moore, Victorians; W. King, Queenslander; J. Montgomerie, New Zealand. French soldiers holding the Transvail bonds have protested to Dr. L eye's against the Boers destroying mines. Two cases of bubonic pl»gue are reportod at Capetown. Major Yarra, expert, and Colonel Mickny of New youth Wales, have been eummonel from Presoria for tlw purpose of consulting with and advising the authorities. Every precaution and rigor m preventive measures are beiog taken. The outbreak has caused noalaim. SHOCKING ORUELTIES BY THE BOERS. LOYAL BOERS ILL-TREATED. A BRITISH SURGEON MURDERED. ROBBING PASSENGERS ON TRAINS. REPORTS OF BRITISH ILL-TREAT-MENT OF WOMEN UNFOUNDED. NETHERLANDS CONSUL REINSTATED.

(fieoeivod 11,12.24 a.m). LnKpoy, February 9. Commandant Moms sjamboked and then shot four Boers at Standerton for refusing to fight. Surgeon Walker was thrice wounded at Modderfoatein. A Boer then battered his head with a stone, killing j

him. The Boers rob'-ed the passengers on the Gre>ling*tudt--Vkklaagte train, relieving a nurse ( f £25. lbsinan, a leuling Dutch pastor nt Pretoria, b'ing alibided opportuniti' s investigated thn chirges of British i'ltreatmeot of women, reports them baseld&s. The Por'uguese Government, has agreed tu the return to De'agoa Bay of S. Pot?, whoso exequatur as the! Netherlands Consul wag recently withdrawn, the King of Portugual at tlujj time alsging there was grave reasons, for the step.

GREAT FIGHT AT BOTHWBLL. BRITISH SUKFiiK SEVERELY. BOGUS REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSSES.

GENERAL FRKNOH ON THE MOVE, DKKEaTS 6000 JiOKKH AND OCCUPIES KKMKLO. Received 11, 12.2'J a.m. London-, February 10. Tin onomy violently attacked General Smith-Dorit-n'B outposts at Botbwell, near Rietretiof.

I The Kiitish suflered B«ver«]y, but succeeded in reputing and inflicting heavy Wteesjin the JJoen.

General Fiooch occupie] Ermele, whence six thousand Boers retired towards Amsterdam.

AUSTRALIAN CONTINGENT. (Received u, 1 a.rii.) Adelaide, February 10, The Fifth Contingent of 300 boarded the Ormazan yts'erday, and tailed for Capetown to-day. A large crowd was on the wharf. The Governor visited the men aboard, who paradid the streets and wore entertained the previoui day. The Teviotdale, with hors.s, accompanies the Ormazan. Melbourne, February 10. The City of Lincoln, with 624 Contingents' horee*, ha* sailed for Capetown. Fifty men accompanied them.

RETURNING TROOPB. , Wellington, Febioarr 10. The Premier has received the following cable from the Premier of of Taimania. The following member* of the Fourth and Fifth Contingents arrived by the KumaM^-Lteut.-Coloael New•ll, Sergta. Bosp, and Gregg, private! Brown, Cteok, Ulimie, Cameren, Dor»«i QiH, Harris, Hor»e, HopkiPS, Hunter, Hayward, HuntioM, Jackson, Lear, Morrison, Mooret, MoDougall, MacAuley, Popham, Riddel. Regan, Retter, Smith, Samerville, Stevens, and Valentine; all well. Serge, Ohallig *nd Private Searle, aufferiegfrom pnemonia, have been transferred to the Wellington hcmpiU. The fellow* ing New Zealand irregulars are also on board:—Privates 'fait, Rowland, McDonald, of Brabant's Horse; Keane, Roberts' Horse; Gibson, S.A. police.