BOER WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 13, 16 January 1902, Page 3

BOER WAR.

KITCHENER'S WEEKLY REPORT. SPEECH BY SIR HENRY OAMPBELLBANNERMAN. PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. ! Loroow, January 14. Lord Kitchener, in bis weekly report, states that twenty Boers have been killed; nine wounded, 203 takan prisoners, and 93 have surrendered. At the inaueural meeting of the London Liberal Federation, Sir Henry Campbell - Bannorman advocated a settlement in South Africa by assent, not by force, favouring negotiations, not subjugation. He declared that Lord Miloer and Mr Chamberlain were obstacles in the way of peice. Referring to Lord Risebery's tecent speech, he declared there was no difference between bis views and Lord Rossbery's with regard to future settlement in South Africa. He rejoiced at the return of Lord R.'setory to public life. Lord Robbery's name was fr» quently hooted, while the names of Mr Lloyd-G-orge and Miss Emily Hobhouse received an ovation.

The Times commenting on Sir Oam p-beH-BaDnnrmau's speech says it accentuated the paralysis of tbe Liberals, and considering his pro-Boer attitude his overtures to Lord Rosebery were insulting, Tbe British Government has purchased 80,000 morgen of land in the Picksburg and 45,000 in the Thaba N'chu districts, and more elsewhere in the Orange Colony, and is already allotting farms. THE OOMMONWEAiTH COMTINGEHT. SPIRITED DBBATK IN THE FEDERAL HOUSE. Melbourne, January 15. In tbe House of Representativns, Mr Birton said that despite recent utterances, ou the whole th« attitude " of the German Empire ns a Power hid i .been . correct on the principV s of neutrality, and she bad not been an unfriendly Power to the Empire. When ' Australia thought by spontaneous effort to sead troops if necessary, he was prepared to act. It was tbe intention of the Government to accede to any request for troops made within our capacity, and to meet all charges if necessary. Mr Reid said Gteat Britain was fighting at one time two wars, one j against tbe Boeis, and the other against. , a malicious and hypocritical campaign of lies on the Continent, partly the result of a wholesale and unscrupulous system of bribery. It was high time we made clear to these people and to the whole world our position and attitude. Ni.vr-r in tbe history of the world has libel been carried to such a sinlister extent. The prestige of the Empire , 'must be upheld. What enables us to etand so heartily by the old flag is because, conspicuous amnng-t national emblems on earth, that flag more often -.. has been found sheltering justice and .affording protection to human liberty than any other fhg. # Mr Watson considered there was do necessity for a resolution. No war in the history of nations bad been conducted with greater humanity, a remark that applied to both sides. There was no need to depart from Great Britain's traditional policy of disregarding pin pricks. Mr McDonald (Queensland) ol>je ted to Bending a contingent. They had acted outside the Constitution. The war itself was unjust. He opposed Australia sending a single soldier. The majority of members warmly supported Mr Barton's resolution, which was carried on the voices amidst cheers.

The second resolution was carried by 45 votes to 5. Mr B irton called for cheers for the King and the Empire, which were lmtily given, and the House adjourned. Stonjet, January 15. The Telegraph eays it is no exaggera- - ■ tion to describe as epoch-making yesterday's proceedings in the Federal House. It is scarcely possible that Australian loyalty to the Empire has even been in question, but the momentous occasion when the Federal] colonies formally declare the loyalty of I the union ar.d renew the practical pledges thev eeparataly gave is an occa- i sion of world-wide significance. Hobabt, January 15. The M ar Office has called for tenders for leO.OOOlbs of Tasmanian jam for South Africa. ENGLISH PRESS COMMENTS ON THE ITEDER4L RESOLUTION. , GLOWING TRIBUTES OP FRAIBE. Received 16,1.10 a.m. London, Jnnuary 15. The Times, commenting on the Commonwealth Parliament's action, «ays the resolution adopted is by far tbe most important element in the jjews of the day. Nothing could be more emphatic and expressive thun Mr Barton's language, and Mr Reid's inanlipess and patriotism in recognising the pra-eminence of the question by endorsing and applauding Mr Barton's pledge. The Daily Telegraph say* that Mr Chamberlain's ringing w«Tds 'n the ' colonies have received greater attaiition in Europe than any similar utterance teretofo.e. The colonies b'd hastened to reply, and nothing sent more passionate thrills of pride through the (p.- -veins of Englishmen than this historic ■resolution. Those not with the Government and toe calonies are practically against the Empire. r Tbe Standard says 'he striklnej manifestation of Imperial patriotic feelirgis

alike encouraging and significant. - The Morning Post and Daily Chronicle warmly acclaim the co'oni's' ft action. The Daily News incidentally de dares that the repudiation of the slanders rtfcc's the feeling of Britain, irrespective of p*rty. UNSATISFACTORY OHASES. BeceWed 16,1.11 a.m. Loudon, January 15. Major-General jßruceHamilton wires •that he was marching when Colonel reported a hrge concentration of Boers on the very spot where he had encamped the previous night. He r - traced his steps, but tie Boers hid unfortunate'y a rosdside f»rm giving thenlwm. On reaching Kmpdaar they *»•* the enemy trekking tbee miles distant. Botha's Cape drtw» a a little beyond, and was chased for seven miles when 'he British hortes becanv exhausted. Th»v saw fo«r hundred Bo°rs. The British cisual ies were . ttligb*. Tiirty-three Bowswere capCaptain Mueller, a German, com-

mands Do Wet's :,uns. De Wet, by doubling, eluried pursuit. His drivers are an Wit l:r,p j -s, n<>ar Vrodo, and a portion of his followers have been driven to the hills south of Heilbron.