FIRST SKIRMISH.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 501, 17 October 1899, Page 3

FIRST SKIRMISH.

BRITISH ESCORT CAPTURED. OPERATIONS IN NATAL. BRITISH RECONNAISSANCE. CAPE NEUTRALITY. DEPARTURE OF GENERAL BULLER. [CNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAM!—COPYRIGHT). Capetown, October 13. Mr Hofmeyr, tho leader of the Afrikander party in Capo Colony, in his appeal on behalf of the Boers, who may be wounded in the war. declares that Afrikanders being British subjects are unable to take up arms to assist the Boers. The session of the Cape Parliament has closed. In the course of a speech in the House of Assembly, the Premier, Mr Sohreiaer, referring to the outbreak of hostilities between Great Britain and the Transvaal and Orange Free State, again declared that it was the duty of the Capo Government to remain neutral, and to save the colony from being dragged into the vortex of war. _ A painful sensation was caused here by a report that tho Boers on the western frontier had destroyed an armoured train, believed to be convoying a large number of women and children from Mafeking to Vryburg, on the Cape-Buluwayo line, -and that there had been considerable loss of life. HaDpily, however, the rumour proved to be unfounded in the most important particular, as later intelligence was received that the women and children had arrived safely at Vryburg, and that the train which had been destroyed was one conveying guns for the British troops at Mafeking. Colonel Baden-Powell, who is in command of the British forces at Mafeking, on the western frontier of the Transvaal, has reconnoitred the Boer position, and is now strongly entrenching his troops in anticipation of an attack. A large force of Boers is encamped at Mariboga, a little to the north of Mafeking. As no news has been received from Colonel Baden Powell since the intelligence of his reconnaisance and entrenchment, it is believed that the Boera have isolated Mafeking. The women and children at Barkley West, some forty miles north of Kimberley, have been housed in the gaol for safety, and the building has been protected with sandbags against any attack by the Boers. It is reported here that the forces of the Orange Free State have invaded Natal through Van Reenan Pass, and that they are within 15 miles of Ladysmith, at the junction of the Durban and Harrismith railways. The German Consul at Pretoria has issued a proclamation declaring that all Germans in the Transvaal who do not maintain strict neutrality will forfeit the protection of the German Consulate. Sir Alfred Milner, British High Commissioner and Governor of Cape Colony, has issued a proclamation to all British colonists to observe loyalty. The proclamation was countersigned by Mr Schreiner, the Premier. General White, who is in command of the forces in Natal, made a strong reconnaissance fromLadysmith, in the direction of Van Renan's Pass, where the Orange Free State forces are posted, but failed to draw them. He then relumed to Ladysmith. The first engagement in the war has taken place on the Cape-Buluwayo railway line, and" has resulted in a small British party being taken prisoners. It appears that a train conveying ammunition and two seven-pounders to Colonel Baden-Powell's forces at Mafeking was derailed at Kraafa, where the line had been destroyed by the Boers. The guns and ammunition were in charge of a small porty of 15 troopers and a few workmen, under the command of Lieutenant Nesbitt. Eight hundred Kaffirs, from the mines on the Rand, have arrived at Delagoa Bay, and will be Bent by steamer to Limpopo. A naval contingent from the war- 1 ' ships will co-operate with General Buller's force. The military authorities are of opinion that the Boers will run short of provisions at an early date. The Boers have seized 25,0000 z of gold in trausit from the mines, and confiscated a further Bum of half a million in gold at Johannesburg. The transport steamer Wardha lost lOOhorses in a gnle during the passage from Durban to the Cape. Mr Hofmeyr, and the other leaders of the Afrikander Bond, have issued an appeal for subscriptions in aid of the Boer wounded, and Boer women, who may be left widows by the war. Intense indignation has been caused throughout the colony by the arrogant tone of the Boer ultimatum. After the engine left the line, and the train was brought to a standstill, the Boers made an attack upon Nesbitt's force, but were twice repulsed. They then shollod the little band, and eventually succeeded in taking them all prisoners. Lieutenant Nesbitt and the driver of the train were slightly wounded, but the others were unharmed. The Boer forces in the Maurice River and Rustenburg districts, who ard strongly laagered at Mariboga, a little to the north of Mafeking, have destroyed the railway bridge over the Molopo River, a few miles from Mafeking, and have also destroyed a train laden with dynaMafeking ia isolated. Bloemfontein, October 13. A violently - worded proclamation has been issued by President Steyn, of the Orange Free. State, in which ho accuses Great Britain of unscrupulously distorting the terms of tho Convention, and violating tho national rights of the Boers. He also charges the British Government with craft and greed, and asserts that they have long been seeking a pretext to annihilate the Afrikanders. London, October 13. Sir William Dunn, M.P. for Paisley, and head of the firm of Dunn and Co., who have extensive business connections in South Africa, has resigned the position of hon. Consul-General in London for the Orange Free State, which he has held for some years, as a protest against what he terms President Steyn's suicidal policj in joining the Transvaal against Great Britain. He states that the President's action is at variance with the wishes of the majority of tho burghers in the Orange

Free Staie. Sir William supports Mr Chamberlain. The fund opened at tho Mansion House by the Lord Mayor, in aid of British refugees from the Transvaal, who are in a state of destitution, already amounts to £25,000. The Princess of Wales is appealing for aid for the relations of soldiers and sailors who may be killed or wounded in tho Transvaal war. General Sir R. Buller, Commander-in-Chief of the Bristish forces in South Africa, left for the seat of war yester* day. Tho Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Wolseley and Lord Lansdowne. Secretary of State for War, took farewell of him at Waterloo railway station, amidst a scene of great enthusiasm.