THE WAR.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 510, 7 November 1899, Page 2

THE WAR.

[united tress association], (by electric telegraph—copyright). Durban, November 4. A fierce artillery duel is raging at Ladysmith. So far, the heavy guns of the JSaval Brigade have saved the town. The Boers arc suffering terribly from the effects of the lyddite shells. General Joubert protests that the use of Lyddite is inhuman. In connection with Monday's battle it is stated that Colonel Camwood's column also lost a part of their ammunition owing to the mules stam-I-eding. A battery belonging to the Liverpool Regiment lost its way and arrived late ou the scene of the fighting. Telegraph messages from Ladysmith to Pietermaritzburg received ou Friday reported that the railway was intact.

An armoured train is escorting the women and children southward. General Kock, the Boer leader who was wounded at Elandslaagtc, is dead. The Boers hive crossed the Orange River at Bethulie Bridee aud at Norval's Point, and have occupied Colesberg, in Cape Colony, suspending trains to Naauwpoort. A train which was proceeding to Do • Aar and thence to Kimberley, has been stopped at Krankell. General Sir Redvers Btiller has apparently been detained at Capetown. The British force at Colenso has been withdrawn and has been concentrated to the southwards. The Boers were present in great strength, but the artillery prevented every effort on their part to get to close quarters. The Boers are reported to be occupying Potneroy, to the east of Ladysmith. Capetown, November 3. The latest reports from Mafeking (October 25) and Kimbcrly (October 29) state that both towns are safe. The British troops are collecting at De Aar, with the object of relieving Kimberley. London, November 5. Dr. Leyds, the Transvaal Foreign Secretary, is spreading stories of wholesale Boer victories, including the capture of Colenso and the wounding of General White. He hopes in this way to influence the. Cape Dutch. The Daily News describes Dr. Leyds' method of nobbling the Continental Press, and states he spends £IIO,OOO monthly in Paris. The official returns ahow that the righting at Ladysmith has been very severe.

The Gloucester Regiment had three officers wounded and 19 captured ; also 30 men killed and 53 wounded and 330 captured. The Royal Irish Fusiliers had 10 men killed and il wounded aud 500 are missing and not reported. The total casualties, captured and missing during the campaign (excluding the missing Royal Irish Fusiliers) are 153 officers and 1617 men.

The War Office auuounces that despite the absence of news there is no grave anxiety about General White's ability to ho'd his own.

The Standard states that Cjlonel Carleton, of the Irish Fusiliers, who was captured near Ladysmith, had two days’ provisions. The Gloucester Regiment occupied an advanced position. The Princess of Wales is organising a fund for providing a Red Cross ship, and is also spending £IOOO in providing comforts for the troops. The war relief fund now amounts to £103,000. Thirty-five militia battalions have been ordered to be embodied. Pari?, No vein ter 3, The French aro amazed at the calmness and stoicism of the British in the lace of the recent reverse at Ladysmith. IMPORTANT SPEECHES. London', November 5. Lord Roberts, in a speech at Kilkenny, expressed his confidence in the generals Sir Redvers Buller and Sir G. S. White. Sir Edward Grey, speaking at Peebles, said the country held the overwhelming opinion that Great Britain in entering upon the war was in the right. The Right Hon. Janes Lowther, member for the isle of Thanet, condemns the war as a capitalists’ j ab. The Daily News has published a reply with the object of proving that Mr Lovvther’s statement is not correct. COLONIAL CONTINGENTS. London, November 4. The War Office has consented to allow the colonies to nominate two extra officers per 100 men sent to South Africa. Sydney, November 5. lu response to Mr Lyne’s proposal to send more troops to the Transvaal, hundreds are volunteering. The Cornwall arrived with the Queenslanders to-day. The men were not allowed to laud. Coals, were taken, also a quantity of forage. The vessel sails to-morrow. Melbsurne, November 4. The West Australian and Tasmanian Governments agree to thesuggesfoa that Colonel Hood should be placed in command of the Medic’s contingents. Sir George Turner has informed Mr Lvue that Victoria is prepared to contribute 250 men to a second Australian contingent. The Now South Wales troops were cordially greeted on their arrival today. Brisbane, November 4. In connection with the allegation that the rifles supplied to the contingent are defective, the officer in charge, upon the arrival of the Cornwall at Sydney, will receive instructions through the Premier that unless the men are supplied by the Imperial authorities with properlysighted Lee-Mctford rifles, he must, on reaching South Africa, immediately h&vo the rifles now in possession of the men thoroughly teste 1. (Received£November, G 9.20 a.m). Brisbane, November 6. The Premier has replied to Mr Lyne that he considered that until further complications develop, nothing more need be done towards raising a fresh force for the Transvaal. They have already sufficiently shown their loyalty. Albany, November 6. The West Australian contingent attended church parade yesterday. The Premier and leading citizens attended. A special address was given by Bishop Riley to an immense gathering afterwards. The troops lunched in the Town Hall and marched to the wharf. There were great crowds and much enthusiasm. The men were taken aboard the Medic in launches in the afternoon. {BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION). Wellington, Last Night. The Defence Department is making enquiries as to the number of men in each mounted corps who are willing to volunteer for active service in Afiiea, if found necessarv to keep up the strength of the New Zealand contingent. PRODUCE FOR SOUTH AFRICA. Melbourne, November 4. The War Office has placed another order 500 tons of oats for South Africa.