MEWS OF THE WAR.

Waikato Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 595, 12 March 1900, Page 2

MEWS OF THE WAR.

CLEMENTS SEIZES NORYALS PONT. THE BOERS DESTROY THE BRIDGE. GATA CR E AT BURGHER’S DORP. THE OSEONTEIN AFFAIR. MOUNTED TROOPS OUTSTRIP INFANTRY. THE BOERS FLEE HEADLONG. FREE STATERS DEMORALISED. UNWILLING TO FIGHT ANY LONGER. LORD ROBERTS THREATENS BLOEMFONTEIN. (Received March 10, 12.55 a.in) London, March 9. General Clements seized Norvals Pont. The Boers blew up the bridge over the river. Their rear guard is on the northern bant. Qatacre’s force is at Burghers dorp. The mounted troops at Osfontein far outstripped the supporting infantry. The enemy, who extended southeast, tired a volley at the cavalry at 800 yards range. French then swept southwards, again outflanking the Boers. After again volleying they continued their escape headlong, fleeing eastward. The police from Bloemfontein were powerless to prevent the Free Staters becoming demoralised. They declared themselves unwilling to fight any longer. Roberts threatens Bloemfontein and the line running to Norval’s Pont. THE DEFENCE OF PRETORIA. 50,000 KAFFIRS COMMANDEERED. SECRECY AS TO DEFENCE WORKS. LEYDS SENDING SKILLED ARTILLERYISTS. (Received March 10, 7.45 a.m). London, March 9. Fifty thousand Kaflirs have been commandeered and entrenched at Pretoria. The greatest secrecy is maintained respecting the defence works of the City. Dr. Leyds is hurrying hundreds of skilled continental artilleryists to Pretoria. KRUGER AND STEYN AT OSFONTEIN. THEY KEEP FAR IN THE REAR. FRUITLESSLY ATTEMPT TO STEM THE RETREAT. DE WET IN SUPREME COMMAND OF FREE STATERS. OTHER COMMANDANTS ;IN DISGRACE. KRUGER ANXIOUS TO HAVE A SHOT. SAYS IT WILL ALL BE OYER IN A MON 111. SETTLED BY ARBITRATION OR INTERVENTION. MOVEMENTS OF COLONIAL FORCES. (Received March 10, 7.45 p in.). London, March 9. Dining the Osfontein engagement Kruger and Steyu occupied positions i far in the rear aud attempted fruitlessly to stem the retreat, which resembled a partridge drive. De Wet is in supremo command of the Free Staters. Lucas Meyer and Schalkburgor being in disgrace.

Kruger ivearing bandoliers and carrying a rifle recently inspirited the burghers in Natal by declaring he Avanted to have a shot at the enemy himself. He asserted the struggle Avould be ended in a mouth either by arbitration or intervention. A detachment of New Zealanders has been sent to Carnarvon, and the South Australians to Yosburgh. DETAILS OP WEDNESDAY’S RETREAT. REAR GUARD SHOW A BOLD FRONT. KRUGER AND STEYN UNDER SHELL FIRE. KRUGER’S PATHETIC APPEALS IN VAIN. BOERS UNABLE TO WITHSTAND BRITISH ARTILLERY AND V CAVALRY. FRENCH REPORTS THE FRONT CLEAR. TRANSVAAL FORCES DISORGANISED. EARLY SUBMISSION OF FREE STATE EXPECTED. (Received March 11, 5 p.m,). London, March 10. Sharp fighting preceded Wednesday’s retreat. The Boers’ rear guard showed a bold front enabling the remainder to inspan. The majority fled south and came to Colesberg and Stormberg, and in the direction of Ladysmith. Steyn and Kruger were under shell fire during the retreat. Kruger with tears attempted to rally his forces. Lord Roberts reports than the enemy confessed they were unable to withstand the British artillery and such formidable forces of cavalry. French, is six miles ahead of the main body, reports the front clear and the disorganisation of the enemy is confirmed. Rueter’s correspondent states that the Transvaalers equally with the Free Staters are disorganised. The Times’ correspondent expects the early submission of the Free State. THE LADYSMITH GARRISON. ORDERED TO STORMBERG. (Received March 10, 9.20 a.m.) London, March 9. General White and LieutenantColonel C. E. Duff, of the King’s Royal Irish, have been ordered to Stormberg from Ladysmith. JOUBERT AND KRUGER QUARREL THE FORMER RESIGNS HIS COMMAND. ATTEMPTED ESCAPE OF BOERS FUSTRATED. NEW ZEALANDERS AT CARNARVON. AUDACIOUS OVERTURES FOR PEACE. NO PEACE WITH INDEPENDENCE, BRITAIN WILL DICTATE BUT MAKE NO BARGAIN. (Received March 11, 5. p.m.) London, March 9. Joubert has gone to Pretoria. Berlin letters state that ho has resigned the command of the army owing to a quarrel with Kruger. A desperate attempt by the Boors to escape from Simonstowu by making a tunnel was discovered and frustrated. The entire population at Carnarvon entertained the New Zealanders. The Daily Mail states that Kruger and Steyn made audacious oforturos to Lord Salisbury for peace on the basis of the independence of the republics being a sine qua non. The Standard says the Government will shortly authoritatively re-afiirm the impossibility of any peace, giving a perpetuation of political and military independence whence the present sanguinary conflict. Afterwards Britain will dictate, but will make no bargain.

BOERS ENTRENCHING BL« GAR’S BERG. BRITISH FORCES ADVANCING FROM ALL POINTS. BOER COMMANDOS AT BL )BMHOF. WILL OPPOSE ADVANCE TO MAFEKING OR KLERK’S DORP. (Received March 12, 12.3) a.m.) London, March 11. The Boers are entrenching Biggar’s Berg, guarding the western passes of the Draken Berg Mountains. Major-General Hunter’s division is proceeding north eastward from Ladysmith, and Brabant’s force is marching from Alive 1 north. Commandos have arrived at Bloemhof, to resist troops going to Mafeking or Klerksdorp. H. Burroughs, one of the New Zealanders, died of enteric fever, at Kimberley. DEATH CF ANOTHER NEW ZEALANDER. (BY TELEOBAI’H—frkss association) Auckland, Saturday. Lord Runfurly has receis'ed a cable from the Governor of Cape Colony, stating that No. 114, Private H. Burrough, of the New Zealand Mourned Infantry, died of enteric fever at Kimoerley on March 6th.