THE BOER WAR.

Waikato Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1124, 14 December 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

CABLEGRAMS. '

[pilli UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION] [liV ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT]

SIR CAMBELL BANNERMAN’S OPINIONS BOER WOMEN LEFT ON THE FARMS. London. December 12. Sm Campbell Bannerman, speaking at Dumfemitie.said they were no nearer an equitable settlement in South • Africa than a year ago. While denying that he slandered the Army he declared the Government’s methods of warfare were not such as humane, civilised, and Christian people ought to employ. He urged Lord Milner’s recall. TheJißritish columns now leave the Boer women and children ou their farms, disregarding their appeal to be taken to the refugee camps. .They are in great distress since passing commandos do not supply them with food.

DETAILS OF BOER ATROCITIES SHOCKING TREATMENT OF THE WOUNDED. DR. KRAUSE COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. (Received December 14, 12.31 a.m.) London, December 13. Lord Kitchener’s inquiry concerning the atrocities at the battle of Brakenslaagte, when Brigadier-Gene-ral Benson’s column met with a serious disaster, shows that 75 British prisoners complain they were robbed of everything and stripped nearly naked. The brutality towards the wounded was shocking. Broken legs and arms were twisted and wienched to expedite the removal of garments and boots; an officer, with a shattered thigh, was twisted round in order to secure a spur ; a man shot in the chest was roughly robbed of his shirt; a sergeant, who had been twice wounded, was shot down with bis own carbine because he was unable to raise his arms; an unarmed private was shot dead at a distance of five yards, though he held Lis hands up; Colonel Benson’s body was robbed of garters, sours, and private papers. Despite General Grobelaar’s promise that the wounded would be Respected, the commandants were unable to control their follows. The woonded lying near the guns were fired on long after they bad been disarmed and robbed, and fighting had ceased in their vicinity. Eleven were thus killed and others re-wounded. (Received December 13, 12.48 a.m.) London, December 13. Brussels advices states that General Botha has executed fifteen captured burgher scouts, whoso services were recently accepted by the British. The TranvaaTs revenue now nearly equals the expenditure. Dr. Krause was committed for trial on a charge of inciting the murder of Mr Foster.

THE LATEST. CONFERENCE OF COMMANDANTS. PROPOSAL 'io SURRENDER 130 PRISONERS AND 4000 CATTLE CAPTURED. EXECUTION OP BURGHER SCOUTS. (Received December 14, 9.8 a.m.) London, December 13. Delarey’s eommandants met in the Lichtcuburg district. Some favoured surrender if the farm houses were rebuilt. Delaroy declared it was hopeless for Britain insisting on uncmditional surrender. Another conference of commandants will be held shortly. General 2 uas Hamilton and Briga-dier-General Sir Henry Rawliuson and Colonel Williams co-operated and captured a hundred and thirtyone prisoners belonging to Grobelaars commando. They also captured 4000 cattle and several families and a number of waggons and carts, . Grobelaar escaped. (Received December 14, 9 14 a.m). The execution of lo burgher scouts was in pursuance of Botha’s proclamation of November loth, that he would shoot all ex-burghers assisting the British. NEW ZEALAND ITEMS.

ANOTHER CONTINGENT. (BV TrDVCRAI’U PRESS ASSOCIATION). Dunedin, This Day. The Premier is asking members of Parliament to advise ■whether they are in favour of sending more men to South Africa, Wellington, This Day. The Premier through the Governor has offeree! an Eighth Contingent for South Africa, and urges that unless it is absolutely necessary it should uat be separated, and if possible joined with the Sixth and Seventh Contingents, which would enable the New Zealand forces to maintain their strength and held flliciciency. Further keeping New Zealanders together would bo an iucentixe lo officers and men of the Sixth Contingent to volunteer for further service. The Premier in his message expresses the opinion that additional troops would not have been required had all tbe statemen and parties in the United Kingdom been guided by love of his country and patriotism.