The Defence of Johannesburg.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 4055, 22 May 1900, Page 3

The Defence of Johannesburg.

Steyn’s New Capital. Brabant at Clocolan. Surrender of Free Staters. The Boers’ Retreat. Dundonald at Lang’s Nek. Kruger Desperate. Roberts and Kitchener. British Advance Delayed. Baden-Powell. The Railway to Taungs. The Zululand Column. (Received 9.30 a.m.) LONDON. May 21. Tho Government at Pretoria in announcing that it is intended to defend Johannesburg, disclaims any responsibilities for the safety of foreigners or property. They advise consuls to make provisions to safeguard the same. Steyn’s new capital is at Yrede, among the mountains, 80 miles west of Kroonstad. Brigadier Brabant has reached Clocolan, the late Boer headquarters. One hundred Free Staters surrendered. The Boers in retiring dynamited the ends of Laing’s Nek tuunel. Lord Dundonald finding Laing’s Nek strongly occupied, postponed his attack. A field cornet with 80 Boers surrendered at Boshof. Kruger is desperately attempting to prevent tho war fizzling out, many prominent Boors declaring that a continuance of the war is a useless sacrifice of human life. Lord Kitchener is now with Lord Roberts.

A further British advance is being delayed at Kroonstad, where the main army now lies awaiting supplies. Badon-Powell is receiving hundreds of congratulatory cables from all parts of the world. The railway line is working as far north as Taungs. The Zululand column has advanced and is within twenty miles of Yryheid. The relief of Mafeking. Hunter with supplies. Lord Methuen. (lioceived 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, May 21. Colonel Mahon joined Colonel Plumer at Janmissibi, on the 15th. General Hunter is pushing up the railway with supplies, and arranging to convey the Mafeking wounded to the hospital by train to Kimberley. Lord Methuen has left Hoopstad. He is co-operating with General Hunter.