The Transvaal.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 113, 26 February 1901, Page 3

The Transvaal.

London, -February;,2l. Though small bodies of Boers managed to break through- his General French is hard pressing Botha’s main body, numbering 4QOO men. They are encumbered with women and children and a large convoy. When General French threatened Ermelo, Beiha ordered the.Ermelo commando to -cover the Boer retreat. On his threatening to shoot the leaders, who disobeyed, the "order, the entire commando deserted. - There is .accumulating evidence that the Boor leaders represent to the burghers that Mr Chamberlain’s conciliatory assurances are signs of weakness, and mere baits for surrender. At Lord Kiieheiiar’s request, MajorGeneral Earl Dniidonaldj and Colonel Ward, who played a prominent part in the early campaign, 'are ieiurniugto South Africa. . .J* February 29. Colonel Phmkr is following Do Wet and-compelling'hiiu to turn'north in the direction of Griqualand West. Ho is close on tho enemy’s heels. Herizog is northwards of Honwator. Lieutenant-Colonel Gorringe and Major Haig aro pursuing Kruiulnger northwards,.near Bethesda. The attackers of Lord Kitchener’s baggage train had carts in readiness in a donga to transport the loot. The Boers, destroyed a culvert between Natal Spruit 'and Klip River* and captured a train-load.of foud stuffs, and burned the train. 1 ..! ■

Botha, on February 10th, recommended his followers never .to surrender. He said that he would continue to lead them while the e were 500 left. The, burghers replied that it was difficult to continue the struggle when their-ammunition, was almost exhausted and tho British were the crops and food- Botha replied that the Lord provided everything. Steyn and De Wet issued a fierce proclamation on January 10th, denying that the war had ended, urging retaliation for the farm burning, and reiterating the lies with regard to the outrages upon the Boer women by the British, and advocating raids upon the unfriendly colonists. ■ , In the House of Commons Mr Chamberlain said Sir A. Milner’s salary as Administrator of the new colonies would bo £BOOO, and as High Com missioner of South Africa, £3OOO.

Lord Kitchener has telegraphed from Klerksdorp that General Lord Methuen, who is operating in southwestern Transvaal, has cleared that part of the country, and is marching through Wolmaranstad to- K'erksdorp. The Standard states that a big force, including the naval detachment and volunteer composite regiment,, is operating in the vicinity .of Vryheid, their object being the checking of Botha’s retreat.

The Daily Mail states that Da Wet is* depressed at having to operate in unknown country, and is seldom in the fighting line. • Commandant Fronwan directs the fighting, also tl e line of flight. , De Wet, who is said to be frightened, was heading on Tuesday towards Read’s Drift, intending'to recrbss the Orange River. He wept at the doggedness and nearness of the pursuing British.

Later reports state that part of De Wet’s force has been driven into a triangle formed at the junction of the Orange and Brak rivers, which are so flooded that the horse i are unable to swim them. The rains continue. February 23.

Four hundred burghers have deserted ■De Wet. They report that; Lord Kitchener’s proclamation of December 20th with reference to' surrendering are now reaching the commandos. Fronemon With 1000 men * went north, while De Wet moved towards Prieska to await Hertzog, who is bringing him 1000 remounts. Tn • the House of Commons, Sir Michael Hicks-Beach said the war had cost 81£ millions heretofore, and was now costing one and a quarter millions weekly. The chocolate presented months ago by the late Queen to each soldier at the front has just reached Mafeking. The Daily Chronicle accuses the South African Conciliation Committee of iseu:ug phamplets purporting to illustrate the horrors of Lord Kitchener’s iron hand, compiled from letters of British”,officers*. -. 4 A

The Chronicle proves (that there have been numerous interpolations in the letters and omissions of all, facts incriminating the Boers. In the House of Lords Viscount Oranbourne informed a questioner that the Kaiser had mad,e no offer to arbitrate between Britain and the Transvaal. Mr Kruger has abandoned his intention to seek an interview with King Edward at Flushing, when he arrives there on his visit to the Kaiser, on the ground ■ that the interview would infringe the Sabbath. In the House of Commons Mr Broderick said that Major-General Sir H. C. Colville was sent Home by Lord Roberts for inefficiency in the field. He was allowed to resume bis command at Gibraltar. Lord Roberts was consulted afterwards, and he advised that the. War Office should not retain General Oolyille in v command. v HoBABTj F6b. 22. f A contingent of is renSy to embark as soon as the traneuprt.wrivea.. Prohablvap, addition wlCy vn£aub%yo:, beenaoOeptea,wili leave at the''same tim?.