The Transvaal.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 127, 23 March 1901, Page 4

The Transvaal.

London, March 19,

It is officially announced that Louis Botha has rejected the terms of peace.

Half of Commandant Fourie’s force has escaped, but was prevented from crossing the railway line, Pourie himself is still within the British cordon, and has inquired as to the terms of surrender.

The Boers have wrecked twentyone trains since the British occupied Komati Poort.

The British have captured one hundred thousand cattle, horses and sheep. De Wet is at Kroonstad, in the Winburg district. March 20. General Bruce-Hamilton bus cleared the Rouxville and Wepener district, destroying 30,000 bags of grain. Lord Salisbury, in the House of Lords, and Mr Chamberlain in the House of Commons, announce 1 that Botha, in a letter to Lord Kitchener, declared that he was not disposed to recommend the terms of Peace which Lord Kitchener was instructed to offer him to the earnest consideration of his Government.

Kruitzinger has escaped across Blands Kiver. Lieutenant Seddon has been granted a commission in the Field Artillery. Commenting on Botha’s reply, the Times says that Botha speaks of his “ Government.” It would be interesting to know what is his ■Government. The mi peasant necessity of prosecuting the war had not abated the nation's energy. The Times givts empha is to Lord Kitchener’s appeal for comforts for the troops during the approaching winter.

March 21. Neething, the Landrostof IGerksdorp, presided over Boyd’s trial. Borne of De Ja Bey’s scouts were sent to act as executioners afc Woimaranstaden, on March 9th, on the four men.

The Unissins (son and son-in-law), McLacblan and Boyd, on being withdrawn from gaol, clasped hands. They were subsequently placed in a row and shot separately. McLachlan’s heart-broken widow arrived on March 13th, with coffins. Kruitzinger has barn driven north. He lost 40 killed and wounded, on March 17, also 70 horses and many saddles. A commando armed with Lee Melfords and Enfie ds, and splendidly mourned is at Gorringe, where there Lave several skirmishes.

The War Office is sending three million blnkets to South Attica, and many comforts. Colonel Deane is returning to organise a central cnnp of 1(J,U00 yeomanry at Germi ton.

Sir A. M finer remains at Johannesburg for three months. Sinking and crushing has legm on a limited scale at the S miner and Jack, the Jubilee, the City and Suburban, the Salisbury, and other properties. l.ord Kitchener confirmed the sentences on Jan Ainaher, Sarel Niuaber, and Jan Niouwoudt foe treason, murder, and train wricking at Talbois. The men vere shot at De Aar at sunset. A Dutch pastor was present. Wellington, March 20. The Premier has cabled to Lord Kitchener, as the result of recent correspondence, that any officers or men of the earlier New Zealand Contingents, who elect to -remain in South Africa for a further six months, may do so.