The Transvaal.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 155, 21 January 1902, Page 4

The Transvaal.

London, January 16,

The Daily News' correspondent, who accompanied Major Vallentines's expedi* Hon to Amersporrfc, which ended so seriously for the British column, gives a vivid description of the fighting. Major VaUentine, with 290 men, was sent to hustle the Boers northwards from General Plumer's column. Majdr Polteney's column acted as a supporf, while Colonel Colvin's New Zealandcra were held as reserve. Major Toal's Queenslanders made a brilliant charge upon the highest eminence, the enemy fled. The march was resumed shortly afterwards.

The Hampshire men, forming part of Major Vallentine's ccmmand, then rested for dinner at the corner of the evacuated plateau. Suddenly swarms of Boers sprang in front of both flanks, and, taking advantage of the good cover poured in terrible volleys, disabling men right and I<-ft. Lieutenant Wilson, w'io had charge of a pompom, the Hampshires and the mounted Quetns'antlers, vied with each other in the stubborness of the resistruce they made; they were outnumbered by three to one and hid to cover.

The British therefore retreat d under a murderous fire. Captain Johnstone, I formerly belonging to StraMicona's Horse, fell mortally wounded in vainly trying to rally his men. Major VaUentine ftll |isßuing orders. His last words were : " We must stand to the last." Hundreds of Boers charged to within eighty yards of the British. Lieutenant Wilson's pompom, with the last tbrea shells, mowed down five of the enemy. Then, limbering up the gun, he galloped bach to shelter and reorganised the scatiered remnants of the force. Meanwhile the gallant Queenslanders and Hampahirrs had been overwhelmed.

Major Pulteney at this stnge arriving with guns, checked the advance against Lieutenant Wilson, whom some mounted infantry on a knotty knpj» supported, The Boer detachment attacking Major jPulteney's left found themselves iConfronted by two companies of Victorians, wl:o seized the kopj». The New Zealanders also appearing caused the enemy to retire.

The Daily Telegraph's correspondent mentions that General Oppermaa was killed by a shell during the engagement. His death is expected to lead to the desertion and the surrender of many Boer«;

Lieutenant-Colonel Viollt, a Western Australian, greatly distinguished hims.elf during the engagement, seizing a number of positions, and replying to the enemy from all points. Mr Kniger's latest adviceß are to the effect that Boer Afrikander recruits are rapidly dwindling. Other advices state that Kemp's and De la Key's men are clamouring to surrender. General Smut's recent'y seized papers shows that the Swazis supplied the Boera with information, provisions and munitions of war. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Mr Arthur Lynch, the recently elected member for Galway, on a change of treason. A colonial office blue book contaim an intercepted from Schalk-Burgher to ex-President Steyn, stating that the condition is dai'y bscoming mora serious, and that the Boers have lately suffered and lost much, He concludes : -" If we are convinced that our rosource3 are exdaustod and our last strength broken, we must bow down and -u render, no matter how bitter this course will be to the burghers." The letter is dated March 21st last.

The Rev Mr Slooten, lately a predi* kant in the Transvaal, has created a sensation in America. He asserts that the Boers aimed at the expulsion of the British from South Africa, and that jMr Kniger was divinely commanded to declare war.

January 17. i Commandants Kemp and BellienJ , i raided 1000 ca-.tle in the Mafeking dis* i trich. j Predikant Slooten's statements were « contained in a pamphlet which was pub. I lished in America. Boers who were surprig3d at Willow* dam West, near Mafeking, shot the wife * of an officer who was standing at a door A Blue Book has been published dealing with the war. It shows that the \ concentration camps Were imperative i owing to Botha'B threat to burn the j houses of surrendering burghors. Lord I Kitchener offered not to disturb the ■! farms of families of burghers on j commando, provided they were not \ actively assisting their relations, if Botha i would spare the farms and families of j neutrals or surrenderors. Botha refused, : telling Lord Kitchener that that be must \ take surrenderee and their families out i of the country, otherwise they would ] suffer. j

Lord Kitchener has indignantly denied the rough and cruel treatment of women and children. January 18» Many newspapers express delight at) the speech by-the Premier of New Zealand at the Wellington patriotic demonstration. Out of 17,688 men, 42,905 women and 56,424 children in the Boer concentration camps in December 160 men, 453 women and 1787 children died. | Reuter's Agency states that Dr Von : Kuyper, the Netherlands Premier, after ascertaining the terms the Boer delegates ■ were willing to negotiate for peace ] visited London privately to ascertain if \ Lord Salisbury genuinely desired peace. | Owing to Botha's complaints of the \ treatment of the women and children at \ the concentration camps Lord Kitchener I in December last Volunteered, to allow all' : M who were willing to leave and return to 1 the Boers, He inquired where Botha J desired them to be sent, but no reply | was received. He also offered the Boar leaders safe condoot to inspect the camp*