THE BOER WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 113, 22 May 1901, Page 2

THE BOER WAR.

INSANE DECLARATIONS BY BOTHA. / By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, May 20. Tho latest news of Delarey is that, with fivo hundred followers, a 15-pounder, a pom-pom, and a Maxim, he is in Klorksdorp district. A patrol of tho Yeomanry and New Zealandors at Zeorust surprised a Boer outpost at midnight. Three Boors were killed and four wounded. Tho attackers came off scathlcss. Liout.-Colonol Gorringo is soverely harassing Foucho near Aliwal North. Colonel Crewe’s force lulled throe hundred horses and captured 124, weakening the onemy’s mobility. Colonel Karri-Davis’ Rand Syndicate is promoting a second trunk line from Durban, Natal, to Johannesburg, costing soven millions. Major-General King occupied Carolina on the 17tli iust. Botha ordered tho Boors to retire to the bush and hide until tho British passed. Botha declared to his burghers that tho British were at war with Russia, that tho plaguo was destroying British soldiers, and that tho rest were departing •, homewards. Botha admitted ho had thought of making peace, but was thankful ho had rojcctod tho terms offered by Lord Kitclienor. Ho declared that., tho appearance of tho white comet was a sign of early’ peace, with independence for the Boers. Tho explosion of a mino derailed an armored train proceeding southward from America siding, in Kronstadt district, killing Major Heath, of tho South Lancashire Regiment.

ANOTHER COMBINED MOVEMENT. NEW ZEALANDERS CHASING BOERS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received May 21, 11 p.m. London, May 21. Generals Blood, Kitchener, Campbell, Pulmcnburg, Benson and Douglas have commenced a second combined movement to clear the eastern districts south of tho Delagoa railway. Tho opposition is nut serious. Tho Boors will not bo allowed to rest. Delarey is procuring poor romounts. Bubiugton, as the result of ten days' patrol, brought to Klerksdorp fifteen thousand slioop and oightcon hundred cattle, captured at Klasscn’s and Vorman’s laagers.

Twenty-fivo Now Zealandors leading tho advance, charged a hundred fifty of tho enemy, Thoy woro chased for miles by. the bushmen, the Imperial Light Horse assisting. Twenty-five Boors wore driven into tho arms of Cololiol Dixon’s column and captured.

SUCCESS OF THE BLOCKHOUSE SYSTEM. WONDERFUL RIDE BY De AVET. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May’ 21, 11,5. p.m.) London, May 21. Tlio Blockhouse system adopted by tho British for the protection of the line-of communication has proved effectual and economical, liberating six thousand troops at Hertzog and Brand to hold the country around Petersburg. Do AVet, escorted by’ forty men, mado a wonderful ride from Vrcde to Philipopolis, to consult the Hertzog and Orange commandos, who were ordered to concentrate at Orange River, but declined to follow De AVet, alleging that it was too dangerous.

A AVEEK’S RECORD.

THE ARMY IN SOUTH AFRICA.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received May 22, 1.11 a.m.) London, May 21. Lord Kitchener reports that last wcok nineteen Boers were killed, fourteen wero wounded, two hundred and thirty-eight were taken prisoners, and sovonty-ono surrendered. Two hundred and twolvo rifles, one hundred and five thousand rounds of small arms ammunition, two hundred and eighty-six waggons, and large captures of horses and stock are officially announced. There are 249,416 officers and men in South Africa, including 58,821 colonials.