The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE, JUNE 3, 1902

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 432, 3 June 1902, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING GISBORNE, JUNE 3, 1902

PEACE AND THE LATE WAR. On a beautiful morning, clear and crisp, with not a cloud to obscure the brilliant canopy of blue, there rang out the glad tidings of peace. The joyful message was anticipated. The Times cablegrams early in the morning gave a clear, indication of the pleasing state of affairs- The British" Government was still maintaining its cautious attitude, observing a wise reticence until such time as a decisive declaration could he made. But the messages received from Brussels and America were convincing as to the position of things, 1 and fully confirmed all that had come before. It then only wanted the official declaration to send all true Britishers, and we hope people of all other nations into a delirium of delight. We read of the glories of war, but we can feel the greater and more blessed glory of peace, and when the joybells of peace rang out every heart must surely have been thrilled. Our worthy Mayor, Mr fJ.ohii Townley, who lias so often had to lead the people at congratulatorygatherings when such news as the relief of beleaguered towns had been proclaimed, was again at the head of affairs, and headed the procession inf a dramatic way that was in keeping and worthy of “ye oiden time of merrie England.” Near and far was flashed the glad tidings of peace, and the hope m every heart, was that it would be—- “ Peace, perfect, peace/’

For over two years and seven months the war had raged. It has cost millions of pounds, but what is of more importance, and infinitely more sad, is that it has cost so many thousands P.l tlie lives of our brave men. The war had been a stupendous one, and conducted - with the .humanity that is characteristic of the British, it has on 3 that account been much prolonged. It would not have lasted so long had it .teen conducted by. some nations, for tiie reason that the treatment of the foe would have teen very different. As tilings have turned out now, no doubt , all will be pleased that there was not more rigorous treatment. What ail will hope for now is an abiding peace, and that those who until a few uays ago were our enemies in the field will now become our abiding friends, join-

ing heartily in adding to the general welfare under the beneficent rule of the British, the Boers themselves soon obtaining such regard that they will be permitted to loyally join in assisting in the administration of the affairs of the great nation in which they have been incorporated. By appealing to the magnanimity of the British our recent iocs aid,a wise thing, .and now that the hatchet has been buried it is certain that they will be treated with even more generosity than they have experienced throughout tiie campaign. All will hope that the peace which has been proclaimed will not again be distitrbed in South Africa, and that many ' years will elapse before the war clouds again hover around the British nation. The practical result of the war in regard to territory will he the extension of British territory up to Rhodesia and the Zambesi River.. On October 7th,: 1899, the British reserves were called out, and on the 10th an ultimatum was received from the Transvaal Oovernment, demanding the recall of the British troops stationed near their frontier, and also of any at that date on their way to South Africa. The period allowed by this ultimatum having expired, the war began at 5 p.tn., Transvaal time, on October

11. On the 12th N'atal was invaded ; the Boers of the Orange Free State, tvho had a short time previously declared their intention of throwing their lot in with their neighbors,, assisting in the offensive operations. Soon after

the declaration of hostilities, Sir Redvers Buller was despatched with an Army Corps to the scene of action. At the close of December, 1599, the ope-

rations had assumed such proportions Field-Marshal Lord Roberts was sent out in chief command of the enlarged forces, which eventually exceeded the number of 250,000. The lirst fighting of any magnitude took place in Natal, the Boers invaded that colony by way of Laing’s Nek and Van Reenan’s Pass Actions were fought Glencoe Junction by a British force under Sir W. P. Symons (who was mortally wounded and died on October 23), and on October 21 and 23 near Ladysmith, by Sir G.

White's force, but the military operations were thenceforward confined tc resisting the opposing forces from the entrenchments at Ladysmith. That siege lasted 120 days. In the meantime other forces of Boers had closely invested the towns of Kimberley (in the nortli of Cape Colony) and Mafeking (in British Bechuanaland). Jn the meantime Cape Colony was in

a position of great danger. Trie co.ony was garrisoned by only a mere landful of troops, and it was known that much disaffection existed there. A bold advance by tiie Boers would without doubt have greatly jeopardised the safety of that colony. But for some reason that lias not yet been explained, the Boers did not press the attack, but crossed the Orange, occupied Colesberg and Stormberg, and then remained inactive- at a most critical time. On the arrival of reinforcements at Capetown two columns were formed to drive back the invaders. The first of these was placed under Lord Methuen, and was ordered to make its way to Kimberley. It concentrated at De Aar, and on November 21 began the northward advance from the Orange. 11l equipped with mounted men, it could do nothing but assault the sue-; tessivt Boer positions which barred its route • On November 23 it stormed the strong position of Belmont, with a loss of 298 men, and two days after repeated its achievement at Graspan, with a loss of 191.

The first'of a series of disconcerting defeats in the summer of 1899-1.900 was announced on December 11 by General Gatacre, who starting rronx Molteno on the morning of the 10th, attacked the Boer position at Stormberg, Northern Cape C010ny.... Badly guided and worn out by long marching his force was surprised in close formation, and he was compelled to retire with the loss of 31 officers and men killed 58 wounded, and 633 captured. Two guns were abandoned. The second big reverse was sustained by Lord Methuen on tiie ulth. He advanced from Modder River against the Boers, who were strongly entrenched at Magersfontein under Cronje’s command The Highland Brigade, who led the attack, were caught in quarter column close to the Boer trenches, and lost neavily. On the 13th the whole force was withdrawn to the Modder River. Hie number of killed, wounded and missing was 903, the Highland Brigade alone losing 650, including their commander, General Wauchope. The third reverse fell to tire lot of General Bulicr, who tried to force the passage of the Tugeia at Colenso, but was defeated with the loss of ten guns abandoned and one destroyed by shell lire. L’lie number of officers and men killed was 140, wounded 762, and missing 228. it

was at this stage that the British Government directed Lord Roberts to go out and take supreme control of the campaign. The remainder of the reserves were called out and reinforcements were hurried to the Cape. The ;olonies were invited to oiler further ronlingents of mounted volunteers, and esponded magnificently to the invitaion. A strong force, selected from 'lie Yeomanry and called the Imperial Yeomanry, and volunteer companies 10 erve with the line battalions, were authorised to be formed. The City of London Imperial Volunteer Corps vis aiscci and equipped by London. Great Britain, and indeed +he British empire, sprang to arms with the utmost «l icrity and enthusiasm, nowhere more marked than in the colonies. A resolute attempt to take Ladysmith hy storm was made by the Boers on January) Gth. The brunt of the fighting fell on Caesar’s Camp and Wagon I-lill the latter being three times captured and recaptured. Eventually the Boers were everywhere 'epulsed with heavy loss. Colonel lan Hamilton commanded on Wagon Hill, and greatly distinguished himself. On the same day a disaster happened to the Suffolk Regiment, with General French’s force near Colesberg. Under Lieu.-Colonel Watson’s command they attacked a kopje held by the Boers at dawn, but lost heavily, and the attack failed, about seventy of the rank and file being taken prisoners. Colonel Watson and many of his officers were killed. In January of 1900, General Buller began a great iurning movement directed against the Boer position at Colenso (11th), Pushing forward to Springfield, he crossed the Tugeia at Potgieter’s Drift, Sir Charles Waren also crossing at Trichard’s Drift, five miles farther west. Lord Dundonal I’s cavalry came into contact with a Boer force to the west of Acton Homes (on the 17th), and efforts were made to get the Boer position turned by a flanking .movement on the west. The Beer trenches were found to extend west-/ wards along a front of about six miles, from a point opposite Potgieter’s Drift to Acton Homes, the Highest point in the district. Warren, holding tiie flanking movement impossible, ordered an assault on Spion Kop. Very hard fighting followed, apd the ridges leading up to this Kop were slowly nut with difficulty won. Spion Kop itself was captured hy a night atta.ck (23rd), and held for a day in the fare of a terrible fire from the Boer trenches and guns. Their positions ,’irliially commanded it, and on night of the 24th Colonel Thorneycroft, wno lad succeeded Major-General Woodg.ite .ii command, ordered the abandonment of the position. It was learned afterwards that the Boers themselves were on the point of abandoning their resistance when this happened. Then General Buller took control, withdrew the whole force’over the Tugeia, and lire mxious watchers at Ladysmith were once more disappointed. Meanwhile Lord Roberts, who with

_orcl Kitchener, left Capetown on .he bib of February; and arrived at Moaner River on the tltli, had been prepaing a great coup. He detached General French from his command betw-r.n Sens berg and Colesberg (when the British forces, under General Clements .ell back to Arundel), and put him m :harge of a strong cavalry division mobilised quietly between the Orange and dodder Rivers. The attention of the joers was distracted by the temporary seizure on February 6th of Koodoos.oorp Drift by the Highland Brigade, ruder General Hector Macdonald. A mounted infantry force under Colonel Hannay seized Randam (11th) and Geleral French, with all his cavairy,

iossing Riet River at Dekiel’s and oatervaal Drifts (12th), swept on to he Klip and Rondeval Drifts, on tne dodder, capturing five laagers in his narcli. Jacobal was.taken on the 15th, and leneral French moved rapidly on Kimberley, completely dispersing the investing forces 'in the south, and entering. the town on the 16th. A huge cart of the 2c?r forces fled northward General Cronje, who had capture! a valuable British convoy on the Riet, but had not estimated tire serioumess >r his position, found it advisable to evacuate Magersfonteiu in hot haste ; bis rearguard was caught and attick:d by General Kenny-Kelly’s Brigade, on the IGth. A series of engagements followed ; the British lost heavily but Jronie was headed at Paardeburg and held fast at Koodoosrand Drift in the bed of the Modder River. Lord Robot'..s then came up, disposed his forces ell around Cronje, drove ofi Boer parties

which tried to help Cronje, and finally after a dashing advance of the C?iaiians, supported by the Ist Gordoi-S tnd 2nd Shropshires, secured his unconditional surrender on th# 27th, and all his force. This occurred on ’anniversary day of Majuba, Simultaneously with these operations

filler was making yet another attenp

to relieve Ladysmith. Gradually the Boers were driven back over tiie 4 -igcia. Numerous engagements ensue 1, and the successful storming of Pieter's Hill turned the enemy’s left ; Lord Dundonald' pushed on, and Ladysmith was relieved on February 2Sth, ‘I9OO, while the Boers rapidly withdrew, leaving two guns and much of their baggage and camp equipment behind them. General Buller made his formal entry into Ladysmith two days later. The garrison were found to be

in dire straits from want of food, and supplies were at once hurried into the

town. The deaths in action or from wounds during the siege were 24 officers and 235 men, and 6 officers and 340 men died from disease ; while at the time of the relief there were 70 officers and 520 men wounded. In the Free State Lord Roberts pushed forward rapidly to Bloemfontein, fighting on tiie way the actions of Poplar Grove and Driefontein, the

latter a fiercely-contested battle. On March 13, 19U0, the capital of the Vree State was entered. Then followed a long halt, in which wtiat wete called “ regrettable incidents ” were numerous. At Sauna’s Post seven guns were taken by DeWet on March 31st, and a few days later at Reddersburg, the same Boer general captured a detachment of British troops, numbering 452. A small success at Karee lid not atone for these reverses, which narked the beginning of that peculiar Boer warfare against detachments with which we have since become so utinfully familiar. The Boers continued active and actually laid siege to Wepener, but were reaten off. During the halt at Bloemontein peace overtures were made, but as it appeared that the Boers would be lontent with nothing short of indepenence, these had no result. On May 3 Lord Roberts resumed the advance towards Pretoria, reaching Kroonstad on May 42 without any serious fighting. A few days earlier Colonel Mahon had moved out from Kimberley to the relief of Mafeking, where Colonel Baden-Powell had been holding his own against the Boers since the beginning of the war. On May 16 the relief column defeated the enemy near Mafeking and immediately after entered Mafeking, io the great joy of the Empire. The siege of Mafeking commenced on

October 15, 1899, and there were at that time about 9000 people in the town, of whom less than 2000 were whites. The organisation of the defence had been entrusted to Colonel Baden-Powell, and the Protectorate Regiment was raised for the purpose. There were also available the Becliuanaland Rides and a Town Guard, and oil October 10 a detachment of Cape Police and a half battery of the Kimberley Artillery got through. War was declared the next day, and a strong force under Commandant Cronje, estimated at 9000 strong, marched against the town. Thanks mainly to Lord Edward Cecil, one of Colonel tractors, Messrs Julius Wet-t Baden-Powell’s officers, and the contractors, Messrs Julius Weil, immense stores, far more than the quantity sanctioned by the Government, had been thrown into the town, and but for these it could never have held out as long as it did. Heavy siege guns were brought against it, and attempts were at first made to carry it by assault. But by November it became clear that this could not be done, and ■then trenches were driven nearer and nearer, especially in the neighbornood of some brickfields, for which a long struggle was waged, and which tho garrison eventually won. The total casualties in Mafeking from the beginning of the siege to May 23 were as follows :—Combatants —White officers, 6 killed, 15 wounded, 1 missing; white non-commissioned officers and men, 61 killed, 103 wounded, 26 missing, 16 died of disease, 5 wounded accidentally ; colored combatants, 25 killed, 58 wounded. Non-combatants, whites 4 killed, 5 wounded, 32 died of disease ; natives, 64 killed, 117 wounded ; Baralongs, 264 killed 122 wounded ; total casualties of all kinds, 924. Lord Roberts resumed his advance from Kroonstad to Pretoria and crossed the Vaal on May 24, the Boers abandoning position after position before him almost without resistance. On May 31 Johannesburg was entered, and on June 5, 1900, after a sharp action with Botha, Pretoria was occupied.

The general impression in England now was that the war was over. Unhappily, however, DeWet had been able to score several successes in the Free State against the British troops on the line of communications, capturing a battalion of Yeomanry at Lindley, a convoy at Heilbron, and' a battalion of militia at Roodeval. He also repeatedly cut the railway. These events gave the Boers fresh courage, and on June 11-12 Lord Roberts had to fight another action with Botha at Diamond Hill, without decisive result. Natal had aeen cleared in the meantime by General Buller, and a strong Boer position at Alleman’s Nek. But the enemy still kept the field. More regrettable incidents occurred at Uitvals Nek and elsewhere. In the Free biate, however, a distinct success was won when General Hunter captured Prinsloo and 4140 Boers and three guns at Caledon Valley at the opening of August. The advance was once more resumed

m the 'nr. i, -eneral Buller pushing up from the south and Lord Roberts advancing from the west. On August 27 General Buller captured the Boer position at Bergendal, and shortly afterwards occupied Lydenburg. At the same time Lord Roberts’ troops advanced to Komati Poort. Mr Kruger had already fled to Delagoa Bay. Again it was said that the war was over ; again this assertion proved to' be wrong. ’ DeWet had escaped from Lords Kitchener ana Metnuen, who were operating against him, and with Botha still remained in the field potent to strike, So much over was the war supposed

to be that the British Ministry dissolved Parliament and held a general election to obtain a mandate for the settlement of the conquered territories. In September, Mr Chamberlain, in his address to his constituents, said : “ The war is now practically at an end.” Ministry secured a great majority on the solemn pledge to reform the armv and to carry out the settle-

ment in'South Africa with firmness. The return of a portion of the army actually began, but the war blazed up afresh. In the Orange Colony, Fouresmith, Jagersfontein, and Jacobsdal were attacked towards the end of Octobei. At Bot-haville on November (ith a severe action was fought with De Wet, and six guns were taken from him.

Still generals one after another came home. At the end of November Lord Roberts handed over his command to Lord Kitchener, and returned to England, stating on his journey at Capetown on December 10, 1900, that the war was virtually over. But- he reckoned without De Wet. From Bothaville that bold guerilla passed rapidly south, and on November 23 captured a Br tish detachment at Dewetsdorp. From that point he headed towards the Orange, to invade Cape Colony. In this he was foiled, tut he succeeded in inflicting a sharp check on his pursuers at Lindley on January /}, 1901. While attention was centred upon Dt Wet, Kruitzinger's commando entered Cape Colony (Dec. 6th). Others followed, and great alarm was caused, to increase which General Clements had suffered severely at the hands of De la Rey’s forci at Nooitgedacbt on December 13th. AH around the enemy became very active, and in Cape Colony the invaders gained ground from day to day. British detacb-

merits were captured at Helvetia and Med lersfoutein. In February, 1901, Do Wet made another attempt to invade Cape Colony, but General Plumer drove him over the Orange river with considerable loss. Sweeping movements were adopted with more or less success. On May 29th the British suffered severely at Vlakfontein, while a fortnight later a British force of 350 strong was cut up at Wiliman’s Rust- and two guns captured. The blockhouse system was then being put into operation. On August 6th a proclamation was issued giving the Boer leaders until September 15th to submit or sutler permanent banishment. Instead of surrendering tho Boers became more active. On tho 17th September Major Gough and three guns were captured. Tne Boers had other small successes, and the second year of tho war was ended by De la Key inflicting heavy losses upon Col. Kekewich. Io October Botha had some success, and in November De Wet, who had been unheard of for some time,

began to concentrate his forces. On November 2nd news came of a serious disaster to Co!. Benson’s column at Brakenslaagte. At the end of Demember De Wet inflicted a severe reverse upon tho Yeomanry at Tweefontein. At the beginning of this year De Wet and De la Roy became very active, eluding the columns sent against them, though much stock, etc., was captured. Numerous small fights ensued. A big sweeping movement culminated on February 27th, the Boers being driven against the Harrisraith Van Roenan’s blockhouses.

An attempt to force tho lines was checked with great gallantry by the Seventh New Zealanders, who bore the brunt of the attack, losing 23 killed and 36 wounded. On March 3rd came news of a disaster at Klerksdorp, De la Rey attacking Colonel Von Konop’s convoy. Fifty British were killed, 126 wounded, aud 300 captured, the British being overwhelmed by numbers. On March 10th ouo of tho most startling reverses of tho war was reported, Lord Methuen’s forces, being defeated by De la Rey. Four British officers and sixty men were killed, and one hundred and eighteen wounded. A grand feature of the fight was that unprotected artillerymen fired coolly and steadily until all wore shot. Methuen, in trying to rally his men, received a bullet in the right thigh and was captured by tho Boers, but was treated kindly and released. A good many other lights ensued, in nearly all of which the British inflicted heavy losses on the Boers. New Zealand and Australia have taken a remarkably active part in tho war in support of the Mother Country. It was recently stated that up to date tho Australasian colonics have sent to the front nearly 22,000 picked men and the same number of horses. New Zealand’s total contribution to the Empire's cause totals about 6,300 officers and men, divided into ten contingents. Our cablegrams recently announced that a Government estimate of the cost of the war up to tho end of last month was 41222,970,000.

To-day is the anniversary of the birthday of the Prince of Wales. It is ushered in with good tidings, and there will naturally be groat joy throughout the Empire. It is a happy omen that the peace proclamation should come at such a time. All Britisheis may well shout “ Hurrah for the Prince.”

Mr Hindmarsh has been elected to the vacant scat on the Waiapu Council for tho Tokomaru riding. There will be a long night in connec tiou with the Marguerite Assembly this evening.

An advertisement in reference to tho clever Madame Ethel Mayne appears in another column.

The annual meeting of tho British and Foreign Bible Society, postponed from last evening, will bo heid in the Presbyterian Church on Wednesday night. Messrs Wyllie and Mason hold an im* portant sale on behalf of Mr R. Little, at Haiti, to-morrow, particulars of which will be seen in our advertising columns. Payments in connection with the Cooperative Building Society this week will be received to-morrow instead of Monday evening.

“ Citizen ” wires from Napier :—“ Reported, Coronation not to take place—Seddon to be recalled—Ward to be sacked— Country going to the dogs, since Matthewson changed sides.” The Empire Skating Rink will be opened this morning and afternoon, and should attract a large number of spectators. The attendance every night since the season opened is on the increase, and the pastime seems to have " caught on " with the Gisborne public.

The Chief Postmaster is advised : Hongkong notifies that communication with Manila is interrupted. Messages will be posted by frequent steamers. Berue notifies that the cable between Fort de France, Puerto, and Plato is interrupted. Traffic for Martinique may be sent by the southern route.

Tho Caledonian Society’s educational gold medal, which was won by Miss Am bridge, is now on view at Mr W. Good’s, jeweller. It is a very pretty design, and has been very much admired. We congratulate the fortunate winner, to whom the medal will be presented on a fitting occasion. It is pleasing to learn that the Society, although it had to abandon its sports this year, still makes the annual presentation of the much-prized gold medal.