§ MR. PLUMMER (Newcastle-on-Tyne)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any further details of the nature and extent of the casualties incurred in the engagement at Wolmaranstad.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOB WAR (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, GuildfordI have not received any further telegram from Lord Kitchener giving any definite details of the action, but a long list of casualties came to hand an hour or two ago, and will be published at once. Speaking from memory, I think there are no men reported dead in that list, which is not a complete list, but something like 100 wounded are mentioned, and amongst them a considerable number belonging to the Northumberland Fusiliers, in whom my hon. friend is interested. In addition to that, I have received from Lord Kitchener a telegraphic despatch which I think the House might like to hear. It is as follows:—
§ "HARRISMITH,
§ "28th February, 11 a.m.
§ "Yesterday combined operations of columns culminated in driving Boers against the Harrismith Vanreenen's blockhouse line. The Wilge was held by Leinster Regiment, General Elliott's division, and mounted troops from Harrismith, while the columns formed on the Frankfort Botha's pass blockhouse line, and advanced south, holding the entire country between the Wilge and the Natal frontier. On the first night a very severe attempt to break through was made on a point between Rimington's and Byng's column, and the 7th New Zealand contingent behaved with the 7 greatest gallantry, Fighting was at close quarters, and the Boers, as usual, drove a large herd of cattle in front of them."
I may perhaps here remind the House that there appeared in the newspapers this morning—although we have not yet got the whole list of casualties—a statement that the New Zealanders alone lost two officers and twenty one men killed, two officers and two men dangerously wounded, three officers and twenty men severely wounded, and nine men slightly wounded. That in itself bears testimony to the admirable resistance which they offered. Lord Kitchener's message continues—Manie Botha, the Boer leader, was killed' and thirty-five dead Boers recovered on ground. Over 100 dead horses were also left on ground, and 6,000 cattle that had been driven at the line were abandoned and left in our hands. Other small attempts to break out were made, and in two cases succeeded. On the last days, 450 Boers with rifles and horses were captured. All columns have not yet reported, as operations have been very wide. But over 600 Boers have been either killed or are prisoners in our hands, also 2,000 horses, 28,000 cattle, 200 waggons, 60,000 sheep, 600 rifles and 50,000 rounds small arms ammunition. The prisoners include General C. De Wet's son and his secretary, Commandants Meyer and Truter, and several Field Cornets. These satisfactory results are very appropriate on the anniversary of Majuba.
§ "KITCHENER."
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)Does the right hon. Gentleman know whether the two guns were taken at Wolmaranstad, and how many prisoners were captured by the Boers?
§ MR. BRODRICKI have not got the information. I have given the whole of the information which has been received from Lord Kitchener.
§ MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTON (Belfast S.)Can the Secretary of State for War give any information as to the reception in Dublin of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers?
§ [No answer was returned.]
§ Mr. ALFRED DAVIES (Carmarthen Boroughs)Can the Secretary of State for War say whether the reference to Majuba is in accordance with the policy of a Christian nation?
§ [No answer was returned.]