that the independence of which we hear so much, and which the Boers are said to value so highly, is a free right to treat as they like the people under their control. . . . The suzerainty was never buried, never abolished, from 1884 down to the present time. . . . It matters little what is the word, provided we have the substance."

20. The Battle of Talana Hill.-Defeat of Boers at Dundee. [Newcastle had been evacuated by the British, but in order that we should hold as much of northern Natal as possible Gen. Sir William Penn Symons was sent to Craigside Camp, between Glencoe and Dundee, with 3,000 men, Sir George White remaining at Ladysmith with 9,000. The Boers planned to surround Symons's troops by a simultaneous combination of three separate columns-one under Gen. Joubert, from the main body, advancing on the road from Newcastle to Glencoe; one under Gen. Erasmus, which, coming from Hattings Spruit, was to attack in front; and a third, under Lucas Meyer, marching from Vryheid. At the same time the Free State Boers were to engage Gen. White's attention at Ladysmith, while Viljoen, at Elandslaagte, was to cut off the line of communication between Glencoe and Ladysmith. Lucas Meyer, posted on Talana Hill, near Glencoe, opened fire, however, at 5.30 a.m., before Joubert or Erasmus had come up. The 13th, 67th, and 69th Batteries replied vigorously, and then, after the Boer guns had been silenced, the 1st King's Royal Rifles, the 2nd Dublin Fusiliers, and the 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers began to advance across two miles of broken ground, the British artillery fire being maintained all the time. When halfway up the hill the regiments made a final rush for the

top, under a deadly hail from the Boers. Our artillery ceased firing, and then our men reached the summit, driving the enemy before them in headlong flight. The cavalry pursued them, but one squadron of the 18th Hussars went too far, and were taken prisoners. Gen. Symons was mortally wounded. Heavy British losses: 8 officers killed, II wounded; 40 non-commissioned officers and men killed, and 84 wounded; 331 of all ranks captured or missing. Though the British had gained the victory it was found desirable to retire to Ladysmith, the position being untenable owing to the large reinforcements of the Boers.]

-- 21. (a) Battle of Elandslaagte.-Further British victory at Elandslaagte. [It was essential that a large party of Boers, under Viljoen, who had taken up their position between Dundee and Ladysmith, should be driven out to ensure the safety of the troops from Glencoe, returning under Gen. Yule, now in command. The Boers were in strong position, but were completely routed by British, under Gen. French. Boer camp, with two guns, taken after three hours' fighting, and communication with Glencoe reopened. British loss: 5 officers killed, 30 wounded; 50 non-commissioned officers and men killed, 169 wounded; 10 missing. Gen. Viljoen killed; Gen. Kock and Col. Schiel made prisoners.]

(b) A Mansion House War Fund.-The Lord Mayor opens a Transvaal War Fund for (1) widows and orphans, (2) sick and wounded, (3) disabled soldiers and sailors, and (4) wives and children; any donations not otherwise specified to be devoted to the benefit of

widows and orphans. The four branches of the Fund will be administered as follows: (1) Royal Patriotic Fund; (2) British Red Cross Society; (3) Lloyd's Patriotic Fund; (4) Soldiers and Sailors' Families Association. [See Dec. 8 (a).]

22. (a) The Queen's sympathy.-The Queen telegraphs from Balmoral to the Secretary for War :"My heart bleeds for these dreadful losses. Again to-day a great success, but fear very dearly bought. Would you try and convey my warmest heartfelt sympathy with the near relations of the fallen and wounded, and admiration of the conduct of those they have lost?"

(b) Gen. Yule's retirement on Ladysmith.— Boers having assembled at Dundee in overwhelming numbers, rendering further stay of British impossible, Gen. Yule begins his retirement to Ladysmith, leaving wounded in charge of medical attendants, and proceeding by way of the Helpmakaar Road. [When the British left Joubert was shelling Dundee.]

(c).—Promotion of Col. (local Lieut.-Gen.) Symons to the rank of Major-General "for distinguished service in the field."

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23. (a) Gen. Symons.-Death of Gen. Symons.

(b). The Boers occupy the town of Dundee.

24. (a). To facilitate Gen. Yule's retirement Sir George White attacks and defeats a party of Boers who, with one gun, are in a position of exceptional strength at Rietfontein, seven miles from Ladysmith.

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(b).-Defenders of Kimberley have a sharp fight with a Boer force of 700 to the north of the town and defeat them.

-- 25.-Speaking at Glasgow, Sir Edward Grey says the attitude and aims of the Governments of the Boer Republics had made war inevitable, and though mistakes had doubtless been committed by our Government in the course of the negotiations, they did not affect the real issues.

- - 26. (a) Gen. Yule at Ladysmith.-Gen. Yule's column reaches Ladysmith, having marched the last 32 miles without a halt. [The retirement had been effected in a most masterly manner. Between II p.m. on the 23rd and 3 a.m. on the 24th the column marched across the Biggarsberg Mountains, going through a defile which 50 or 60 men could have held against them. When the column reached Ladysmith some of the men had had practically no sleep for a week.

(b).-Basuto chiefs, at a great meeting attended by the British Resident, enthusiastically declare their loyalty to the Queen.

-- 27. Lord Rosebery's views.- Lord Rosebery, speaking at Bath, says :

"It will be time enough when the war is over to examine the question of correspondence and of preparations that may then present themselves. To my mind all these questions were wiped out by the ultimatum received from the Boers. . . . The Transvaal question . . . is the effort of a nation or a community to put back the hands of the clock. . . . Mr. Gladstone thought that Great Britain could afford to do things, owing to her overpowering might and dominion, which other nations could not afford to do without a risk of misunderstanding. . . . So far from the Boers taking the magnanimity as it was intended, they regarded it as a proof of weakness on which they could encroach. . . . With the money derived from the gold the Transvaal Government was gradually piling

up a great military power, armed to the teeth. That was a standing menace to our dominion. If it had continued we should have had to consider whether we, who rule so many nations, were to become a subject nation in our turn in South Africa; and had we become a subject nation, or remained even in the position in which we were, it is scarcely possible to doubt that we should have lost South Africa itself."

28. (a).-Sir Alfred Milner and Mr. Schreiner issue a proclamation declaring the Boer "annexations" of portions of Cape Colony null and void.

− (b).—Commandos, estimated to comprise from 16,000 to 18,000 men, under Gen. Joubert, closing in around Ladysmith.

29. The mishap of Nicholson's Nek.-The Boers having made a further advance, Sir George White sends out from Ladysmith a column under Col. Carleton, consisting of Gloucesters, Royal Irish Fusiliers, and the 10th Mountain Battery, to turn the enemy's right flank at Nicholson's Nek. During the night, and when the column was only two miles from its destination, some boulders rolled down the hill and some shots were fired, with the result that the mules carrying the guns and spare ammunition stampeded, running into the enemy's lines. Our men marched on and occupied a hill, which they prepared to defend. [The enemy kept up a dropping fire all night, and at 9.30 a.m., receiving strong reinforcements, made repeated vigorous attacks. The British defended the position. until three in the afternoon, when, their ammunition being exhausted, they were obliged to surrender.]

- 30. (a) The Battle of Farquhar's Farm.-As