The Staffordshire and Potteries Examiner. — 1881-04-02 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England)

SURRENDER OF POTCHEFSTROOM.  The special correspondent of the Standard telegraphing from Newcastle, on Tuesday, says : " T wenty-four hours previous to the arrival of the first convoy despatched to them under the terms of the Armistice, the Potchefstroom garrison sur- • . rendered, all provisions, with the exception of mealles, being exhausted. In consideration of the gallant defence made, the officers and soldiers were allowed to retain their flag and personal property. The officers also retained their arms. The guns and rides were surrendered, but it was agreed that the ammunition should be handed to the President of the Free State for custody during the war. The troops evacuated their position on the• 23rd instant, marching out with the honours of war. They were to march for Natal, via the Free State, undertaking not to servo again during the war. The guns and rifles will, of course, be returned to us. We have news from Standerton that the disappointment at the result of the war is very great. Last night I attended a meeting of refugees from the Transvaal, both English and Dutch. A resolution was passed unanimously protesting against the restoration of the country to the Boers. A petition to her Majesty was then drawn up, saying that, confiding in the public declarations of Sir Garnet .Welseley and Sir Bartle Frere that the annexation of the Transvaal was irrevocable, they had invested their capital in the country, and that their property was now worthless and their capital lost, owing to their having put faith in the words of her Majesty's representatives. Another resolution was carried, calling upon all the English and Dutch residents in the towns of the Transvaalnot to deliver them up to the Beers, and promising support in the event of 'civil war breaking out. One Colonist promised a subscription of a thousand pounds to the war fund. The intention was also avowed of calling upon the natives in the Transvaal, together with the Swazis and Zulus, to assist to resist Boer supremacy being established in South Africa. It is possible that nothing may come of all this, but it shows the feeling just now prevailing in the Colony." At Pietermaritzburg the feeling against the peace is as intense as it is in Durban. The British ensign on the flagstaff in the Market Place has been reversed, and the Transvaal flag hoisted above it, as a mark of defiance. Another British flag was also trailed through the mud of the streets. Some soldiers interfered, and the excitement was very great in the town. This outbreak of dissatisfaction may be unjustifiable, but it is a fair index of the feeling among the British residents throughout the Colony. News from Newcastle says:—"The news of the surrender of Potchefstroom is confirmed. The convoy of provisions which was despatched after the first conclusion of the armistice reached Potchefstroom 24 hours after the surrender of the garrison. The guns captured by the Boers will be restored. Travelling through the Transvaal is now reported to be quite safe. The camp at Mount Prospect is almost deserted. Only the third Battalion of the Rifle Brigade remains there. A Boer named Corneilscna is a prisoner at Heidelberg, charged with the murder of Captain Elliott. The casualties at Potchefstroom—namely, eighteen killed and ninety wounded—represent the total loss during the siege. I The casualties were severe on account of the men having to construct earthworks under a heavy fire from the besiegers. The actual surrender was due to the garrison being short of provisions, there being nothing for them to eat but mealies. Latest intelligence from Durban says the conditions of peace continue to be the subject of adverse comment. They are considered to be of a perplexing character, and to contain disturbing elements irreconcilable with the existing regime in South Africa. It is generally declared that the present peace can only be of short duration.