yed the food of a number of
families which it did not deport. This is surely a most inhuman
action, inasmuch that the families mentioned are now in a destitute
position. The families in question are those of Mr. Hans Grobler of
Klip River, and others at Tondeldoos. I should also like to know why
Dr. Manning and his ambulance and wounded have been removed from
Tondeldoos, notwithstanding former assurances that the Red Cross
should be regarded as neutral and left unmolested.

I have the honour to be,
Your Honour's obedient servant,

B. J. VILJOEN.
_Assistant Commandant-General._

Head Quarters, Pretoria,
_26th October, 1901_.

TO GENERAL BEN VILJOEN.

SIR,

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 8th of
October, in which you complain of attacks upon your burghers, and the
families and the property of your burghers, by kaffirs. You specify
two particular incidents in your letter:--

(_a_) The incident at Wit River on the 22nd September, 1901.

(_b_) The burning and plundering of homesteads at Ohrigstad.

I have investigated both cases and find that the facts are as
follows:--

(_a_) In the first case a small body of mounted troops in
charge of an officer attempted to capture a number of Boer
waggons near Wit River on the 22nd September. A fight took
place, and during the battle a band of kaffirs, of whose
proximity His Majesty's troops had no knowledge, approached
from another direction and commenced shooting on the
burghers. This being observed, His Majesty's troops were
withdrawn in order to avert any appearance of co-operation
with the kaffirs, and a report in connection with the
incident was immediately sent in.

(_b_) In the second case Colonel Parke, the commanding
officer of His Majesty's troops in the district named,
reports that there is no foundation for the report supplied
to you. On the 3rd of September all families in Ohrigstad
district were removed by him. Harber's burgher commando was
present, but took no part in the operation. On this occasion
it was reported by a Boer woman that a number of kaffirs had
appeared there the day previous and had plundered the
village of Ohrigstad, but the kaffirs were acting
i