New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-02
LONDON MORE CHEERFUL
HEROIC CONDUCT OF CARLEToN'S MEN
TOOK THE STING FROM DEFEAT.
Try CABLE TO The THIrrNrl

Try CABLE TO The TRirrNrl
roraor NOV. "A strong reaction has set IN
.rsi,s- the depression caused by the British
rerersa y, I.adysmith General Whites report
has convinced everybody that the stampede OF
the mules vas the immediate cause Of the dis
as,er since IL deprived Colonel Cartoons COLI
urnn of guns and the reserves Of ammunition
The loft wing was not lured into an ampuscaae'
bur was forced 10 halt and hold its ground un-
der adverse circumstances, fighting braFey ana
desperately TN the last cartridge was gone
The reproach attaching to the surrender of so
large a body ~ soldiers loses its sting when the
stov ~ ,heir heroic stand against over
vre.m.ng fofce is told Ladysmith, moreover
has been reinforced. and General White has 10
intention Of abandoning rs defence. even If
communications with the coast are menaced
and his position is not one that is naturally de-
fsnslbe
The Government is also making a brave dis
Ilay - energy There was a brief session Of IN"
Cabinet Yesterday. followed by a meeting Of the
Defence Committee. which Lord Wolselcy at
tended Measures were discussed for sending
q large body or roinforcemonts to The Cape WITH
og, delay Aldcrshot rumors give the strength
o. the tlcsh division Of troops to be dispatched
as ten thousand. with ffty-four guns But these
reports aye premature and are contladicted.
The frs' lattalions Of the army corps Will
arrive at Cape Town early next week.
The news from Ladysmith at midnight was
meagre. With barely more than vague rumors "i
the renewal of the artillery duel in which the
naval guns bore 50 conspicuous part
GENERAL WHITE THE CENTRAL FIGURE.
General White continues the chief figure of
Tie hour Much sympathy is naturally ie' lo'
a man with an heroic record the NraNes' ol TIE
brave as the Earl Of Kimberley called nm
engaged in a task which might tax the pest
Strategic talent Of the Continent In ''uDs anu
military circles and wherever men cohSi'f"''
'fe feeling is stirred in favor oi one "Nose
oMfa.Ious frankuoss has caused 'he "'''
Figaro 20 say that General Nhl'e "''0'
and speaks like one # the heroes OF All
Gent Greece. th,ugh 'non here IIelel
add fhat General White behaves IKE q" T"9
.sh gentleman. Although it is felt 10 "e OILY
lar g. suspend judgment until inc ''''"
stances aye known with precision il Is """0"'s
70 deny that the commander Of the N"'"l "'''
f1'De has committed serious tacuoM e'''i'
member - the Headquarters stan "'o mag
or iaat rof Doe tngcd with the traaiu"hal J'"'
olsy O. one another imputed to officers of the
''+.'li ana p ne armies, sums ~ '''' 1890
'essonai criticism by pointing out that IhH''n
generals are accustomed to peculiar class OF
warfare IN which impatience according to Eu-
Iolean standards IS really prudence
Another ~ my informants who served on
Lord Koberts's staff IN the Afghan wars re-
marks that constant maxim in the hsn'lhs 81
Aslatc generals IS 10 disregard all reverses ana
continually attack as though nothing han nap
pened. Offence is the best method OF deiehce
is The lhrasing Of this maxim imputed 10 ''h''"
White himself while Commander IN Chlei Oh '"e
indian Army. II is easy 10 understand that 'eh-
era White. lacking Lord Roberts's adapAVeheSS
and strategic versatility. may have grown crsS-
ia4-zed in conventional fighting. Whlch A'S
famous chief used only when expc1ient j. I"'"'r
confirms this view of specialized warfare ihat one
8 rous failure Of the last Indian frontier cam
baisn vas Brlgadicr General DempstcI' VINO
vas regarded as the finest flower Of the stan
college
a Prominent foreign critic takes less serious
View Of General Whites error on reading t"e