The Van Buren press., 1899-11-04

certain that the disaster IVES simple
repetition of the battle OF MaJuba
hill, though on a larger scale. The
tive regiments were allowed to march
into a trap set for them by the Beers.
1t is simply cose of the Boer spider
aud the gnileless British fly. In fact
tie whole engagement of Monday
seems to have been brought on by Conn
mabdant- General Joubert, who skill
fully conceived a gigantic trap, out OF
which, the official dispatch shows. Sir
George White only escaped with diff
Guilty.
Out-GenernIed by JOubcrt.
Gen. White advanced with the idea
of driving the Beers from the hill, sew
en- miles ont, which Gen. Joubert made
an ostentatious show of fortifying On
Sunday.
The Boer commander left a force
sufficient TO draw Gen. White on, while
the mass of the Beers he moved
s,ealthily round the British right 10
deliver IA flank attack and to endeavor
to cut off Gen. White from Ladysmith.
The British commander succeeded in
beating off the attack, but only with
difficulty, and during the turning
movement his troops suffered from
fanking fire.
Harsh Criticlsm.
Harsh things are said in military cir
cles OF the British tactics, which have
maze possible the ambush of the
Eighteenth hussars at Glencoe and
now the loss of two fine regiments. 1t
is feared that Sir George White is no
match for the Beers in that cunning
by which the Beers tactics are con-
ceived, and it is pointed out that if the
British commanders continue to lead
theil men into obvious traps further
disasters must be looked for.
An interview is published with a
British officer, whose name is withheld,
but who is described as "a well-known
general with distinguished record
during the Indian mutiny," in the
course of which he passes severe criti-
cism upon the conduct of the cam
paign.
Another Proof of laundering.
Mondays disaster" says the officer,
''is only another proof of serious blum
dcring. Although Sir George White is
a good regimental commander, he does
not seem to excel in strategy or the
management of big division. | re-
gard the Glencoe business as another
example of blundering."
Proceeding to discuss the engage
ment at Glencoe, the officer observes.
"some of the enemys officers were al
lowed to occupy and plant guns on
TaIana hill. Nothing was done to stop
this until the Beers began to shell
Glencoe on the following morning. AS
for Mondays casualty it seems mex
eusabe that the two regiments should
have been allowed to separate them
selves from the main body, especially
with considerable swarm of the enc
my against them. | know | am eS-
pressing the opinion of many militai..y
officers. We are disgusted with the
war Office for having prematurely al
lowed the issuance of glowing reports
of victories without equal frankness
and promptitude in disclosing the cir
eumstances discounting these re-
ports"
Gen. Whites Case.
Sir George Whites honest admission
of full responsibility and the terms nf
his dispatch are regarded in some cir
cles as virtually placing his case in the
hands of the home authorities, and it
was even rumored late last evening
that the war Office has already decided
to supersede him. The report, how
ever, is discredited in well informed
quarters.
Reinforccments Soon to Arrive.
About 5000 fresh troops will arrive
AT Cape Town on Sunday next from
England and will be available to rein
force Sir George White. Troops Will
arrive there daily after Sunday until
by the end of next week $4,000 troops
will have been landed in South Africa.
These men are intended for Gen. Red
yers-Buller's army but they will un-
doubtedly be detached to Natal if the
situation there should become perilous.
The British army will eventually reach
the huge total of S9,634, of which Co.,
63i will be regulars and the other 20,-
900 miscellaneous, but excellent CO.
lonial troops.