The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-11-01

LOndon, OctoDer o1t - Ahere was con-
tinuous stream of callers at the war offiee
today until late hour, everybody anx-
iously inquiring regarding yesterdays
casualties near Ladysmith; but the war
ofjoe declared that nothing had been re-
oeived sincs Sir George Whites despatch
communicating the news of the capture
of the Royal Irish fusiliers and the
Gloucestershire regiment.
This delay in getting further inteili-
genoe is attributed in part to the break
down oil. the east coast cable; but It stands
to reason tnat the war Office must be
possessed OF further news which 1t Is
probably not thought advisable should
be published as yet.
The disaster has caused a feeling akin
to CONSERVATION. and, In Gloucessershire
aud the North of lrelsnd. where the cap
tured regiments were recruited. the plaok-
est gloom PREVAILS. many families there
awaiting with beating hearts the names
Of the slain aud wounded which are fully
expected to reach hih fig IRA Many
homes are already In sIiJ&sring In CON-
sequence of losses sustaiaSd by these regi-
ments In tho previous engagements. Pub
lie anxiety was increased by special de-
spatch from Ladysmith, published in the
late editions of the London afternoon
papers. to tho effect that before dark
ness yesterday. the Beers re-oocupied the
other position held by their heavy artil-
lery, which Gen. White had reported sill
enced by the guns Of the naval brigade
from the Powerful, and had opened tro
again.
The despatch further says:
"Ihe enemy are again closing in and
the situation Is ons Of grave anxiety.
Beyond doubt the Boer retirement yes
terday (Monday) was a russ to draw
Gen. White into the hill country and
away from the British camp"
This last sentence is significant and
the opinion of military experts
here that Gen. White is allowing him self
to be out-generailed by Commandant
General JouDert
Fron the s,anty advices received up to
IL O'Clock p. M, 1t seems tolerably Ger.
tain that the disIsser was simple repe-
tition OF the battle Of Majubs Hill.
though on larger sale. The two regi-
set for them by the Beers 1t is simply
u cass OF the Boer spider and the guile
less British fly. Intact the whole engage.
ment OF Monday seems to havs beel
brought on by Commandant General
Joubert, who skilIrully conceived gi-
gautio trap, out of which as the official
despatch shows. Sir George White only
escaped with difficulty.
Gen. White advanced the idea of driv-
ing the Beers from Tinwanyoni Hill,
ssven miles out, which Gen. Joubert made
an cssentatious show of fortifying on
Sunday. The Boer commander left
force sufficient to draw Gen. White on,
while the mass Of the Beers he moved
S s;eslthily round tho British right, TO
deliver a flank attack and to endeavor
to cut of Gen. White from Ladysmith.
The British commander succeeded In
beating of the attack, hut only with
great diificulty. and during tbs turning
his troops Suffered from q
fire.
ndis 81 tuiuRh hft h1iu III nliAtAy ciT'
clss Of the British tactics. which have
made possible the ambush of the 18th
huss irs at Glencoe and now the less of
two line regiments. 1t Is feared that Sir
George White is no match for the Beers
In that cunning by which Boer tactics
are conceived; and 1t Is pointed out. that.
II the British commanders continue to
lead their men into obviors trars further
dis,s ,stsTs mus. b. looked for.
An interview published with Brltis1
cffi .er, whoss name is withheld, but who
Is desoriLed as "a well-known general
with a dit'Dguished record during the
lndian mutlny," in the course of which
be passes severe criticism upon the CON-
duct of the campaign.
"Yesterda ay's disaster. " says the officer
in que 81 n, sis only another proof Ct
serious blundering. Although Sir George
White is good resimsntAl commander.
he does not seem to exosi In strategy or
the management Of . big division. Ire