Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-05
TRYING TO LOCATE BLAME
Divergence Of Opinion as to Responsibility
for Ladysmth Disaster.
EXPERTS INCLINED TO WAIT MORE FACTS
Point Out That English Forces Have
Done Well Under Circumstances
-Lansdowne in for n Sc
we're Roast.

Copyright, 1899, by Associated Press)
LONDON, Nov. 4,-Almost the only subject
OF discussion this week in England was the
disastrous reverse suffered by General Sir
George Stewart White, the British com
mander at Ladysmith, and this was made the
occasion for pouring out torrents Of lay
criticism and advice. Public opinion seems
fairly divided, one section bitterly blaming
the general commanding and the other main
taining that he probably is not SO much at
fault as he made himself out. The latter
section. which includes many service men
and nearly all the service publications, urges
the Withholding of definite criticism pending
more detailed accounts. The Naval and
Military Record, after expressing this senti-
ment, sums up the situation as follows:
Considering the nature of the country,
the lamentabe unpreparedness Of England
and the unwillingness of the opposition to
allow a British regiment to go to South
Africa until President Kruger's ultimatum
was received, 1t Is almost surprising that
we have been able to hold our own so far.
Not only have the Beers proved themselves
determined fighters and splendid sharpshoot-
ers, as we knew them to be, but they have
developed surprising military and strategic
qualities.
''They have nearly surrounded every gar
rison we hold and have invarable occupied
almost unassaiable positions, fighting with
great courage. Against such fighters our
little force, left isolated, far from our base
and without hope of relief for days to come,
has not only done splendid work, but has
gained success and which we venture to be-
lieve no other soldiers in the world, placed
in similar positions and in similar unfortu-
nate conditions, could have achieved"
Roast for L-nsdOwn.
Although this may fairly be said to repre-
sent conservative military opinion, its refer
snce to the action of the opposition as pre-
venting the sending of troops in good time
u entirely erroneous. Since the first news
Of the Ladysmith disaster reached England
there has been storm gathering over the
head, not of Sir George White, but of the
secretary of state for war, the marquis OF
Lansdown, and this emanates not so much
from the opponents of the government as
from its warmest supporters. Some OF the
ablest of the latter have no hesitation IN
saying privately that almost criminal neg
lect has been shown in not sending at least
10000 more troops before or by OCTOBER
and that IL Lord Lansdowns hands were
tied by higher powers he ought to exculpate
himself beyond the shadow Of suspicion.
The failure to send out troops enough can
not be charged to the opposition, for Pariia-
ment was not then sitting. II there were
any intention to hold Natal at all costs ar
adequate force should have been sent ou'
by october 4, when the excuse that such
reiuforcements might be taken by the Boers
as menace no longer held good, as the
ao1r
Hearing these criticisms in unexpected
quarters, the correspondent Of the Associated
Press repeated them to high official. While
noncommittal regarding the failure to senc
reinforcements earlier, this official declared
that the broad line of policy affecting Nata
had been much misunderstood. I'VE arr
often asked" said he, why we sent Si
George Stewart White up the neck of Nata
unless we were sure he could hold 1t. Con
sidering the tremendous reinforcements nov
on the way to him, it occurs to almost every
body. at first sight, that we ought to hav'
retired without risking engagements; but
is forgotten what would happen in Natal un
less we made vigorous stand there.
Lives Not Wasted.
Natal has rsked her little all on behal
Of the empire; and the least we can do i
to risk something ourselves and to proven
the overrunning Of her prosperous towns an
rich fields by hordes of the enemy. Purel,
military considerations, / admit nigh
point to the fact that we ought immediately
TO have withdrawn from our advanced posi-
tions, but purely military consideration
have sometimes to be subordinated to tn
interests of the empire. and, although man
good lives have been lest In the cause, the
have not been wasted"
The acceptance of the offers of Sir Williar
MacCormac, Or. Frederick Treves and othe
eminent civilian surgeons for service /
South Africa has drawn attention to tn
serious undermanning of the army medics
staff. The total strength of the department
is only $40, which Is 20 per cent below tn
figures Of forty years ago and actually fift
officers below the absolute minimum decide
upon in 1884. This state of affairs is du
doubtless to the insufficient compensation OF
fered.
Several small detachments of country yec
manry are going out Independent of the Wa
office, to the seat of war, on the chance
joining the Imperial Light Horse. Lor
Lownsdale and Lord Harris. both yeomanr
,ficers, are aiding this movement
The heavy losses among the British Officer