The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-01

London, Oct. 31.-There was a contin-
uous stream of callers at the war office
until late hour everybody anxiously
inquiring regarding yesterdays cas-
ualties. but the war Office declared that
nothing had been received since Sir
George Whites dispatch communi-
eating the capture of the Royal Irish
fusiliers and the Gloucester regiments.
This delay in getting further intelli-
gence is attributed in part to the break
down of the east coast cable, but It
stands to reason that the war Office
must be possessed OF further news,
which it is probably not thought ad-
visable should be published as yet.
The disaster has caused feeling
akin to CONSERVATION and in Glouces-
tershire and the north of Ireland,
where the captured regiments were re-
cruited, the blackest gloom prevails,
families awaiting with beating hearts
the names of the killed and wounded,
which are fully expected to reach a
high figure. Many homes are already
in mourning in consequence of losses
sustained by these regiments in pre-
Vious engagements. Public anxiety was
increased by a special dispatch from
Ladysmith published in the late edi-
tions of the London afternoon papers
to the effect that before darkness yes
terday the Beers reoccupied the old
position held by their heavy artillery
which General White had reported 81
fenced by the guns of the naval bri-
gade from the Powerful, and had
opened fire again. The dispatch fur
ther says: 1.-THE enemy are again clos
ing in and the situation is one of grave
anxiety. Beyond doubt the Boer re-
treat yesterday, Monday was a ruse
country and away from the British
camp"
This last sentence is significant and
confirms the opinion of military ex-
perts that General White is allowing
himself to be outgeneraled by Com
mandant General Joubert.
From the scant advices received Up
TO l! p. m. it seems tolerably certain
the disaster was a simple repetition CT
the battle of Majuba hill, though On
larger scale. The two regiments
We're allowed to march into trap set
Tor them by the Beers. 1t is simply
case OF the Boer spider and the guile
less British fly. In fact the whole en-
gagement of Monday seems to have
oeeh brought on by Commandant Gem
eral Joubert, who skillfully conceived
gigantic trap out of which. as the
9lnciai dispatch shows, Sir George
White only escaped with difflculty
General White advanced with the idea
OF urlVlng the Beers from the hill sew
en- miles out which General Joubert
made an ostentatious show of fortify-
ing on Sunday.
Inc hoer commander left a force
sufnclent ITO draw General White on,
while. with the mass of the Beers he
moved stealthily around the British
right to deliver flank attack and to
endeaVor to cut off General White
from Ladysmith. The British COM
mander succeeded in beating off the
attack, but only with great difficulty,
and during the turning movement Ills
troops suffered from a fianking fire
Harsh things are said in military
circles of the British tactics which
have made possible the ambush of the
18th hussars at Glencoe, and now the
loss of two fine regiments. II is fear.
ed that Sir George White is no match
for the Beers in that cunning with
which they are endowed and it is point
ed out that il the British commanders
continue to lead the men into obvious
traps further disasters must be looked
for.
An interview is published with
British officer. whose name is with
held, but who is described as a well
known general with a distinguished
record during the Indian mutiny," in
the course of which he passes severe
criticism upon the conduct Of the cam
paign.
Yesterdays says the officer, "is
only another proof of serious blunder-
ing. Although Sir George White is
good regimental commander, he does
not seem to excel in strategy in the
management of a big division. I re-
gard the Glencoe business as another
example of blundering"
Proceeding to discuss the engage
ment at Glencoe. the officer observes:
Some of the enemy's officers We're
allowed to occupy and plant guns on
Ialana hill. Nothing was done to stop
TINS until the Beers began to shell
Glencoe on the following morning. AS
lof yesterdays casualty, it seems mex
cusable that the two regiments should
nave been allowed to separate them
selves from the main body, and espe-