New-York tribune., 1899-12-17
COL. LONG RESPONSIBLE
MILITARY MEN IN LONDON NOT DIS
POSED TO CRITICISE BULLER.
GRY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.

London, Dec H. l a. m.-One OF Sir william
MacCormac's first surgical patients is Captain
Roberts, one of Lord Roberts's sons. who was
dangerously wounded.
The story Of the battle was clearly told in
General Rullers dispatch that the meagre ac-
counts received before midnight ADDED little TO
the stock OF public knowledge. The loses or the
Connaughts were very heavy as they bore the
brunt Of the attempted passage of the river, and
the artillery batteries were badly cut up. Cen
eraI Butler still has FIVE batteries. and the
morale of the infantry and cavalry remains un-
impaired He is not likely to remain inactive
nor TO wait for reinforccments.
General Methuen has already been shelling
the enemy's position and showing signs Of re-
newed activity. although his losses, as officially
reported yesterday aggregated 963. those Of the
Black Watch alone being 335. General French s
diminishing with the enemy continues. Kim
berley is holding its ground well, and the siege
Of Mafekng has been varied with a Boer at
tack upon a small British redoubt.
Warren's division has begun to arrive at Cape
Town, and renforcements are going out with
renewed energy. Austraias offer has been
accepted by the Colonial Office and another
colonial contingent of mounted men will be dis
patched TO South Africa.
The War Office has challenged public criticism
not only by the rigorous censorship which has
been extended to the mail letters from the front.
but also by the systematic suppression Of news
until It was too late for the morning papers TO
comment upon 1t with intelligence The official
reports Of both Gatacre's reverse and Buffers
battle were held back Ave or six hours and
given out long after midnight. Lord Lansdowne
has been responsible for these harassing tactics
and the newspapers are likely to open fire
all, e f,,Io IL
beated preparations for war and undue DELHI
tration in sending out reinforcements. 1t is an
open secret that while the Cabinet has been
united on general lines in South African policy,
there have been serious differences Of opinion
respecting the methods and ways and means.
Lord Lansdowne and Sir Michael Hicks Beach
not only thwarted the Military Staff In their
proposals for mobilization last July but they
have held back the really progressive men In
Inc War Office. Lord Lansdowne Is an optimist
WHO is sure that everything will turn out right.
sir Michael Hicks Beach is Treasury watch
cog" who growls whenever increased expendi-
lures urged They have obstructed various
radical measures for dealing with the Crisis IN
large way II Butler had forced the passage
" the Tugea Friday and won a decisive VIC
ory Lord LansdoWne and Sir Michael HICKS
zach would have persevered in their tactics
nuAer's defeat will give Mr.. Chamberlain freer
Aahd In the Cabinet and the more progressive
men IN the Headquarters Staff larger scope
ior action in the vigorous conduct OF the war
BULLER NOT RESPONSIBLE.
Military men do not hold General Butler re-
epohsioie for the loss Of the guns. nor 90 they
CONSIDER entrapped" an accurate woro TOT oe
sorlDihg the accident which befel the artlllery'
ihey lay stress upon Colonel Longs neglect oi
Wulhary caution in carrying guns along 'he
n'er without previous reconnaissance or scout
hg veterans assert that this would NOT hd'e
p'eh zone In sham battle at Aldershol anu
mat every practical manual on artillery 'ac'''s
lays down as an elementary principle that SCOUTS
anu cavalry must go over the ground nrst III
order TO find out whether II is safe for guns 10
Ioho~ Colonel Long is described as carrying
DIS batteries In slapdash manner along the
rVer' where the enemy was known TO be IN
iotce and suspected Of being concealed. yet ne
was one OF the most experienced officers Of the
hoyal Artillery. The veterans are frank enough
!" say that they are weary Of hearing ABOUT
boer traps. and that the simple truth Is that
trained officers In the service are reckless ana
ignorant Of the rudiments OF warfare. prom
ment official said yesterday:
General Butler ought to Issue general order