The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-01
DISMAY AND SORROW.
How the News of the Disaster Was Re-
ceiyed i'm London.


How the News of the Disaster Was Re-
ceived i'm London.
LONDON, Oct. 31.-It has been many
years since Englishmen were so stirred as
to-day The news from South Africa con-
tanned in General Whites reports to the
War Office that nearly 2000 British soldiers
the flower of the army-and a mountain
battery had been captured by the Beers
created widespread dsmay throughout the
United Kingdom and sorrow in many fam
lilies. 1t has also tended to weld public
sentiment into a unit in favor of wiping out
the disgrace to the British arms at all haz-
ards.
While minor reverses were not wholly un-
expected. nothing like the staggering blow
General Joubert delivered to General
Whites forces yesterday was anticipated.
The full extent of the disaster is not yet
acknowledged, If it Is known at the War
Office. The loss, In effective men. must be
appalling to a general who is practically
surrounded. Two of the finest British reg-
ments and a mule battery deducted from
the Ladysmith garrison weakens it about 4
fifth of its total strength and alters the
whole situation very materially in favor Of
the Beers, who have again shown them
selves stern fighters and military strategists
Of no mean order. The disaster cost the
British from 1900 to 1900 men and six
seven-pound guns, and as the Boer artillery
is already stronger than imagined. the cap
ture of these guns will be great help to
the Beers.
Further news must be awaited before it
is attempted to fix the blame where 1t be-
longs. General White manfully accepts all
ttat,
| apparently. was partially due to the stam-
peding of the mules with the guns. From
the list (printed eIsewhere) it will be seen
that forty-two officers were made prisoners,
| besides newspaper correspondent J. Hyde.
AS stated, the interest In the news was
universal. pervading all classes and condi-
| tions Of London's populace. The newspaper
extras were eagerly read in business houses.
on the streets and by women in their car
riages. Then there was a rush to the War
| Office, which by noon was surrounded with
private carriages and hansoms. while many
of the humber class of people came on foot,
all waiting and watching for the names they
| hold dear In fact never was the old say
| ing bad news travels quickly" better ex-
| emplified here than to-day. BY noon gloom
and bitter sorrow prevailed throughout the
British metropolis.
| INEXPLICABLE
At the government offices no effort was
made to conceal the feeling of dismay pre-
vailing. One official said to a reporter OF
the Associated Press: "It is inexplicable.
and am sorry to say that it's moral effect
] Is inestimable. We have lost heavily in
many wars and have had regiments almost
| wiped out but to have regiments captured
and by the Beers. Ii is terrible"
An official of the War Office said to a re-
porter of the Associated Press: 1.-The disas-
| aster is more likely due to the craze of our
younger officers to distinguish themselves
OBTAIN mention In the dispatches and earn
| the Victoria Cross than to the fault of that
| splendid Indian veteran General White, In
| spite of his avowal"
AS the day wore on the crowd around the
war Ofce swelled to enormous proportions
and at Gloucester, the home of many OF
those engaged, the widest excitement pre-.
| vailed. The special editions of the local
newspapers are speedily exhausted and the
same thing occurred at Bristol and other
towns in that country. Coming so soon
after the engagement at Rietfontein. where
the Gloucestershires suffered heavily
brought the keenest sorrow TO households
all over the county whose name the regi.
ment bears.
The throngs Of visitors at the War Office
remained ell day. Anxious people practi
cally fought their way to the notice board
Most affecting scenes were witnessed Man,
women were heard TO say. Thank God, he's
alive. at any rate." as they found the name
of some beloved one on the list of prisoners
The sidewalks were packed with masse:
awaiting their turn to enter. In reply to in
1 ,frga
ing had been received since Sir Georg,
whites dispatch communicating the new:
of the capture of the Royal Irish Fusileer.
and the Worcestershire regiment This de
lay in getting further intelligence is at
tributed in part 10 the breakdown of tn,
east coast cable. but ii stands to reason
that the War Office must be possessed O.
further news, which II is probably no
thought advisable should be published a,
yet.
SORROW IN MANY HOMES.
The disaster has caused a feeling akin 4
CONSERVATION, and in Worcestershire an,
the north of Ireland. where the CAPTURE
regiments were recruited. the blackes
gloom prevails. families awaiting with beat
ing hearts the names OF the killed an
wounded. which are fully expected to reacI
high figure. Many homes are already Il
mourning in conseqp nee of losses suffere
by these regiments in previous engage
ments.
Public anxiety was increased by a specia
dispatch from Ladysmith. published in tn
late editions OF the London afternoon pa
pers to the effect that before darkness yes
terday the Beers reoccupied the old positio
held by their heavy artillery. which Genera
White had reported silenced by the guns O
the naval brigade from the Powerful. an
had opened fire again. The dispatch fur
ther says: THE enemy are again closin
In and the situation is one OF grave anxiety
Beyond doubt the Boer retirement yester
: day (Monday) was a ruse to draw Genera
White into the hilly country and away fror
the British camp.
This last sentence is significant and cor
, firms the opinion OF military experts her
IL lContiDued ON Second Pase)