Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-20
WAR NEWS HELD BACK.
British Public Practically Without
K InformntionofAr OF Army NJ Movements.

s In1Orm0tlOnO OF Army yNlOvcmcntS. 4
London, April. 2O.-The news from the
front is scarcer than ever this morning.
There are further runners that the Bo-
ers have abandoned the siege of Wep-sI
sener and retired to Dewetsdorp. but, A
this Is unlikely, as nothing is said OF
the approach of the relief column.
which, owing to heavy rains, Is making
slow progress.
Gen. Darlington, who Is supposed to
lead a column Of 5000 mounted bush
men to the relief OF Mafeking. has arr
rived at Beira from Natal.
The only news reported Is of a few
outpost skirmishes in Biggarsberg.
b Col. Crofton. who is perhaps one OF
the least guilty OF the several officers
concerned in the Spionkop disaster. has
been retired.
What action will be taken in regard
to other leaders Is not stated officially.
That Lord Roberts is advocating a.
clean sweep OF all the blurdering gen
erals is. however, the general under
standing.
The Press Association. which is fre-!
quently used by the government for
sounding public opinion, issues this
statement:
The war office maintains absolute
silence as to its intentions regarding,
Sir Charles Warren. The officials will
not confirm nor discuss in any way the
report OF his recall. affirming the sub
= ject is one respecting which they are
not at liberty TO give any information.
There seems to be a growing 8convic-
ticn in military clubs and other in-5
formed circles that the mere fact of the
publication of Lord Roberts latest dis!
patches presages some drastic step.
An officer with Gen. Butler. in let
ter to the Daily Mail, says: There can
be but one verdict on the battle Of Coz
lenso, Dec Is. The army, owing to
faulty intelligence. blundered into the
Jaws OF death. Faulty intelligence is no
valid excuse, as CUR enemy, has good in
formation from the natives and why
shouldn't we?
They have been oSmuch praised by
the public, which is always generous in
its praise. and which. loves TO read Of
striking deeds of arms. that our gener-
ais have ended by thinking themselves
great strategists when they are moth
ing more than gallant men, supported
by the bravest and most steadfast sol-
der in the world.
I'VE want men OF resource, men who
have studied war. men OF fertile mind
for our generals. and we want some
system. such as the German, In accord
ance with which such minds are devel-
oped, encouraged and incessantly edu-
Gated and gradually led into positions
OF command which in the end fit them
for the stupendous responsibility OF
general-ln- chief OF a great army In the
field.''
Sir William MacCormac has drawn q
report OF his experiences as chief con-
guiting surgeon at the seat OF war, In
which he declares that in no previous
war has so much been done for the
wounded in the way Of medical ar
Yangements.
Only per cent OF the wounded have
died, and Sir William adds that In tbs
i Franco Prusslan and ervo-Bulsariar
wars. In both OF which he saw service
the medical arrangements bore no com.
parison to those that have existed
thruout the present war from the com,
mencefnent.
Asdeluge of rain. lasting ten days. has
brought the operations In the south,
s eastern part OF the Free State almost e
4 standstiil. The creeks have become
g almost roaring riSerS et11 ssSS toaus g 2 =
Btreams OF mud.
A singular message, dated Bloenfon
sss 'teln, April 10. 1855 =: M, and begin
4 4 ming. ....Yla press censor, 1sloemfontein.'
reports an exchange OF shots In the di
rcctton OF Dewetsdorp. where the Boer
Z, are said to be concentSatin "afte
their withdraw wal from Mepensr.'
There Ii nothing else - nllndicAts tina
The Investment Of WepsNpe ~ bee,
aAAnAoned by the Boetd es<Ntth
aAtaG the rain. hoWsVl gi1i1l