The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-01-31
Boer Shells Made the Noun.
tain Too Hot For War.
ren's Men.

London, Jan 26, lilo .. m.-The
var office hes juss posted the followiue q
dispatch from Gen Butler. dated Spear
mans Camp. Thursday, January 25,
noon
"Gen Warren's garrison, l am sorr =
to say. | 6ud this morning had 10 the
night abandoned Spion Kop."
London, Jao 27. "A. Seven
days of 6htiog have left tho main Boer
positions intact and Gen Buller's army
100 mso weaker, according to the
official casualty lists. which seemingly
do not include the Spiou Kop losses, as
those last forwarded do not mention
Gen Woodgate's woundlng.
Eoglsnd'ls possessed by . depressing g
sense OF failure. though not wora 10
criticism of her generals and soldiers is
uttered. Not much effort is made to
place q happy construction upon Gen
Buller's bare 18 words telling of the
retirement from Spioo Kop. and there
is 40 uneasy impression abroad that
worse news 10 yet to come
At one OF the military clubs touiR ID.
the statement passed from one member
to another that the war Office has
received an unpleasant supplementary
dispatch from Gen Butler, which was
being beld up for IL hours
Spencer Wilkins 90 10 the Nor uin 2
Post writes IS follows Of the Spiou Kop
loss
"Tbis is serious matter, and sp
attempt will not here be made to
mioimiss it. for no greater wrong can
be done to our people at home than to
mIslead them about the Significance Of
the events of the war. The right wav
is to tell the truth ss fer as We know
itD
Bot facts from the neigbbor hood Of
the Tugela are soantier than ever The
censorship is uow simply prohibitivs
and SON ethiug is wrong With the cables
The break on the east coast lioe has
been repaired. but the cable be,weeo o
San Tbome aud Losuda, on the west
coast. is now interrupted
more troops" is the only suggestion
here 90 the way to break the Boer
resistance. Mr. Wilkinson regrets that
Gen Butler has not 20. 900 more men. .
declaring that. if they would make
victory certain bis enterprise without
them is hopeless.
The Spectator. dealing with the
necessity of large additional military
preparations. Gays:
1t may be that We have yet another
cycle OF disasters 10 front of Us"
The transport Asssye arrived at
Cape Town last Friday with 2 l27
officers and meo The 6rst portion of
the Seventh division is aaoat. Hence,
With the 10000 men of tbs division
and about 9 600 others now at sea it
lies 10 the power Of Lord Roberts to
reinforce Geo Buller heavily. This
course is advised by military writer's
Although severely tried, EogIsnd's g
nerve is absolutely unshakeu, and
probably nothing that can happen 10
South Africa will charge 10 the slight
est degree her intention. She will
continue to receive bad news, if il
comes. With dignity, and will main aiu
her determination to win at last.
The morning papers editorally
advise GOODNESS and judgment and a
careful avoidance OF over.estimatiug
the importance of tho last positiou.
The Times says: THE natural
disquietude Of the public is increased
oy the singular vaeueuess and iocon.
sistency of Gen BulIer's dispatches.
There u.s. Indeed, a very siuglar end
somewhat disquieting attitude of dc
tachmeDts 10 Gen Buffers comments az
revealed 10 The Gazettc's dispatches
For instance, bis comments as to his
action at Xnutpans drift: His remark
concerning the probability that British
officers would 10 time learn the value of
scouting might properly have come
from foreign military attache. but it
is rather more than surprising that it
should be thrown out in this casual.
irresponsible fashion by the head Of the
forces concerning his subordnates. a
week or two, moreover. after the loss of
the guns on tho Tugela
"The consequences OF this latest
check may be very serious to the gal
lant Ladysmi'h garrison II ia i'm pos.
sible to estimate the next movement.
IL NAV he that Gan Rnlla. iii L.