Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1900-01-27
TOO HOT TO HOLD.

One British Official Thus Accounts for
Warren's Evacuation of Spion Kop.
LONDON, Jan. 27.-In the words Of an
editorial in the Westminster Gazette:
. "The Associated Press said Warren's
success was-proviaonal." ";'
% The Westminster Gazette's remark
was called out by George w. Smalley' s
cable to The Times, saying:
y "The Associated Press takes care that
we shall not over-e estimate Warren's 8 sue
cess, suggesting that it is only provis-
ional, and that there is the usual dis
position OF London to exaggerate the
Importance Of the point scored"
The Westminster Gazette then pro-
ceeds to defend it's own course, pointing
out that it is not unpatriotic to tsdecline
to gloss over facts. 2 = l51% 2
AS matter Of fact Great Britain as
sumed that the point gained was more
conclusive than it really was, hence the
extreme revulsion Of feeling caused by
General Buffers announcement of the
abandonment of Spion kop. Considering
that the Beers who held position fed.
that the British casualties in retaining
it during the subsequent attacks were
heavy, and that the strategic value Of
the point had still to be demonstrated,
there never was any great reason for
throwing up hats, and until further par
ticulars arrive it is impossible to esti-
mate to what extent the public disap-
pointment is justified.
1t is impossible at present to say
whether the British suffered reverse
or the movement was dictated by
strategic reasons. Obviously the posi-
tion was useless unless guns could be
planted on it, and discovering this was
impossible, General Warren may have
decided it was unsafe. to attempt to hold
the position any longer; or, perhaps he
is seeking more profitable ascent else
where. Whatever may be the explana-
tion Of the abandonment Of Spion kop by
the British, it will doubtless have the
same temporary moral effect as a re-
verse. It appears to have been SO en-
tirely unexpect ed at the war Office that
General Buller's dispatch caused some
thing in the nature Of CONSERVATION.
The only official comment was: cap
parently General Warren found the po-
sition too hot to hold. 2
Chagrin Plainly Visible. ss
B Military circles made no effort to con-
ceal their chagrin, expressing the
gravest fears as to the ultimate fate Of
Ladysmith. Such authorities as Major
General Sir Frederick Darlington, who
is under orders for South Africa, and
Lord Clifford, who won the Victoria
cross while scouting for Lord Wolseley
during the Zulu war, would not be sur
prised TO hear Of the capture Of General
Whites force within a week. Lord
Clifford, who knows the country like
book, could not understand how in the
world General Warren even got to the
top iof Spion kop, without ascertaining
what positions command it.
The poorness Of the maps, it was
pointed out, could hardly be an excuse
for this, as there must be with General
Warren several scouts, to say nothing
Of officers who at one time or another
have served at Ladysmith and whose
mere hunting expeditions would have
given them knowledge Of the country.
While General Warren lis not blamed
for retreating under what lis supposed to
have been heavy shell fire, he is severely
criticized for occupying posi.ias