New-York tribune., 1900-01-12
MAIL STORIES FROM AFRICA
DEPRESSING READING FOR THE BRIT
ISL PUBLIC-THE FLOUR SEIZURES.

ISL PUBLIC-THE FLOUR SEIZURES.
ICovyrtEar- 1900 By The Hew-Eork Trlbuuel
by CABLE TO TIE TR1B-NE-l
London. Jan u. l a u.-The fourth month Of
the war opens with Lord Roberts IN command OF
ths scattered British forces in South Africa
The Government have made 50 many mistakes
that they might have credit for sagacity IN
sending 70 Cape Town great soldier capable
y commanding the confidence of the armies in
the fed and siIencing criticism at home. While
the situation has not been materially altered
since he received the Queens orders. evidence
hss been supplied from the field operations that
the soldiers are frerting and disconteuted and
that changes Of commanders are imperative.
The censorship has uULilated the press dis
patches and exercised e restraint over war cor
respondeuce BY mail bur il has not tampered
with private letters from officers and men. whic4-
are now finding their way into print
The truth about Gatacre's repuIse and the re-
treat and slaughter Of the Highland Brigade al
Magersfontetn and the action of Harts and
Barton's brfga6es a. the battle on the Tugela
has come out with cumulative effect IN short
letters of soldiers published in London and The
provincial press These revelations have pro-
duced e painful Impression that the armies have
not been led prudentIy, and that the tine has
passed when generals Who have blundered
should be allowed 70 retrieve regulations when
the soldiers have lost faith IN them General
Butler stands II better light than any other
general. because he offered conclusive proof Of
his caution and consideration for the lives u
soldiers IL ordering q retirement from COlenso
when they We're eager 10 continue fighting under
hopeless conditions. General White alone has
redeemed MS reputation ard rendered the relief
OF Ladysuith duty OF paramount importance
,-ryx- ..rrr-cy~ m c-- --rrr- s,r-rr-r, -
The story Of the sufrolkz reverse. which IS
told IN detail by several agencies and CORE
spondenrs this morning. Is q sorry repetition Of
Gatscre's anbUscade n a smaller scale. The
Dutch were evidently informed by spies that
night march would be made. and awaited in
silence the attack allowing the surolks TO come
almost within bayoner reach Colonel Watson
vas making a speech u his officers when an
appalling FIRE was opened upon the sunoIks. and
he barely closed II with the word Charge pc
fore falling fatally wounded There was d
stampede down the hIlI when the cry Company
retire. was heard and th- officers were left
with only one quarter o. their force ID dght
hopelessly and surrender. Only one officer es-
capped. ard the losses in killed wounded and
missing now exceed 40 This is final proof thar
night attacks when Lhe British forces are beser
with spies. are highly hazardous. and that pre-
cautions should be taken 10 guard against
treacherous orders from The eneny's side Gen
erzI French has remained inactive since this
miner disaster.
The clubs were filed with vague rumors last
night that General Buffers second battle had
been fought during the day. but there was no
direct confirmation q them at late hour. The
silence which has been maintained IN Upper
Natal since Sunday was unbroken save by
mortality lists from fever Ladysrnith The