New-York tribune., 1900-01-24
COMMENT on THE SITUATION.
SOME FEAR REGARDING RESULT OF GEN
ERAL BULLERS PLANS.

ERAL BULLER'S PLANS.
London. Jan 24-General Buffers great turn
ing movement. Of which so much had been ex-
pected, has come TO a standstill. His carefully
worded message to the War Office telling this,
after a silence of two days reads like an apol-
ogy and explanation.
General Buffers plans have reached their de-
yelopment. He declines to send his infantry
across this zone against formidable positions by
daylight, and discloses his purpose to assault
the Spion Kop heights during the night This
appears 10 be the key to the Boer defences If
ne takes il and thus commands the adjacent
country an important and possibly decisive
step will be accomplished.
It seems that General Buffers dispatch reached
the War Office rather early in the night and
was the subject of a prolonged conference be-
tween Lord Lansdowne, Mr.. Balfour and several
staff officials. determination appears to have
been reached not to give out the message during
the night, but toward a. m. copies of the dis
patch were made for distribution among the
newspaper Offices These arrived too late for ex-
tended comment.
The Morning Post" and 1.-THE Standard"
touch lightly upon the unpleasant features of
the dispatch and take hope from the projected
night attack, but, all things considered the dis
patch looks like preparation for worse news.
CABINETS PROBABLE ACTION
Parliament will meet in five days The Cabi-
net had been hoping for one British success to
cheer the country and to command generous
support for fresh revenue measures. Among
these viii be probably increase of the income
tax TO a shilling in the pound, but this would
only provide the cost of five weeks hostilities.
The duties on tobacco. alcohol, tea and coffee
are likely to be raised.
The Cabinet will meet at the end Of the week
and discuss the situation. Political considera-
nohs' poth foreign and domestic, press upon the
military authorities the necessity of speedily ac-
eomplishing something. These authorities may
be persuaded to urge General Butler to attempt
his great operation without adequate prepara-
ron This impression, whether true or not is
abroad
Apparently Lord Roberts has nothing what
ever 10 do with General Buffers operation Gen
erai Butler and the War Office communicate
WIN eacn other direct Buffers scheme was
conceived before Lord Roberts arrived at Cane
Town, and its execution was begun on the say
he landed. The fact that the Judgment of Lord
Roberts has not been brought to bear upon the
movement does not add to public confidence
GRAVE FEARS OF THE TINES,
''The Times" commenting editorially upon
General Buffers dispatch. says:
1t can but tend to increase the severe strain
from which the nation is suffering, We must
await result Of his attempt TO seize the fornid-
success may be decisive, but the danger of the
attempt is evidently great. The intense excite
ment of the besieged in Ladysmith may be
imagined.
General Warren is moving with commendable.
indeed imperative caution; but il must be
forgotten that delay however caused. must tell
in many respects In favor of the enemy. The
boers have, II is true, fallen back when hard
pressed, but they have gained time to bring up
men, guns, ammunition and supplies to the
position they have selected for their principal
standard and TO intrench It in thorough fashion
the fashion they understand we'll. Until that
position has been taken and its defenders routed
and badly cut up, the relief of I.adysmith can
not be considered secure.
Dispatches from Boer sources describe the re-
newal Of the bonbardment of Ladysmith as
more heavy than any previous firing and as
intended TO discourage a sortie symptoms of
preparations Tor egress from the town having
been observed from the Boer position.
Special dispatches photographed from Lady
smith on Monday say that the Investment has
not been relaxed. and that the garrison has
ceased to speculate regarding the precise date
of deliverance.