New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-06
CONJECTURE RIFE IN LONDON
STRICT CENSORSHIP MAINTAINED-BUL-
LERs MOVEMENT DOUBTFUL.

LEXIS MONEMENT DOUBTFUL.
IcopyTtEht: 300; by The New-To-k TribuneI
IBE THE rRTBUSE-I
London, Feb g. a m.-Amateur strategy
still goes on IN the newspaper offices, but the
War Office negiects TO aid and abet it with bulle-
tins and casualty lists. Sir Redvers Butler may
have crossed the Tugela a second time and be
forcing his way 20 Ladysmlth but there was no
official confirmation Of the theories of the mill
tary writer's when the War Office closed at II
o'clock last night There were indeed. semi
Official intirnations that the situation on the
Upper Tugela was unchanged, and that General
Buffers army had not left Spearman's Camp.
These explanations were rejected by some Of
these strategists OF the press misleading and
there was fresh web of conjectures respecting
the drifts where General Butler had crossed and
the line and direction Of his advance.
While q third attempt for the relief of Lady
srzsth was the substance Of things hoped for
and within The range Of probabilities. there was
10 indication at late hour that the battle had
been renewed beyond the Tugela except a vague
ruuor from Durham of heavy fighting Sun
day.
The news from Natal meagre the most
important detail being the critical condition Of
General Wocdgate. who wounded at Spion
Kop. The Information from Cape Colony
equally vague and indecisive. General French
was reported to be Tightening his coils around
the Dutch force at Colesbergf and making many
sudacious movements. and the speedy invest
ment Of stormberg predicted.
THE DEARTH OF INFORMATION
All these matters are cast and recast by the
news agencies from day to day but there is no
real news either from the southern frontier Of
the Free State or from AIodder River. The Brit
lsh concentrations have been carefully concealed
since Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener took
charge Of the campaign Fresh concentrations
are probably in progress the Dutch side
Prominent officials assert that they know as lit
tie as the public about the direction which Lord
Roberts's campaign viii take. but they have
faith in him and in Lord Kitchener.
The members Of Parliament are entirely In
the dark respecting the military operations at
the front. and frankly confess their ignorance.
TIE chief topic discussed by military Is
II de Bloch's remarkable pamphlet on the
TrEnsvasl war. in which neither British generals
nor soldiers, nor the administrative services are
cengured but the conclusion is reached that the
Improvement in the mechanism of modern war
fare has multiplied the advantages Of a de-
fence under cover over attack in a proper
ton OF eight TO one.
hAKCODRI vs. CHAMBERLAlN.
Sir William Hercourt and Mr.. Chamberlain
were the chief figures in yesterdays debate be-
fore a crowded House. Sir William justified the
amendment 70 the Address legitimate at
tempt 70 extract from the Government an ade-
quate explanation of the causes which had in
Voiveo the country in q series CT humlliating re-
verse; His most humorous hit at the
penss CT Lord Salisbury, whose complaint that
the Government the victim of the British
Constitution he dismissed with fine irony He
made an exhaustive survey OF South African
politics from Majuba to the Jameson raid and
the Parliamentary investigation. but did not at
tack Mr. Chamberlain with vehemence
The logic Of mis- speech was that the war was
Unnecessary. If not immoral and that great harm
had been done by Mr.. ChamDerlain's statement
Nat Cecil Rhodes had done nothing inconsistent
With his personal honor.
COLONIAL sEcRETARY's REPLY.
Sir William was embarrassed by his own
connection with the South African inquiry,
heither vas Mr. Chamberlain IN his best de-
batting form. He had prepared himself with
oFeranxious care, and seemed somewhat nervous
u certain passages. His speech contained an
aoroi appeal 10 the Opposition not to discredit
lhemselyes by pronouncing the war unjust and
Unnecessary. and then following up their cen
sure BY voting for vigorous prosecution OF the
@AHpa1gn He described II as a just, righteous and
necessary war. and closed his speech with fer
vac tribute TO the loyalty OF the colonies, whose
imperial Instinct promoting the development
OF tne federation Of the Anglo-Saxon race in the
interest OF peace liberty and justice. Mr. Cham
Defla1n spoke throughout with caution and con-
sefFaIsm, knowing that he IN the presence
oi MS enemies. and guarding himself against
any surprise interruption
'he report that an aTnicable agreement had
been Reached respecting an interoeeanic canal is
Neieoned by the press, bat surprise is expressed
enAt England has given UP any clearly defined
rights without securing compensation in Alaska
Vt elsewhere LORD Salisbury approached