The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-18
One Redeeming Feature, the Bravery
and GaIIantry of the Troops That
Were Led to Slaughter.
SITUATION IN FREE STATE
But Growing Uneasy over the At
tempt to Corner Them-Mafeking
Able to Hold Out Two Months.

LONDON, April 1S 4 a.. m.-The govern
ment has chosen this as the moment to
publish dispatch from Lord Roberts, pro-
nouncing censure upon Sir Redvers Butler
and Sir Charles Warren, two of his most
important subordinate commanders. This
dispatch, written Feb. 13, has been in the
hands of the War Office for five weeks.
Just why it is published now. in the middle
of the campaign, is not understood, unless
IL Is expected that General Butler and Gen.
Warren will ask to be relieved of their
commands. The revelation of their inca
pacity must tend to undermine the conf
dence of the troops in their leadership.
Lord Roberts's dispatch. with the in
closures. is the great feature of the London
press this morning. In a long editorial the
Daily News speaks of the somewhat ap-
palling language of the dispatch and then
goes on to say: Upon the whole these dis
patches are disquieting and disheartening
In no ordinary degree. Following
Gatacre they will create widespread feel
ing of uneasiness and anxiety"
The Standard. which is supposed to be in
the confidence of the government. says: 'Tt
Is scarcely likely that the publication of
Lord Robertss dispatch is without a pur-
pose. 1t irresistibly suggests whether 1T is
not to be followed by further important
changes In the South African commands.
Painful as such measure may be, there
must be no hesitation in carrying them out
IL they are required in the public interest. .
The Daily Telegraph compliments Lord
Roberts on mot hesitating. where great
national interests are at stake. to wound
private susceptibilities.'
The Daily Chronicle confesses to "a
feeling something like CONSERVATION when
reading the extraordinary passages of the
dispatch"
The Times says: Lord Roberts's severe
condemnation Is justified only too clearly
by the official narratives of what took
place The story is painful, but it is well
for the nation and for the army that 1t
should be told clearly and simply without
concealment or exaggeration. 1t is not the
least of the greatest services Lord Roberts
is now rendering the country that he ex-
poses with judicial impartiality and wise.
wholesome severity errors and omissions
In high quarters which have cost us so
very much
Whether the government has any special
purpose or not in publishing the dispatch
the way in which 1t has been received will
make Ii most difficult to retain the GEN.
sured commanders in active service
Lord Roberts's long wait and the Boer
activity have seriously disturbed public
equanimity. He is still three hundred miles
from Pretoria. No one doubts the ultimate
success or British arms, but behind the
British army that crushes the Boer armies
an army of occupation will have to be in
stalled. From various sources come hints
that more men than are already provided
for will have to be sent out,
Lord Roberts indicates that at least ten
Thousand men are advancing to cut of the
Beers VINO are investing wepener. AS
there are reports from the Basuto border
that firing has been heard in the direction
of the hills toward Dewet's dorp II is pos
sible that General Chermside's advanced
troops are already in contact with the
Beers.
Lord Roberts wires that he expected
to clear the southwest section of the Free
State. east OF the railway, and then "a
swing round to the north and 10 turn one
after another the positions held by the
Beers north of Bloemfontein.
General Buffers prohibition of all press
kilograms in Natal until further notice is
taken to Indicate that a movement is abou,
TO begin there.