The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-02-07
Defense Of the Government.


London, Feb. 2-The speech of. Mr..
Wyndham in the House of Commons
was the strongest defense the govern
ment has yet put forward as to what has
been done and is being done. His figures
will astonish the country. Roughly
speaking, only 10000 men are at the
front. Ten thousand others have
been lost ard 10000 are shut up
at Ladysmith. Excluding these there are
10000 troops who have not yet been in
action, III addition TO those at sea. Why
SO many effectives have not yet been en-
gagged is explained by the lack of land
transport and the organization of sup
plies, to which Lord Roberts is devotins
his experience and Lord Kitchener his
genius for details.
1t seems as though the weight of these
masses must destroy the equilibrium
which now holds the British forces sta
tionary wherever they are in contact with
the Bocr army.
knowledge is slowly penetrating to
London that large garrisons must be kept
in Cape Colony to hold down the Cape
Dutch, who. as everyone knows, outnum-
Der the British residents ) to >.
Mafeking Not Relieved.
Lourenco Marques, Thursday, Feb. l.
A dispatch from GaberoneS dated Jan.
%, describing Il reconnaissance OF some
l.
laager southwark seems to dispose of
the story that Mafeking has been re-
,lieved.. On that date the Rhodesians cap
tured two Transvaal flags and drove off
the Boer outposts before returning TO
Gaberones.
strength of the Armies.
New York Feb. 2.--There is IL dccid-
eddy more cheerful feeling in London
The confirmation OF the report that Cen
Butler had announced that he would re-
leve Ladysmith, together with the uncon-
tirmed report that he had actually be-
gun a new forward movement had good
effect on the public mind. Figures Just
published had had reassur-
ing effect. The government announces
that it was ,ascertained before
the, war began that the Beers
British in a few days will have 213,OOO
men in South Africa. Gen. Joubert. ac-
cording TO late advices has 10000 men
surrounding Ladysmith and confronting
Gen. Butler. In the recent turning
movement Gen. Butler lost 1885 men, but
means of replacing the lost men with
fresh soldiers. Looking at the matter in
this light, it is as inevitable that .Jou-
bert will be beaten as it was that Grant
would take Richmond.
Little News Gets Through.
Few dispatches are now allowed to
come through from the seat of opera tons
about Stormberg and Colesberg, and Gen.
Roberts is clearly anxious to direct atten-
tiOn from the work in progress in cooper
alton with Gen. Gatacrc and Gen.
French. The Dutcn garrisOns both at
Stormberg and CClesberg have been rein
forced and the Boer strategists are striv-
ing to repeat their tactics at MagersfOn-
TEN, Colenso and Spionkop by creating
new impasse by which the British inya-
sion Of the Free State may be blocked.
The military experts are inclined to be
easier with Butler since he and his army
are so undaunted, and the harsh criti-
cism is shifting to the ministry. The
Daily Mail says: when. as is notori-
GUS to all with any knowledge of poll
tics, the government is tremblingly await
ing the news of some little victory to
ward off temporarily just criticism, the
situation is too humiliating for words.
Public Loses Conf ieuce.
Zone by one public belief in the repre-
sentative leaders on the Unonist side is
disappearing. The Marquis of Lans-
downe was discredited at the outbreak of
ter Lord Salisbury's pitiful exhibition
under the lash eff Lord Rosebery on Tues
day damaged another ideal. Mr. Cham
berlain has so far made no declaration
of vigorous policy suited to our pressing
needs.
Some weeks ago many of the best
friends of the government were urging it's
reconstruction. 1t is almost too late now
for that policy. People now are look
ing for some strong man to lead them.
Rosebery's name has been on every
tongue during the past few days but
to turn to him before Mr.. Chamberlain
has been tried appears to us to be unwise
and unfair from many points Of view 1t
would be well to watch Mr.. Chamber
lains attitude during the next few days"
Calls for More Men.
Sensational rumors are current that
the militia ballot act will be put in force
February IA and that Gen. Lord Roberts,
the conmander-in-chief of the British