The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-27
WHY SPIONKOP
WAS ABANDONED
No Reason Assigned in Dispatch
Given Out From Butler.
MILITARY EXPERT OPINION
Generally Believed 1t Mas TOO Hot
to Hold" and Warren Could Not
Plant Guns to Defend 1t.

LONDON, Jan. 26.-In an editorial
the Westminster Gazette says this ar
ternoon:
The Associated Press said that
Warrens success was provisional"
The Westminster Gazette's remark
vas called out by George w. sinalley's
cable TO the Times this morning, say
Ing, The Associated Press takes care
that We shall not overestiinate War
ren's anocess. suggesting that it Is
only prov isional. and that there Is the
usual disposition Of London 10 exag-
gerate the Importance Of the point
scored"
The Westminster Gazette then pro-
ceeds to defend its own course. point
ing out that II Is not unpatriotic 10
decline TO gloss over facts. As a mat
ter Of fat. Great Britain assumes that
the point gained was more conclusive
than it really was. hence the extreme
revulsion OF feeling caused By Buffers
announcement Of the abandonment Of
spionkop. Considering that the Beers
who held the position fled; that the
British casualties i'm retaining il dur
ing subsequent attacks were heavy
and that the strategical value Of the
poiut had still 10 be demonstrated,
there was never any great reason for
throwing up hats. and until further
particulars arrive. it is impossible to
estimate to what extent public disap-
pointmeIt is justified.
It is impossible at present to say
whether the British suffered a reverse
or the movement was dictated by
strategic reasons. Obviously the po-
sition was useless unless guns could
he planted on il. and. discovering this
was impossible. Warren may have de-
cid.d ii was unsafe to hold the posi-
tion any longer, or perhaps he is seek
ing more profitable ascent elsewhere.
Whatever may be the explanation Of
the abandonment of Spionkop by the
British. 1t will doubtless have the same
temporary moral effect as a reverse.
II appears to have been so entirely
unexpected at the war office. that Bull
lCrs dispatch caused something In the
nature Of CONSERVATION. The Hobbies
We're soon crowded and there was evil
denre on all sides that the news was
keenly felt. The only official comment
was apparently that "warren's posi-
ticm was too hot to hold"
Nowhere. in spite of the general de-
preston, is there the least sign OF
abatement in determination to carry
the war to successful issue. The cab
met met this afternoon under the pres
ideney of Salisbury, and doubtless the
fully canvassed the new sit
ua'iOn, though primarily summoned
to discuss the terms Of the queens
speech Under other circumstances, !
thu news from Ladysmith showing
greatly improved sanitary conditions,
plentiiulness of provisions and a
of fortifcations until
the place is regarded as impregnable. /
would have inspired the nation, but
these good tidings to the British are
oyershadowed by anxiety as to the
situation on the Upper Tugeia and
that the heavy losses suffered during
the struggle Tuesday might have
counted for nothing.
Military circles made no effort to
conceal their chagrin, expressing the
gravest fears as to the ultimate fate
of Ladysmith. Such authorities as
Major General Caring, who is under
orders for South Africa, and Lord
Clifford, who won a Victoria cross
while scouting for Lord Wolseley dur
ing the Zulu war, would not be sur
prlsed to hear of the capture of
Whites forces within week.
Clifford, who knows the country like !
a book. could not understand how in
the world Warren ever got to the top
of Spionkop without ascertaining what
positions commanded 1t. The poorness
of maps, is was pointed out, could
hardly be an excuse for this, as there
must be with Warren several scouts,
to say nothing of officers who at one
time or another have served at Lady
smith and whose mere hunting expe-
ditlons would have given them a
knowledge of the country.
While Warren is not blamed for re-
treating under what is supposed to
have been a heavy shell fire, he is
severely criticised for occupying po-
sition to which he could not bring up
his artillery.