The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-29

of wish on the part of the leaders Of
public opinion to disguise the ugly facts
but on the contrary there is every dis
position to face the full difficulties and
discover the best way out. In short the
policy voted everywhere is gathering up
forces for more effective blows.
All hopes of the speedy relief of
Ladysmith have been abandoned, and
the consensus of expert opinion urges
immediate shifting of the theater of
war from the rocky ,kopjes of Natal 10
the open veldt of the Free State One
thing appears certafn-another long
pause is Inevitable unless the Beers as
sune the offensive because even in the
event of Gen. Butler further attempting
to reach Ladysmith, the planning of a
new move will necessarily occupy time.
The afternoon newspapers are draw
ing attention to the closeness of the
parallel between the federal attack on
Gen. Lee at Fredericksburg and the op-
eratiOns on the upper Tugela.
Curiously enough there is visible, es-
peciahy in military circles an under
current of relief at the news that the
British are safely south of the Tugela,
for the ruInors of Saturday had con-
jured up visions OF an immense catas-
trophe.
REMINDED OF SPAIN.
London, Jan. 29.-The st. James Ga
zette this afternoon returns to scathing
criticism of the language of Gen. Bull
ler's reports. 1t says:
Gen. Buffers reflection on the ter
ror he put into the foe reminds us of
things we have heard about Chinese
Mandarins.'
The afternoon newspapers are dis
cussing whence are to come the troops
for a protracted campaign. 1t is be-
coming generally recognized that some
form of compulsory service is more in
minent than previously thought of. The
ST. James Gazette, however, suggests
that the solution Of pouring more and
more troops into South Africa savors of
the Spanish action in Cuba, adding that
the solution of making better use of the
thousands already there has never sug-
gested itself.
The queens speech at the reassem-
bling of parliament tomorrow is await
ed with unusual interest in the eXpecta-
tion that a considerable increase in the
naval and military expenditure will be
necessitated by the lessons of the war
and be altogether apart from the spec
ia1 war vote.
DUTCH PRESIDENTS MEET.
Pretoria, Friday, Jan 26=President
Steyn of the Orange Free State and A
Fischer of the executive council of that
republic arrived here this morning. They
were met at the railroad station by
President Kruger and other officials
and We're cheered while driving to the
residence of the president of the Trans
vaal The Volks Stem, the official or
gan of the government in welcoming
the guests of the state says:
But for the courageous attitude of
the Free State the conditions of the
present struggle would be changed. 1t
would have been impossible for the
TransvaaI to have taken the course
followed with such success"
DUNDONALD IS SAFE.
London Jan. 29.-3:26 p. m.-Great
anxiety has been removed by the an
nouncement that Lord Dundonald's s
cavalry forces, which it was feared
were isolated among the hills in the
neighborhood of Acton Homes, are safe
on the south bank of the Tugela river.
LOSSES IN INSTALI4MENTS.
London, Jan 2g-Generag Butler
wires from Spearnan's Camp, January
%, that the casualties among the Off
GERS of the fifth division and mounted
brigade at Spion Kop January "A were:
Killed, %; wounded. 20; missing, 6.
ROBERTS SAYS GIVE IT UP.
New York Jan. pa special cable
gram to the Evening World says:
1T is learned from a reliable source
that Field Marshal Lord Roberts has
advised the abandonment of Lady
smith, At the war Office" the dispatch
adds, mo confirmation could be OBJ
| tanned of the advices said to have been
given by Lord Roberts,
HEAVY LIST OF CASUALTIES.
London, Jan. 29-The war office de-
nies the report that Ladysmith has sur
| rendered, and announces that a very
| heavy list of casualties will be issued
| tonight.