The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-28
THE REFUSE OF GEN. BULLER.


The abandonment of Spion kop by Cen
Warren, amounting as it does to re-
pulse of Gen. Butler, has produced deep
feeling Of uneasiness in England. This
feeling finds expression in criticism Of
the government. No word is uttered
against the soldiers. 1t is admitted that
they are doing all that ii is possible for
them TO do They have shown and are
showing true British courage. The sentl-
ment appears to be growing. however,
that the war is a useless one, and that IL
could have been easily avoided with honor
if there had been a little patience and
wise diplomacy shown. There is a euspi-
cion that the trouble originated in gold
hunters conspiracy to disturb the peace
OF South Africa and that the government
permitted itself to be dragged into it.
There is no disposition, however, to re-
treat from the position the government
has taken. 1t is admitted that it is not
possible to take a backward step-that the
British must be victorious whatever the
cost may be.
IT is plain to the observing and thought
full. however. that the cost Of victory is
going TO be very great Events so far
make it seem probable that the British
will not be able to dictate such terms of
peace as they please. Thoughts like these
are causing the uneasy feeling that is OBJ
servable in England and TO which atten-
ton is called in The dispatches.
IT was confidently hoped, when it was
announced that Gen. Warren had captured
Spon kop, that the turning point of the
war had been reached, and that there
would follow a series of British successes
that would dishearten the Beers and make
them anxious for peace. But Gen War
rem did not hold his position, and now it
IS suspected that he could not have taken
il if the Beers had not been willing that
he should have it temporarily for some
purpose which has not yet been disclosed.
In view of The fact that tine Beers know
the character of the country thoroughly
and have force superior to that of Gen.
Butler, it is suspected that it was their
intention to draw either the whole of the
British force into position where its cap
ture would be easy or else to let Gen
Warren win, what might seem to him
infiicnug greater damage on him. The
character of the country is such that the
giving up of a position and retiring quar-
ter or a half mile does not necessarily
meaA that the retiring party has been
worsted.
The impression gained from the descrip-
tons of the country in which Gen. Bull
ler's army is now operating is that a
very small army can hold a large one in
check for a long time. 1t seems, however
that the Beers have twice as many men
es the British. 1t Is not surprising, there
fore, that the British are meeting with
so little success. 1t would not even be sur
prising if the British should meet with a
very great disaster. 1t Is said that the
Beers have a force of 10000 men, and that
Gen. Buffers army numbers only $4,000.
of which but 5000 were actively engaged
in the attack on the Boer intrenchments.
The Tugela river is in Gen. Buffers rear,
and at this season of the year it is often
forty feet deep. 1t is apparent therefore,
that with such large Boer force in his
front and a deep river in his rear there
is grave danger of a disaster to Gen. Bull
ler's army.
There is reason for the feeling of de
preston which prevails in England The
outlook is anything but encouraging for
the British. Even the English critics of
the Spanish-American War; who regard
ed our naval Victories of Manila and San
| tiago as comparatively insignificant af-
fairs from British standpoint, have moth
ing to say about the situation in South
Africa that is calculated to bring comfort
10 the English people