The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-29

LONDON, Jan. 20. Ais a. m.-The week
has opened with the utmost gloom for
the British public. and the reaction is all
the stronger because Of the high hopes that
were repoeed in Gen. Buffers turning
movement and of his announcement that
there would be no turning back"
At the very moment when DIR. Leyds is
being received as an hoEored guest in the
highest circles on the continent, Great
Britain has to face the worst disaster In
campaign thus far disastrous Open talk
Ii heard of the absolute necessity of aban-
doning Ladysmith to its fate. while Lord
Roberts resorts to the original plan of an
advance over the Orange river upon Bloem-
fontein.
Lndysmith In Desperate.
To Ladysmith the disappointment must
be very bitter. A dispatch from the Boer
laager near the town, dated January "a,
describes the garrison as very evidently
preparing desperate coup in order to eff
feet junction with Gen. Buffers advance
ing army"
1t may be regarded as certainty that,
in the confident hope of early relief. Sir
George White has lately been issuing extra
rations, and this fact has given rise to
an exaggerated idea as to the length of
time the provisions would last
Cannot Await Relief.
Even should 1t be decided to send Gen.
Butler reinforcements. and to attempt to
reach Ladysmith by a movement through
the still more difficult country east Of
Coenso it Is extremely doubtful whether
the garrison could hold out long enough,
as such a movement would occupy at least
month.
without Parallel Since Yorktown.
The Times says: 1.-THE most carefully
planned and executed movement of the
whole campaign has entirely failed, and
It can hardly be necessary to dwell upon
the extreme probability that we shall learn.
a little sooner or little later, Of a catas-
trophe almost beyond precedent in our mil
itary history, a catastrophe. indeed, with
out a parallel except in the surrender at
Yorktown.
Only Remedy More Troops.
1--WE are checked at every point of the
campaign. In fact, the campaign is Still
to begin. We wish we had clearer proofs
that. even now, the government has any
adequate comprehension OF the situation.
The utterances of responsible ministers
have done nothing to reassure the coun-
try on this point.
Heavy or light, the thing has to be
done, and the government ought to pre-
pare for the immediate dispatch OF $1,000
men, and take steps to send yet another
10000 If these should be needed. The
hopeless attempt to carry on the campaign
with four widely separated columns. each
unequal to its task. must be abandoned
for a concentration of force and of pur-
pose"
Dlaming the Government.
All the editorials this morning breathe
the spirit of calm determination. Not one
will allow that any reverse could deter the
country from the object it has set itself
to attain. whatever the sacrifices which
may be involved.
Very frank criticism of the government,
however, is beginning to be heard, even In
quarters that have hitherto refrained. The
Daily Mail boldly throws all the blame
upon Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Lord Lans-
downe and Lord Wolseley. 1t points to
President Lincoln's dismissal of Simon
Cameron from the post of secretary of war
as a precedent for getting rid of incompe-
. tent ministers"
Buffers Obscure Dispatch.
The Morning Post dwells upon the dam
ger of further rebellion at the Cape and
of possible European complications. 1t
urges that the navy be prepared for ''any
emergency
The Standard and other papers reflect
the anxiety of the public to learn how
much truth there Is in the Boer accounts
of the fighting at Spionkop. Gen. Buffers
obscurity in his dispatches is rather Bit
teriy criticised, as well as the evident fact
that the censor is not only heavily delay
ing. but is culling all important matter
from the newspaper dispatches. To judge
with any accuracy of the extent of the dis
aster is virtually impossible.
Five Brigades Involved.
1t appears that Gen. Butler had Alto
sether five brigades. wholly or partially
engaged-Gen. Cookies, Gen, Hildyards.
Cen Woodgates and Gen. Lyttleton's-and
27o casualties already announced in Lyt-
tleton's brigade are thus explained. Much
mystery still surrounds the retreat. 1t is
possible that Gen. Butler has withdrawn
his whole forces, but it is generally as
sumed that Lyttleton's brigade and Lord
Dundonald's cavalry and other troops are
still on the north side of the Tugela.
Fear Another BOer Trick.
Gen. Buffers confidence that the Beers
did not modest his retreat because they
had been taught to respect the fighting
powers of the British soldier is not shared
in London. 1t is thought rather that the
Beers had some other plan in store or
did not wish to waste their men.
Large arrivals of troops are due at Cape
Town during the week.
Active in Wrong Place.
There has been great activity in military
quarters in all parts of England since Sat-
urday morning.
The war office. anticipating great crush
at the opening Of parliament, has placed