The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-24

the salient point Of which forms the left
| of the encmy's position facing the Rich
ards Drift, aud which divides il into a
portion of Porgieters Drift. 1t has con-
siderable command over the enomys IN
| trenchments."
London. January 4.--General Buffers
great turning movement, of which so much
has been expected, has come to q staud-
still. His carefully worded message to the
war office telling this. after silence OF
two days, reads like an apology and an
explanation. General Warren holds the
ridges, but the enemy's position is higher.
The British artillery is playing on the
Bosr positions and tho Beers are replying.
The British infantry is separated ouly by
1900 yards from the enemy. but an ap-
proach to the slopes across the bare open
would expose the British 10 fatal rIne
fire.
General Buffers plans have reached
their development. He declines to send his
infantry across this zone against forinid-
able positions by daylight and diseloses
heights during the night This appears
10 be the key to the Boer defense. II he
takes It and thus commands the adjacent
country, an important and possibly a de-
csve step will be accomplished
It seems that General Buffers dispatch
reached the war Office early in the night
and was the subject of prolonged con-
ference beayeen Lord Lansdowne, Mr.. Bal
four and several staff officials. deter
mination appears to have been resched not
to give out the message during the night
hut toward q. IN. copies OF the document
were made for distribution among the
newspaper offices. These arrived too late
for extended comment.
The Morning Post ana the Standard
touch lightly upon the unpleasant feat
ures OF the dispatches and take hope from
the projected night attack. but all things
considered the dispatch looks like prepar-
alton for worse news.
Parliament viii meet In five days. The
cabinet had been hoping for some rally
ing British success to cheer the country
and to command generous support felff
fresh revenue measures. Among those
will be propably an increase OF the income
would only provide the cost of five weeks
hostilities The duties on tobacco. alco-
hol, tea and coffee are likely to be raised
The cabinet will meet al the end Of the
week and discuss the situation.
Political considerations both foreign and
domestic. press upon the military authori-
ties the urgency of speedily accomplishing
something. These authorities may have
been persuaded TO urge General Butler
10 attempt his great operation without
adequate preparation This impression,
whether true or not, is abroad. Apparently
Lord Roberts has moth ing whatever to do
with General Buffers operation. General
Butler and the war ofiae comm xlicate
with each other direct Buffers scheme
was conceived before Lord Roberts ar
rived at Cape;own and its execution was
begun on the day he landed The fact
that the judgment Of Lord Roberts has not
been brought to bear on the movement
does not add TO public confidence.
The Times commenting editorially upon
General Buffers dispatch says. 1T can
but tend TO increase the severe strain
from which the nation is suffering, We
must await the result OF his attempt
to seize the formidable Boer position, with
courage and ooolness. His success may
be decisive but the attempt is evidently
great. The intense excitement OF thu be-
sieged in Ladysmlth may be imagined"
General Warren Is moving with COM
merdahle, indeed imperative caution. but
II must not be forgotten that delay how
ever caused. must tell In many respects
in favor OF the enemy. The Beers have,
il is true. fallen back when hard pressed,
but thev have gained time 10 bring IN
men, Ammunition and supplies TO
the pition they have selected for their
principal stand and 70 entrench it in
the thorough fashion they understand so
well unul that position has been taken
and Is defenders routed and badly cut UP.