New-York tribune., 1900-01-25
PVT LONDON IN A FEVER.
RESULT OF THE PREMATURE DISCLOS-
URE OF PROPOSED ATTACK
On SPION KOP.
On SPION KOP
[sr CABLE 10 TIE rnrBuNE.l

Tcovg-ight: 1900: By The New-York Tribune,l
London, Jan %. a. m.-The War Office in
announcing a night attack in the future tense
when nearly twenty-four hours would be re-
quired for explaining the results in the past
tense has given England a feverish and anxious
day. Possibly Lord Lausdowne fancied that it
night have a SOLDERING effect If the country were
allowed IN one instance to share the anxiety
with which the Ministers were overwhelmed. He
nay have reasoned that the hours Of suspense
would enable Englishmen TO brace themselves up
for another reverse If fortune should be against
General Warren. or to have keener appreciation
Of victory Il spion Kop should be taken by a
highly hazardous assault
The War Office announced al midnight that
further news had been received from Cen
eraI Butler. and that nothing was expected
until morning. Lord Lansdowne, Mr.. Wynd-
ham, General Wolseley and other high authori-
ties had been in consultation during the even
ing, and there were suspicious that there was
news, but not Of the right color. This was a
vague surnise. unsupported by any tangible
evidence.
There was a general feeling Of indignation in
London over tie anxiety caused by the pre-
mature disclosure Of the plan Of a night attack
II was considered an inexcusable bIunder on the
part Of Lord Lansdowne. since General War
ren's plan Of attack might have been deferred
az the last moment for another night and
meanwhile General Butler himself would have
given warning 20 the enemy
Whatever the motive for the premature
disclosure which rendered the press censorship
and systematic suppression Of news a hollow
mockery' the tension and excitement through
out the Gay in London were very great. The
War once was besieged with inouirers hour af-
Ter ho1t' and the resorts were crowded at night
with silent loungers awaiting with grim and
sNeiH LaCes news OF victory or disaster. The
tactical points which had been bev,lder,r, milf
0ly writer's nao been cleared up. That was one
point gained, whatever might he tba ras,,I+ -
me night attack The Dutch intrencbed ,ositio,.
extended about eight miles from, the u,es+ar-
6PulS OF splon Aop 10 Brakfontein Genara1
1I4eh hao not turned this position ,,1ass
Lofo Dunoonald could be said TO have done O.
o clrci-ng around the range TO Acton -
warren mad fought his way from the river
iTcm one line of kopies 70 another toward ,be
sp1is "Aefe tne enefny's right and centre were
- ~14'eu Dut kilfaaA from exposing his .roops
70 zone ot FIRE on bare. open stones 7-ba
alternative was a desperate attenapt ~ oa-r..
by night assault the main SUNNI, ~ ca,,.
Eop, where the enemy's left was irrre,cbe6 7.
This could be taken. the eueuy-s main nos,+fo-
would be commanded. Wrarren'g srr,v, y[o,,ls l
Weogeo IA between that position and the an
proaches 70 Brakfontein. where another Dutch
army was intrenched- British success would c,,t
me Dutca army IN two sections. and each could
oe attacked in turn Defeat might be the signal
Tor retirement 70 the Tugela and abandonment
q tne operations for the relief OF Ladysmitb
after General White had been given a chance
. cut his way through the Boer lines 10 Pot
sletefz- This was the situation upon which In.
ar oHiee vas expected to throw light with the