New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-02
REACTION IN LONDON.
THE GLOOM THAT FOLLOWED SPION
KOP'S REVERSE BEING SLOWLY
DISSIPATED
Copyright. 1900: by The New-York Tribune.
fBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUHE1

Copyright 1900: by The New-York Tribune.l
iBY CABLE To THE TRIBUNEI
London, Feb. >. a. m.-There are signs Of a
reaction against the depression which has pre-
vailed in London since Sunday. The retention of
Spearman's Camp is regarded as an indication
that the Upper Tugela campaign has not ended,
and that another attempt will be made for the
relief Of Ladysmith England will. as well as
Whites brave men, have her eyes fastened
upon the naval guns on Mount Alice. While
those guns remain in command of a crossing
place on the Tugela the hope that Ladysmith
may be relieved is not abandoned.
Accounts from special correspondents of the
retreat and concentration of Buffers army agree
that the temper and morale of the troops are all
that could be desired and that they are ready
and anxious to march again toward Ladysmth.
The evident hopefuness of Buffers soldiers and
their confidence in his leadership react favor
ably upon the public here To this is added the
we'll known fact that General Roberts has al
ways commanded the respect and devotion of
the British soldiers, and that nothing has oc-
CURED TO impair their confidence in him. The
only drawback is the increased casualty list
from Spion Kop. over two hundred missing men
being reported.
ACTIVITY IN SEVERAL QUARTERS.
While hope has been revived that supreme
effort is impending. with or without reinforce
ments for the relief of Ladysmith, there are
also signs Of activity in other quarters.
port a British force with artillery has en-
tered Prieska is not explained and it is probably
a repetition of Pitchers recent operation in
making a rapid advance upon Douglas. Prieska
IS sixty miles southwest OF Douglas, and IS in
the heart Of the disanected district Of Griqua-
land West. Its occupation at least proves that
General Roberts is alive to the Importance of
the Beers are impressng into their service the
Queens subjects. Il may also be a sign that
some EXTENDED movement is in progress for the
relief Of Kimberley, although this is not by any
means clear
General Methuen's force is described as re-
.ceiving with enthusiasm the report that Mafek-
ing has been relieved. No authentic confrma-
tion Of this rumor has reached either Cape Town
London
General Kelly-Kenny's division is actively en-
ployed in cooperating with General Gatacre
and General French Few dispatches are now
allowed TO come through from that quarter and
General Roberts is clearly anxious to divert at
tention from the work in progress The Dutch
garrsons both Stormberg and Colesberg have
been reinforced, and the Boer strategists are
striving to repeat their tactics at Magersfon-
tein Colenso and Spon Kop by creating a new
impasse by which the British invasion Of the
Free State may be blocked.
IN NEED OF LEADERS
Parliament is in need of better leadership
than Is now shown on either side The Irish
members, from their point Of view are ex-
hibiting the best tactics in abstainine from de-
bate and from the division on opposition to the
amendment now under discussion But their
inaction will tend to swell the Government ma
3ority in the end. The Ministers are evidently
preoccupied with anxieties, and are overworked
but they have the advantage Of being able to
dispel at the question the many false r,lmors
which have been current for weeks respecting
the conduct Of the war. They also have in>re-
serNe strong measure for reassuring the public
against European intervention and DR. Ieydss
intrigues in Paris. Berlin and St Petersbur,.
that is the mobilization Of the fleet which win
be popular measure. although it will tend -
disturb temporarily the Continental excbanges
Liberal support Of the amendment To the d
dress was continued yesterday by Sir Charles
Dixie. who spoke with authority as an exnar+ ~
military administration. Mr.. George Wyndbam
answered him with spirit asserting that tho In
teligence Department had assumed that tba
Dutch Republics would put 80 600 men in the
recruits from Cape Colony, whereas Great Rrit
ain would soon have 10000 men in South
Africa
with this army in the field, the War Offices
record is satisfactory. But the generals in the
helo nave no excuse for not bringing the war
10 triumphant close. If they are beaten ~
VIE De because the Boer generals outrna+oh
them In every respect ~
ooh'hEhs' SUPPLIES RUNNING SHORT
They REOPEN LINE OF RAILWAY LEAD