Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-01-26
May Have Met With a Reverse
or Retired For Strategic
Reasons.
NEWS WAS UNEXPECTED
And In London Circles Caused Some
C0nsternati0n-The Cabinet Held a
Meeting - Descriptions Of Late
Fights Are Now Coming to Hand.

westminster 1dZeUte says tnlS al leAIOOA'
1.-The Associated Press said Warren's
success was provisional" The West
minister Gazette's remark was called out
by George w. Smalley's cable to the
Times this morning saying: "The Asso-
ciated Press takes care that we shall not
overestimate Warren's success, suggest
ing that it's only provisional, and that
there is the usual disposition of London
to exaggerate the Importance Of the point
scored"
The Westminster Gazette then pro-
ceeds to defend it's own course, pointing
out that 1t is not unpatriotic TO decline to
gloss over the facts. AS matter Of fact
Great Britain assumes that the point
gained was more conclusive than It real
" was, hence the extreme revu!sion of
feeling caused by Buffers announcement
OF the abandonment Of Spionkop.
Considering that the Beers who held
the position fled, that the British casual
ties in retaining 1t during subsequent at
tacks were heavy and that the stragetic
value of the point had still to be demon
strated, there never was any great rea-
son for throwing UP hats and until fur
ther particulars arrive it is impossible
to estimate to what extent public disap-
pointment Is justified.
1t Is impossible at present to say
whether the British suffered reverse or
the movement was dictated by strategic
reasons. Obviously the position was use
less unless guns could be planted on 1t,
and discovering this was impossible.
Warren may have decided it was unsafe
20 ott 20 ho11 tho
er, or perhaps he is seeking more pro-
f1table ascent elsewhere.
Whatever may be the explanation of
the abandonment of Spionlxop by
the British it will doubtless have
the same temporary moral effect as
a reverse. 1t appears to have been so en-
tirely unexpected at the war Office, that
Buffers dispatches caused some thing in
the nature of CONSERVATION. The lobbies
were soon crowded and there was evil
dence on all sides that the news was
keenly felt.
The only official comment was appar-
emily that Warren found the position too
hot to hold"
Now herein spite of the general depres-
sion is there the least sign of abatement
successful issue. r~,g
The cabinet met this afternoon under
the presidency of Salisbury and doubtless
the ministers fully canvassed the new
situation though primarily summoned to
discuss the terms of the queens speech.
Under other circumstances news from
Ladysmith showing greatly improved
sanitary conditions, the plentifulness of
provisions and strengthening of fortifi-
cations until the place is regarded as i'm
pregnable would have inspired the nation
but these good tidings to the British are
overshadowed by anxiety as to the situa-
tton on the upper Tugela and that heavy
losses suffered during the struggle Tues
day night have counted for nothing. Mil
itary circles made no effort to conceal
their chagrin. expressing the gravest
fears as to the ultimate fate of Lady
smith.
Such authorities as Major General Car
rica. and Lord Clifford, who won the Vic
toria cross while scouting for Lord
Wolseley during the Zulu war, would not
be surprised to hear of the capture Of
Whites force within a week. Clifford who
knows the country like book, could not
understand how in the world Warren
ever got to the top Of Spionkop without
ascertaining what positions command it.
The poorness of maps, it was pointed out,
could hardly be an excuse for this as
there must be with Warren several scouts
to say nothing of officers who at one time
or another have served at Ladysmith and
whose mere hunting expeditions would
have given them knowledge Of the coun-
try.
While Warren is not blamed for re-
treating under what is supposed to have
been q heavy shell fire he Is severely crit
icized for occupying position to which
he could not bring up his artillery. 90
Abandoned the Hill.