The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-26
SPTON KOP
TAKEN BY
ASSAULT
By General Warren's Men, and the
Position Evacuated by the Small
Bosr Garrison.
THE KEY TO THE SITUATION
Is in the Hands Of the British, and
is Being Held Against Strong

LONDON, Jan. 26s 4:1b a. m.-Seneral
Buffers phrase 'The men are splendid"
thrills England with pride and conf
dence. His taking ana holding splOn
Kop are considered permanent adyan-
taEes.
Sir Charles warren's opinion that
miles OF tie adjacent Boer entrench-
mentS are untenable is accepted by
most expert observers as obviously
true, because Of the height of the posi-
tlon, although. some point out that 1t
may lack adequate gun platform to re-
sist artillery are from the two extend
ed sides.
1t is not likely that General Warren
will let go anything he holds and news
Of further success is calmly awaited.
The military authorities recognize, OF
course, that in the twelve or fifteen
miles between spion Kop aud Lady
smith there are continuous defensive
positions and rugged hills and ravines
which far outrange spion Kop. but they
are sure that the troops who have turn
ed the Beers out Of dlhcllt places can
do 1t again. The military expert Of the
Times says:
''It is exceedingly diflcult to arrive
at any exact estimate Of the advantage
gained. A definite tactical object has
been attained. and definite steps have
been taken in the fulfllment Of the
strategic plan. 1t is necessary to await
fuller information before attaching un-
due weigh. to the success thus far at
tanned. At least there has been steady
progress"
The Klldonan Castle reached Durham
yesterday (Thursday) with 1000 addi-
tional troops for General Butler and
three troopshlps have arrived from In
dia, bringing among others, a regiment
of lancers. Beyond these 1t is not pub
llcly known here how heavily General
Butler has been reinforced, but those
having certain conections with the war
office are confident that General Butler
will have as many more men as he may
need to make his work easier.
The situation In the neighborhood of
the other armies is unchanged, but a
forward movement by General French
is daily expected.
A dispatch to the Standard from
Rensberg describes General French's
dispositions as now forming great
semi-ctrcult around the Boer positions.
The correspondent says he could take
colesburg, two miles away at any time.
A letter from Pretoria. gives the text
of complaint which President Kruger
made to President steyn regarding the
want of cooperation on the part OF the
Free stateys at Moddev river, and also
President steyn's address to the Free
staters. Mr.. Kruger said he had learn
ed with regret that 'only about 1000
men OF the Free State fought in the last
battle and that many others remained
in their camps while their brothers re-
sisted and even defeated their enemy"
These statements appear to give off,
cial confirmation to the reports Of dis
agreements between the allies,
LONDON. Jan. 95-The war office has
Just issued the following dispatch from
spearnan's Camp, dated January 2j,
1910 morning:
General Warren's troops last night
occupied splou Kop surprising the
small carlson. who fled. 1t has been
held by us all day. although We we're
heavily attacked especially by u very
annoying shell fire.
II fear our casualties are consider
able and l have to inform you, with re-
grct, that General Woodgate was dan
gerously wounded.
General Warren is Of the opinion
that he has rendered the enemy's posi-
ton untencble. The men are splendid"
LoNDoY, Jan. %. 2;25 y. m.--'rhe
jubflatIon over General Warren's
achievement in capturing splon Kop
Wednesday hight is chastened by the
realization that his success is only pro-
vI,Ional as 1t appears clear from Gen.
Buffers dispatch that the Beers fully
recognize the strateglcaI Importance OF
splon Kop and at the time his message
was sent on they had not abandoned
the hope OF recapturing the position
Nevertheless heavy load OF anxiety
has been removed from the nation, and
there ls general expectation that as the
British have succeeded in keeping the
hil all dag long they wiH manage 10 re-
tain 1t until General Warren plants
guns enough on 1t to dominate the Boer
trenches right aud left. There IS the
usual disposition here 10 exdggerats
the Importance of the poln; scored. but
The best Informed people realize tina,
Gcneral Butler stlll has a task ahead OF
him calling for the most dogged per-
sstence ana untirinR attack, and that
the difficulties will increase as the
position develops.
Though General Buffers dispatch il
dated to-day and speaks OF splon Kop
being captured last night" Is appar.
cntIy means Tuesday night.
A. according 10 General Buffers dis.
match the "smnIl garrison was sur.
n l.ed his subscQucnt statement: "oui
lo,..s we're considerable indicates thai
m, British suffered greatly later. from
Tho shell tire from farther Boer posi-
toH.
rhe ytntenieut Tint there was only d
nnMn garrison at splon Kop cant
rou.ewaat ss . surprise. as 1t was imaB