The Forrest City times., 1900-04-20
GEN. LORD ROBERTS, BOMB.
An Explosion That Has Startled the Brit- ish-Incapacity of Army
 Officers.

London, April IS, 1 a. m.-The gov ernment has chosen this as the mo- mont to publish a dispatch from Lord Roberts pronouncing censure upon Sir Redvers Butler and Sir Charles Warren, two of his most important subordinate commanders. This dis patch, written February 13, has been in the hands of the war office for five weeks. Just why it is published now in the middle of the campaign, is not understood, unless it is expected that Gen. Butler and Gen. Warren will ask to be relieved of their. commands. The revelation of their incapacity must tend to undermine the confidence of the troops in their leadership.
 Somewhat Appalling Language.
 Lord Roberts dispatch, with the en- closures, is the great feature of the London press this morning. In a long editorial the Daily News speaks of the somewhat appalling language" of the dispatch, and then goes on to say:
 Upon the whole. these dispatches are disquieting and disheartening in nc ordinary degree. N Follow ins immediately upon the recall of Gen. Gatacre, they will create a wide spread feeling of uneasiness and anxie- ty."
 Not without a Purpose.
 The Standard, which is supposed to be in the confidence of the govern ment, says:
 Tt is scarcely likely that the pub,i- cation of Lord Roberts dispatch is without purpose. It irresistibly sug gests whether it is not to be followed by further important changes in the South African commands. Painful as such measures must be, there must be no hesitation in carrying them out if they are required in the public inter est"
 The Daily Telegraph compliments Lord Roberts upon not hesitating, where great national interests are at stake, to wound private susceptibili- ties''
 The Daily Chronicle confesses to "a feeling something like consternation when reading the extraordinary pass- ages" of the dispatch. Only Too Clearly Justified. The Times says:
 Lord Roberts severe condemnation is justified only too clearly by the of f'cial narratives of what took place. The story is painful; but it is well for the nation and for the army that it should be told clearly and simply, | without concealment or exaggeration. | Tt is not the least of the great serv- | ices Lord Roberts is now rendering the country that he exposes with judi cial impartiality and wise, wholesome l severity, errors and omissions in very much"
 | Whether the government has any | special purpose or not in publishing | the dispatch, the way in which it has been received will make it most diff cult to retain the censured eoinanders iii active service.
 Public Equnnimity Disturbed.
 Lord Roberts long wait and the Poer activity have seriously disturbed public equanimity. He is still 300 miles from Pretoria. No one doubts the ul- timate success of British arms, but, behind the British army that crushes the Boer armies, an army of occupa- tioa will have to be installed. From various sources come hints that more men than are already provided for will have to be sent out.
 Projected Flank Movements. Lord Roberts intimates that at least ten thousand men are advancing to cut off the Boers who are investing Wcpener. As there are reports from the Basuto border that firing has been heard in the direction of the hills to- ward De Vets dorp, it is possible Gen. Chermiside's advanced troops are al ready in contact with the Boers. Lord Roberts wires that he expected to clear the southeast section of the Free State, east of the railway, and then to swing round to the north and to turn one after another the positions held by the Boers north of Bloemfon tein.
 Butler Ready to Act. Gen. Buffers prohibition of all pres, telegrams in Natal until further no t;ce is taken to indicate that a move ment is about to begin there.
 Exactly what part Gen. Butler vii take is still secret which no one i. able to probe.
 From the seat of war there is sig nificant silence.
 L0rH TO LEAVE WEPENER.
 Commandant Oliver Reluctant ts