Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-26

and that the strategical value of the point
had still to be demonstrated there never
was any great reason for throwing up
hats. and until further particulars arrive
it is impossible to estimate to what ex-
tent the public disappointment is justi-
fed
Encouraging News From Ladysmith.
Under other circumstances the news from
Ladysmth showing greatly improved sani-
tary conditions, the plentifulness of pro-
visions and the Strengthening of the forti-
fcations until the place is regarded as i'm
pregnable would have inspirited the ma
ton, but these good tidings to the British
are overshadoIed by anxiety as to the sit
uation on the upper Tugela, and the thought
that the heavy losses suffered during the
struggle Tuesday night have counted for
naught- Military circles made no effort to
conceal their chargin, expressing the grav-
est fears as % the ultimate fate of Lady
smith. Such authorities as Maj Gen. Sir
Frederick Darlington, who is under orders
for South Africa, and Lord Clifford, who
won the Victoria Cross while scouting for
Lord Woolseley curing the Sulu war, would
rot be surprised to hear of the capture of
Gen. Whites force within a week. Lord
Clifford, who knows the country like book,
could not understand how in the world
Gen. Warren even got to the top of Spion
Kop without ascertaining what positions
commanded 1t.
Flush of Disappointment.
As far as the general public is concerned,
now that the first flush of disappointment
is over. 1t takes the news stolidly. When
the newspapers, bearing big placards con-
tanning the words ''Spion Kop abandoned"
appeared in the streets the people rushed
to buy the papers, and from cabmen on top
of hansoms to business men hurrying city,
wards all could be seen scanning the news
with dazed expressions. The signs of pleas
ure which were visible everywhere yester-
day have now given place to a wave of de-
preston. but there have been no outward
demonstrations or scenes. In the west end
the rapidity with which the bad news trav-
eled was remarkable.
A few minutes before IL o'clock this
morning the dingy war office had a de-
serted appearance, only a few reporters
and messengers being visible about the
building. A few minutes later, however,
and almost simultaneously with the post
ing of Gen. Buffers dispatch, carriages and
cabs came rolling up, people with anxious
faces fastened to the notice boards and
the lobbies soon became congested.
The afternoon newspapers only briefly
comment on the situation preferring to
await fuller particulars.
The St. James Gazette says:
We are only at the beginning"
The Westminster Gazette suggests that
the abandonment of Spionkop need not
mean more than that a riscalculation was
n ade regarding the value of the kop.
The Pail Mall Gazette expects that "the
advance will again continue, as it began,
with a series of rushes. A kopje taken
here. half mile gain there, and that we
shall have, in short, to fight our way to
the rescue by hardly won degrees. Lady
smith, nevertheless, will be saved.'
The Globe says it Is assured that the
country will face the situation calmly and
press forward unfiinchingly, in spite of all
obstacles"