The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-24


nouncement made shortly before midnight
by the war Office that nothing further
would be issued until Wednesday FORE
noon, the following dispatch from Gen.
Butler. dated at Spearman's Camp, Jan.
%, 6:2O p. M, has just been posted:
Warren holds the position he gained
two days ago. In front of him, at about
1,240 yards, Is the enemy's position, west
Of Spion's Kop. 1t is on higher ground
than Warren's position, so 1t is impos
sible to see into it properly. 1t can be
approached only over bare open slopes
and the ridges held by Warren are so
steep that guns cannot be placed on them
But we are shelling. the enemy's position
with howitzers and field artillery; placed
on lower ground, behind the infantry.
1.-THE enemy is replying with Creusote
and other artillery In this duel the ad-
be searching his trenches, and his artil-
lery fire Is not causing US much loss.
IAN attempt will be made tonight to
seize Spion's Kop, the salient of which
forms the left of the enemy's position, fac
ing richards Drift, and which divides it
from the position facing Potgieter's Drift.
1t has considerable command over all the
enemy's intrenchments.'
>BULLER's ADVANCE CHECKED.
Gen. Buffers great turning movement,
of which so much had been expected
has come TO a standstill. His carefully
worded message to the war Office, telf-
ing this, after a silence of two days,
reads like an apology and an eXpIana-
ton. Gen. Warren holds the ridges, but
the enemy's positions are higher. The
British artillery is playing on the Beers
position, and the Beers are replying. The
British infantry is separated by only 1,400
yards from the enemy, but an approach
to the steep slopes, across the bare open,
would expose the British to a fatal rifle
fire.
Gen. Buffers plans have reached their
development. IIe declines to send his in
fantry across this zone against formid-
able positions by daytime, and discloses
his purpose to assault the Spion IIop
heights during the night. This appears
to be the key TO the Boer defense If
he takes it, and thus commands the ad-
jacent country, an important and posi-
bly, a decisive step will have been ac-
conlplished.
1t seems that Gen. Buffers dispatch
reached the war office rather early in
the night, and was the subject of a pro-
longed conference between Lord Lans-
downe, Mr.. Balfour and several staff Off
cials. A determination appears to have
been reached not to give out the mes
sage during the night, but towards 2 a.
m. copies OF the dispatch were made for
distribution among the newspaper Of
fees. These arrived too late for extend
ed comment.
The Morning Post and the Standard
touch lightly upon the unpleasant fea-
lures of the dispatch and take hope from
the projected night attack, but, all things
considered, the dispatch looks like prepa-
ration for worse news.
CONVEYING OF PARLIAMENT.
Parliament will meet in seven days.
The cabinet has been hoping for one rat
Ting British success to cheer the country
and command general support for fresh
financial measures. One Of these will
probably be an increase in the income
tax to one shilling. The duties on to-
bacco, alcohol and tea are likely to be
raised. The cabinet will meet at the
end of the week and discuss the subject.
Political conditions, both civil and mil
itary, press upon the military authori-
ties the necessity of accomplishing sonle-
thing These authorities have been ac-
cused Of urging Gen. Butler to attempt
his great operation without adequate
preparation. This impression, whether
true or not, Is abroad. 1t is said Lord
Roberts has nothing whatever to do with
Gen. Buffers operations. Gen.. Butler
and the war office communicate with
each other direct. Buffers scheme was
conceived before Lord Roberts reached
Cape Town, and its execution was begun
Judgment of Lord Roberts has not been
brought to bear upon the movement does
not add to public confidence.
THUNDERER COMMENTS.
The Times, commenting editorially upon
Gen. Buffers dispatch, says:
.'It can but tend to increase the severe
strain from which the nation is suffering.
We must await the result Of his attempt
to seize the formidable Boer position
with courage and GOODNESS. His success
may be decisive, but the danger Of the
attempt is evidently great. The intense
excitement of the besieged in Ladysmith
may be imagined.
Gen. Warren is moving with COM
mendable, indeed imperative caution, but
1t must not be forgotten that delay, how
ever caused, must tell In many respects
In favor of the enemy. The Beers, 1t Is
true. have, fallen back some hundred
yards, but they have gained time to bring
up men, guns, and ammunition to the
position that they have selected for their
principal stand, and to intrench it In a
thorough fashion, the fashion they un-
derstand so we'll. Until that position has
been taken and its defenders routed and
badly cut up, the relief of Ladysmitli
cannot be considered secure
POSSIBLE INTERVENTION.
From Vienna comes the statement that
the idea of the intervention of European
pow ers Is gaining adherents In influential
quarters. The Daily Mails correspond
ent regards the signs as momentous, es-
pecially articles printed in the Austro-
Hungarian official foreign Office journals.
Dispatches from Natal describe ths
bcmbardment Of Ladysmith as heavier
than any previous firing and as tending
to discourage sortie, some preparations