Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-01-30
A DISMAL FAILURE.
London Now Sees What Great BIunders Have
Been Made in Africa.

London, Jan. 29.-211 F. M.-Thc
usual airy attempts to minimize the
seriousness of the situation in South
Africa are entirely lacking. this after
| noon, and it is frankly acknowledged
| that the most serious effort of the pres
ent war has dismally failed. There IS
no sign of wish on the part Of the
leaders of public opinion to disguise the
| ugly facts, but on the contrary. there
| is every disposition to face the full diff
| ficulties and discover the best way out
In short. the policy voiced everywhere
| is the gathering up of forces for more
effective blows.
All hopes of the speedy relief of
Ladysmith have been abandoned. and
the concensus of expert opinion urges
the Immediate shifting of the theatre
of war from the rocky kopjeS of Natal
to the open veldt of the Free State.
one thing appears certain-another
long pause is inevitable unless the
Beers assume the offensive. because,
even in the event of Gen. Butler further
attempting to reach Ladysmith, the
planning of Il new move will necessarily
occupy time.
The afternoon newspapers are draw
ing attention to the closeness Of the
parallel between the federal attack on
Gen. Lee at Fredericksburg and the
operations on the upper Tugela.
Curiously enough. there is visible, es-
pecially in military circles. an under
current of relief at the news that The
British are safely south of the Tugela,
for the rumors of Saturday had con-
jured up visions of an immense catas-
trophe.
The afternoon papers are discussing
whence are to come the troops for
protracted campaign. 1t is becoming
generally recognized that some form
of compulsory service is more imminent
than previously thought of. The st.
James Gazette, however. suggests that
the solution of pouring more and more
troops into South Africa savors of the
Spanish action in Cuba, adding that the
solution of making better use of the
thousands already there has never sug-
gested itself.
The Queens speech. at the re-assem-
bling of Parliament, tomorrow, IS
awaited with unusual interest. in the
expectation that a considerable increase
in the naval and military expenditures
will be necessitated by the lessons Of
the war and be altogether apart from
the special war vote.
AS the afternoon newspapers are
commenting without full knowledge of
the facts. they are not disposed t. offer
any apologies for Gen. Buffers defeat.
The st. James Gazette says:
The meaning of the retreat is OBJ
vious. We have had to realize that
we cannot force our way through the
enemy's lines to Ladysmith. why, we
don't know. If the Boer position IS
mprccnable it ought never to nave
been attacked. If it is capable of be
ing taken we were rcpulsed becauS"
the leadership was bad, and it is idle
to attempt to conceal that the latter
is far from incredible. To start OUT
declaring there must be no turning
back is cminently foolish. When
swaggcr and rant prevail there i com
monty plentiful lack Of Judgment and
true resolution. 1t requires serious eff
fort not to yield to the gloomy con-
viction that the intellectual and moral
qualities which make for success nave
been replaced on our staff by words
words.
The remedy for South Africa is not
to add to the numbers. but to put the
troops where their force can come IN
to play.
The Westminster Gazette invites the
country to cast aside all decisions ana
recognize the fact that passage for the
present is stopped in Natal and mat
safety lies in concentration. Genefal
Whites force. as an effective aid. must
he written off and probably most OF
Cen. BuIler's army has left the TuSela.
The Beers have been given time to pre-
marc against the advance through the
F-rae State. and we have not suihcleht
strength at present to undertake th'S
advance with any safety These are
molly facts. but those who disguise
them are again misleading the puDllc.
The plain truth is that we VIII nave
IN make a new army somehow from
somewhere. We need at least loo'oo2
mare men-5O. 900 to reinforce the cape
and so 900 in reserve.
Tho Globe saws: 1T would be mis-
take TO minimize the serious charac
for of the situation in Natal. We have
made a great effort from which results
n,aro expected and have failed. Inc
situation as it stands, today, points
,,ith greatly augmented force. the
came moral as did our previous mis-
bans IT is that the war must be press
Cd on with redoubed energy.
Tbe ST James Gazette. this after
noon returns to scathing criticism of
the language of Gen. Buffers reports.
1t says:
cen Buffers reflection on the terror
no mt in the foe reminds us of things
we have heard about Chinese manda-
rims ,
Great anxiety has been removed by
the announcement that Lord Dundon-
aids cavalry forces, which 1t was fear
cd were isolated among the nils in the
neiehborhood of Acton Homes. are sale