The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-01-31
Boer Shells Made the Noun
tain Too Hot For War
ren's Men.

tain Too Hot For War
ren's Men.
LoDdop, Jan 26, lilo a. m.-Tbe
war Office has just posted the following
dispatch from Gen Butler, dated Spear
mao's Camp, Thursday, January 25,
nooo
"Gen Warren's garrison, an sorry
to say, l 6Od this morning had in the
night abandoned Spion Kop''
LONDON, Jao 81, "a m-SeveD
days OF Fitting have left the main Boer
positions intact and Gen Brller's array
706 meo weaker, according to tie
official casualty lists. which seemingly
do not include the Spion Kop losses, as
those last forwarded do not mention
Gen Woodgate's wound,cg.
England IS possessed by depressing
sense Of failure, though not wor3. in
criticism of ber geoerals and soldiers is
uttered. Not much effort is made to
place happy construction upon Gen
Buffers bare 18 words telling Of che
retirement from Spiou Kop, and there
is au uneasy impression abroad that
worse news is yet TO come
At one of the military clubs tonight
the statement passed from one member
to another that the war Office has
received an unpleasant supplementary
dispatch from Gen Butler, which was
being beld up for ~ hours
Spencer Wilkins ou 10 the Morning
Post writes as follows of the Spion Kop
loss
''Tbis is serious matter, and an
attempt vii! not here be made tc
miDimizs it, for no greater wrong can
be done to our people at home than to
mislead them about the significance Of
the events of the war. The right way
is to tell the truth as far as We knew
it -
But facts from the neighborhood Of
the Tugela are scantier than ever The
censorship is now simply prohlbitlye
and something is wrong With the cables
The break on the east coast line has
been repaired. but the cable be,weeo
San Tbome aud Loanda, on the west
coast, is now interrupted
More troops is the only suggestion
here as the way to break che Boer
resistance. Mr. Wilkinson regrets that
Gen Butler has not 10000 more men.
declaring that, if they would make
victory certain his enterprise without
them is hopeless.
The Spectator, dealing With the
necessity of large additional military
preparations. saye:
1t may be that We have yet another
Cycle OF disasters in front of Us y
The transport Assaye arrived at
Cape Town last Friday with 2 l27
officers and men The first portion Of
the Seventh division is afoar Hence,
With the 10000 men of this division
and about 9 900 others now at sea it
lies 10 the power of Lord Roberts to
reinforce Geo Baller heavily. This
course is advised by military writer's
Although severely tried, Eoglsrd's
nerve is absolutely unsbakeo, and
probably nothing that can happen in
South Africa will charge iu the slight
est degree her intention. She will
continue to receive bad pews. if it
comes, With dignity, and will maintain
her determination to win at last
The morning papers editorally
advise coolness and judgment and a
careful avoidance OF over.estimating
the importance of the last positioo
The Times says The natural
disqrietude of the public is increased
py the singular vaeueoess and iocon-
sistency of Gen Buffers dispatches
There is. iodeed. very singlar end
somewhat disqu;eting attitude OF de
sachmeots in Gen Buffers comments as
revealed 10 The Gazet:c's dispatches
For instance. his cca:men;s as to his
action at Zoutpaas drlf: His remark
concerning :he probability that Btitish
officers would 10 time learn the value of
scouting might properly hsve come
from foreign military attache. but II
is rather more than surprising thar It
should 5e thrown out 10 tals casu.i,
irresponsible fashion by the head Of the
forces conccrping his subor1ina.es.
week or two, moreover. after the loss of
the guEs on toe Tugela
4'The consequences OF this latest
check may be very serious to the gal
laot Ladysmifh garrison Il is impcs-
slbIe to estimate the next movement.
1t may be that Gen Buller will be