The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-27

than 1t really Was hence the extreme re-
vulsion of feeling caused by General
Buffers announcement of the abandon
ment of Spion kop. Considering that the
Beers who held the position fed, that the
British casualties in retaining it during
the subsequent attacks were heavy, 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 extent the
present disappointment is justified. 1t is
| impossible just now to say whether the
British suffered a reverse or the movement
was dictated by strategic reasons Opvi-
| ously the position was useless unless guns
could be planted on 1t, and, discovering this
was impossible, General Warren may have
decided it was unsafe to attempt to hold
the position any longer; or, perhaps he
| is seeking a more profitable ascent else
where.
Whatever may be the explanation of the
abandonment of Spion kop by the British
| 1t will doubtless have the same temporary
| moral effect as a reverse. 1t appears to
have been so entirely unexpected at the
War Office that General Buffers dispatch
| caused something in the nature of con-
sternation. The only official comment was
Apparently General Warren found the po-
sition too hot to hold"
Business in the Stock Exchange became
very fiat to-day. Consols dropped 5s
| leading to general oecilne.
Nowhere, however, in spite of the de-
preston. is there the least sign of abate-
ment in the determination to carry the
war to successful issue The Cabinet
met this afternoon under the presidency
of Lord Salisbury and doubtless the min
listers fully canvassed the new situation.
though primarily summoned to discuss the
terms of the Queens speech
Under other circumstances the news from
Ladysmith showing greatly improved sani-
tary conditions, the plentifulness of pro-
visions and the strengthening of the forti-
| fications until the place is regarded as i'm
pregnable would have inspired the nation,
but these good tidings to the British are
| ever so shadowed by the anxiety as to the
situation on the upper Tugela and the
| thought that the heavy losses suffered dur
ing the struggle Tuesday night have count
| ed for naught.
! Military circles made no effort to conceal
their chagrin, expressing the gravest fears
as to the ultimate fate of Ladysmith. Such
authorities as Maj Gen. Sir Frederick Car
| rington, who is under orders for South
Africa, and Lord Clifford, who won the Vic
toria cross for scouting for Lord Wolseley,
| would not be surprised to hear of the cap
ture of General Whites force within a
| week Lord Clifford. who knows the coun-
try like book, could not understand how
General Warren got to the top of Spion
| xop without ascertaining what positions
command 1t. The poorness Of the map, it
| was pointed out, could hardly be an ex-
cuse for this, as there must be with Gen.
eral Warren several scouts, to say nothing
| of officers who at one time or another have
served at Ladysmith and whose mere hunt
ing expeditions would have given them
knowledge of the country. While General
| Warren is not blamed for retreating under
what is supposed to have been heavy shell
fire, he is severely criticised for occupy
ing a position to which he could not bring
up his artillery.
AS far as the general public is concerned,
now that the first flash of disappointment
is over it 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
| ward. 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
depression, but there have been no outward
demonstrations or scenes. In the West End
the rapidity with which the bad news trav-
eled was remarkable.
The afternoon newspapers only briefly
comment on the situation. preferring to
await fuller particulars. The ST. James
Gazette says: "We are only at the begin
| ming"
The Westminster Gazette suggests that
the abandonment of Spion kop need not
mean more than that a miscalculation was
made regarding the value of the kop.
| The Pail Mall Gazette expects that the
advance will again continue, as 1t began,
| with a series of rushes kopje taken
here, half q mile gain there-and that we
shall have, in short, to fight our way to the
rescue by hard-won degrees. Ladysmith,
| nevertheless, will be saved.
The Globe says it is assured that the
country will face the situation calmly and
| brayely, with the firm determination to
press forward unflinchingly In spite OF all
| obstacles"
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