Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-10
WERE NOT DEFEATS
Fights at Tugela River and Koodoos-
berg Merely Reconnaissance.
PART OF GENERAL ROBERTS PLAN
Effect of the News in London
Was Not Depressing.
DETAILS OF THE BATTLES

LONDON. February 1O.-Gen. Butler is
once more south of the Tugela river; Gen.
Macdonald is back at the Modder river
and apparently. the Beers have lost none
of the ascendancy they have held SO long.
Yet today's news by no means causes the
acute disappointment attendant upon the
other failures to relieve Ladysmith. This
can be attributed to three causes-first
there is a strong belief that Gen. Buffers
last attempt was only demonstration on
a large scale; second, the wiser critics had
warned the public not to expect the imme-
date relief of Gen. White; third. the nation
has settled down to the realization that the
war will last a long time, and they are not
swayed, as at first, by minor reverses and
victories. The second and third reasons
are self-explaining. The first requires con-
siderable elucidatIon.
In favor of the opinion held by Spencer
Wilkinson. the military critic of the Morn
ing Post, that Gen. Butler did not intend
Immediately pushing on to Ladysmith.
there is overwhelming evidence to show
that Field Marshal Lord Roberts ordered
systematic activity upon the part of all the
forces On this basis, Gen. Buffers move
may only be a repitition of Gen. MacDon-
aids and Gen. Frenchs reconnaissance.
Mr.. BaIfour's Statement
Mr.. BalfOur's ambiguous statement about
awaiting the completion of plans is an
other strong reason for believing Gen. Bull
Ter never intended to make tine main ad-
vance via Faal Krartz. but was acting un-
der the orders of Lord Roberts II is also
curious that the news of Cen Buffers re-
urement first came from the Beer head
laager near LadySnith and that the Brit
jsh correspondents were freely allowed to
send dispatches before ANYTHING from Gen
Bulier was published. The unusual ap-
peal II Rennet-Burleigh. war correspondent
OF the London Daily Telegraph, asking the
pubic 10 suspend Judgment and relv on
Ger Butler, alsp has considerable signih-
canCe- On tho other hand Gen. Buffers
recent speech to his troops in which hs
said hs hoprG 20 be in Ladysmith within
a Week. tends. SOME people claim to throw
Cnubt on th= belief that he has only been
demonstrating IT foryc.
The latest news frcm th1 NToddc. river
Shows that Gen MacDunaId's retire-ncn;
from k1pd"oSberg was effected in com
lietr order. The most reasonable expiana-
tlon OF Ills movement is that it was under
iakel more L" reStoI, confidence Of the
thSnI%nd Brigade. stiil nervous from their
terrible experience at MagersfOntein, than
10 gam any important objective
Win this important unit General Ne
thuens force is reha biIitated for yigor-
Gus attack or General Cronie and an al
tempt To relieve Kimberley NAV he IooLed
Ior more ihan likely superintended by
Lord Roberts, while the 1th Division and
part OF General French's Cavalry are oc-
Supied IN turning movement easr OF
JacobsdaI. -
The Situation ut CoIeshcrE
dispatch from Rensberg, dated Friday.
February 9, reports much aggressive activ-
ity against all the British accommodating
anu declares the Beers are in no sense sur
rounded at Coesberg, but are simply he'd
In check by series Of camps forming A
seml-circle from east to west The Roers
" Is added. are still in full possession of
Iheir INES of communication with the Free
STATE ana mold strong positions around
Colesberg.
During the -.ihrning OF February o i
pombardment with lyddite occurred AT
Rensherg and the Beers Maxim -VIckArs
guns are believed to have been siIenced
a dozen dead Beers were found on the
Lord Roberts har addressed another let
ter to Presidents Kruger and Steyn, com
pIalhlns OF the wantOn destruction of prop
erty in Natal.
The fact that The news of Lord Roberts
message to Presidents Kruger and Steyn
came ErOn the Nodder river is taken as an
adoluon4I indication that the commander
1n-chief has gone there.
Queens Interest in HighIanderS.
The queens keen interest in Gen Mac
Donald and the Highland Brigade was evil
denced by the great concern she showed at
the news OF Mac Donald's retirement from
hooroosbers- Her majesty sent special in
Qulries to The war office but as the officials
had no knowledge Of the movement mn 10
MlcHlght the queen made her secretary
Telegraph twice TO Reuters News Agency
asking for the most minute details whence
the news came and who sent it, and re-
explanation received.