The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-01-24

LOndOnt Jhuuhty -7.-1 ~ h.-oonehea
Buffers great turning movement, 6
which 90 much had been expected has
come to standstiIl. His carefully
worded message to the war office telling
this after silence of two DAYS reads like
an apology and an explanation.
General Warren holds the ridges. but
the enemy's positions are higher. The
British artillery Is playing on the Boer
positions and the Boers are replying. The
British infantry is separated BY only ii0o
yards from the enemy; but an approach
to the steep steps across the bare open,
would expose the British to fatal rifle
fire.
General Buffers plans have reached
their development. He declines Go send
his infantry across this zone against for
midable positions by daylight and dis
closes his purpose to assault the spion
kop heights during the night This ap-
pears to be the key to the Bosr defences.
II he takes 1t and thus commands the
adjacent country an important and pos
sibly decisive step will be accomplished.
It seems that General Buller's despatch
reached the war Office rather early Ia the
night and was the subject Of prolonged
conference Between Lord Lansdowne, Mr.
Balfour and several staff oricials. a de-
termination appears to have been
reached not to give out the messages dur
ing the night; but toward a. m. copies
Of the despatch were made for distrlbu-
tion among the newspaper office. These
arrived too late for extended comment.
The Morning Post and the Standard
touch lightly upon the unpleasant feat
ures OF the despatch and take hops from
the projected night attack; but all things
considered, the despatch looks like
preparations for worse news.
Parliament will meet in five days.
The cabinet had been hoping for one rat
Ting British success to cheer the country
and to command generous support for
fresh revenue measures. Among these
will DO probably an increase Of the in-
come tax to a shilling In the pound; but
this would only provide the cost of five
weeks hostillties,
The duties on tobacco, alcohol, tea and
coffee are likely to be raised.
The cabinet win meet at the end Of tha
week and discuss the situation. Political
considerations, business, foreign and do
NEST ic, press upon the military authori-
ties the necessity Of speedily accomplish
ing SO omething. These authorities may be
persuaded to urge Gen. Butler to attempt
HIS great oreration without adequate
preparation. This impression whether
true or not, Is abroad.
Apparently Lord Roberts has nothing
.-te IN
operation.
General Butler and the war office com :
municate with each other direct. Bulier's
scheme was conceived before Lord Robsrts
arrived at Cape Town and Its execution
was begun on the day he landed.
The fact that the Judgment OF Lord
Roberts has not been brought to bear up
on the movement does not add to public
con tdenoe.
From Vienna comes the statement that
the idea Of the Intervention OF European
powers is gaining adhersnts In innusn-
tial quarters. The Daily NAILS oorre-
spendent regards the sign as unmis-
takable and mentions especially sugges'
tious printed In the Austro- Ii un2arian
foreign office journals.
Dispatches from Boer sources describe
the renewal OF the bombardment OF
Ladysmith as mora heavy than any previ-
ous firing and as intended TO discourage
q sortie, symptoms OF preparing Tor
.sress from the town having been OBJ
served from the Boer posisions.
Special dispatches photographed from
Ladysmith on Monday say that the In.
vestIuent has not been relaxed and that
the garrison has ceased to speculate re-
garding the precise date of deliveranoe.
The position OF the British forces out
side OF Natal Is unchanged. The forward
movement everywhere appears 10 be walt
ing for achievements.