The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-30
MAY CUT HIS WAY OUT.
Only Two Things Left For Gen. White
to Do.

to Do.
New York. Jan SO.-Advices from
London indicate that military associ-
ates of Gen. White are of the opinion
that he will make desperate attempt
to break through the Boer lines and es-
cape from Ladysmith; that though
such a movement would cost a ire
mendous sacrifice of life, it would be
prefera bic to surrender to the Beers.
The statement that Lord Roberts adj
vised the surrender of Ladysmith is not
generally credited in London but in
view of the fact that the supply of pro-
visions viii not hold out for more than
a week longer, it is not probable that
any aid can be rendered to Gen. White
inside of that time and he viii have but
two courses Open-surrender or cut his
way out. Several military experts in
London are of the opinion that the Brit
ish in Kimberley, at Modder river and
on the Tugela will also be left to work
out their own salvation. One critic
says: AS to an advance northward
through the Free States. if as appears
probable. the British commander has
to keep nearly all of Buffers army on
the line of the Tugela, a new army will
have to make the advance on Bloem-
fontein. There is no use Disgusting the
fact that the imperial forces in South
Africa are not strong enough at present
to undertake this advance with safety.
The Daily Telegraph says: 1T is
terrible alternative when we have to
balance against each other the safety
of the brave men in the beleaguered
camp and the only rational policy of
carrying on the war. It has to be
faced without sentiment or unavailing
regret"
The Daily Mail says: "Such a move
could not be made with sufficient speed
to save Ladysmith. 1t would seem that
the soundest military principles dictate
the reinforcement of our army in Natal
and a fresh advance, this time in am
pie force.
''There are two dangers to be guarded
against-foreign Intervention and fur
Their military disaster in South Africa.
To meet the first the whole navy should
be modified and the naval reserves
called out. Our squadrons should be
distributed in the proper position for
war. The volunteers should be put I'm
der arms and provided with transport
and artillery. The remnant of militia
should be embodied. A force of at least
100 men over and above the volunteers
and militia is required to supply our
generals needs in South Africa. If it
cannot be raised on terms of voluntary
, service We must have drafting as in the
United States during the civil war;
The London Post says: There is a
rumor that Gen. Kitchener or Lord
Roberts has left Capetown already to
/ take command of a movement by Gen.
French's combined forces, with heavy
additions of fresh troops against the
Orange Free State.
THE defeat is bitter, but it is right
:
from ourselves. The meeting of the de-
tense committee on Saturday probably
was caused by a knowledge of Ger. Bull
| ler's retreat, though the fact was kept
from the public until Sunday.
THE measures now generally needed
are development of the military resour-
ces of the country, with 100 600 men in
the field and $4,000 to follow. The mo-
ment has come to push on the training
of all the troops left at home.
The Leader says: THE enemy has
beaten us at the stricking game; he has
| beaten us at the sticking game; he has
induced US to give up the first plan,
where he would have hardly had a
show, and to conform to this plan,
where naturally everything is against
US. Is there a single soldier who can
justify what we have done on other
than political pleas? Not one. We
know from his own pen that Gen. White
was induced by one or Mr.. Chamber
lain's deputies to disastrously change
his plan. We know that Gen. Butler. af-
ter working up to the original plan of
marching on Bloemfontein, was per-
suaded by somebody to give it up and
he was persuaded within three days.
That is a pretty problem for parliament
TO whet it's wits and for the opening
day"
The war office continues to hold back
definite news in regard to the casualties
at Spion Kop resulting from Wednes-
days battle, but reports from various
sources state that the British losses
were even greater than indicated in the
Boer dispatches of Sunday night One
report states that the British casualties
exceeded 1900 dead and 1000 wounded.
In view of the large number of officers
reported killed-twice as many al Ma
gersfontein and four times as many as
at Colenso, there is reason to fear that
the Boer report of the British losses will
prove nearly accurate.
Several special dispatches from Lon
don state, owing to some blunder, the
British soldiers were short of ammuni-
ton in Wednesdays battle on Spion
Kop and that they were forced to meet
a train of shot and shell from the Beers
with bayOnets. The authorities at the
war office strongly deny those stories.
averring that if bayonets were used, it
was because the commanders consider
ed that weapon would under the cir
cumstances be more effective.
Accounts from Pretoria and from
Spearman's Camp. while in conflict on
many points. agree in rendering a
hearty tribute to the gallantry and
stubborn courage displayed on both
sides Both the British and the Dutch
had foemen worthy of their steel.