The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-01-14
INDIGNATION RUNS HIGH.
Sensational Talk in London Regard
ing Conduct OF The War.

LONDON. Jan i3,-The time fas
come when the people of Great Brii-
ain no longer keep silent regarding
the mlsmamgemen Of the war.
The flood gates OF criticism have
been opened and under the stream Of
adverse comment pouring forth repu-
tations are whiting. The stern up
braiding OF the government by papers
that almost for a century have been
conmrl ative has already been touched
upon 10 these dispatches
Abuse Of the war Office has always
existed and now Il Is only few de-
grees more bitter than Il was before
What chiefly marks the passing OF the
British from period OF passive dis
content to mosi severe fault finding
is the outspoken abuse OF their 'gen-
erals In the field. There are unplaas-
ant stories OF llerce service jealousles
and, In short, all the army's short
Icomings which heretofore have been
secretly whispered in clubs are this
week finding their place in print, and
not In dlsreputable journals. but In
organs that a month ago would have
iiercely denounced such tales as un-
patriotic, whether they were true or
otherwise.
II Is now well known that General
Butler despises Field Marshal Lord
Roberts and hates General Lord Kit
chener, that Lord Wolseley, the COM
mander In chief, shares General Bull
ler's feelings, and that wolseley is
scarcely on speaking terms with the
secretary OF state for war, Lord Lans-
downe, To such a tlagmnt extent does
this enmIty go, that Lord wolseley
wrote to Lady Butler that he knew
nothing about Lord Roberts appoint
ment to command the British troops
In South Africa and that he disap.
proved OF 1t.
Without enormous obstacles to over
come In the way OF the Roers, strenu-
GUS resistance and initial advantages.
this condition Of affairs between the
ermy leaders would constitute a stup-
endous drawback to the success OF the
British, One paper, usually well in
formed on service matters, declares It
is quite likely that General Bull,r will
throw up his command and come
home and be thorn in the side Of
the government. This is probably an
Icxaggeratlon. but is is admitted on
all sides that he is likely TO make him.
self as disagreeable as possible to
Lord Roberts
AS II this was not enough. II is OPEN
ly said that General Lord Methuen has
gone mad, that his mother died insane
and that all his life he has been
afraid he might share her fate. Hence
1t is added, his unceaslng restlessness,
Only this week high cavalry officer
returned from South Africa with COM
plants against Lord Methuen, that
the general, during one Of his first
actions, had ordered him to advance
with his cavalry ana that upon the
colonel sending the general word that
his horses and men were too exhaust
ed to be physically capable Of doing
so, Lord Methucn is reported to have
said: "Well. you had better so to
hell"
The officer to whom this remark
was made has come home demanding
a trial by court martial. but It is prob
able that he win not get It as he has
been slated for another command
Generals White, Gatacre, Clery and
French all come In for their share Of
abuse and there is evidence presented
that the senior genenls are divided
against themselves.
How all this viii end If the cam
paign drags on much longer without
serious change for the better, no one
can tell. The resignation Of Lord
Wolseley would not surprise those
who are cognizant Of the inner work.