Evening journal., 1900-04-18
GENERAL BULLER
IS IN DISGRACE
Lord Roberts Censures Both Him
and Sir Charles Warren
for Incapacity
EvELATION SHOCKS LONDON

AJIAA 1871 wv ANAN4NAfAA@ANA AA4A0
JUST MADE IT PUBLIC-TWO
GENERALS MUST RETURN HOME.
London, April 1S.-The govern
ment has chosen this as the moment
TO publish dispatch from Lord Rob-
erts pronouncing censure upon Sir
Redvers Butler and Sir Charles War
ren, two of his most important sub
ordinate commanders. This dispatch,
written Feb. IS, has been in the hands
of the war Office for five weeks. Just
why it is published now, in the mid
die of the campaign, is not under
stood, unless it is expected that Gen.
Butler and Gen. Warren will ask TO be
relieved of their commands.
The revelation of Their incapacity
must tend to undermine the confidence
of the troops in their leadership.
Lord Roberts dispatch was publish
ed last night in the Official Gazette In
submitting Gen. Buffers dispatches
describing the Spion Kop and other
operations from Jan. II to Jan. "a Lord
Roberts complains that the plan of
operations is not clearly described in
the dispatches. After sketching Gen.
Buffers intentions, as communicated
TO Sir Charles Warren, who command
ed the whole force. Lord Roberts
points out that Gen. Warren seems to
have concluded, after consultation
with his officers, that the fianking
movement ordered by Gen. Butler was
impracticable, and, therefore, SO
changed the plan of advance as to
necessitate the capture and retention
of Spion Kop. Lord Roberts contin-
ues:
LAS Warren considered it impossible
to make the wide fianking movement
which was recommended, if not actu-
ally prescribed in the secret instruc-
tions, he should forthwith have ac-
Quainted Butler with the course he pro-
posed to adopt There is nothing to
show whether he did so or not But
II is only fair to Warren to point out
that Butler appears throughout to have
been aware of what was happening
Regarding the Withdrawal from
Spion Kop. the retention of which had
become essential to the relief of Lady
smith, Lord Roberts says.
II regret to be unable to concur with
Butler in thinking ThOrneycroft exer-
cised wise discretion in ordering the
troops to retire. I am of the opinion
that Thorneycroft assumption of re-
spOnsibiity and authority was wholly
inexcusable. During the night the
enemy's fire could not have been for
midable. and it would not have taken
more than two or three hours for
ThorneycrOft to communicate by mes
senger with Major General Coke OF
Warren. Coke appears to have left
Spion Kop at $3.50 pm. for the pur-
pose of consulting with Warren. III
to that hour tho idea of withdrawal
had not been entertained. Yet almost
Immediately aiior Cckc's departure
1horneycroft issued tho order, without
reference to superior authority, which
upset the whole plcn Of operations anC
rendered uneveiling the sacrifices al.
ready nado to carry It into effect.
"On the other hand, II is only right
10 state that Thorneycroft appears tC
have behaved in a very gallant manner
throughout the day II is to be re-
GREETED that Warren did not himself
visit Spion Kop in the afternoon oi
evening, knowing ss he did that thu
state of affairs was very critical anC
that the loss Of the position would in
volve the failure of the operations.
believe Butler was justified in remark
ing: There was a want of organiza
tion and system. which acted most un
favorably on the defense. The at
tempt to relieve Ladysmith was wei
devised, and ! agree with Butler il
thinking it ought to have succeeded.
Whatever faults Warren may hav
committed the failure must also he at
tributed to the disinclination Of tn
officer in supreme command to asser
his authority"
Lord Roberts dispatch. with the en-
closures, is the great feature of tn
London press this morning. In a lon
editorial The Daily News speaks Of tn
somewhat appalling language of tn
dispatch, and then goes on to say
Upon the whole these dispatches ar
disquieting and disheartening in n
ordinary degree"
The Standard, which is supposed {
be in the confidence of the government
says; 1T is scarcely likely that tn
publication of Lord Roberts di3patc
is without a purpose. 1t irresistabl
suggests whether II is not to be fo
lowed by further important changes
the South African commands. PAINT
as such measures may be, there mus
be no hesitation in carrying them OF
II they are required in the public il
terest."
Whether the government has an
special purpose or not in publishin
the dispatch. the way in which II hs
been received will make II most diff
cult to retain the censured comman,
ers in active service.
Lord Roberts long wait and Il
Boer activity have seriously disturbe
public equanimity. He is still 81
miles from Pretoria. No one doub
the ultimate success of British arm
but, behind the British army tht
crushes the Boer armies. an army
occupation will have to be installe
From various sources come hints thi
more men than are already provid,
for will have to be sent out.
Friendship Conclave, No. /, Hepl
sophs, or S. w. NJ, will entertain
che New-Century Club this evening.