Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-01-29
WHITE MUST SOON SURRENDER.

London Has About Come to That
Conclusion, as Expressed by 'The
Times"-Greater Exertfons Urged
on the Government-The Situation
of Butler Still Puzzling.
LONDON, January 20, Ais a. NJ
The week has opened with the utmost
gloom for the British public, and the
reaction is all the stronger because of
the high hopes that were reposed IN
Gen. Buffers turning movement and OF
his announcement that there would be
mo turning point back" At the very
moment when Dr.. Leyds is being re-
ceived as an honored guest in the high
est circles on the continent, Great
Britain has to face the worst disaster
in a campaign thus far disastrous.
Open talk is heard of the absolute
necessity of abandoning Ladysmith to
its fate, while Lord Roberts reverts
to the original plan of IN advance e
the Orange river upon Bloemfontein.
Must be Very Bitter.
To Ladysmith the disappointment
A dispatch from the Boer lager, near
the town, dated January Gath, de-
scribes the garrison as very evidently
preparing a desperate COUP in order to
effect a junction with Gen. Buffers
advancing army" 1t may be regarded
as a certainty that, in the confident
hope of early relief, Sir George White
has lately been issuing extra rations,
and the fact has given rise to an ex-
aggerated idea as to the length of time
the provisions would last. Even were
it decided to send Gen. Butler rein
forcements and attempt to reach Lady
smith by a movement through the still
more difficult country east of Colenso,
1t is extremely doubtful whether the
garrison could hold out long enough,
as such a movement would occupy at
least a month.
The Times Fears h Worst.
The Times says:
"The most carefully planned and exc
cuted movement of the whole campaign
has entirely failed, and it can hardly
be necessary to dwell upon the ex-
treme probability that we shall learn a
little sooner or a little later of a catas-
trophe almost without precedent in our
military history-a catastrophe indeed,
without a parallel except in the sur
render at Yorktown.
"We are checked at every point OF
the campaign. In fact the campaign
is still to begin. We wish we had
clearer proofs that even now the gov
eminent has any adequate comprehen-
sion Of the situation, but the utter
ances of responsible ministers have
done nothing to reassure the country
on this point.
Heavy or light, the thing has to be
done, and the government ought to
prepare for the immediate despatch of
fifty thousand men and to take steps
to send another fifty thousand if these
should be needed.
In Hopeless Attempts
to carry on the campaign with four
widely separated columns, each unequal
to its task must be abandoned for a
concentration of force and of purposes"
All the editorials this morning
breathe the spirit of calm determine
ton. No one will allow that any re-
verse could deter the country from the
object it has set itself to attain, what
ever the sacrifices may be involved.
Very frank criticism of the govern
ment, however. is beginning to be
heard, even in quarters that have
hitherto refrained.
The Daily Mail boldly throws all
the blame upon Sir Michael Hicks
Beach, Lord Lansdowe and Lord Wolse-
ley. 1t points to President Lincoln's
dismissal of Simon Cameron from the
post of Secretary of War as a prece-
dent for getting rid of incompetent
ministers"
Post Scents Trouble.
The Morning Post dwells upon the
danger of further rebellion at the
Cape and of possible European COM
plications. 1t urges that the navy be
prepared for ANY emergency"
The Standard and other papers re-
fleets the anxiety OF the public to
learn how much truth there is in the
Boer accounts of the fighting at Spion
Kop. Gen. Buffers obscurity in his
dispatches is rather bitterly criticised,
as well as the evident fact that the
censor is not only heavily delaying,
but is eliminating all important matter
from the few newspaper dispatches.
To judge with any accuracy of the ex-
tent Of the disaster is virtually i'm
possible.
1t appears Gen. Butler had altogether
five brigades wholly or partly engaged.
Gen. Coke's, Gen. Hildyard's,} Gen.
Harris, Gen. W~oodgatel Aand Gen. Lyt-
tleton's. and the go cal |lties already