The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-02-09

accounts of the fighting at Spion Kop.
Geherai Buffers obseurity in his dis
pdIch Is rather bitterly criticised, as
wen as the evident fact that the censor
Is NOT only heavily delaying, but is
uepletihg all important matters from
tne newspapers dispatches. To Judge
with any accuracy of the extent of the
disaster is virtually impossible.
lt appears that General Buller had
altogether i've brigades wholly or part
iy engaged. General Cookies, General
Hildyard's, General Hart,s, General
Woodgates and General Lyttleton's
and the 270 casualties already announc-
ed In Lyttleton's brigade are thus ex-
pialned. Much mystery still surrounds
tne retreat. 1t is possible that General
Buller has withdrawn his whole forces.
put 1t is generally assumed that Lvttle-
ton brigade and other troops are still
on the north side of the Tugela.
Generai Buffers confidence that the
Beers did not molest his retreat he
cause they had been taught 10 rasnect
the lighting powers of the British SOL
dier, is not shared in London. II is
thought. rather, that the Beers had
some other plan in store or did not
wish TO waste their men.
The situation at other points is un-
changed, but indications that Lord
Roberts is preparing plans for an adj
vance across the Orange river come in
a dispatch to the Daily Chronicle
from Sterkstro0m, dated January 25th.
which says that Thihets, an important
position near Steelberg, on the Strcm-
| berg- -Rosemead line, is now occupied
by the British, who arerrepairing the
railway and bridges. The correspon-
dent observes that this will facilitate
communication between General CAT
| acre and General Kelley-Kenny.
Nry frank criticism of the Govern
menC is beginning to be heard, even in
quarters that have hitherto refrained.
| The Daily Mall boldly throws all the
blame upon Sir Michael Hicks Beach.
| Lord Lansdowne and Lord Wolseley.
| 1t points to President Lincoln's dismiss
| sal of Simon Cameron from the post
| of Secretary of War as precedent for
getting rid of incompetent Minis
| ters.
The Morning P6sts dwefls upon the
danger of further rebellion at the Cape
and of possible European complica-
tions. It urges that the navy be pre-
pared for "any emergency
The Times" says: "The most care
fully planned and executed movement
OF the whole campaign has entirely
failed, and it can hardly be necessary
to dwell upon the extreme probability
that we shall learn, a little sooner or
a little later, of a catastrophe aimosz
without precedent in our military his
tory, a catastrophe, indeed, without a
i parallel except in the surrender at
Yorktown. We are checked at every
nninf nf tho aa T,, -
campaign is still to begin. We wish
that we had clearer proofs that even
now the Government has any adequate
comprehension of the situation The
utteranees 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 pre-
pare for the immediate dispatch of 50.-
600 men and take steps TO send yet an
other $4,000 if these should be needed.
The 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 purpose"
Political fireworks are likely to be
the order of the day for week or two.
but fortunately for the Ministry there
is nobody strong enough to take their
places. There may be one or two
changes in the Cabinet, but it is re-
garded as a foregone conclusion that
the Salisbury Ministry will have to see
it through.
Under the circumstances an appeal
to the country would be in order, but
in the present state of affairs such a
course would be little short of a ma
tiOnal calamity. Business is already
strained to the ragged edge and the late
news will aggravate the situation
which is already had enough.
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