New-York tribune., 1900-04-18
BOERS LOSING HEART.
Effect OF MARCHES TO RELIEVE
WEPENER-RUSSIAS EAST
IpN
Copyright; 1900: BY The New-Yor1 Tribune,l
TBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
ERN POLICY.


London April is ! a. m.-The reports that
The Beers had retreated from Wepener were
premature The town was still surrounded yes
terdav. but Lord Roberts reported that the at
tack was half-hearted. General Brabant. sup
ported by Hart's brigade. had re0ccupied Roux-
vile the Beers retiring toward Wepener, and
Sir Henry Rumble. with column Of fresh troops
from the Eighth Division. was advancing
through Reddersburg. These two columns
expected to effect the deliverance of Wepener
speedily. and may cut off the Boer line of re-
treat The Boer operations in the southeastern
corner Of the Free State apparently at
end. Lord Roberts's army has been reinforced
by two brigades from Natal-Hart's and Hunt
er's-and will have strong column free to oper
ate along the border Of Basutoland and the
mountains further north.
There was no other official news yesterday
except report from Kenhardt that two HUN
ored Beers had made a determined but unsuc-
cessful attack upon Orpens Horse. in the west
district, occupied by poor whites"
Press dispatches al midnight were meagre and
the date for a general advance from Bloemfon-
tein cannot be forecast with any degree Of con-
fdence. Heavy rains retarding the mill
tary preparations.
THE BLUNDER AT sPION KOP.
Lord Roberts is proving himself TO be stern
critic. His comments Sir Redvers Buffers
Official report of the Spion Kop operations
gazetted last night incisive and severe. He
ensures Captain Thorneycroft for ordering the
retreat from the top Of the mountain and char
acteTizes his action inexcusable He charges
General Warren with errors of judgment and
lack Of administrative capacity. and blames Sir
Redvers Butler himself for negIecting 10 exercise
supreme authority and for failing 10 find out
what ought 70 have been done.
These structures excite much surprise but are
accepted just and unanswerable by the mill
iary critics. "Bobs's' word is law when both
he nation and the army have absolute conf
oence In him. Reports from Ladysmith stating
that the enemy were retreating northwerd after
he British seizure Of Spion Kop have always
been regarded by experts practical evidence
hat there was blundering work by the staff and
that Ladysmith might have been relieved II there
hed been no withdrawal from the mountain top
The vacuum created by the shrnkage of war
news is filed with dispatches far af1eld and with
political rumors and gossip. THE Times Will
nave to-day the text Of a letter from the Ameer
OF Afghanistan commenting upon British in
difference 10 Russian aggression and conveying
the significant hint the Indian Government
that the present is the tir.le for deeds. not for
talk The theory entertained in diplomatic
circles is that Russia VIII not take advantage Of
the British emergency In South Africa, but will
wait until the end Of the until the time
comes for division Of the Portuguese posses
sions In East Africa between Germany and Eng
land. Russia will then offset the British and
German gains In this territory by ordering ar
ao' ance on Herat and by strengthening her grip
upon Persia
Berlin dispatches disclose the unwillingness OF
The German Government TO receive the Boer
peace delegates
RUMOR OF NEW LIBERAL LEADER.
There is an interesting political rumor reat-
ing 10 a change in the Liberal leadership. IL Is
stated that Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman has
decided 10 withdraw in favor Of Sir Edward
Grey, and that secret arrangements have been
made for Liberal dinner May . the day
"hen Lord Rosebery viii be the chief speaker
az the Australian Federation luncheon, and that
mere win be a conference with all the leading
men Of the party present except Sir william
harcourt and John Morley. A rumor that the
invitations 10 this dinner have been issued by
Lord kosebery Sir Henry Campbell-Banner
man and Sir Edward Grey is not confirmed, ana
tAe Liberal leadership has not yet been huhs
INTO The lottery Of politics. Sir Edward Grey Is
thoroughgoing Radical on domestic questions