The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1900-01-18
CONTINUED from 1st page.)

mas DeeH So dDSOFDlnS JudI very llItiO
comment has been heard upon certain
phase of the conduct of the British
campaign which has been dwelt upon |
in these dispatches and which was |
shown in all it's glazing faults in the |
full descriptions of the battles of |
Stormberg, Magersfontein and Colenso |
which reached England through the
mails this week.
Since their publication the vague
generals tactics has developed into
outspoken condemnation.
When we read that men in close for
nation were led into a deathtrap-as
happened to the Highlanders at Ma
gersfontein-by order of the command
ing general in spite of the protests of
the general commanding the brigade,
or that the Boer position south of the
river had not been discovered or that
an important elevation was taken and
not retained, owing to want of support
both of which incidents occurred in
the action on the Tugela-that a night
march was responsible for the catas-
trophe at Stormberg and again in the
case of the Suffolk Regiment at Coles
berg, it is not surprising that the pub
lie is asking why policy of such we'll
known danger has been tried so often
in this campaign.
LONDON, Jan. 8, 3:45 p. m.-The
War Office has just published the fol-
lowing bulletin from General Butler:
"FRERE CAMP, Jan. S-The follow
ing is from White, dated 2 p. m. yes
terday: AN attack was commenced on
my position, but was chiefly against
Caesars Camp and Wagon HILL The
enemy was in great strength, and
pushed the attack with the greatest
courage and energy. Some of the in
trenchments on Wagon Hill were three
times taken by the enemy and retaken
by us. The attack continued till 1880
p. m.
cone point in our position was occu-
pied by the enemy the whole day. But
at dusk, in very heavy rainstorm,
they were turned out of the position at
the point of the bayonet in most
gallant manner by the Devons, led by
Colonel Park. Colonel Ian Hamilton
commanded on Wagon Hill and rem
dered valuable service. The troops
have had very trying time and have
behaved eXcellently. They are eIated
at the service they have rendered the
Queen.
"'The enemy were repulsed every
where with heavy loss, greatly exceed
ing that on my side, which will be re-
ported as soon as the lists are COM
pleted.'
Not since the day of General Buffers
reverse has such crowd of inquirers
visited the War Office. AS the after
noon progressed a rumor obtained cur
rency that Ladysmith had surren-
dered, and the depression in the lob
bies had become extreme when an
official appeared and in loud voice
shouted: Good news!" and posted the
dispatch chronicling brilliant victory
for the British troops.
Even the brief official announcement
sent by General White seems to entitle
his success to the adjective brilliant"
so often misused during the present
war. Smiling faces were seen every
where, and even at the sedate Foreign
Office and other departments of the
Government citation was shown. The
newspapers were all jubilant. The con-
sentative Standard, in big headlines,
announced "a Glorious Victory at
Ladysmith."
LONDON, Jan. 9, 3:45 a. m.-Al-
though General White still holds out,
or did sixty hours ago, and England
has taken heart, the situation is worse.
The beleaguered force must have ex-
pended large amounts of ammunition,
which cannot be replenished, and must
have lost a number of officers and
men, which is counter balanced, so far
as the garrison is concerned, by the
greater loss of the Beers General
White needs relief, and the difficulties
| confronting General Butler are as
| hot