The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-24
GEN. BULLER'S EXPLANATION.
That is LIGHT IN WHICH HIS DIS
PATCH is VIEWED.

VS. warren StiII Holds His Ground,
But Il seems No Headvay Has Been
Made-A Night Attack Was to BE
Made on SpiOn's Kop-The Beers
Hold Most Formidable IL Not an
ImpregnabIe dysmith
saw Firing.
London, Jan. "A, 4 a. m.-Gen. Buffers
great turning movement, of which so
much has been expected, has come 10 a
sandstu His carefully worded message
10 the war office telling this, after a ST.
rsnoe OF two days, reads like an apology
md an explanation.
Gen. Warren holds the ridges, but the
enemys positions are higher. The British
artillery is playing on the Boer positions,
and the Beers are replying. The British
infantry is separated by only l, 400 yards
from the enemy. but an approach to the
steep slopes across the bare open would
expose the British to a fatal rifle fire.
Gen. Buffers plans have reached their
development. He declines to send his in
flnry across this zone against formidable
positions by daylight and discloses his
purpose to assault the Spion Kop nights
during the night. This appears to be the
key to the Boer defenses. If he takes it
and thus commands the adjacent country
an important, and possibly a decisive, step
Will be accomplished.
Ii seems that Gen. Buffers dispatch
reached the war office rather early in the
night and was the subject of a prolonged
conference between Lord Lansdowne Mr..
Ballour and several staff officials.
Gen. BuIIer's Dispatch.
The following dispatch from Butler, dat
ed at Spearman's Camp, Jan 90, 6:25 p.
m, has just been received at the war Of
flee:
Warren holds the position he gained
two days ago. In front of him, about
llQQ Yards is the enemy's position, west
of spion Kop. II is on higher ground
than Warren's position, so it is impossi-
bic to see into it properly
1T can be approached only over bare
open slopes and the ridges held by War
rem are so steep that guns cannot be
placed on them. But we are shelling the
enemys position with howitzers and field
artillary placed on lower ground, behind
infantry
The enemy is replying with Creusot
ana other artillery In this duel the ad-
vantage rests with us. We appear to be
searching his trenches, and his artillery
IRE IS not causing us much loss.
An attempt Will be made tonight to
seize Spion's Kop, the salient point Of
which forms the left of the enemys po-
lton facing richards Drift and which
divide it from the position facing Potgie-
Ter Drift. 1t has considerable command
over all the enemy's entrenchments."
An Excuse for Taxes Needed.
The Butler dispatch, all things consld-
cred looks like preparation for worse
news to some Of the newspapers.
Parliament will meet in five days. The
cabinet has been hoping for one .ralying
hIIush success to cheer the country and
10 command generous support for fresh
revenue measures. Among these will be
pfooa3iy an increase of the income tax
10 a shilling on the pound, but this would
oIlS provide the cost of five weeks hostli-
ue9' The duties on tobacco, alcohol tea
ana coffee are likely to be raised.
lhe cabinet VIII meet at the end of the
week ana discuss the situation. Polti-
CaI considerations, both foreign and do
ilesuc' press upon the military authori-
ues the necessity of speedily accomplish
iHs something. These authorities may
nave oeen persuaded to urge Gen. Butler
w. attempt his great operation without
adequate preparation.
apparently Lord Roberts has nothing
"IateVer to do with Gen. Buffers opera
i9us' Gen. Butler and the war office
communicate with each other direct.
Was Seen at LadysmIth.
Inc Daily Chronicle publishes the fol-
"".ns photographed from Ladysmith,
qale1 Jan. p, by way of Swartzkop
yesterday we could see British shells
o,e'1,ns close TO the Boer camp this side
-. 81 Io'sleters but the camp still remains
d" position there to-day.
we heard very heavy firing all this
i'olnlng The bombardment here is slack
.tn, sg, me Baer big gun on Mt. Bulwano is
sui firing"
RnVTnC