Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-01-18

ncuEcement of the arrival of Field
Marshal Lord Roberts and Gen. Lord
Kitchener at Cape Town has failed to
stem the growing impatience of the
country ut the prolonged inactivity in
the main British camps, and the entire
absence of news giving an adequate in
sight to the local situation. The pub
lie and press being unable to form any
just Judgment as to the actual position
of affairs, stories are rife that inaction
is enforced on Gen. Butler, owing to
the exhaustion of the reserves of am
munition. and there are even wild ru-
mors of shell famine at home. But
not much Importance need be attached
to these rumors. Tt is almost uniyer-
sally assumed that with the landing of
Generals Roberts and Kitchener. a
prompt return will be made to the
original plan of campaign. namely. a
great central advance on BlOemfOn-
tein, but the most impatient of the en-
thusiasts admit that Gen. Roberts will
be unable to move before the end of
the month. Up to the time of filing
this dispatch no news of any impor-
lance had been received from South
Africa. The officials of the war Office
here denied the report published in the
United States that Gen. Methuen has
been recalled.
Methuen Breaking: Down.
Chicago, Jan. ia special cable to
the Tribune from London says:
nrJ
ing the column advancing to the relief
of Kimberley. is to be relieved of his
command within two weeks. Later he
will be sent to Cape Town and eventu-
ally ordered home. When he reaches
England he will be retired
These facts have been confirmed by
an official of the war Office. Lord
Methuens case is sad one. Always
a man Of rather frail physique-al-
though a clever boxer and an all
around sportSman-his constitution be-
gan to show signs of breaking down
almost Immediately after he took COM
mand of his division. Three days af-
ter the battle of Belmont Gen. Wolse-
ley suggested to the officials Of the war
office that Methuen be relieved. His
advice was not needed. The wisdom
of the aged and keen command ,r-in-
chief of the British army is now real
lied to the fullest extent by the war
officials, who scoffed at his suggestion
Friends of Lord Mcthuen insist lie is
only in broken health. that the strain
of many campaigns has shattered his
naturally nervous system. Those who
know the circumstances and the stu
alton on AIodder River equally we'll
and who are willing to state facts
plainly say that Mtelluen'S mind is un-
balanced Constant proof of this has
been coming to the notice Of the war |
office for two weeks past.
Ccnsor's Awful Work.
London. Jan. IL. = The newspapers
We're reconciled during the early DAYS
of the war to cable censorship. taking
it for granted that full narratives sent |
by mail would supply all deficiencies
For some weeks, however. even the
mail correspondence that has arrived
in London has shown signs of habitual
by the officials Pages are
numbered without chronological or
logical connection, leaving the happen
ings described quite unintelligible in
some matters. The papers. acting ap-
parently in conjunction. are laying
these matters before the public, insist
ing that they be permitted to know and
print the facts. The Daily Mail ac-
cuses the war A.tice of ''doctoring' in
the editing Of dispatches before their
issuance. and cites particulars.
Losses at Lndysmith.
London. Jan. Is. The Daily Mail
says: I'VE learn that in the attack on
Ladysmith last Saturday. Jan. g. the
British losses were II officers killed: "a
wounded and ever 800 no-commis-
stoned officers and men We're killed or
wounded. The Boer losses are esti-
mated at between 1000 and :.OOO.''
Beers Are Foxey.
London, Jan. 13.-The Standard has
the following dispatch. dated Monday.
from Frere Camp: Our patrol. have
searched both TANKS of the Boer no
sition. They find a large camp five
miles east OF Colenso. evidently in an
ticipation of Il British attempt at a
turning movement