The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-04-21
GEN. LORD ROBERTS BOMB.
A Explosion That Has Startled the bris'
sh-Incapscity Of Army
Omcers.

London. April IS, 4 a. m.-The gov
| eminent has chosen this as the mo-
ment to publish qudispatch from LORD
| Roberts pronounc4hg censure upon
Sir Redvers Butler and Sir Charles
Warren, two of his most important
subordinate commanders. This dls-
| patch, written February Is, has been
in the hands of the war Office for i've
weeks. just why it is published now
in the middle of the campaign. is not
understood, unless it is expected that
Cen. Butler and Gen. Warren will ask
to be relieved of their commands. The
revelation of their incapacity must
tend to undermine the confidence OF
the troops in their leadership.
Somewhat Appalling Language.
Lord Roberts dispatch, with the en-
closures. is the great feature OF the
London press this morning. In a long
editorial the Daily News speaks OF the
somewhat appalling language" of the
dispatch, and then goes on TO say:
Upon the whole, these dispatches
are d~isquieting and disheartening in
no ordinary degree. Follow
ing Immediately upon the recall OF
Gen. Gatacre, they will create a wide-
spread feeling of uneasiness andanxie-
ty."
Not q Purpose
The Standard, which is supposed 20
be in the confidence of the govern
uent, says:
1T is scarcely likely that the publ
cation of Lord Roberts dispatch is
without a purpose. 1t irresistibly sug-
gcsts whether it is not to be followed
hy further important changes in the
South African commands. Painful as
such measures must be, there must be
nc hesitation in carrying them out IL
they are required in the public inter-
est"
The Daily Telegraph compliments
Lord Roberts upon mo h~esitating.
where great national interests are al
stake, to wound private SUSCEPTIBLE
ties"
The Daily Chronicle ccnfesses to "a
feeling something like CONSERVATION
when reading the extraordinary pass
sges" of the dispatch.
Only Too Clearly Justified.
The Times says:
Lord Roberts severe condemnation
is justified only too clearly by TIE cf-
fetal narratives of what took place.
The story is painful; but it Is well for
tie nation and for the army that il
should be told clearly and simply.
without concealment or exaggeration.
1T is not the least of the great serv-
ices Lord Roberts is now rendering
the country that he exposes with judi
cal impartiality and wise, wholesome
severity, errors and omissions IN
figh quarters which have cost us SO
very much"
Whether the government has any
special purpose Or 20 in publishing
the dispatch, the way in which it has
been received will make it most diff
cult to retain the censured coinanders
III active service.
Public Equanimity Disturbed.
Lord Roberts long wait and the
POer activity have seriously disturbed
public equanimity. He is still 600 miles
from Pretoria. No one doubts the Ill
innate success of British arms. but,
behind the British army that brushes
the Boer armies, an army of occupa-
ton will have to be installed. From
various sources come hints that more
men than are already provided for
will have to be sent out.
Projected Flank Movements.
Lord Roberts intimates that NJ least
ten thousand men are advancing to-
Wepener. As there are reports from
the Basuto border hat firing has been
heard in the direction of the hills to-
ward De Vets dorp, it is possible Gen..
Chermiside's advanced troops are al
ready in contact with the Beers. Lord
wires that he expected TO
clear the southeast section of the Free
State, east of the railway. and then
to swing round to the north and to.
turn one after another the positions
held by the Beers north of Bloemfou-
tein.
Butler Ready to Act.
GEM Buffers prohibition of sH press,
in Natal until further no.
t:ce is taken to indicate hat ~ move
is about to begin there.
Exactly what part Gen. Butler will
is still a secret which no one is
able to probe.
From the seat of war there is sig
nificnnt silence.
10TH TO LEAVE wEPENER.