The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-10
WAS ALL A SHAM.
British Public Convinces Itself That
Butler Meant Nothing.

London, Feb 10.-2 p. m.-Gen. Butler
is once more south of the Tugela river;
Gen. Macdonald is back at the Modder
river and apparently the Beers have
lost none of the ascendancy they have
held so long. Yet tOday'S news by no
means causes the acute disappointment
attendant upon the other failures to re-
lieVe Ladysmith. This can be attribu-
ted to three causes-frst. there is
strong belief that Gen. Buffers last at
tempt was a demonstration on a large
scale; second, the wiser critics had
warned the public not to expect the I'M
mediate relief of Gen. White; third, the
nation has settled down to the realiza-
ton that the war will last a long time
and they are not swayed as at first by
minor reverses and victories.
The second and third reason are self
explaining. The first requires consider
able elucidation. In favor of the opinion
held by Spenser WilkersOn, the military
critic of the Morning Post that General
Butler did not intend Immediately
pushing on to Ladysmith there is over
whelming evidence to show that Field
Marshal Lord Roberts ordered sYste-
matte activity on the part of all the
forces. On this basis, Gen. Buffers move
may only be a repetition of Gen. Mac
Donald's and Gen. French's reconnais-
sances.
Mr.. Balfour's ambiguous statement
about awaiting the completion of
plans is another strong reason for be-
lieving Gen. Butler never intended to
make the main advance via Vaal
krantZ, but was acting under the Or
ders of Lord Roberts. 1t is also cur
iouS that the news of Gen. Buffers re-
tirement first came from the BOer head
laager near Ladysmith and that the
British correspondents were freely al
lowed to send dispatches before any,
thing from Gen. Butler was published.
The unusual appeal of f3ennett-Bur-
leigh, war correspondent of the London
Daily Telegraph, asking the public to
! suspend judgment and rely on Gen.
Butler, also has cOnSidera bic Signlf1-
cance. On the other hand. Gen. Butler s
recent speech to his troops in which he
said he hoped to be in Ladysmith with
in a week, tends, some people claim, to
throw doubt on the belief that he has
only been demonstrating in force.
The latest news from the Modder
River shows that Gen. MacDonald's re-
tirement from Koodoosberg was effect
ed in complete order. The most reason
able explanation of his movement is
that it was undertaken more to restore
confidence of the Highland brigade still
nervous from their terrible experience
at MagersfOntein than to gain any i'm
pOrtant objective.
With this important unit Gen.
Methuen's force is rehabilitated for a
vigorous attack on Gen. CrOnje and an
attempt to relieve Kimberley may be
looked fer, more than likely superin-
tended by Lord Roberts, while the
/ seventh division and part of Gen.
( FrenchS cavalry are occupied in a
! turning movement east of Jacobsdale.
A dispatch from Rensberg, dated Fri
day, reports aggressive activity against
all the British accommodating, and de-
clares the Beers are in no sense sur
rounded at Colesberg, but are simply
held in check by series of camps
forming a semi-circ1e from east to west
( The Beers it is added are still in full
/ possession of their lines of communica-
tion with the Free State and hold
| strong positions around Colesberg.
During the morning of February q
! bombardment with lyddite occurred al
Rensberg and the Beers Maxim Wick
ers guns are believed to have been si-
/ fenced. A dozen Beers were found on
| the kOpjes.
! Lord Roberts has addressed another
| letter to Presidents Kruger and Steyn
! complaining of the wanton destruction
! of property in Natal