The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-04-18
BUTLER
And Warren Blamed for the
Sp on KOp Disaster.

LONDON, APRIL 17.-400 a. m.--The
government has chosen this as the move
ment to publish dispatches from Lord
Roberts, pronouncing censure upon Sir
Redvers Butler and Sir Charles Warren,
two OF the most important subordinate
commanders. This dispatch, written Feb
ruary 1s, has been IN the hands Of the
war office for five weeks. Just why it
is published now, In the middle Of the
campaign, is not understood, unless It Is
expected that General Butler and General
Warren viii ask to be relieved from their
commands
The relation OF their incapacity must
tend to undermine the confidence OF the
troops IN their leadership.
Lord Roberts dispatch. with the enclos-
ures, is the great feature Of the London
press this morning. In long editorial
the Daily News speaks Of the somewhat
appalling language of the dispatch and
then goes on 70 say;
upon the whole these dispatches are
disouieting and dlshearteniAg in no or
elnary degree.
FOLLOWING immediately upon the recall
Of General Gatacre, they win create a
widespread feeling Of uneasiness aud ana
iety."
The standard which is supposed to be
in the confidence Of the government says:
at is scarcely likely that the publica-
ton Of Loro Roberts dispatch is without
purpose It irrisistably suggests whether
it is not to be followed 10y further impor-
tant changes In the South African COM
mands. Painful as such measures may be
| there must he no hes tation IN carrying
them out If they are required In the pub
lie interest"
The Daily Telegraph compliments Lord
Roberts upon mot hesitating, where
great national interests are az stake to
wound private susceptibiliues."
The Daily Chronicle confesses to "a
feeling something like CONSERVATION wher
reading the extraordinary passages" Of
the dispatch
The Times says:
Lord Roberts severe condemnation Is
justified only too clearly by the official
narratives OF what took place The SOY
IS painful; but II is wen for the nation
and for the army that It should be told
clearly and simply, without concealtment
or exaggeration.
1T is not the least OF the great services
Lord Roberts Is now rendering the coun.
try that he exposes
whether the government has any spec
ial purpose or not In publishing the dis
patch the way IN which a. has been r.
celved will make II most difficult 20 re-
tain the censured commanders IN activ,
service.
Lord Roberts IS stl 300 miles IRON
Pretoria No one doubts the ultimate sue
cess OF British arms, but. behind the Brit
ish army that crushos the Boer army, az
army OF occupation viii have to be IN
stalled. From various sources come hint
that more men than are already provide,
for will have to be sent out.
Lord Roberts indicates that at leas
10000 men are advancing 10 cut OF the
Beers who are invading Wepener A.
there are reports from the Basuto border
that firing has been heard ! nthe direction
Of the hills towards Dewetdorp il 81 pos
sible General chermsides advanced troop
are already IN contact with the Beers
Lord Roberts wires that he expects e
clear the southwest section OF the Ere.
State. east OF the railway, and then I,
swing around 70 the north ana turn on'
after another the positions held by tn.
! Beers north OF Bloemfontein
General Buffers prohibition OF an press
telegrams In Natal untA further notio,
IS taken to indicate that a movement u
about to begin there.
REPORT OF GENERAL ROBERTS.
LONDON, APRIL l7.-Jrhe war offic,
tonight published IN the Gazette ais
patch from Lord Roberts. dated February
-, submitting General Blalers dispatched
describing the spion Kop and other oper
ations from January II 10 January q
\ Lord Roberts deals severely N1tn Genera
Warren and s0me others. Even Genera
Butler does not escape Lord Roberts
complains that the plan II operations 4