The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-04-22
Roberts Dispatch Burst Brewing
Storm Over Their Heads.
BULLER is THICK.SKINNED
Aud Although he Could Eudear Himself to
His People by Resiyuiag, Il is Not Be-
lieved That he will'..Nitthener
Also Ia Trouble.

copyrighted 1900, Associated PreSsl
LONDON. April 2i.-This has been a
sad week for the British generals.
The brewing storm that last week was
overhanging their heads received It's
electric spark through the publication
OF Lord Roberts censures regarding
the engagement at Spion KOh II de-
scended in a merclless torrent from an
unanimous press At the present mo-
ment General Butler could find no bet
ter way to endear himself to the hearts
Of the people than TO request his recall;
but one who knows the Natal COM
manjer intimately. tells the represen-
tative OF the Associated Press he Is
far too thick skinned to take such a
step and will stick 10 his post despite
all criticisms and avalanches of ad-
verse public opinion.
Nor is Lord Kitchener spared in the
present outbreak. There Is a story
going the rounds OF the clubs that the
great man OF the Soudan" has been
severely sat upon by the little man
of Afghanistan, and specific Instances
OF disagreements between them are
quoted. once. as gossip says. with mys-
torious references to private letters and
such inner sources OF Information. Lord
Roberts felt constrained to put Lord
Kitchener In his place.
Y wish you to understand Kandahar
is reported to have said TO Khartoum,
IF you please. l command this army.
You are nay chief OF stan. don't
seek your advice and shall decide my
self on what is to be done and shall
issue my orders accordingly"
No documentary evidence has been
obtained TO prove the truth Of this and
it may be pure invention, but. 1t has
already been printed in London and
originated in much the same way as
the first stories arose regarding the
fiascoes Of Generals Gatacre. Butler
and Methuen, which were only too fully
borne out by later official and detailed
accounts.
With regard to Lord Kitchener there
is another story current which states
that after the Colenso disaster the
queen demanded that Butler be super
seeded by the conqueror Of the Khalifa
and that the cabinet protested, but
compromised by sending Lord Roberts
as a figure head. This is considered
rather improbable; but, II true. the
cabinet has caught a tartar in the
shape OF Lord Roberts.
It is marvellous to note the whole
heartedness Of the English public trust
in this old general. Not one paper has
attached to his criti ism VI General
Buller-his predecessor in the com
iota Of unfairness or self
interest. This. perhaps, is explained
by the universal recognition OF the fact
that the field marshal has little to gain
by this campaign and that he gave
up all to which long and brilliant SER
vice entitled him in order to serve his
Whatever the outcome Of the
Boer war, Lord Roberts name would
stand in Englands military annals
as one Of the most successful and best
loved Of her commanders. This fact,
is ever before the people and they be-
lieve their commander in chief In
South Africa to be miles above jeal-
ousy or rivalries that might actuate
other generals.
The visit OF King Oscar Of Sweden
and Norway to England, though un-
dertaken incognito, has attracted q
small amount Of interest.
The spectacle Of that monarch-.burly
despite his II years and standing head
and shoulders above his fellows push
Ing his way past the station barricades
10 shake hands with the Swedish work
men who had cheered him as he en-
tered the London depot, can for human
be scarcely exceeded in
the actions Of the most democratic
ruler. King Oscar is no stranger to
England He has paid frequent visits
to this country and his abilities, as
historian and writer upon abstruse
subjects, have gained for him honorary
degrees from the English universities