The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-04-25
ARTHUR ROPES. General Editor
The Meaning of the Publication.

Some months after it had been ad-
ministered, the censure Lord Roberts
visited upon Generals Butler and War
rem and Colonel Thornycroft, for their
failure to take and hold Spion Kop, is
published in London. The publication
has made great stir in London, and
reasons are sought for this belated
publicity. Whether the publication is
the act of the war office, or the report
has leaked out by accident, the news
papers of London are guessing. The
Standard intimates that the report
means reorganization of the army in
Natal and the recall of the disgraced
generals. This is not considered prob
able, because, if true, it would mean
that the government had decided to in
suit Generals Butler and Warren, as
well as punish them. Butler has been
the pet of the war Office and it is deem
ed unlikely that he would be removed
from his command only to find the CEN
sure of his superior spread broadcast
as a welcome home. Dismissals in dis
grace would make greater commotion
in England than news of another Spion
Kop affair at the front.
1t is barely possible that Lord Rob-
erts is highly indebted to fortune, or to
English faulty in respect of the esti-
mate of the strength and determination
of the Boer resistance, that he is not
himself today in Buffers shoes, and
that Butler is not in Roberts place and
himself judging his less favored broth
or. Had Roberts or Kitchener, or any
other British general, been arrayed
against Joubert in Natal, with mad
equate forces, in country of kopjes
and steep kops, of mountain ridges and
narrow passes, among which the burgh-
ers, while their ranks were yet unim-
paired, so resolutely held their enemies
at bay, or from which they terribly
punished them, the laurels of Can
dahar might have withered in the fiery
heat that at Colenso and Spion Kop
blasted Buffers and Warren's fame.
1t was not the country for the flank
movements the open regions of the
Free State, from Kimberley to Bloem-
fontein, invited. Nor were the over
shadowing and overpowering numbers
that came with Roberts at the disposal
of the less fortunate commander, in
Natal. As it was, Roberts, though
overwhelming Cronje ten to one, was
ten days in forcing the "Lion of the
Transvaal" to surrender. Buffers
friends at home might find in Paardes-
burg very pertinent 'tit' for Rob-
erts' STAT" and "Our Bobs," while
cutting his lieutenants, right and left,
should bless his stars for the good for
tune that placed them, instead of him
self, in the Imminent deadly BREACH"
with insufficient supports.
But, assuming that the report of Rob-
erts was Intentionally published, the
conjecture is made that the purpose
was to give notice to the British COM
manders that the affairs of the army
are no longer to be yelled with secrecy;
that the blunders, or bad judgment, or
misfortunes of Maagersfontein, of
Stormberg, Colenso and Spion Kop,
will be promptly placarded over Eng
land and the officers under whom come
disasters to British arms must face the
public displeasure. England expects
every man to do his duty, and if he
fails to win victories it will be made
very unpleasant for him. The situa-
ton at the time of the publication of
Lord Roberts report, and which it may
be intended to influence favorably when
the forward movement begins again, is
thus described:
1t s clear enough that Lord Roberts is
preparing to fight long campaign The
government is seeking supplies of horses
which will not be available for service until
the last part of the summer, which is the
winter in South Africa. Mills are being
run night and day to spin yarn for the win.
ter uniforms OF British soldiers when the
winter is already setting in and heavy uni
forms are an essential equipment for the
campaign to Pretoria. There are indica
tions of more troops still to be sent into the
field. Lord Roberts is preparing not for 8
holiday parade, but for long and business
like war, first Of conquest and then of occu
patton. II this report is intended as 6
warning that all the officers, from highes
to lowest, must settle down and attend tC
business twenty-four hours day for thu
next six months or year, 1t will be likely
to prove effective. although little drastic
But, II reorganization is in prospect, some
body in the war Office has Numbered worse