The evening times., 1900-01-26
FRIDAY. JANUARY 26. 1900.


II is too early 80 measure the extent Of
the terrible disaster to the British arms at
Spiou Kop. reported by Genertl Butler
today 1t is sadly evident that Warren's
attack upon the height was an abiect blum
der. based upon an absolutely mistaken
view of its relations TO the adjacent Boer
positions Warren appears TO have as
surCd Butler that Spion Kop dominated
The whole OF Joubert's semi-circular line
from Dewdr0p around 70 Acton Homes,
and that it's possession would render uu-
tenable the area within that semi-lune
back 70 the Dewdrop road. On the con-
trary. il is now developed that Spion KCp
was not necessary TO the integrity of the
Boer line. That being the fact, Jcuhcrt is
seen to have prepared iJ TO serve rs a
lion trap. into which the victims walked
and died like so many sheep.
The reports tells us that after Warren
took possession of the hill BOer batteries
previously masked and silent. and havinE
the range of his trenches to an inch. broke
loose from the circumjacent ridges and
poured i'm "a murderous fire all day
Wednesday. Under this bombardmcnt it,
was impossible to bring up artillery. and
"Wednesday night Warren withdrew TO his
old position. thoroughly defeated. and with
"a casualty list that it is TO be- apprebcudcd
VIII run zap into the thousands.
d Is fairly uncomfortable that an off FER
ug Su Charles Wauen'- strategicN repu-
taJicu and South African experience.
should hare made the fatal preliminary
mistake he evidently did in the assumu-
tio1z upon which he pToreelod to take
Spion Kcp. The scouting and skirmishius
done lcr his benefit on the left by pundon-
aid and Clcry had been active. and. MS the
English military critics have thought p
fcctive. Moreover. hc had the assistance
or several war balloons in locating the
dispositions. cntrCnchmerts and cmnlsee-
mcuts Cf the Beers Yet he was piti3hly
trapped and apparently with less excuse
than any OF his predecessors in tho same
business
What the immediate consequences Of the
disaster may be- il would be impossible TO
say. but ig the losses Of Warren's division
are as serious as NAV be surraised. il is
not certain that Jhe left rs and the
transport of Buffers army are not in grave
danger. II there are rc-euforcerIents that
can be pushed forward instantly to MI the
ranks and the vacant places the guns.
no worse thing may happen ~ the mo-
ment than the compulsory abandonment OF
Ladysmith TO it's fate. which IS more than
likely to have been settled Dy the affair
oT Spion Kop. But If there are no fresh
troops 10 bring up. Butler viii have 10
look TO the safety Of his army and be
quick about f.; for an attack by Joubort
at this point i'm The game would appear to
boz natural 20 expect.
I- may be assumed without much risk
that further attempt TO turn the Boer
extreme right is under existing conditions
impraclicable with BulIer's present force.
As an things are possible. ne may retrieve
nis fortunes but just now ne is probably
thrown on the defensive There is nothing
discoverablc i'm the situation TO encourage
any hope FOR tho relief q Lady smith and.
unless the resisting power Of it's garrison
is much greater than there is reason to
suppose its early capiulation should rot
occasion any surprise. The Dndcr al
Spiou Eop iu many ways may prove ter
Ilblt blow 90 the British Empire.