Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-18
NAY RECALL Butler.
Roberts Biting Criticism Of Tugela
River Campaign Published in
London.
Alleged Errors Of Thornycroft, War.
rem and Butler Touched Upin
Dispatches
Retirement From spion Kop Subject
for Severe Criticism Troops
Praised.

ia d ! -
London, April 1s.-Londoners today
once more are talking of Spionkop and
the Tugela. Lord Roberts submits in
the London. Gazette Gen. Eullers re-
port of those disastrous struggles and
subjoirs on ownaccount some biting
comment on Gen. Warren's alleged
errors of judgment and lack of admin
istratiNe ability. on which is laid part
of the blame Of the Tugela river fail
ures, While the general formerly in SUI
preme command is rebuked for his al
legged failure to assert his authority.
The field marshai's observations are
Interpreted TO mean that he is thor
oughly dissatisfied With the way the
Natal campaign was conducted in its
initial stages. Altho giving Gen. Butler
credit for having outlined the proper
plan of attack. he deplores the hunlil-
iating Way in which he fell down on
The execution of il.
Military men are asking what is the
purpose of publishing these dispatches
at so date a date? And the opinion is
that Gen. Buffers position is rendered
suntenable and that his resignation Of
the command in Natal or his recall is a
matter Of course Gen. Butler was APP
pointed by the government and II
would appear that tiescabinet. shrink
ing from, taking he responsibility of
his removed. seeks TO shelter itself be
hind Lord Roberts and behind the en-
preston of public opinion which these
dispatches are sure To occasion.
Altogether the dispatches are sad
commentary upon the lack Of organiza-
tion and system in the British army.
After slletclling Buffers Intentions
as. communicated to Warren, who com-
manded the whole force, Roberts points
cut that Warren seems 10 have con
icluded, after 4 consultation With his
officers that this thanking movement
ordered by Butler was impracticable,
therefore he so charged his plan of adj
vance as 10 necessitate the cap-
stuye and retention of Spionkop. Rob
serts coniinues:
AS Marrens considered ii impossible
10 make al Wide Ranking movement
W llich Was recommended If not actu-
ally prescribed III secret Instructions
he should, forthwith. have acquainted
Butler with the course he proposed 70
adopt. There is nntfiing to show
whether lle did 81 or not. But 1t is
only fair to Warren to point out that
Butler appears turnout To nave been
aware of what was hsppen:rs."
Regarding the Withdrawal from
spionkop. the retention Of which had
become essential to the relief of Lady
smith. Roberts SAYS:
II regrcts that5I am unable to concur
with Butler in thinking that Tnorny-
croft exercised Wise discretion inBofder-
Ling his troops toretire. Lam of the opin-
ION Thernycfeft $ assumption of re-
lsicnsibility and authority was wholly
During The night the en-
ealA s fire could not have been formid-
able and il would not have taken more
hansiwoor ,htee hourssfur Th3inIcroft
TO communicate by messenger with Mai.
Gems. Coke or Warren. Coke appears tc
have left Spionkpp at $50 r. No. for tie
purpose OF consulting With Warren. GI
| to that hour the idea of Withdrawal had
| not been entertained. Yet. almost imme-
jdiatelH after coke's departure Thorny-
icroft issued an order without reference
! II superior authority, which upset the
whole plan of operations and rendered
lunaNailing the sacrifices already made
TO carry il into effect.
ION the other hand ii is only fair te
state that Thornycroft appears to have
| behaved in a Very gallant manner thru
out the day.
I'll is to be regretted that Warren die
not himself visit Spionkop in the4after
moon or5 evening, knowing as he did tina
Il the state OF affairs was very critical ant
4 that the loSs8of the position would in
4 volve the failure of the operations. HI,
|3was consequently obliged TO summon
locke to his headquarters and the com
\ mand at s,Pionkep thus dsNnlVed upoi
i Thornvcroft. unknown to Coke, who wa
8Eunder the Impression that the comman,
\ aevolved upon Col. Hill as the senior of
Ef1cer.
4 The attempt TO relieve Lad.smitl
twas Well devised and i agree With Blu!
Ter in thinking that it ought to hav
succeeded. That it failed may in som
measure have been due to the Difficult
A ties of the ground and the commander
positions held by the enemy, also to ef
4 rors of judgment and want of admins
trative capacity on the part of Warner
But, whatever faults Warren may hav
committed. the failure must also be at
$ I5tributed to the disinclination of the of
ficer in supreme command to assert hi
q authority and sec that what he though
hest was done, also to the unwarrant
Liable and needless assumption of respon
sibility by subordinate officer
q The dispa tcf concludes "A gratifyin
: feature of these dispatches is the ad
tnirable behavior of the troops thluou
the operations.