The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-01-18

generals tactics has developed into
outspoken condemnation.
When We read that men in close for
nation were led into a dsathtrap-as
happened to the Highlanders at Ma
geTsfontein-by order of the command
ing general in spite of the protests of
the general commanding the brigade.
or that the Boer position south of the
river had not been discovered, or that
an important elevation was taken and
not retained, owing to want Of support
both of which incidents occurred in
the action on the Tugela-that night
march was responsible for the cdtas-
trophe at StOrmberg and again in the
case of the Suffolk Regiment at Coles
berg, it is not surprising that the pub
lie is asking why policy OF such we'll
known danger has been tried so often
in this campaign.
Whites Cheering Success.
LONDON, Jan. S, 3:45 p. m.-The
War Office has just published the fol-
lowing bulletin from General Butler:
"FRERE CAMP, Jan. S.-The follow
ing is from White, dated p. m. yes
terday: AN attack was commenced on
my position, but was chiefly against
Caesars Camp and Wagon Hill. The
enemy was In great strength, and
pushed the attack with the greatest
courage and energy. Some of the in
tTenchments on Wagon Hill were three
times taken by the enemy and retaken
by us. The attack continued till 1880
D. m.
lone point in our position was occu-
pied by the enemy the whole day. But
at dusk, in a very heavy rainstorm.
they were turned out of the position at
the point of the bayonet in a most
gallant manner by the Devons. led by
Colonel Park Colonel Ian Hamilton
commanded on Wagon Hell and rem
dered valuable service. The troops
have had a very trying time and have
behaved excellently. They are e,ated
at the service they have rendered the
Queen.
The enemy were repulsed every
where with heavy loss, greatly exceed
ing that on my side, which will be re-
ported as soon as the lists are COM
pleted.'"
Not since the day of General Buffers
reverse has such a crowd Of lnquirers
visited he War Office. As the after
noon progressed a rUmor obtained cur
Tency that Ladysmith had surren-
dered, and the depression in the lob
bies had become extreme when an
official appeared and in a loud voice
shouted: Good newsi" and posted the
dispatch chronicling a brilliant victory
for the British troops
Even the brief official announcement
sent by General White seems to entitle
his success to the adjective brilliant"
so often misused during the present
war. Smiling faces were seen every
where, and even at the sedate Foreign
Office and other departments of the
Government elation was shown. The
newspapers were all jubilant. The con-
servative Standard, in big headlines.
announced "a Glorious Victory at
Ladysmith."
Is In Sore Straits.
LONDON, Jan. 9, 3:45 a. m.-Al-
though General White still holds out.
or did sixty hours ago, and England
has taken heart, the situation Is worse.
The beleaguered force must have ex-
pended large amounts of ammunition,
which cannot be replenished, and must
have lost a number of officers and
men, which Is counter balanced, 80 far
as the garrison Is concerned, by the
greater loss Of the Beers. General
White needs relief, and the difficulties
confronting General Butler are as
great as before.
The formers unadorned sentences, as
read and reread, suggest eloquently the
T. tt ~
teen hours, and how barely able his
5000 men were to keep from being
overcome. The chief concern for Cen
eral White is in respect Of ammunition.
Sixty-eight days ago, at the beginning
of the siege, his small-arm ammunition
was vaguely described as plenty" His
artillery then had 300 rounds per gun.
Some OF the batteries have been in ac-
ton frequently since then, and all
were probably engaged last Saturday
His stock OF shells, consequently, must
be low, and this will make II difficult
for General White to cooperate in al
movement by General Butler.
The intrenchments at Ladysmith, as
described in a message that left a dayl
or two before the fight and has Just
come through, are fortified hills, well
covered with rife pits and trenches,
down which the infantry move In SIM
gle file to the various posts In absolute
safety. Full rations are still served. !
but no whisky or tobacco.
Spencer Wilkinson in the Post points
out that there is cne division only at
Chieveley, another at Frere and a third
at Estcourt. AS Chieveley Is seven
miles from Colenso the second division
would have to march twelve miles TO
get into action and the third division
twenty-five miles. General Buffers
10000 men and seventy guns were.
therefore. almost inactive on Saturday.
and. when General White photographed.
General Butler could really make no
move but an Ineffective demonstra-
tiCn.
Beers masTed Near Ladysmith.
LADYSMTTH. Jan. Cby runner to