Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-04-23
The SP|ONNOP MIDDLE
Roberts Censure ofthe Generals En-.
gagged Attracts More Attention
Than His Advance.
All Kinds Of Comment But Little
or No Criticism Of Little
Bobs'


No Jealousy OF Unfairness Attri.
buted TO Him Gossip in
London.
London, April %. Copyrighted, 1soO.|
by the Associated Press.)-In England
there is only one topic and That is Lord
Roberts spionkop censures and their
possible results. Even the commences
ment of the advance against Pretoria
fails to'detract public interest from the
all-absorbing sensation of the hour. The
wesklies TEEN with comments that defy
"a cabled synopsis. While their multi-.
tudinous expressions of opinion regards
ing the adyisability or the publication
at the present moment of such terrible
indictments of British generals and Of
ticials, and while the authorities differ
widely as to the causes of their ineffi-
ciencies and the remedies therefor, one
common verdict seems to- have been
reached, which is that Spionkop was a
|atrrible muddie and that sonne one must
wv SitlSsON 3tHGS CdUIIlGlFll.
self appears scarcely decided upon what
course to pursue, public opinion is pret-
" clearly defined and is unanimous in
demanding the recall of Gen. Butler and
Gen. Warren. Placing Crofton on half
pay has merely whetted the national ap-
petite and the ravenous demand for ac-
ton and for the prevention of the use
less loss of loved lives can not be salts
fi.aH
ton. Higher heads, ii seems, must fall
It's probable the government hopes
Gen. Butler will apply for his own re-
call, but this seems unlikely to happen,
and now the country angrily, awaits for
the action that all sections of the press
declare must follow the extraordinary
Timed publication of Lord Roberts,
STRUCTURES. "A curious feature is that
Lord Roberts, apparently is not en-
powered to deal with Gen. Butler or
even Ger. Warren both having been
directly appointed by the government,
and beyond reporting Lord Roberts Is
unable to- take action. Yet, for six
weeks after receiving Lord Roberts re-
port the Marquis of Lansdowne. the
secretary of war, left the question open
and now, for some mysterious reason.
Hence, Lord Roberts is, naturally, abb
solved from all blame and tas3increased
his popularity by being brave enough to
expose weak spots.
This has been sad week for the
British generals. The brewing storm
that last week was hanging over their.
heads received its electric spark thru
the publication of Lord Roberts CEN
Ssures regarding the engagement at
spionkop: 1t descended in a merciless
torrent from a unanimous press. At
the present moment Gen. Butler could
find no better way to endear himself 10
the hearts Of the people than to request
/ his recall, but one who knows the Ma
tai commander intimat ely tells agrepre-
sentative of the Associated Press that
he is. far too thick skinned to take such
! a step and will stick to his post despite
|sallgcriticis,ns and an avalanche OF pub
lie opinion.
Morris Lord Kitchener spared in the
present outbreak. There is u 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
Idisagreements between them are
quoted. Once. SO gossip says. With
mysterious references to private letters
and such inner sources of information,
LORD Roberts felt constrained to put
| Lord Kitchener in his place.
| wish you to understand Roberts
is reported to have said to Kitchener,
sif YOU please, thatI command this
army. You are my chief OF staff. /
/ don't seek your advice and shall de-
eide myself as to what is to be done
land shall issue my orders according
lily.
No documentary evidence has been
4 obtained to prove thestruth Of this, and
AT may be pure invention but 1t is al
Tread printed in London and originated
in much the same way as the first
stories arose regarding the fiascoes OF
l3Gen. Gatacre, Butler and Methuen,
\ which We're only too fully borne out
lby later official and detailed account
1 With regard TO Lord Kitchener there
1 is another story current, which insists
/ that after the Colenso disaster the
squeen demanded that Butler be super
seeded by the conqueror OF the khalif
| and that the cabinet protestea but
compromised by sending Lord Roberts
as a tlgurehead. This is considered
rather Improbable. but II true the cabj-
met has caught a tartar in the shape Of
/ Lord Roberts.
| 1t is marvellous to note the whole
| heartedness Of the English public's
trust in this old general. Not one paper
has attached to his criticism OF Gen.
Butler. his predecessor In command,
one iota of unfalrness or self interest.
| This, perhaps, is explained by the uni
versal 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 service en-
titled him in order to serve his country.
Whatever the outcome OF the Boer war,
Lord Roberts name would stand In
England's military history as one OF
the most successful and best loved Of
her commanders. This fact is ever be-
fore the public and they believe their
commander in chief in South Africa to
be miles above Jealousy or rivalry that
might actuate other generals.
DEATH IN FOREST FIRES.
One Hundred and Seventy Men Miss.
/ ing In Manitoba.
/ Winnipeg. Man. April 23.-Fires in the
forests along the Southeastern railway
are still raging. The exact amount Of