The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-12
BULLER WILL TRY 1T AGAIN
ANOTHER EFFORT To BE MADE TO
FORCE THE TUGELA.


London, Feb. 12.-Winston Churchill
sends from Frere Camp to the Morning
Post long review of the situation. He
says;
Gen. Butler always thought it impos-
sible to hold the triangle of Natal. north
of the Tugela, but the initial mistake was
made owing to the miscalcuIation of the
Boer strength and the fact that millions
worth of stores had been collected at
Ladysmith. From the first he regarded
the relief of Ladysmith as a forlorn hope.
He did not feel justified in ordering SUBJ
ordinate to perform such doubtful task.
THE absence of good maps has cost
much bloodshed. An attempt to thrust
the emmy back from Brakfontein or
Doom kloof would have cost 5000 men, and
since at least two brigades must keep the
door open behind US, too few would have
remained to force the way to Ladysmith.
Moreover, Gen. Butler remembers that his
army is the only army for the defense of
the rest of Natal. Therefore, he decided TO
withdraw and to try elsewhere.
Must Prepare for Heavy Loss.
another fierce attempt Will be made to
force the Tugela. Great Britain must re-
alize the ugly fact that the relief of Lady
smith would strain an army of 50,OOo and
that 100000 men would not be too many
The country, therefore, must be prepared
for a heavy loss, and perhaps for di5ap-
pointment
Remembering that considerations of
honor, more than policy, demand ceaseless
efforts to relieve Ladysmith, the whole
army, despite disappointments and retreat,
regards Gen. Butler with sympathy and
trust such as are seldom seen even in for
tunate circumstances.
THE security of Southern Natal is our
important consideration. The necessity
of obtaining control of Delagoa Bay is
very apparent. The ingress of foreigners
and war material is ceaseless. Surely
settlement with Portugal would be only
question of money"
Nice Theory Destroyed.
London, Feb u, 4:40 a. m.-The latest
dispatches from the front showing the real
reasons for Gen. Buffers retirement and
his intention to try again, quite destroy
the comforting and ingenious theory that
the movement was an elaborate feint 10
facilitate the main advance of Lord Rob-
erts, theory which obtained acceptance
largely because of Mr. Balfour's misead-
ing statement to Parliament.
These seemingly useless reticences and
prevarications on the part of the govern
ment and the war office are beginning to
be criticised severely.
No word has yet issued from the war Of
flee regarding Gen. Buffers latest attempt
although the correspondents are allowed to
telegraph with fair amount of freedom,
and thus a partial list of casualties mas
been published. The dating of messages
from Frere Camp may indicate that Gen.
Butler has withdrawn all his forces there
Situation Is Threatening.
The London newspapers, having become
accustomed to checks, maintain a hope
full tone, but the situation is much more
threatening than it seemed to be a week
ago. Proofs of the terrible strength and
mobility of the Boer artillery, together
with the rumor that Gen. Joubert is TAX
ing the initiative with the object of cut
tirg Gen. Buffers communications, are in
no way reassuring.
Even the most sangune persons begin
to see that II is quite hopeless to expect
the relief of Ladysmith, while it is clear
that, If 1t be impossible for Butler to reach
Ladysmith, it is equally impossible for the
garrison, exhausted by. sickness and pri-
Vaijons, to cut a way out.
Reports of the Boer advance through
Zu,uisnd are disquietlng. If they should
be able to strike at Greytown, Gen. Bull
Ter would be compelled TO turn his atten-
ton to the eastern side of Natal.
The fact that Lord Roberts arrived at
Modder river Friday seems to show that
he has been on a round of inspection to
the chief commands, and that the main
advance is not 50 near as has been sup
posed.
Eating Horse Flesh.
Startling intelligence comes from KIM
oerley in the Cape newspapers just re-
ceived by mail in London. 1t appears that
since Jan. s, the rations at Kimberley
nave been for the most part horsehesh,
so repugnsnt to women and children that
many refuse to eat. 1t also appears that
the death rate has been heavy and that
the privations of the garrison have been
Increasing steadily.
This news is startling because the CEN
sor has not allowed 1t to be cabled. Pos
sibly such conditions explain the pres
ence of Lord Roberts al Modder river
and the apparent preparations for an ad-
vance from that point.
The mention, in the dispatch of Lord
Roberts to the war office yesterday Of
Gen. Clements as commanding at Rens-
burg is interpreted to show that Gen.
french with his cavalry has gone TO join
Lord Roberts. and that considerable
changes in the distribution of troops in
mat district have occurred.
The unexpected strength and activity OF
the Boers at Rensburg, where they are
rather pressing the British than being
pfesesd by them, causes anxiety.
No SOrtie From Ladysmith.
Vhoro fa A.