The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-01-31
BUTLER AGAIN DEFEATED
Rumors of Fresh Disasters to the
British Troops.
OFFICIALS ARE SILENT.
Butler Advised to Beat Hasty Re.
treat Across the TuGeIa River
Into Safe Territory.

London, Jan. 27.-The defense commit
tee of the cabinet met at the war office
this afternoon, Lord Salisbury presiding.
There are reiterated rumors that the
gravest kind of news from Natal is being
concealed by the war Office. 1t is even
said that Gen. Buffers forces are in full
retreat
Butler in Full Retreat.
In connection with the meeting today,
the rumor was reiterated that the war
office is concealing the gravest KIND r, or
news from the Upper Tugela river. The
reports ever go so far as to say the
forces of Gen. Butler are in full retreat.
1t is impossible to confirm Or deny the
reports, as the officials maintain silence
as TO the rumors. They say they have
nothing for publication. 1t is evident,
however, from the war office announce
ments that the casualties reported by
Gen. Butler occurred in Gen. Lyttleton's
brigade, which apparently was not en-
gagged at SpiOnkOp, and that there has
been severe fighting not yet reported.
Sir Michael Hicks Beach, the chancel-
lor of the eXchequer, came to London
purposely to attend the defense commit
tee meeting, and Joseph Chamberlain,
the secretary for state for the colonies,
gave up other engagements for the same
reason.
I.ord Wolseley, the commandcr-in- chief
of the forces, was also present at the
meeting of the committee.
The report Confirmed.
Perrin. Jan. Pit is said that the
German foreign Office mas confirmation
OF the report that Gen. Warren's division
has been crushed.
Berlin, Jan. 27.-Some of the papers
here ciam to have Il telegram from Pre-
tora saying that Gen. Warren was Ell
tlced lnio Spionkop where the Beers fell
upon HIN, that seventeen of his cannon
were captured, and that Buffers hasty
retreat over the Tugela river alone can
save him.
The alleged Pretoria telegram adds
killed and 1900 wounded. The dispatch
comes through Brussels and does not re-
ceIye much credit III this city.
beers Ask No Odds.
The Lokal Anzeiger publishes report
of an interview with DIR. Leyds, in which
he is quoted as saying his presence in
Berlin has nothing to do with politics.
Regarding mediation, DIR. I4eyds said the
Beers had nc occasion to appeal to any
enc. Everything was going splendidly
As to the conclusion of peace, his per
sonal opinion was that Great Britain
would have to return Il large portion of
Bocrs and the federal republics would
Of course obtain every guarantee that
not hair Of the heads of their kinsmen
would suffer-, No words, he continued,
need be wasted on the absolute independ-
ence Of the two republics Ladysnith,
Mafeking and Kimberley. DR.. Leyds
added. were simply prisoners, with the
sole difference that the British had to
consume their own provisions.
Na,1- Tn al sol
from London says that reports of an
other defeat for Butler, even worse than
Spionkop, are flying about London, and
are believed.
London, Jan. 2I.-2:45 p. m.-The ten
sion over the war situation is very acute
The markets are at a standstill. The
public is wild for war advlccs.
The war office has no news of the ca
tastrophe to Gen. Buffers force reported
from Berlin, and discredits the story.
Neither has the war office any explana
ton at least for publication OF the aban-
donment Of Spi0nkop, and there are no
advices in this connection from independ
ent sources. The disposition today is TO
regard the evacuation as not serious
as at first thought and commentators are
abusing the military authorities, both at
the front and at home. for publishing
hasty accounts of an incomplete. half
understood operation, thus alternately
thrilling and depressing the nation.
The afternoon papers describe the gen
erals dispatches as unpleasant reading
for the British people, intensely mortify
ing to the national pride, and damaging
to the country's pre- stige, and scathingly
denounce the gaZetting, at the present
time. of reports which the ST. James
Gazette says display academic frivolity
not uncommonly found in combination
with considerable practical incapacity,
lapsing into sneering when they ought to
rebuke, and filled with the slang and hui
NOR Of Kipling's subalterns.'
The St James Gazette sums up its
opinion as follows:
These dispatches sweat the folly
which has prevailed throughout the pc
riod the campaign has covered and which
has exacted its usual 1.-THE of lives and
men,"
There are signs Of important move
ments developing in the north of Cape
Colony. Gen. French has succeeded III
getting in touch with Gen. Gatacre, posa
sibly presaging combination of the two
columns and the commencement of con-
ccntration of the forces which is believed
to he the ground, ork Of Lord Roberts
plan of campaign.