The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1900-02-02
VICTORY FOR
THE BOERS.
Most Terrib e Catastrophe to Brit
ish Arms Since the Amer
i an Revolution.
ALL ENGLAND IS IN LAMLNTATI0N.
The War Office Denies That Ladysmith
Has Surrendered, But Relief is
Practically Abandoned.
Gen. DuIler's Army Retrenteed TO
the south of TugeIa River
Reported Abandonment
Is Advised.

London, Jan. 3O.-Ihe usual airy at
tempts to minimize The seriousness of
the situation in South Africa are en-
tircly lacking Monday afternoon, and
it is frankly acknowledged that the
most serious effort OF the present war
has dismally failed. There is no sign
of n wish on the part of the leaders
Of public opinion to disguise the ugly
facts. but, on the contrary, there is a
disposition TO face the full difficulties
and discover the best way out. In
short, the policy voiced everywhere is
gathering up of forces for more eff
fective blows. All hopes of the speedy
relief of Ladysmith have been aban-
dOnCd, and the consensus of expert
opinion urges the immediate shifting
of the theater Of war from the rocky
kopiCs Of Natal to the open veldt of
the Free State. One thing appears
certain--another long pause is inevi-
table unless the Beers assume the Of
fenSivc, because, even in the event
of Gen. Butler further attempting to
reach Ladysmith, the planning of a
new movement will ncccssrily occupy
time.
The afternoon newspapers are draw
ing attention to the closeness of the
parallel between the federal attack
on Gen. Lee at Fredericksburg and the
operations on the upper Tugela.
Curiously enough, there is visible,
especially in military circles, an un-
dercurrent of relief at the news that
the British are safely south of the
'Tugela, for the rumors of Saturday
had conjured up visions of an immense
catastrophe.
The st. James Gazette Monday af-
ternoon returns scathing criticism of
the language of Gen. Buffers reports.
1t says: Gen. Buffers reflection on
the terror he put into the foe reminds
us of things we have heard about Chi
nese mandarins."
The afternoon papers are discussing
whence are to come the troops for a
protracted campaign. 1t is becoming
generally recognized that some form
of compulsory service is more immi'
nent than previously thought of. The
st. James Gazette, however, suggests
that the solution of pouring more ani
more troops into South Africa savorS
of the Spanish action in Cuba, adding
that the solution of making better use
of the thousands already there has
never suggested itself.
The queens speech at the reassem
bling of parliament Tuesday is await
ed with unusual interest, in the eX
pectation that considerable increase
in the naval and military expenditure
will be necessitatcd by the lessons o.
the war, and be altogether apart from
the special war vote.
Great anxiety has been removed b!
the announcement that Lord Dundo
lands cavalry forces, which it wa
feared were isolated among the hill
in the ncighborhood Of Action Homes
are safe on the south bank of the Tu
gela river.
AS the afternoon newspapers ar
commenting without full knowledg
of the facts they arr not disposed t.
offer any apologies for Gen. Butler
defeat. The ST. James Gazette says
The meaning of the retreat is oh
vious. We have had to recognize tha
we can not force our way through
the enemy's lines to Ladysmith. Why
we don't know. If the Boer position
is impregnable it ought never to hav
been attacked. If it is capable of bC
ing taken, we were rcpulsed becaus
the leadership was oau, and it is idl
to attempt to conceal that the latte
is far from incredible. To start on
/ declaring there must be no turnin
back is cminently foolish. Whe
swagger and rant prevail, there
commonly plentiful lack of iudgmen
and true resolution. 1t requires s,
rious effort not to yield to gloom
conviction that the intellectual an
moral qualities which make for su,
81 cess have been replaced ON our sta
by words, words. words. The rcmcd
Tor south Africa IS not TO add To th
numbers, but 90 pnt the troops whcr
, their force can come into play
, Gen. Butler wires from SDcarman
I Camp. Jan. 20. that the casualtit
among the officers Of the jth diyiSio
and mounted brigade at Spion Kol
January -. were:
killcd-IwcUty- two, wounded. %
missing. 6.
The war Office denies the repoI
. that Ladysmith has surrendered. on
announces that a very heavy list ,
p casualties will be issued soon.
II is learned from reliable sourcs
that Field Marshal Lord Roberts ha
advised the alan !Cument 80 t-ld,