The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-10-24
WAR OFFICE METHODS COME IN
FOR CRITICISM.
PETTICOAT INFLUENCE STRONG
Even "Bobs" Is Open to Sarcastic Com
ments From the Malcontents
Because Of His Social
Exploits.
(By Associated Press.)

New York Oct. 24.-Interesting details
concerning the enforced retirement of Sir
Redvers Butler are given in a dispatch
What is known as "petti-coat influence
from London. 1t is an open secret that
has been far too strong at the war office
ever since the duke of Cambridge re-
signed and the present commander-in-
Chief has not escaped it.
= There are many people who are inclln-
ed to applaud the speech of H. c. Rich
ards the night before last at Northamp-
ton, who declared that if Lord Roberts
would leave bazaar openings to Lady
Roberts and take staff selections and
war office reforms into his own hands
there might be a great reform at the war
Office.
Painful Dilemma For Edward.
1t is doubtful if King Edward will have
to face a, more painful dilemma than the
one he encountered when Mr.. Brodrick
and Lord Roberts had an audience with
him at Marlborough house. said mem-
Der of the kings household.
When the news reached Balmoral
house of General Buffers Westminster
speech. everybody in the household
suspended judgment until some sign
was apparent how the king regarded it.
Ever since General Buffers departure
from Waterloo. for the war, when the
king-then prince of Wales-gave the
cue to popular opinion of the former
COMMUNICATIVE chief with his parting
salute: Good Old Butler he has thus
been spoken of.
Butler and the King.
Ever since his return to England it
has been known that the king had not
changed his opinion of his former "bon
canarade." The day after the West
minister speech it became bruited among
the household that the king still held
his faith in the bluff general and re-
gar led his oratorical outburst as mere
ly a military explosion in the face of
bitter goadng.
So it became an accepted conclu-
sion that, no matter what the papers
might say. the king would stand by his
former friend, even to the extent of
comforting a peerage, as a mark of per-
sonal friendship.
Some leakage of this opinion found
their way to the public press and We're
transmitted to- the war office.
Lady Roberts Takes a Hand.
1t is said that ever since General Bull
Ter refused to correct his Spionkop dis
patches he has been subjected to the
bitter hostility Of Lady Roberts, who
used every effort to force her husband
to demand his recall.
Within the last few days her antipathy
has found fresh vent, owing to his West
minister speech. 1t is said she induced
"Bobs" to go to the war Office and de-
mand of Mr.. Brodrick that he issue an
order for General Buffers resignation.
Such an order was issued, but old Bull
Ter replied with a fiat refusal to resign
Then Lord Roberts and Mr.. Brodrick
put their heads together and waited for
the instant Of the kings return to Lon
don to lay before his majesty the al
tentative of Buffers dismissal or their
resignation.
Edward Defends Butler.
1t was by no means a pleasant inter-
view. At first the king refused point
blank to countenance any such drastic
proceeding He defended Butler right
and left, and declared that such provo
cation as anonymous attacks was suffl-
Gent warrant for such an explosion on
the part of the bluff old soldier.
Lord Roberts threatened to resign in
stanter unless a royal mandate were is
sued for Buffers decapitation. To this
Mr.. Brodrick also added his intention tt
relinquish the seals of the war office.
The latter threat would not have
weighed for a moment with the king
but "Bobs'' popularity is different mat.
ter. His majesty used every effort tt
induce the commander-in-ch chief to recon
slider his determination. Only when h
finally discovered that this was out O.
the question was the royal consent re
luctantly given to the order for Genera
Buffers dismissal.
Americas Earliest Maps.