The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-26
GENERAL BULLER's CASE.
IL Is Giving English Politicians n
Great Deal of Worry.

LONDON, Oct. 25.-Liberal leaders deny
that any meeting of Liberal leaders has
been called, as cabled to the United States
by a news agency, to consider the advisa-
bility of issuing q manifesto to the country
calling on the government TO resign or call
a special session of Parliament to discuss
the Boer war. the dismissal of General
Butler and other matters. So far as stir
ring up an agitation on the subject of Gen
eral Butler is concerned, it is undeniable
that the Liberal leaders concede that the
War Office acted correctly in retiring Cen
eral Butler, though this does not prevent
criticism of that officers previous appoint
ment to the command of the First Army
Corps. The efforts made by several of the
London daily newspapers to create a feel
ing in General Buffers favor are partly
due to their desire to make party capital,
as these papers, previous to the action of
the War Office, could scarcely say anything
bad enough about the general. They have
succeeded, however, in working up GER
tain amount of popular enthusiasm, which
finds vent in music hall demonstrations
wherever General Buffers name is men,
toned. great meeting Of sympathy in
Hyde Park is now under consideration
and there is talk of the presentation to
the general of a sword of honor as a ma
uonal tribute. In the west of England,
where General Buffers home is situated,
the feeling runs high. Frequent meetings
have been held to denounce the govern
ment's action.
A representative OF the Associated Press
learns that General Butler, after delivering
the speech which resulted in his retire
ment, received personal letter from King
Edward disappearing OF his utterances and
clearly intimating that his Majesty would
be glad if General Butler would resign.
Then the war secretary, Mr. Brodrick,
summoned General Butler and pointblank
demanded his resignation. 1t was
stormy interview, ending in General Bull
ler's fiat refusal to resign. 1t is said that
the general, even then, did not believe the
War Office would venture To retire him.
After the interview Mr.. Brodrick went
straight to King Edward, in Scotland. and
the result of his visit was the action which
has now so stirred up the country.
Walter Long. president of the local gov
eminent board. in the course of a long
speech at Liverpool this afternoon said
the government would defend General Bul-
ler's apDointment to the command at AL
dershot on the grounds of policy and jus
tice. His dismissal was solely because his
recent speech was subverslYe 10 military
discipline. AgoniZed consideration had
been extended to the case and the Cabinet
unanimously supported Lord Roberts 5 ac-
tion. Probably no man possessing the ira
dtional qualities of the British To greater
degree than General Butler ever wore the
Kings uniform. but greater mistake than
his soldier could make.
The Scottish Liberal Association, at a
meeting at Sterling to-day, at which Sir
Henry Campbell-Bannerman presided
passed a resolution that 1.-The continued ex-
istence of Lord Salisburys government
threatens the country with humiliation and
disaster and the Liberal party should be
united under Sir Henry Campbell Banner
mans leadership for the governments :
overthrow" During the course of his
speech Sir Henry said the Liberals no long
er cared for ministerial denunciations. The
nation had lost all confidence i'm the capa-
bility of the government, though IT might
be some time before the nation took en-
tirely the same views of the terrible state
of thinSs in South Africa.