Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-10-24

LADY ROBERTS HIS ENEMY.
King Only Consented to Remova,
when "Bobs' and Mr., arodrlek
THREATENED TO Resign.

New York. OFT. 4-InterestInp do.
tails concerning the enforced retirement
of Sir Redvers Butler are given IN 4,
dispatch from London 10 the Herald
1t is an open see'et that what is known
as 'petticoat influence" has been far
too strong at the war office ever Since
the Duke OF Cambridge resigned. anu
the present Notwithstanding has not
escaped 1t.
There are many people who are in
olined to applaud the speech Of Ii. c.
Richards the night before last AT
Northampton. who declared that If
Lord Roberts would leave bazaar open-
ings to Lady Roberts and take the SIAN
selections and sar office reforms into
his own hands there might be great 10.
form at the war ONCE
II Is douStful Il King Edward will
ever have to face a more painful di-
lemma than the one he encountered
when Mr.. Broorick and Lord Roberts
had an audience with him al Mari.
borough house. said a member of the
kings household
When the news reached Balnloral
house Of Gen. Buffers Westminster
speech, everybody in the household sus-
pended judgment until something was
apparent how The king regarded it.
Ever since Gen. Buffers departure
from Waterloo, for the war, when the
king-then Prince OF Waes-gaye IN,
cue to popular opinion of the former
commander-in-chle with his parting
salute: Good Old Butler" he has thus
been spoken of.
Even since his return TO England Il
was known that the king mad not
changed his opinion Of his former bon
camarade." The day after the West
minister speech i became Druited among
the household that the king still held
his faith In the bun general, and re-
garded his orat1rical Outbrust as mere
~ a military explosion in the face Oh
bitter goading.
So Ii became az accepted conclusion
that, no matter what the papers might
say, the king would stand By his
former friend, even 10 the extent OF
comforting peerage, as a mark Of per-
sonal friendship. Some leakages Of
this opinion found their way 10 the pub.
lie press and were transmitted ~ the
war office.
Ii is said that ever since Gen. Butler
refused to correct his Spi0nkOp dis
patches he has been subjected to the
bitter hostility Of Lady Roberts who
used every effort 10 force her husband
to demand his recall.
Within the hst few days her anti
PATTY has found fresh vent. owing 10
his WestminsteT speech. Il is said she
induced "Bobs' to go TO the war Of
fee and demand Of Mr. Brodrick that
he issue an order for Gen. Buffers res
ignation.
Such an order was isued, but "old
Butler" replied with fat refusal 10 re-
sign. Then Lord Roberts and Mr.
Brodrick put their heads together ana
waited for the instant Of the kings re-
turn to London 10 lay before his ma
jesty the alternative Of Buffers dismis-
sal or their resignation.
II was by no means pleasant inter-
view. At first the king refused point
blank to coununance any such drastic
proceeding. ~ defended Butler right
and left and declared that such provo
cation as anonunous attacks was sum
cient warrant for such an explosion on
the part OF he bluff old soldier but
Lord Roberts and Mr.. Brodrick we're
equally stubborn,
Lord Roberts threatened 10 resign in
stanter unless a royal mandate we're
Issued for Buffers decapltatlon, To this |
Mr.. Brodrick also added his intention TO |
relinquish the seals Of the war Office.
The latter threat would have not |
weighed for a moment with the king |
but "Bobs'" popularity Is different |
matter. His majesty used every effort to
induce the conmarder-ln-chlef TO re-
consider his dstermination. Only when
he finally discovered that this was out
OF the question was the ROYAL consent
reluctantly given TO the order for Gen.
Buller's dismisssl