GENERAL BULLER.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11104, 24 October 1901, Page 5

GENERAL BULLER.

RELIEVED OF HIS COM3HAND.

RESULT OF HIS RECENT SPEECH.

THE LONDON PRESS ON THE INCIDENT.

United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Received: October 23rdf 10.62 p.m.) LONDON, October 23. The War Office notifies that in consequence of General Buller's speech on the 10th inst., Lord Roberts, after full consideration of all the circumstances, and after hearing the Generals explanation, recommended that he be relieved of his command. Action was taken accordingly, and General Buller has been placed on half pay. The King has approved the appointment of General French as General Buller's successor, and pending General French's return General Hildyard will take command at Aldershot. (Received October 24th, 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, October 23. The newspapers regret that after General Buller's useful career the inevitable sequel to indiscretion and intemperate language has resulted. It was, however, necessary to make an example of him, for his lack of discipline in divulging ono telegram which the Government declared must not be disclosed. Surprise is expressed that Sir Redvers Buller preferred dismissal to resignation. The "Standard" states that the General was not removed previously owing to advice tendered by Sir George White, and his dismissal was distinctly based on his recent speech, wherein General Buller openly acknowledged and glorified in that strangely mistaken action. Mr Brodrick shows that he intends army reform to be a reality. "The Times" states that General Buller has been a supreme type ot centralisation, impatience of control or co-ordinate authority unfitting him for the reforms which are imperative. General French's exceptionally bri_ia-2t reputation, which has been made and maintained during the war, adapts him for a command under the entirely new conditions. The "Daily News" states that Mr Brodrick has been savagely vindictive. It declares that General Buller has been punished for declining to alter the Spionkop despatch favouring peace after Cronjes surrender. If the latter proposal had been carried it would have brought better terms than w.e can get now. Recent cable messages stated that there was a great outcry against General Buller's appointment to the Aldershot command. The speech.alluded to was delivered after a luncheon with the Queen's Westminster Volunteers. General Buller on that occasion complained of the unfairness of the newspapers to the Army. It was singular, he said; that several simultaneous attacks were made on his noniination to the command of the First Army Corps. He challenged his critics to mention any of his juniors who were more fitted to command. Answering \ the accusation recently published in the paper "Outlook," .that he advised the surrender of Ladysmith, he said that after the battle of Colenso he informed Sir George White that the attack had failed, and another was impossible before a month, relieving that Ladysmith had only a fortnight's supplies he suggested that it might be necessary to surrender, and advised what should be done in such an event. This m-iTst'on was intended to cover Sir G. White's .responsibility. That advice was ■sent by jil_ cocred telegram,, marked "Private," which was afterwards stolen. The General's speech created a tremendous sensation in the clubs. The London Press were unanimous in tke opinion. that the speech/was amazing and unseemly, and that General Buller was tho victim of hallucination. The"Standard declared that on sober reflection, General Buller ought to resign, and this opinion appears to have reflected the general feeling .in, Great Britain.