The Thames Star. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1900. LORD ROBERTS' CENSURES.

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9617, 20 April 1900, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1900. LORD ROBERTS' CENSURES.

j-HB publication of the despatches of the commander-in-chief, bearing upon the . capture and withdrawal: from Spionkop, throws additional r light, upon' a movement which puzzled newspaper readers at the time of its occurrence. It will be remembered I."-., an attempt wjis made to relieve Ladysmith from the westward, via Spionkop, and that Sir "CA Warren succeeded in capturing the entrenchments of the enemy, only to find subsequently that the position, gained with heavy loss by the brave troops under his command, was* untenable. The force which occupied Spionkop for a few hours was exposed to a terrifio cross-fire from the Boers, and. as it was found impossible to drag the British artillery up the steep hillsides, Colonel Thorneycroft ordered ' the evacuation of the place, and the British retired* across the Tugeln': without sustaining any further heavy j loss. For this assumption of.responjsibility Colonel Thorneycroft has been severely censured by Lord Roberts, who, however, took the sting out of the reprimand by warmly eulogisin" 1 the colonel's gallantry. Various conjectures ha,ve been mentioned as 'to the reason why Sir C. Warren's (movement failed. This point is now set at rest, for the despatches state that General Warren's orgaaisatior iwaa not effective, and, although the jplan for the relief of Ladysmith Iv.ijrht have been quite feasible, the i Ir^nce of system in organisation waf irmarily the cause of failure. Lord

Buller for hesitating to assert his authority and decide what course was beff to pursue. "In, view of the report*, of the commander-m-chiof it, is probable that Generals Warren, BuJler 'and Colonel Thorneycroft *will ( tendei their resignations It may v be th.it the officers who have had the misfortunes to be censuied have been ioo se^eiely dealt with, but Loid .Roberta is in a position) to place the blame- on-'thosei.responsible, for blunders, and the Empire looks to him to do his duty inYthis^Tespect without fear or favor. That he does not s^rinis'lfßm i;"t!i© !<'performance of an unpleasant duty is proved by the adverse despatch forwarded by him to |Jie War Office, regarding the unfortunate Spionkop episode, which involved the useless sacrifice of the lives ■ of many braye men.