The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 10, 1900, Page 1

taken 1 " ob fro The Tall VOLUME LXXXVII—-NO. 41. SAN FRANCISCO, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1900. PRICE FIVE CENTS. BRITISH TROOPS ARE GROWING DISHEARTENED Blunders of Generals and Series of Disasters in South Africa Cause Comment in England That the Government Cannot Disregard. there is a dearth of ney Since Saturday a temporary peace seems to have descende on the various fields of t General French has made a re- connoissance toward Achter lang, which lies on the east of esberg, making the Boers re- tire. General Gatacre gives no sign, and General Methuen’s| force is still lying intrenched on River. No further al White's victory and it is what cost it w chased by the garrison. From comes intelli- 1 Buller’s demon- on Saturday, which em- fact that the Boers conducting their campaign cunning and skill. with faint hope of draw- some of the be learned olenso gence of Gene stration 1zes ti great 1 le ry led out a strong force avalry and guns, his left hav- s its objective Doornkop his right Hlangwana Moun- tain, the Boers refused to disclose their strength. They evidently heir trenches and in Co- lenso, but though both brigades advanced well up to the positions were 1 3oers from | ck on Ladysmith, Gen-| | where the battle had raged most fiercely more than three weeks ago, there was no animated re- sponse to the British challenge. Even when the artillery came to within 1200 yards of the Boer rifles and General Clery himself rode close to the Tugela the trenches remained silent. Interest in the attack on Ladysmith has been so absorbing that very little comment has been eard upon a certain phase of the conduct of the British campaign, which has been dwelt upon in art. e dispatches, and which was shown in all its glaring faults in | the full descriptions of the battles of Stormberg, Magersfontein and Colenso, which reached England through the mails this | week. Since their publication a vague feeling of discontent over the British general’s tactics has developed into outspoken | condemnation. When we read | that men in close formation were led into a death trap—as hap- pened to the Highland Brigade at Magersfontein, by order of the commanding general in spite of the protests of the general com- manding the brigade—or that the Boer position south of the river had not been discovered, or that an important elevation was taken and not retained owing to incidents occurred in the action on the Tugela; that a night march was responsible for the catastrophe at Stormberg, and again in the case of the Suffolk Regiment at Colesberg, it is not surprising that the public is ask- ing why a policy of such well- known danger has been tried so often in this campaign. The correspondent of the Globe, describing the battle of want of support—both of which | | Magersfontein, says: “It is use- |less to disguise the fact that a }large percentage of our troops are beginning to lose heart in this campaign. The close suc- | cession of frontal attacks on an invisible foe securely intrenched | may well shake the nerve of the | bravest. Our men fought well, | but they have been asked to per- | form miracles. The Highlan(ll Brigade marched by orders of the general commanding in quar- ter column to its doom, almost falling into the Boer trenches. | | Wauchope's last words were, ‘For God’s sake, men, do not blame me for this.”” | The Daily News corrcsponrl—! ent says of the Stormberg disas- | ter: “The men were marching | | at ease in fours, with their tifles under their arms, when without “I know of no war in which Great Brit- ain has been engaged, except that result- ing in the independence of the American colonies, which did not end triumphantly. | Yet I do not know of one which has begun triumphantly. True, the war in South Africa is disappointing, fact that Great Britain has suffered ex- ceptional reverses or great disaster. On the other hand the war has knit together every branch of the English-speaking race, making all feel that they have a but it is not a | great, common destiny which it is their | duty to accomplish. “These are thoughts which ought support us in far greater trials than this war may produce. Remember that a na- tion tion unworthy of empire, and although defeat has not yet come and aithough we hope and believe It will not come in {he course of the present war, yet if mat- ters should turn out otherwise we should still rely upon the courage and patriotism of our countrymen.” Addressing a second meeting, held in a suburb of Mancheswer, Mr. Balfour sald “While T am loth to claim in any loud and arrogant speech that we are in any pecial sense the leaders of a great hu- | manitarian cause, 1 deny in the strongest | manner that we are animated by ignoble motives. No more false or stupid ca- lumny was ever invented than the accu- ‘suHrvn that Great Britain is animated by a petty desire to add wealthy regions to an already gigantic empire. No mere ac- quisition of territory could compensate | for a war costing s0o much blood and afkp | Rear Admiral Lord Charles Beresford, addressing the London Chamber of Com- merce, dealing with questions of national | defense, sald that, now that war pre- vailed, more attention would be paid per- haps to those who had warned the-coun- try that it was laboring under a ‘‘rotten, false and misleading system of adminis- s0 far as the services were con- tration,’ cerned. “While 1 would deprecate the adop- tion of conscription,” sald Lord Charle: | “I hope the country will insist upon over- | haul nd reforming the naval and mil- should be held blameless been sent to do an impossibility.” The Times in an editorial based upon Mr Balfour's declarations erely cises the Government and savs: “It is fortuna for the Government | than when Parliament meets It will only [ have to face a weak opposition. If the | shortcomings now revealed had been re- | vealed in a war with a first-class Euro- | | pean power the nation would not have | Baifour has been making It becoming nor prudent, #%er what | happened, for a Minister to declare, as | Mr. Balfour did, that he does not feel that he need apologize on behalf of the Government. It would be better for the country and for the Ministers them- selves if the latter frankly owned that they had made a mistake, pleading ex- tenuating ecircun es and pledging themselves to a serious effort all that has proved wanting.” STORY OF VBULLER’S LATEST DEMONSTRATION to reform [Special Cable to the New York Herald, Copy- t, 1900, by Jame m Bennett Re- publicatio f this dispatch is prohibited, 11 rights rved In the eat Dritain.] LONDON, Jan. This dispatch from 1 _correspondent s published by Telegraph CAMP, Saturday is now quiet at Chieveley Heavy United States and 6.—All 1ysmith. ght. Two Jan d 1 rains fell during the CRUISER FRIESLAND. The Dutch vessel said to have been fired upon by a British man-of-war off Delagoa Bay. | the slightest warning a murder- | ous fire was poured into them | from along the ridge. So sudden and unexpected was the flank at- | in confusion, and the general at | | once gave orders, ‘Make for cover.’ “In this connection there was a well defined report in circula- | | tion last night that one general | now commanding in South Af- | rica will shortly be superseded. | Another storm is brewing that is | likely to break over the heads of the transport authorities. Rein- forcements are urgently needed in every direction in South Af- rica, yet three batteries and four | battalions, which should have embarked several days ago, are still waiting for ships.” e L BALFOUR SPEAKS OF POSSIBLE DEFEAT LONDON, Jan. 9.—Arthur J. Balfour, First Lord of the Treasury, speaking this evening in East Manchester, sald: tack that the line was broken up | | Buns were fired at midnight at Lady- smith. 8o far wild storles and camp ru. mors have been fewer in number in this campaign than usual. The latest of them current yesterday was to the effect that 500 Boers who had got down to the Wee- nen road were coming to snipe Frere Camp last night. The story was started | by some natives who were brought in by an officer. “Let 'em all come,” sald General Bul- ler. “No such luck. The enemy will let us severely alone.” Yesterday’s demonstration at Colenso was at least a pretty affair, if not effec- tive, in drawing the Boers back to Co- lenso and making them show themselves. At about 2 e'clock In the aft, mounted brigade started out fron:rgg?c:'e.- ley with two fleld batteries toward Co- lenso, which formed the center of the movement, Dorrnkop being to the west and Hlangwana to the east. Thelr orders were to cover the front of an infantry advance and to protect the flanks. The principal object was to assist the gar- rison of Ladysmith by menacing Colenso. ‘With an extended front, in thin line, the troopers rode toward the Tugela, Colenso village being the central point. Two squadrons of the Thirteenth Hussars oc- cupied a position near Dorrnkop, while Thorneycroft's Colonials went to Hussar Hill, south of Hlangwana. Our troopers pushed ahead until they came under the Mausers of the Boers in Colenso and upon Hlangwana. The enemy, alarmed by the approacn of the horsemen, who were closely followed by widely extended successive lines of infantry, galloped in scores to take up positions In their trenches. A number of Boers also got down to the river bank trenches and a few ensconced themselves in the houses of Colenso. The to | which cannot bear defeat is a na- | AR E R e e R R R R R R e | wounding numbers of th D R R e e ONDON, Jan. 10.—There is an unconfirmed report this morning that the Admir- alty has chartered the Amer- ican liner St. Paul. A special dispatch from Amsterdam says that an un- credited rumor is current thers that a British cruiser has fired upon the Dutch cruiser Fries- land, near Delagoa Bay, and that a Dutch officer was killed. Great Britain’s loss since the war began is fast ap- proaching 8000. A War Office compilation of casualties, is- sued last evening, shows a total of 7213—1027 killed, 8675 wounded and 2511 miss- ing. These do not include 140 who have succumbed to dis- ease mnor the casualties at Ladysmith last Saturday. BERLIN, Jan. 10. — The Munchener Allgemeine Zei- tung says semi-official nego- tiations between London and Berlin are proceeding actively and in peremptory language. Since England met with re- verses on land she is described as seeking maritime revenge. + + + 4 + 3 * > + + + + + > + + + 3 + + + + + . + + - B B . + + B + + 00006000000000000¢‘ naval guns, four, seven and twelve | pounders, from Camp Hill hotly shel the Boers in Colenso and trenches north of the Tugela, certainly Killing and enemy. The Boer rifie fire, though only at a range of In connection with the war | South Africa, 1 contend that our gen- | for they | criti- | | | | { | been consoled by stateméits such as Mr. | Is neither | has | | tended lines, march f L - r Tom %00 yards, was badly aimed and did not | hit our troopers. General Hildyard's brigade turned out with three regiments, | the Queen’s own, the West Surrey leading | near the railway track, with the Kas Surrey on the left and the Devonshire | Regiment in support and as an escort for Irish the guns. Colonel Reeves led the Fusileers and Welsh Fusileers toward | Hlangwana. These troops, also in ex- | the spacious Without loss | 1 across tract iike khaki fence pe both brigades got well up to the positions where the battle raged flercest on De- ceml however, made no aggre and with the ex- | ception of a siigk de, 1aid low. Four field batteries opened fire at about 2500 yards' range upon the Boer trenches at 4 o’clock in the afternoon and a heavy fire’ was maintained for an heur. Then the guns went forward twelve hundred yards, their distance be well within the ran of the Boer rifles and gun still the enemy kept silent. Our bombardment, which was heavy both from the naval and field guns, * proceeded until ne: % o'clock, when the whole force retired to quarters. Even General Clery, who com- manded In person and rode down near the Tugela, failed to draw the Boer guns or fire of their Mausers. VIEWS EXCHANGED AS TG SEIZURES OF FLOUR LONDON, Jan. 9.—There is some reason | to belleve that the United States and | German embassies are trying to find a common basis on which they can co- operate In pressing their respective de- mands against Great Britain for the Delagoa Bay seizures. A high official of the German Embassy had a long confer- ence to-day at the American Embassy and the diplomats are believed to have dis- cussed the steps each country has already taken and the best future procedure. At the same time there Is every indica- tion that Great Britain is showing the | most friendly consideration to the repre- | sentatives of both of the embassles and that the present difficulties will be set- | tled amicably. As previously set forth in these dispatches, it is expected that the American flour will be speedily released, while the release of the German steamer General is belleved to prelude the libera- tion of the Herzog: The status of the Bundesrath is not vet fully settled, but Germany’s representatives belleve Great | Britain will glve satisfaction for any de- lay occasioned to a legitimate cargo. Both the United States and German em- bassies are now anxious to obtain a Brit- ish declaration in regard to the treatment | of neutral ships hereafter and it is be- | lleved they exchanged views on the sub- | Ject. | WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.—It {s stated | here on authority that the United States | is not co-operating with Germany or any other Government in representations to | the British Government respecting the seizure of goods destined for Portuguese East Africa. Moreover, our Government | does not contemplate any such co-opera- tion, the difference between the cases of the selzed German vessels and the seizure of American goods, the latter in British vessels, being o0 pronounced that the same principles would have no application. So it is the determination of the State De- partment to conduct its negotiations on this point single-handed and that is now being done. Mr. Choate, American Embassador at London, is in daily communication with the Foreign Office as well as with the De- partment of State on this subject. The negotiations are now In that phase where both sides are endeavoring to develop facts respecting the seizure and the final itfi:s ) | charge part of her cargo at Durban, and | tion detained was destined for the Boers | and consequently subject to seizure. VARIETY ACTRESS SHOT BY A TURF FOLLOWER Tom Carbrey Fi res Three Bul- lets Into Fannie Hall. He Was Madly Infatuated With the Wo- man, Who Once Fled to the Klondike to Escape Him. ANNIE HALL, who has been sing- ing at the Olympia Theater and is known as the wife of Pugilist Jim Hall, was shot yesterday afternoon Tom Carbrey, a tout from Denver, Colo. The attempted murder took place in the woman's rooms at “rancisco House, Taylor and Turk streets, and the result of a mad infatuation the man had for Miss Hall. She did not return his He had followed her to Daw- back again to San Francisco and had pleaded with her in vain to live with him. When she finally refused he deter- mined to kill her, and the shooting yeste: day afternoon was the result Miss Hall was seated in her room with by .\ PRINCIPZLS IN A THESPIAN ¢ HOOT NG AFFRAY. | a companion named Maud Raymond when Carbrey kn at the Before either of the women had a chance to an- swer the summons he rushed in. The expression on his face sati the women that his visit was not one of peace. He was blazing with anger, yet cool and de- liberate in his preparations to commit murder. He seated himself on the plano stool and, drawing a revolver from his | pocket, calmly informed Miss Hall that | he intended to kill her. The terrified woman a pleaded for merc ed at her. As h fell on her knees . but Carbrey only arose from his seat victim Miss Ray- n them and attempt- la and started toward I rushed betwe mond ed to dissuade him from his purpose. He ushed her roughly aside, and placing ravolver close to the head of Miss | fired. The bullet took effect in her neck. With almost perhuman effort | answer of the British Government to our representations made last week Is not ex- pected for several day SEIZED VESSELS ARE NOW BEING RELEASED Special Dispatch to The Call. WASHINGTON, Jan. 9—Information has been received here that the British authorities have released the Dutch steamer Maria after requiring her to dis- she has been permitted to convey the re- mainder, consisting largely of American goods, to Delagoa Bay, where she will deliver them to the consignees, Brindler & Co. of Lourenzo Marquez. It is presumed the action of the British authorities is based upon their contention that part of the cargo held is contraband of war. As the Maria's cargo was made up entirely of provisions, it is apparent that the British will hold that that por- The authorities have reason to believe that the British answer to Embassador Choate's representation relative to the de- tention of American cargoes will not be submitted for several days. The British Foreign Office and Embassador Choate are exchanging notes as to the detalls connected with the cargoes, and Mr. Choate has cabled to Secretary Hay for additional facts. The aufhorities are sat- isfled that the Incident will be closed to their satisfaction. ADEN, Jan. 9—The imperial German mail steamer General, detamed here by the British authoritles since January 4 on suspicion of having contraband of war on board, has been released. After her cargo had been examined it was found that she only had a few chemicals and axle trees on board. Nothing else was disclosed. A quantity of Trieste flour, brought by a Lloyd steamer and supposed to be bound for the Transvaal, has been held pending the decision of a prize court. DURBAN, Natal, Jan. 9.—The seized German steamer Herzog has been handed over to the prize court. The Portuguese Governor of Zambesa was among her lnns and displayed | only passengers. The British naval authori- the woman sprang to her fee a rush for the d C as she fled. The secs breast and a third struck men. The woman's failed her. ran thro shouting f womaf, made and d Miss Hall formed _the tally shot. physician 3 where compan mpanted " Raymond. She never once lost conscious- remarkable nerve while the physicians dressed her wounds and probed for the bullets. The wounds are not serious and her chances for re- covery are good. While the physicians were attending her she told the story of the shooting and the affuirs that led up to it. she was born in St. Louis, Mo., claims She said that twenty- that her Hall is anion sald that five years ago. She father, now dead, was t bank. She admi her stage nam 4 her name was Brengel She e has an aunt living in Chicago named Mrs. B. D. Spencer. “I first met Carbrey at Denver, whers his family resides.” she safd. I did n ¥k . but he persisted in following m vh 1w Two ye ! Francisco with We did not agree and sep followed me here and 3 gagement 1 had b ters when ( kill me i returnee t fairly haun to the pe 8 After leaving the F brey went to the sa Kelly, where he tol and killed Fannie Hall at once, but was located later by lice at Kelly's house, where h rested and taken to the City Pris brey displayed his brutal nature by gIng to his fellow prisoners of wh had done and expressing the hope t the woman woulc He is about 35 years of age and on the detective force in Denve by “Sp Matt Keefe that He left t ties have offered him a ship to convey him to Delagoa Bay. The steamer Bundesrath is discharging. CASUALTIES AMONG GEN. FRENCH’S FORCES LONDON, Jan. 3.—Little change is ap- parent in the position at Colesberg. Gen- eral French reported to the War Office Sunday morning, January 7, that he had reconnoitered with a squadron of the Household Cavalry on the Boers’ east flank, two miles from Achterlang, and | drew a considerable force of the burgh- ers, who, being anxious for their com- municaticns with Norvalspont, withdrew. The casualties of the Suffolks near Coles- berg were: Killed—Colonel Watson and Lieutenants Wilkins, Carey and White and twenty- three men. Missing—Captains Brett, Thompson and Brown and Lieutenants Allen, Wood- Martin and Butter and 107 men. Wounded—Twenty-one men. General French further reports that the casualties of the other regiments to Jan- uary 4 were twelve men killed and forty- four wounded. EARL OF AVA IS DYING AT LADYSMITH NEW YORK, Jan. 9.—The World's Lon- don cable says: The Earl of Ava, eldest son and heir of the Marqu of Dufferin smith of a wound in the thigh received during the recent attack on the plac Lord Dufferin called at the War Offica to-day, having traveled from Ireland to procure if possible the latest news of his son. If Lord Ava should die Lord Te ence Blackwood. who marrfed Flora Da- vis of Ne ork, would become heir to the title and estates of the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava. i I S NO MEDIATION YET. LONDON, Jan. 10.—King Leopold, a cording to the Brussels correspondent o the Daily Mail, recently inquired of Queen Victoria whether an opportune moment for mediation had arrived, but received a reply in the negative.