THE BULLER AFFAIR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 469, 10 July 1902, Page 4

THE BULLER AFFAIR.

THE CUE EX.SO DESPATCHES. OPINIONS STILL DIFFER. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright London, July B. At the instance of General Buller, the newspapers publish the full text of the Colenso despatches, supplied by Hr Brodriclt, Minister of Wav. Nearly all the newspapers say the despatches show that General Duller was bewildered and demoralised at Colenso, and declare that the text places the famous heliograph message in a worse light than ever. They show that on December 15th General Duller informed Lord Lansdowne, then Secretary for War, that ho considered he ought to let Ladysmith go. On the 16th, Lord Lansdowne urged the General to make another attempt to relieve the town, urging lhat the abandonment of General White would bo a national disaster of the greatest magnitude. j On the 10th and 17th, General Buller counselled General White to surrender on the best terms available. Sir George replied on the 10th that he could not yet think of surrender, adding that the loss of twelve thousand men would be a heavy blow to England. Sir fled vers Buller might, he considered, possibly hit the enemy harder. He imagiued the attacking force ought to keep in touch witli the enemy. To day, General Buller writes to the newspapers, stating that he was delighted to receive on December 17th Lord Lansdowne’s assurance that the forces he thought pledged elsewhere were at his disposal. The Morning Leader defends Sir Redvers Buller, pleading that Sir George White was better off at Ladysmith than General Buller imagined, and after reinforcements wero sent him Buller never despaired.