The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1900-01-18
MATHUEN IS CRAZY.
Army Led To Destruction By a
Madman.
THERE ARE SOME EVIDENCES GIVEN.
1t Is Stated That He Has Been Re-
Cailed-The London Press Repress-
ing the Facts.

Chicago, H., specia!.-A special
cable to the Chicago Tribune from
London says:
Lieutenant General Lord Methuen
commanding the column advancing TO
the relief Of Kimberley, is to be re.
Eeve1 o. his command within two
weeks. Later he win be sent to Cape
Town and eventually ordered home.
When he reaches England he will be
retired. Tkase facts have been con-
firmed by an official of the War Office
Lord Methuen's case is a sad one. His
constitution began to show signs of
breaking down almost Immediately
after he took command OF his division.
Three days after the battle of Belmont.
General WClseley suggested TO the
War Of,ice that Methuen De relieved.
His advice was not needed The wis
dem OF the aged but keen commander
in-chief of the British army is nov
realized to the fullest extent by the
War Office, who scoffed at his sugges-
ton.
Those who know the circumstances
and the situation on Modder River
equally well and who are willing to
state facts plainly, say that Methuen's S
mind is unbalanced.
Constant proof o. this has been com.
ing to the notice OF the officials of the
War Office for two weeks past.
The London press is considerably
suppressing the true state of affairs SO
far as Methuen's ailment is concerned,
but the papers do not hesitate to print
the hard facts about the battle Of
Ma agersfontein, which are just reaching
London through the mails, all of which
go to show, in the language of an
officer, that "the attack was that of {.
madman.'
The death of Lord Wauchope, com.
mander of the Black Watch, was one
OF the many sad results of that en-
gagement. Lord Wauchope, it is now
well known, realized the futility Of the
assault as planned by Methuen. He
argued strongly and expostulated bit
terly against it. Methuen, however,
persisted and the two quarrelled over
the matter the night before the battle
which proved so disastrous to the Bri-
tish forces. A member Of the Black
! Watch in a letter just received, gives
! the details Of the charge which led
Wauchope to his death. He quotes
the generals dying words-words
showing how fully he realized the
situation even in the hour OF his death.
The letter reads:
"It was one of the darkest nights we
ever saw. The rain fell in torrents
and we went On and forward, falling
stumbling and slipping over necks and
I anthills.
at was impossible to see where We
! were going. After We had been taker
/ by surprise our right half battalion
| charged, but th- men were mown dowr
/ like grain before a reaper. Genera
! Wauchope was shot at the beginning
! Of the charge. When he saw the mis-
/ take that had happened he shouted
rally round 1ne, L.ack Watch
/ It's not my fault
Then he fell, literally riddle witt
! bullets.''
Letters from men serving in tht
Modder River column tell OF the de
moralization of the troops since tht
| commanders Interpretation.
A Highland Brigade man says:
There is not the slightest doub
that Methuen has lost the confidenc;
Of every man in the Highland Brigade
am not going too far in saying tina
they are afraid to trust their live
with him"
"Wauchope, no doubt. went out tt
find DEATH" writes Sergeant Grey
when such disastrous fire wa
opened. He had previously shoute'
to the Argyll Highlanders: Don
blame ne for this. / received m.
orders and had to obey them.' Wit
proper handling we could have cleare
the Beers out in two hours. AS it wa
we were taken into butcher shop an
left there"