The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-19
METHUEN OPENLY SCORED.
His Q"'rreis With Cough and Paget
Exploited in London.

curry. what appears to be the first au-
thoritative statement of the internal fric-
ton which occurred at Modder River in the
early part OF the campaign and was re-
sponsfble for the frequently circulated
rumor that Methuen was to be recalled
The correspondent writes:
Now that the military stress and anxi-
ETY. of two months ago have been In a
measure removed, it may be as we'll TO give
precise account of what passed between
Lord Methuen and Col. Bloomfield Cough
after the first engagement in which they
took part, and also TO refer to the subse-
quent disagreement between Lord Methuen
and Col. Arthur Paget
When the borses of the Ninth Lancers
were faded and the men completely ex-
hausted after many hours lighting, Lord
Methuen ordered them to charge an alb
solutely impfegnable position. Colonel
Cough sent a respectful refusal. Lord
Methuen then rode up TO the head of his
regiment and severely rebuked him. Colo
mel Cough again pointed out the impossi-
bility of executing the order. and Lord
Methuen left the regiment after utterinG
remarks which made the ears of every man
sting
Early next morning. it is said. Lord
Methuen sent q note to Colonel Cough
to this effect:
My Dear Colenel: Please come oror TO
my quarters as quickly as you can. / wish
you to spend the day with me-
Colonel Cough was able to perceive tao
sun at MONDAY. He answered:
My Dear General: / quite see your
meaning, and, as l must decline to lsave
my regiment, please Lei me know whether
you wish to put me under arrest or wheth-
er you would prefer tina, | should return TO
England.
Lord Methuen replied, thanking My
Dear Colonel for his perspicacity and in
dicating that Colonel Cough had better re-
turn home.
Before Colonel Cough left-for be had to
kick his heels about camp for over twenty
four hours ere he could get away-Lord
Methuen sent for him, and with CLEAN of
the old Paul Methuen, whom so many
loved. admired. and liked, said Goodbye.
Cough. Remember. there's no stain on
your military reputation
Colonel Cough returned to England,
nominally on sick leave. He at once sought
the authorities at the War Office. laid the
facts before them, and demanded court
martial This had to be refused because of
the impossibility OF recalling Lord Meth
uen.
Three days after his dispute with Colo
mel Cough, Lord Methuen gave an order to
the Scots Guards which their commanding
officer, Col. Arthur Paget. declared it was
impossible to execute. He absolutely re-
fused needlessly to sacrifice his men in
vain effort TO take an impregnabie kopje.
However, he told Lord Methuen that
he would himself walk up to the position
and be shot. Lord Methuen declined to
allow this, but told him he must go back
to England Col. Arthur Paget declined
point blank to leave his men. except upon
the instructions of Sir Redvers Butler,
and he.wTote to the hitter to the same eff
feet.
''Sir Reivers Butler is reported to have
written in, reply, that he hoped that by the
time his answer was received the two old
brother officers would have forgotten their
Col Arthur Paget is still at the head OF
his men.
TT is no ones object to endeavor to in
jure so fine a fellow as Lord Methuen. but
merely to clear those whom his actions
have placed under a shadow. 1t is super
fluous. therefore. to defend the Highland
Brigade against the aspersion alleged to
have been made upon them by Lord Me
thuen. No one was ever likely to take
i-OTu htlHuen SERIOUSLY III SucU Il CndTBtt
and Lord Roberts first action at the Mod
der was TO salve the feelings OF the brig
ade which. as he said, had made him.
Lord Roberts plan has been magnifi-
cent, He seems to have solved in one all
the knOtty problems which puzzled other
generals. He has rendered the mobility
of the Beers useless; he has overcome the
difficulty of transport; he has proved that
the Beers can be outflanked; he has shown
that secrets can be maintained; he has
used the resources of the country in the
shape of rivers for providing water; ne
has oDeEsd the eyes of the enemy to the
fact that We can move when away from our
railway"
This is the first uncensored comment
upon the active operations of General Rob-
erts that has been published in England
1t is dated Jacobsdal, February H. and the
Daily News man continues:
I'm the brief space of seven days Lord
Roberts has cleared British soil of the in
vaders and has occupied a portion of the
Free State larger than any which the |
Beers occupied of British
THE cavalry under General French left |
Drieput Thursday morning and marched |
direct on Kimberley. Beers were encoun-
tered four miles outside, but they were al |
ready leaving. sharp fight took place. |
the Beers retired. and Kimberley was re- |
lieved. Everyone that night at Drieput |
was elated at our success, but the full sig |
nificance OF all our rapid movements was |
only realized the following morning.
AT break of day a great cloud of dust |
was seen six miles from camp. moving in |
an easterly direction and extending some |
eight miles in length. The Beers were |
treklling. 1t came on all as n surprise |
that this should have been accomplished |
of aa fIn
one division was twenty odd miles from
another only at Jacobsdai, and
a third farther off still. But the Beers
we're seized with a wholesome fear OF our
10, 900 mobile cavalry. They had heard OF
BUR infantry coming up. and feared. and
they rightly feared, being caught in
rap.
soon our mounted infantry patrols. out
10 the east. came and reported that they
had been driven in by the enemys ad-
-ance guard. They also reported that there
vas convoy of nearly 1000 wagons being
escorted along the north of the Modder.
General KnoX's brigade was Immediately
ordered out with the Eighty first and Sew
Field Batteries. The convoy
had however, for the moment slipped
through and were five or six miles on.
The main body of the enemy, however.
vas attacked The Beers made a gallant
stand to give their transports time to
,et through. They took up strong posi-
ion north of the Modder on some kopjes
With three sides facing south. east, and
vest From the eastern end the road fol-
owed the course Of the river, protected
~ a slight declivity in the ground At
distances of about 500 yards other kOpjes
lrose, which gave the Beers good posi-
ions. as they fell back and acted as step
ling stones in their line OF retreat.
.,r~t. ION, rras ia1 h
yhcle day by the bulk of the enemy who
we're covering the rest of their force as |