New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-11
LORD METHUEN's RECALL.
MENTAL, SoTNDNESS OF THE BRITISH
COMMANDER DOUBTED.
fcopyrigh.; 1900: BY The New-York Tribune1
TBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l


IBr CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
London. Jan IL a. m.-Lord Methuen~ has
been recalled to England. learn this On the
highest authority 1t is reported that he was
laboring under great mental excitement after
the battle of Modder River, and that the War
Office has considered IT necessary to displace
him. as he is evidently not in condition to COM
rnand troops Two members of his family are
said TO be weak minded Lord Wauchope's last
words. quoted in yesterdays dispatches, have
created most painful impression.
General Buffers report. given out after mid
night, concerning the Boer estimates of losses
in the battle at Ladysmith. is not important in
substance. Their estimates always under
rated General White has declared that the
Boer losses greatly exceeded his own. What is
significant is the date of the dispatch. Butler
was at Frere Camp yesterday, and apparently
his army was not moving. The proof is
not conclusive as General Warren may be
operating from Estcourt and Weenen.
THE Standards" correspondent at Ladysmith
outlines the events on Saturday when the Beers
made their attack in force. He says President
Kruger sent word to the Boer headquarters.
asking why Ladysmith had not been attacked
The reply sent back was: We should lose too
many men, Kriiger's alleged answer to this
cuse was the suggestion that the Free Staters
might he put in the forefront. The hint was
taken and the attack delivered accordingly. The
Transvaal Presidents advice was so far good
that his allies behaved better than his own
burghers. The Free Staters managed to seize
hill, while the Transvaalers later in the day re-
tired before General Whites counter attack
amid the jeers OF their comrades in arms. The
Free State men stuck to their position until
actually bayonetted in the ditch
Evidently. however, the Beers have not been
induced by their defeat to put stop to the al
most daily bombardment of Ladysmith, news
from Frere on Monday afternoon says that the
heavy gun mounted by the Beers on Bulwana
Hill had been firing since daybreak.
The story of the disaster to the Suffolk Regi-
rnent, as supplied by Mail" correspondent at
Rensburg. does not improve the original account
as nothing is mentioned Of the origin Of the
order to retire Two companies Of Suffolks
reached the summit of the hill where the Beers
lay Colonel Watson addressed the men and off,
GERS, and an advance was made with fixed. bayo-
nets. The Beers. who hidden in intrench-
ments, reserved their fire till the Suffolks were
within twenty yards, and in the meanwhile crept
around Watson's force. On the order being given
10 charge Colonel Watson was immediat tey shot
through the head. Then his adjutant fell, but
still the British troops advanced. Mown down
by the storm of bullets they we're eventually
stopped by the stone breastworks of the Beers.
Here they were surrounded and compelled TO
surrender.
The Calcutta correspondent Of The Mail"
states that Russia is taking advantage Of
England's present difficulties to push forward
her outposts on the Persian frontier. and when
her plans are more matured Russia will quietly
annex Persia. ]. n. F.