The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-04-22
IO SAVE A COWARD
That Same Coward Being
Duke "DoIIie" of Teck.
GATACRE Is SACRIFICED
Story of That Noble Idiots
Flight at Room Sprint.
GATACRE is SACRIFICED

of a nation, England's coward prince
has so far been shielded Fom the dis
grace he deserves.
But it will no longer be possible to
conceal the shameful part that Prince
Adolphus of Teck, brother Of the Du-
chess of York, Englands future queen,
played at the battle of Koorn Spruit,
or the injustice by which the gallant
Gen. Gatacre has been made to suffer
for the royal towards pusillaninity.
Indeen the scandal which the Princes
military superions and royal relatives
have so zealously endeavored to sup
press now threatens to become bTuited
the world over. blot on the conduct
of the war and a disgrace to the British
army.
The London Times, that bulwark OF
English conservatism, has taken the
bold step of expressing in print the
opinion shared by every sensible person
in England since the truth regarding
the battle of Koorn Spruit first became
known. Says the Times, editorially, ig-
noring the fact that the Prince of Teck's
name has been mentioned in connection
with the war dispatchs in other papers:
1--WE have yet to learn the name of
the escort officer, who presumably is the
man really responsible. Why has it been
held back? Why have we not been furn-
ished with his explanation, If explana-
ton he can give? If he cannot, then
he would seem to be a subject for stern
but indispensable military justice. Lord
Roberas, we trust, will not hesitate, in
all proper cases, to follow without fear
or favor the precedent he has himself
set He will have the strenuous support
of the nation in the adoption of so salu-
tory a course"
AS a matter of fact, the first accounts
of the Koorn Spruit ambuscade stated
that the Duke of Teck was escort officer.
In that capacity he waas responsible for
the sfety of the convoy. But not
word has since been permitted to come
through concerning mis- conduct on that
occasion, or his explanation of how he
allowed his mem to walk into a trap.
Since then Geatacre has been superseded
by Roberts for far less grave failure.
The coward Prince, according to re-
founded on official information. is not
only accused of gross negligence, but Is
suspected of equally gross cowardice.
He is declared to have led the stampede
when the ambush was discovered, leav-
ing the trapped men, the guns and the
convoy in the hands of relatively in
significant force of Beers.
The surprise prepared by the Beers
on this occasion was one for which a
- ~ nd CHI
have been prepared. Teck was neither
When the word first came to him,
1--WE are trappedr' his wamanish ter
ror it is said, was pitiful.
Not one Of his men but would have
stood his fround, ambush or not. But
the leader. terror stricken turned, leav-
ing the greater number of his men in
the trap where his owne folly had led
them, and taking with him a small
guard for his own protection.
It is not likely that there is another
such instance Of cowardice in the re-
cent history Of British arms.
Teck and his men did not draw rein
until they had fed 100 yards, where
the untaken guns were unlimbered and
a perfunctory attempt was made to shell
the Beers, who quickly got out OF range
with their booty. Nor were the guns fol-
lowed up, though 1t is known that re-
covery was feasible.
Yet the only SEQUEL thus far TO this
piece of egregious cowardice is the civ
timfzing of Gatacre. The royal head has
been sheltered, the royal name with
held.
Teck was major in the First Life
Guards. An untitled Britisher holding
such a position and committing such a
disgraceful act would have been prompt
ly shot That the War Department is
silent as to what measures, if any, will
be taken to punish the young Duke is
causing extreme resentment among all
classes.
Should this see-nothing and do-nothing
policy on the part of the authorities be
continued, Teck's position on returning
to England viii be most unenvable.
Much sympathy on this score is already
expressed for the long suffering young
wife of the notorious dissolute prince.
A hint of Prince Adolphus' family his
tory may be the best explanation Of his
conduct as soldier. He is the son of
the handsome but degenerate Duke OF
Teck. who died insane not long ago. his
mother being the amiZble Princess Mary,
Victoria's first cousin.
From his father, the late Duke DOL
lie" as he is called in London, inherited
various unpleasant taints and charac-
for a low grade Of mentality, and Dol
lie IS known TO be a particularly brain
less young fellow, popular witha certain
set rather because Of this than in spite
Of IL
At the close Of his profigate younth it
became necessary that Prince Adolphus
should marry somebody. The aged Ouch
ess was reduced TO an allowance Of
nothing year. The Duke was an in
valid threatened with insanity. and an
Taningly in debt. Adolphus himself was
struggling along on an income Of $3.50.
L is quite evident why a bride had to
be thought OF. and prehaps equally evil
dent why it was difficult to find one
At lenght an engagement was brought
about between Adolphus and Lady Mar
garet Grosvenor. daughter OF the Duke
Of Westminster, the richest man in Eng
land. The Duke was willing 10 pay 4
sood price for aIlying his family TO that
Of the $cendanJs OF kings-AdoIphus is
the sreae-grandson % George III-sn5
offered the young couple So. GO a year.
But the discreet old Duchess, forseeiug
a possible loo9hole in this ARRANGEMENT,
stipulated that the dowry be paid in =
lump. and succeeded in securing Sl.ooooo)
Of the Grosvenor fortune for her grace
less son. Lady Margaret it is recorded
was q reluctant bride.
But the glamor o. q high title won over
the parents q the nor girl an shn