The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-19
METHUEN OPENLY SCORED.
Ills auarreis with Cough and Paget
Exploited in London

curry. what appears to be the first au-
thoritauve statement of the internal fric-
ton which occurred at Modder River in the
early part OF the campaign and was re-
sponsible 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
measure removed, It may be as well to give
a 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 horses of the Ninth Lancers
we're faded and the men completely ex-
hausted after many hours fighting, Lord
Methuen ordered them to charge an alb
solutely impregnable 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
Methueu sent 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 the
sun at MONDAY. He answered:
My Dear General; I quite see your
meaning and. as 1 must decline to leave
my regiment, please lei me know whether
you wish to pu; me under arrest or wheth-
er you would prefer tina, I should return to
England.
Lord Methuen replied. thanking My
Dear Colonel for his perspicacity and in
dicatiug that Colonel Cough had better re
turn home.
Before Colonel Cough left-for he had to
kick his heels about camp for over twenty
four hours ere he could get away-Lord
Methuen sent for him. and with a 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 a 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 impregnable kopje. 1
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 Ee-wTote TO the latter to the same ef- |
feet
Sir Redvers 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 |
differences. There the matter ended, and /
Col. Arthur Paget is still at the head OF /
his men
1T 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 shadow. 1t is super
huous. 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
Lord Methuen seriously in such a charge
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 magnii-
cent He seems to have solved in one all
the knotty problems which puzzled other
generals. Il has rendered the mobility
OF the Beers useless he has overcome the
Of transport; he has proved that !
the Beers can be outhanked: 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 opened 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.
II is dated JacObsdal February Il, and the
Daily News man continues.
In the brief space of seven days Lord
Roberts has cleared British soil of the in
yaders 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
lrect on Kimberley. Beers were encoun-
erred four miles outside. but they we're al
ready leaving. A sharp fight took place.
ieved. Everyone that night at Drieput
vas elated at our success but the full sig
liGcance Of all our rapid movements was
,nly realized the following morning.
AT break of day great cloud OF dust |
vas seen six miles from camp. moving in |
IN easterly direction and extending some
light miles in length. The Beers were !
rekling. 1t came on all as a surprise
hat this should have been accomplished 1
~ a force Of 10000 mounted men. while
me division was twenty odd miles from
another only at Jacobsdai, and
third Farther OF still. But the Beers
we're seized with a wholesome fear OF our
q, 900 mobile cavalry. They had heard OF
,ur infantry coming up. and feared. and
hey rightly feared being caught in a
rap.
soon our mounted infantry patrols. out
o the east came and reported that they
lad been driven in by the enemy's ad-
ance guard. They also reported that there !
vas a convoy of nearly 1000 wagons being
.scorted along the north of the MOdder.
General Knox's brigade was Immediately
rdered out with the Eighty first and Sew
Field Batteries. The convoy
,ad. however. for the moment slipped .
through and were five or six miles on.
he main body of the enemy, however, !
vas attacked. The Beers made a gallant
tand to give their transports time TO
ct through. They took up a strong posi- J
ion north OF the Modder on some kopies l
With three sides facing south. east, and
rest From the eastern end the road fol Z
owed the course Of the river, projected 9
" a slight decliyity in the ground At !
istances Of about 500 yards other kopjes O
rose. which gave the Beers good posi-
ions as they fell back and acted rs step a
ing stones in their line of retreat. ?
The main position was occupied the {
hole day by the bulk Of the enemy. who 3
ere covering the rest Of their force as e