Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-11
MErntEN SAID TO BE INSANE.
His Recent Fight characterized as
the Work of Madman.

CHICAGO. January ia special cable
to the Chicago Tribune from London says:
Lieut. Gen Lord Methuen, commanding
the column advancing To the relief of Kim
berley, is to be relieved of his command
within two weeks.
Later ne Will be sent to Cape Town. and
eventually ordered home. When he reaches
England he will be retired.
These facts have been confirmed by an
official Of the war office.
Lord Methuens case is a sad one. AL
ways man OF rather fraiI physique-al-
though a clever boxer and ar alI-round
siortsTnan-hIs constitution began 10 show
signs OF breaking down almost Immediately
alter he took command OF his division.
Three days after the battle of Belmont
Cen oiseley suggested u the war office
that Metnucu be relieved. His advice was
not needed. The wisdom of the aged but
keen commander-in-chief of the British
army Is now realized to the fullest extent
by the war Office, VINO scOffed at his sug-
ge>L.pn-
Friends Of Lord Nethuen insist ne Is only
in broken health: that the strain of many
ca"IaIsHs has shattered his naturally ner-
EUuS system
Those who know the circumstances and
tho situation on Mot!der river equally we'll
and who are willing to state facts plainly
Say that Methutn's mind is unbalanced.
said TO BE Mentally Unbalanced.
Constant proof of this has been coming
to the notice OF the officials of the war
Office for TWO weeks past The commander
OF the Modder river forces has lombard
eI tho government with some of the most
remarkable messages ever received from a
general IN action. One, received a few
days ago, IS fair sample of the rest. Ii
contained Just three words: Darkness af-
ter dawn.
Il IS stated by those acquainted with
tn inner workings and campaign adopted
br tEe war office that Lord Kitchener, the
hero OF Omdurman, who. with Lord Rob-
erts, arrived at Cape Town today, Will pro-
ceed Immediately to Modder river. He may
not take pclIve field command of the troops
but Will put the column in working order
again and then assign some one else, prob
aa!y General CoIyilie, 20 take Melhuen's
place.
Lori NIethuen, in addition 20 his other
eccen,rici-es, has quarreled with a number
or officers under him Three of them, Col.
Arthur Paget, Col. Cough and Capt. Camp
bell. he ordered home. They arrived in
London today. Col. Cough Is seeking a vim
d.Cation by court-martal. When Cough
attempted 70 discuss the plan of the Ma
sersiontein attack Methuen ordered him
Uu.ier arrest
The London press is considerably sup
pressing the true state Of affairs so far as
Nethuen's ailment is concerned. but the
papers do not hesitate TO print the hard
facts about the battle of Magersfontein
which are just reaching London through
language OF an officer, that the attack was
that Of a madman.'
Death of Lord wnuchope
The death Of Lord Wauchope, commander
Of the Black Watch. was one Of the many
sad results Of that engagement. Lord
Wauchope. it is now we'll known, realized
the futility Of the assault planned by
Methuen. He argued strongly and expostu-
lated bitterly against IL. Methuen how
ever, persisted and the two quarreled over
the matter the night before the battle
which proved so disastrous TO the British
forces. member Of the Black Watch in
& letter just received. gives the details Of
the charge which led Wauchope TO his
death. He quotes the generals diving
words-wOris showing how fully he real
lze1 the situation even in the hour of his
death. The letter reads:
II was one Of the darkest Rights we
ever saw. The rain fell in torrenrs and we
went on and forward, falling stunbIina,
and slipping over rocks and ant hills. 1t
was impossible 10 see where we were go
Ing. After We had been taken by surprise
our right half battalion charged but Tho
men We're mown down like grain before a
Paper General Wauchope was shot at the
beginning Of the charge. When he saw tine
mistake that had happened he shouted :
Rally round me. Black Watch. It's not
my fault
Then he fell. literally -iddled with bull
lets
Troops Are DemoraIixed.
Letters from men serving In the Modder
river column tell OF the decentralization of
the troops since the commanders incapaci-
tation- Highland Brigade man SAYS;
Theirs Is not the slightest doubt that Me
thuen has lost the confidence of every man
In the Highland Brigade. 1 am not going
too far in saying that they are afraid to
trust their lives with him."
Corporal Bsvan, in describing the fateful
battle. says:
When the enemy opened fire. Lord Wau-
chope, our brave general. who was killed
turned to US and said: Don't blame me
lads We hear he demonstrated with Me-
thuen before we left camp about the plans
Of the battle, but Methuen only told hin,
TO obey ORDERS
''Wauchope. no doubt. went out to find