New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-11
Tributes TO METHUEN.
KIND WORDS IN PARLIAMENT FOR THE
UNFORTUNATE BRITISH COMMANDER.

London. March 10-Lord Kitchener's dis
patches announcing the disaster 70 General
Methuen were read in the House Of Lords and
House of Commons to-day by Lord Roberts. the
commander-in-chief, and Mr BrodriCk the War
Secretary, respectively. They both paid tributes
TO General Methuen, the former expressing his
appreciation of Methuen's success throughout
the war, declaring that his task of forcing the
Boer position at Magersfontein was an almost
impossible one
Lord Roberts, the commander-in-chief who
announced the British disaster in the House Of
Lords said General Methuen for over two years
had carried his work with zeal. intelligence
and great perseverance, adding that the general
was beloved Of his men. and that work
too dangerous difficult for them General
Methuen. The commander-in-ohief was sure
the House was deeply grieved at what had oc-
Cured He would ask their lordships 10 concur
with him in his sympathy for the gallant officer
in his present unfortunate position. and defer
adverse criticism till they had definite informa-
ton to who was directly responsible From
De La Rey's conduct throughout the war they
could all be assured that great care would be
taken of General Methuen
Lord Spencer Oiberal, the former President
of the CounciD said he thoroughly believed in
General Methuen's zealousness He did not
want TO offer a hint of criticism at the present
moment.
The Premier. Lord Salisbury, also expressed
deep sympathy with General Methuen under
the present unfortunate circumstances. He said
it was not the time 10 discuss his action. He
had always acted with the greatest galantry,
and the Premier therefore thought they should
defer criticism or examination of the very sad
intelligence until the details arrived His lord
ship was convinced General Methuen had done
n hacr gy1 VT Ia
choly affair.
WILL HOLD METHUEN AS A HOSTAGE.
The feeling of depression in the lobbies of the
House Of Commons over the news Of the dis
aster IN South Africa was very marked The
service members of the house expressed the
opinion that il viii make necessary the send
ing of fresh troops to the front, while the belief
was widely expressed that the Beers will not
fail to take advantage Of General Methuens
prominence TO hold him a hostage for the
safety Of Commandant KritZinger and other
Boer leaders now in the hands Of the British.
Paul Sanford Methuan, third Baron Methuen. is
descended from John Methuen. Lord Chancellor of
Ireland He was born September l, 1856 and sue
ceeded his father the atter's death in 1891.
He educated at Eton. became a lieutenant in
the Scots Guards in 1864. special service on
the Gold Coast in 1873 served in the Ashantee War.
1914 assistant military secretary to the Com
mander-in-Chief in Ireland in 1877. military at
tache at Berlin 1s7's1 assistant adjutant general
and assistant quartermaster general for the home
district, 1slS4; served in the Egyptian War, 1882,
cornmandant headquarters in Egypt. 1882;
fought Kassassln and Tel-el- Kebir; command
ed Methuen's Horse and a field force in Bechuana-
land, 1S54-'65; a deputy adjutant general in
South Africa 1888 promoted major general.
1890 was in command Of the home district 1892 81
and has commanded the First Division Of the First
Army Corps lieutenant general since 1899. He
has been frequently decorated and mentioned in
dispatches for bravery.
General Methuen the British commander
who led the army to the relief the besieged
town OF Kimberley in November. 1899 He fought
the battle of Belmont, where the Scots Guards.
Grenadier Guards. Northumberland and North
amptons were ordered 70 capture the first Boer
position at the point Of the bayonet The Guards
Brigade moved steadily forward until they reached
the base of hill few miles east Of Belmont
Station where they were met with such terrible
fire the Beers that the Guards staggered halt
ed and had 10 be rallied by their officers A fear
full rife duel ensued, after which the Scots Guards.
who had been climbing the hin with fixed bayo-
nets, captured the ridge The Guards afterward
drove the Beers from other positions, fighting
three battles November q and capturing the
main Boer lager The British loss was 223 killed.
wounded or missing. The Boer loss was esu-
mated by the British so killed wounded capt
ured
General Methuen, after the battle of Belmont
continued his advance in the direction Of Kimber-
J,
q at Gras Pan, about miles north OF Belmont.
The Beers retired after a fierce fight, with the
loss Of about hundred killed wounded
General De La Rey commanded the Beers upon this
occasion. The British lost severely.
Continuing his march, General Methuen No
vember 2S engaged the Beers the Modder River
and after fight which lasted ten hours. the Beers
retired The British 452 killed wounded
The British army. commanded by General Meth
uen. suffered a severe defeat December II. at the
the battle Of Magersfontein north Of the Modder
River. and just across the border in the Orange
Free State The British loss $50
killed or wounded. The Boer losses were variously
estimate at from 700 to 1000 killed wounded
The British officers killed included Major General
Wauchope, in command of the Highland Brigade
one OF the most distinguished officers in the British
army and the Marquis of Winchester premier
marquis of England. 1t estimated that the
Beers numbered 1900 men. strongly intrenched,
and outnumbering the British two one. II was
after these engagements that General Lord Rob
personal command OF the British advance on Kim
herev and, greatly assisted by General French
relieved Kimberley. February l6, 1900
General Methuen's defeat at MagersfOn-
a man of rather frail physique. although clever
boxer and all around sportsman, had shown
he had taken command Of his division. and three
Ssvs after the battle Of Belmont, IL asserted,
General Wolseley, who was then Commander-in-
Chief of the British forces. suggested 10 the War
Once that Methuen should be relieved but his
sGT,ice was not needed though il was said that
cor slant proof had been coming 10 the notice OF
unbalanced. He sent number OF remarkable mes
sapss 10 the War Once of which contained
inst three words. Darkness after dawn" His
handling OF the troops aroused the most violent