Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-11

the troops aroused the most violent criti-
eism, which was only stillsd by the relief
OF Kimberley, when the question OF his
health and ability seemed to be dropped.
Since that time General Methuen has rem
dered %sficient service and several notable
successes over the Beers stand to his credit.
Most Serious British Reverse.
Dolarey, who has proved himself the most
able OF all the Boer generals, has within
a fortnight, gained a second decisive VIC
tory. His first victory was the capture OF
Vondonop's camp, when the British casuali-
ties killed. wounded and made prisoners
totRlled sS2 and he has now added to his
laurels by the capture, for the first time
throughout the campaign, OF 0 prominent
British general and by inficting what lie
generally admitted to be one Of the worst
reverses the British have suffered through
out the whole war.
II is supposed that Lord Methuen was
marching with the intention to avenge the
capture Of the Vondonop convoy. The news
paper correspondents In South Africa have
not been allowed to describe the affair.
The only additional details available are
contained in a further dispatch from Lord
Kitchener, which Mr.. Broderick, the Sec
Rotary of war, read just as Parliament ad-
~journed.
Native Boys Cause Confusion.
] This dispatch shows that the utmost con-
fusion was caused by native boys with led
horses who gallopsd through the mule con-
voy as the latter was endeaToring by Lord
Methuen's directions, to close on the OK
convoy. The disorder among the mules
communicated itself to the mounted troops
and the Beers dressed In khaki, frustrated
all the attempts Of the British officers to
rally their forces. Great confusion ensued
among this portion of the mounted troops,
they and the mule wagons galloping three
miles beyond the OF WAGONS where they
wore cut off.
Sections Of the fourth and thirtyeighth
batteries Of artillery fought with great gal
lantry and 300 men composed OF the North
cumberland ~fusiliers aud the Lancashires
showed great courage In protecting the
wagons and in refusing to surrender until
resistance was useless.
Beers Wear British Uniforms.
The force under General Delarey was al
most entirely dressed in British uniforms.
This made it impossible for the infantry
to distinguish between their own men and
the enemy when the mounte troops were
driven in on them. The enemy numbered
1900 men. They had one 15-pounder and
q pompom. Delarey, celliers, Kemp, Yer
raso. Tromp. and other commandants were
present. General Methuen was seen by an
agent of the intelligence department. He
was being well cared for in his " wagon
In a private telegram received here Lore
Kitchener says
II find Methuen has a fractured thigh, bui
is reported to be doing we'll" In another
message Lord Kitchener says the woundst
will be brought in to the railroad toda,
and says:
II hope the reinforcsmepts now arriving
will rectify the situation In this area with
out disturbing operations elsewhere"
II IL reported that Lord Kltchener's in.
complete accounts have not told the worst
but among the. newspapers and the publi
there is Q tendency to accept Mr.. Broder
iek's advice to suspend judgment pendinl
the receipt Of details.
Sympathy for Methuen.
Distinguishing features Of the editorial
! this morning are. first, the outburst Of sym
pathy for General Methuen, which is quit
extraordinary when It Is remembered hoy
he was assailed with hostile ana angr
criticism during the early stages of tn
war, and second. the fierce denunoiation o
the Irish members Of Parliament, who In
dulsed In hilarity At the reading by Mr.
Frederick In the House Of Commons Of III,
dispatch announcing Lord Methuen's cap
ture.
The Daily News says the event hai
scarcely a parallel since the dark, disas
trous days when the North American col
onies seeded from British control.
The Standard says this defeat Gomez
after a succession OF mishaps for whicl
II lie Impossible to account by mere ba,
fortune.
The Morning Post points out that Genera
Aethuen did not surrender, "but he wa
wounded and included in the surrender b.
the next unWounded ofaeer in command"
tn Daily Chronicle says:
A uneasy feeling presents itself as I
whether the War once may not be Grip
pling its generals by sending them RAJ
n unreliable ~levies."
Tue new OF the disaster in South Afric
was published too late to receive muc
comment abroad, but the greatest salts
faction Is expressed In Boer circles in Hol
land and Germany. The Berliner Taggblai
says:
1T is the Beers answer to England
h~iGh-handed rejection Of the Dutch go'
, ernmsnt's offer Of mediation
. De Telegram Of Amsterdam says:
ut will give the Bosss a fresh lease
life"