The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-11
of the worst reverses the British have suffered throughout the whole war.
 It is supposed that Lord Methuen was

suHeTeu t0IOuSHOut the Whokc WAis
 It is supposed that Lord Methuen was marching with the intention to avenge the capture of the Won Donop ctnvoy.
 The newspaper correspondents in South Africa have not yet been allowed to de- scribe the affair. The only additional de- tails available are contained in a further dispatch from Lord Kitchener, which Mir. Frederick, the Secretary for War, read just as Parliament was adjourning This dispatch shows that the first confusion was caused by native boys and jed horses who galloped through the mule convoy as the latter was endeavoring. by Lord Methuen's directions, to close on the convoy. The disorder among the mules communicated itself to the mounted troops. and the Boers. dressed in Khaki and. riding alongside the wagons frus- trated all the attempts of the British offi- cers to rally their forces. Great confu- sion ensued among this portion of the mounted troops they and the mule wag- ons galloping three miles beyond the wagons, where they were cut of.
 Sections of the 4th and 3sth batteries of artillery fought with great gallantry. and 300 men, composed of the Northum- berland Fusiliers and the Lancashires. showed conspicuous courage in protecting the wagons and refusing to surrender un- til resistance was useless.
 The force under General DeLarey was almost entirely dressed in British uni- forms. This made it impossible for the infantry to distinguish between their own men and the enemy when the mounted troops were driven in on them. The en- emy numbered 1,5O0 men. They had one 15-pounder and pompom.
 DeLarey. Celliers, Kemp, verraso, Tromp and other commandants were present. General Methuen was seen by an agent of the intelligence department. He was being we'll cared for in his own wagon. In private telegram just re- cefved here. Lord Kitchener adds: .I find Methuen has fractured thigh but he is reported to be doing we'll"
 In another message Lord Kitchener says the wounded will be brought into the railroad today, and adds: "I hope the endorsements now arriving will rectify the situation in this area without dis turbing operations elsewhere"
 It is feared that Lord Kitcheners in- complete accounts have not told the worst. Among the newspapers and the public there is tendency to accept MT. Broderick's advice to suspend judgment pending the receipt of details. Dis- tinguishing features of the editorials in this mornings papers on this matter are, first, the outburst of sympathy for Gen. NN e~A ~A&S$aAeSa WiASh ID QuitS SAu ry when it Is remembered how he was assailed with hostile and angry criti- cism during the early stages of the war. and second. the fierce denunciation of the Irish members of Parliament, who in- dulged in hilarity at the reading by MT. Frederick of the dispatch announcing Lord Methuen's capture.
 At the same time the papers fully admit the extreme gravity and even the humilia- tion to British prestige abroad, involved in such a reverse inflicted by a body of Boers of equal numerical strength. It is recognized that although the damage tainly have the eeffct of proionging Boer resistance for many months.
 The Daily News says the event has scarcely a parallel since the dark dis astrous days when the North American colonies broke from British control.
 When every allowance is made" says The Standard, i've cannot but find some- thing not creditable to our vigilance in these constant surprises
 The morning Post points out that Gen. eral Methuen did not surrender, but he was wounded and included in the sur render by the next unwounded officer in command"
 It Is commonly believed that a large part of the mounted men who fed must have been raw yeomanry and that Gen eral Methuen's dstrct has been used for months past as sort of training ground for new men. whilst the seasoned troops were withdrawing from his command for operations against Botha and DeWet This incident, the flight of 300 mounted British from the Boers. is regarded as the gravest part of the affair:
 The news of the disaster in South Africa was published too late to receive much comment abroad. but the greatest satisfaction is expressed in Boer circles in Holland and Germany. The Berliner Tageblatt says: Tt Is the Boer's answer to England's high handed rejection of the Dutch Governments offer of media tion. t"
 DeTelegraaf of Amsterdam says: Tt will give the Boers a fresh lease of life"