The sun., 1902-03-11

He said that even II Mr.. Gladstone should
rise from his grave he could not assent
thereto.
WHAT WILL BoERs DO WITH MBTHuEN'
There IL considerable speculation as
TO what the Beers will do with Gen. Methuen
Some persons are convinced that he Il
by far too important a prisoner to be re-
leased, he being the only general officer
who has been bagged by the burghers'
Others are equally sure that the Beers
will negotiate for his exchange.
II is suggested In some quarters that an
offer will be made TO exchange him for
Commandant Kritzinger, but in view OF
the disparity in the rank of the two officers
II IL most doubtful II the Beers will ac-
cept Kritzinger only in exchange.
METHUES's PREVIOUS COSTLY BLuNDER.
Commandant Delarey is making a record
that will rival that Of DeWet, who has been
the most successful of the fighting Boer
leaders. Two weeks ago Delarey captured
over 500 British troops escorting convoy TO
Klerksdorp. II IL a singular coincidence
that in one OF the first battles OF the war.
at Modder River. on Nov. 20, 1909, Lord
Methuen was wounded. and there II was
Dearey who was his adversary. For
the last year Delarey has operated con-
tinuolsly in the western Transvaal, where
his home is. Just as Louis Botha has con-
fined himself to the eastern Transvaal
and the Natal frontier, and Christian De
Wet to the eastern division of the Orange
River Colony All three Boer leaders cover
districts 20 which their families belong.
This is neither the first nor the worst
disaster which Lieut. Gen. Lord Methuen
has met during the war in South Africa,
He was In command of the first expedition
for the relief Of Kimberley. and. after one
or two minor successes, ordered the ad-
vance from the Modder River to Magers-
fontein, which resulted 50 disastrousy
to the British cause. Against the advice
Of some of Methuen's staff, the start was
made just before daylight. and the troops
marched into Boer ambush where most
of the Highland Brigade fell under a murder
Gus fire from hidden foe whom they could
not dislodge in the darkness and in a part
Of the country unfamiliar to their leaders,
Gen. Wauchope. who was killed al the head
of the Black Watch, and who had protested
against the reckless advance, wrote on the
eve Of the battle: Il must obey or sur
render my sword A he lay dying on
tie field where his brigade had been slaugh-
tered he said: Don't blame me, men"
After this costly blunder Methuen with
drew to the Modder River. and staid there
until Lord Roberts had arrived in South
Africa and perfected his plans for the adj
vance. which were carried out success
fully. In this work Nethuen achieved no
distinction though he retained a command
despite the severe criticism at home and
the loud demands that be be sent back
10 England where he could do no more
harm.
There was a report al one time that
Lord Methuen had a mental defect which
untitled him for high command. There
seems TO be no doubt that he was tempor-
arily unbalanced by the disaster at Ma
gersfontein.
OF his personal bravery there was never
any doubt. Surprised by the Beers al the
Modder River he exclaimed, An heroic
action is all that will pull us out of this,
and he led In an attempt to cross the river
in an assault on the Boer position under
terrible fire. Lord Methuen's critics adj
nit that he is a gentle. modest. lovable
man. but they declare that his retention
in command is gross favoritism and an
In Justice to other officers subordinate
to him. He is a great fsvorite in London
society, aud his chief claim to distinction
ia that no man could have handled the
PROCESSION at the Queens Jubilee better.