The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-03-11
A SHOCK TO ENGLAND
Irish Members of Parliament
 Cheered the News.
In the House of Lords General Roberts Eulogized Lord Meth
 uen and Asked That Adverse Criticism Be Deferred.

today that General Loru Naethueh anu four guns had been captured by the Boers commanded by General DeLary. The news came like a thunderbolt to London. The extra editions of the evening papers giving an account of the disaster were eagerly bought up and their readers hur- ried through the streets with anxious faces and bitter remarks were passed on the subject of the Governments declara- tion that the war in South Africa was over.
 The news came too late to affect busi- ness on the Stock Exchange, but excited curb dealings quickly followed the closing in which South Africans slumped heav- lily. The news caused excitement in the mine market. Throgmorton Street was thronged with South Africa operators eagerly inquiring for details of the Brit ish defeat and watching the effect of the announcement. Shares were offered free ly at first but by 6 o'clock the excitement had abated and the curb tone hardened.
 The news was received in the House Of Commons amid great excitement. The reading of Lord kitchener's telegram by the War Secretary, MT Broderick, was listened to in deep silence, which was broken by loud Irish cheers. Instantly there were cries of Shame" shame" from the Government benches. Then t1ie Irish members seemed to think better of their outbreak and suddenly subsided. The subsequent eulogistic references to General Methuen were received with chers.
 In brief. Lord Kitchener announced that General Methuen was captured, wounded, with four guns, three British officers and thirty eight men were killed and five of- ficers and seventy-two men were wound- cd. In addition. one officer and 200 men were reported missings
 Pretoria. Saturday. March S-I regret greatly to have to send you bad news ef Methuen. He was moving with 900 mounted men. under Major Paris, and sOo infantry. four guns and Ia pompon, from Wyndburg to Lichtenburg, and was to meet Greenfell with 1900 mounted men at Rovirainesfontein today. Yesterday morning early he was attacked by Dela- rey's force between Twe-bosch and Pal mieteknill. The Boers charged on three sides
 Five hundred and fifty men have come in at Mariboga and Kraaipan. They were pursued by the Boers four miles from the scene of the action. They report that Methuen and Paris, with the guns, bag gage, etc.. were captured by tho Boers. Methuen when last seen was a prisoner. I have no details of the casualties, and suggest delaying publication till l can send definite news. l think this sudden revival of activity on the part of Delarey is to'draw off the troops pressing Dewitt"
 In a second dispatch dated Sunday, March g, Lord Kitchener says:
 Paris has come in at Kraaipan with the remainder of the men. He reports that the column was moving in two parties. One. with the OK wagons. left I've Bosch at a. m. The other, with the mule wagons, started an hour later: Just before dawn the Boers attacked. Before endorsements could reach them, the rear guard broke. In the meantime large number of Boers galloped up on both Hanks. These. at first. were checked by the flnak parties, but the panic and stampede of the mules had begun and all the mule wagons, with terrible mixture of mounted men rushed past the OK wagons, which were then halted. After a gallant but useless defense. the enemy rushed into the OK wagons and Methuen was wounded in the thigh. Paris. being surrounded surrendered at 10 a. m. Methuen is still in the Boer camp"
 Lord Roberts. the commander-in-chief, who announced the British disaster in the House of Lords, said General Me thuen for over two years had carried on his work with zeal. intelligence and great perseverance. adding that the General was beloved by his men and that no work was too dangerous or too difficult for them or General Methuen. The com mander-in-chief was sure the House was deeply grieved. He would ask their Lord ships to defer adverse criticism until they had definite information as to who was directly responsible.
 From DeLary's conduct throughout the war, they could all be assured that Gen. eral Methuen would be taken great care of.
 Lord Spencer Qibera), the former Pres ident of the council, said he thoroughly believed in General Methuens zeal He did not want to offer a hint of criticism at present.
 The Premier Lord Salisbury also ex- pressed deep sympathy with General Me thuen. He said it was not the time to discuss his action. His Lordship was convinced General Methuen had done his best
 The feeling of depression in the lobbies of the House of Commons over the news of the disaster was very marked. The service members of the House expressed the opinion that it will necessitate send ing fresh troops to the front, while the belief was expressed that the Boers will not fail to take advantage of General Methuen and hold him as a hostage for the safety of Commandant Kritzinger and other Boer leaders now in the hands of the British.