New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-11
KITCHENER'S BAD TIDINGS
IRISH MEMBERS CHEER WHEN THE DIS
PATCHES ARE READ IN THE HOUSE.

London, March 10.-It was announced to-day
that General Lord Methuen, many men of his
command and four guns had been captured by
tbs Beers commanded by General De La Rey.
The fight occurred before dawn March
between Winburg and Lichtenburg, in the
western TransvaaL The British force num-
bered 200 men. The Beers captured all the
British baggage. General Methuen is retained
as prisoner.
The news came too late 70 affect business on
the Stock Exchange, but excited curb dealings
quickly followed the closing. in which South
Africans slunlped heavily. The news caused eH-
element in the mine market. Throgmorton-st
Ess thronged with South African operators,
eagerly inouiring for details OF the British de-
feat and watching the effect OF the announce
rnent. Shares were offered freely at first but
bv6 o'clock the excitement had abated and the
curb tone hardened
The news was received in the House OF Com
mons amid great excitement. The reading Of
Lord Kitcheners telegram by the War Secre-
tary. Mr. Brodrick, 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
the Irish members seemed to think better OF
their outbreak. and suddenly subsided Inc
subsequent eulogistic references TO General
Methuen were received with cheers.
In brief. Lord Kitchener announced that when
General Methuen was captured, wounded, with
four guns, three British officers and thirty-eght
men were killed and five officers and seventy
TWO men were wounded. In addition one oftlcer
and two hundred men were reported missing.
General Methuen was wounded in the thigh.
LORD KITCHENER's DISPATCHES.
The text Of Lord Kitchener's first dispatch
announcing the capture of General Methuen is
as follows.
Pretoria, Saturday. March 81 greatly regret
tc have 10 SEND you bad news of Methuen He
was moving with nine hundred mounted men,
under Mai jor Paris, and three hundred infantry,
four guns and a pompom from Wyndburg TO
LichrenJuTg, and was 10 meet Grentell, with
thirteen hundred mounted men, at Rovraines
Fontein to-day Yesterday morning early he
was attacked by De La Rey's force, between
Tive Bosch and Palmietknin- The Beers charged
three sides.
Five hundred and fifty men have come in at
Nariboco and Kraaipan. They were pursued ny
the Beers four miles from the scene OF the ac-
Uion. They report that Methuen ana rams WIN
the guns baggage, etc. were captured by the
Boers NIethuen. when last seen, was prisoner
] have no details of the casualties ana Suggest
DELAYING publication till can send definite news.
I think this sudden revival of activity on the
part Of De La Rey is 10 draw of the troops
pressing De Wet.
In q second dispatch, dated Sunday. March 9,
Lord Kitchener says:
Paris has come in at Kraaipan with the re-
rnainder Of the men He reports that the column
was moving in TWO parties. One with the OK
wagons, left Twe-Bosch at 3 a. m The other
with the mule wagons, started an hour later.
Just before dawn the Beers attacked BEFORE
reinforcements could reach them the rear guard
broke. In the mean time a large number OF
Beers galloped UP on both fanks. These at
first were checked by the flank parties, but the
panic and stampede Of the mules had begun, and
all the mule wagons, with a terrible mixture OF
mounted men, rushed past the OK wagons All
efforts TO check them were unaValllng. MAJOR
Paris collected forty men and occupied posi-
ton mile front Of the wagons NnlCn
were then halted. After a gallant but useless
defence, 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
Then follows the numbers of the casualties as
already cabled. The killed include Lieutenants
6. r Vennng and T. P. W. Nasham, Of the
ROYAL Artillery, who were both killed while
serving their guns with case shot
De La Rey. who has proved himself 70 be the
most able Of all the Boer generals, has within
q fortnight gained second decisive victory.
His first victory was the capture of Won
Donop's convoy, when the British casualties in
killed, wounded and men made prisoners
totalled 632, and he has now ADDED 10 MS laureIs
by the capture, for the first time throughout
the campaign, Of a prominent British general.
ana by innicting what is generally admitted TO
be one OF the worst reVerses the British have
suffered throughout the whole war.
L is supposed that Lord Methuen was march
ing F-ith the intention 10 avenge the capture or
the Won Donop convoy.
The newspaper correspondents in South
africa have not yet been allowed 10 describe the
analr- The only additional details aValla Die
are contained in further dispatch from Lord
Kitchener. which Mr.. Brodrick, the Secretary
for War. read just as Parliament was adjourn
lng This dispatch shows that the hrst CON
tuslon caused by native boys, with LED
horses, who galloped through the mule convoy
as the mule convoy was endeaVorlng, by LORD
Aethuen's directions, 10 close on the OK convoy
Ihe disorder among the mules communicated
Itself 10 the mounted troops and the Beers
dressed in khaki. and riding alongside the
wagons, frustrated all the attempts Of the Brit
lsh officers 10 rally their forces Great con-
lGslon ensued among this portion OF the mount
ea troops, they and the mule wagons galIoplne
three miles beyond the OK wagons, where they
were cut off
Sections Of the Attn and 3Sth batteries Of artil-
lsfy fought with great gallantry, ana three nun
1red men. composed OF the Northun DerIand
fnsliers and the Lancashires, showed consplcu-
Gus courage in protecting the wagons and re-
'uslEg 10 surrender until resistance was useless
lie force under General De La Rey was al
laest entirely dressed in British uniforms. Inls
Lhaqs II Impossible for the infantry 10 dlstln-
susn between their own men and the enemy
sHsA. The enemy numbered fifteen hunored
-Nsn. They had one l5-pOunder and a pompon
DE ne La Rey, Celliers Kemp, Tromp and other
ccIhrnandants were present.
1eneral Methuen seen by agent or the
IItellgence department. He being well
1ssa ior In his own wagon.
1ytsn ~ q private telegram just received here LORD
hltchsner adds.
&c hno Methuen has fractured thigh, but he
rIsported 10 Be doing well"
n another MESA ge Lord Kitchener says the
osy, aad adds
49, nope the reinforcements now arriving will
iay inrssy the situation in this area without dS-