The age-herald., 1902-03-11
Troops Under OeIaTey Throw British Division Into Wild
 Confusion
FOUR GUNS CAPTURED AND
 SEVERAL OFFICERS KILLED
News Creates Intense Excitement In London, and South African Stocks Take Tumble-Announce
 cheered By Irish Members.

London, March 10.-It was announced today that General Lord Methuen and 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 even ing papers giving an account of the dis aster were eagerly bought up and their readers hurried the streets with anxious faces and bitter remarks were passed on the subject of the governments declar- ation that the war in South Africa was over.
 The news came too late to affect bus mess on the stock exchange but excited curb dealings quickly followed the clos- ing in which South Africans slumped heavily.
 The news caused excitement in the mine market. Throgmorton street was thronged with South African operators, eagerly inquiring for details of the Brit ish defeat and watching the effect of the announcement. Shares were offered freely at first; but by o'clock the ex- citement had abated and the curb tone hardened.
 
 commons among great excitement. The reading of Lord Kitchener's telegram by the war secretary MT. Broderick, was lis- tened to in deep silence which was broken by loud Irish cheers. Instantly there were cries of shame" shame" from the government benches. Then the lrish members seemed Co think better of their outbreak and suddenly subsided. The subseouent eulogistic references to Gen sral Methuen were received with cheers.
 Lord Kitchener's Dispatch.
 Tn brief Lord Kitchener announced that General Methuen was captured. wounded with four guns, three British officers ana thirty-eight men were killed and five or ficers and seventy-two men were wound ed In addition one officer and 200 men were reported missing.
 The text of Lord Kitchener's dispatch announcing the capture of General Me thuen is as follows
 Pretoria, Saturday. March S.-I greatly regret to have to send you bad news of Methuen. He was moving with 900 mount ed men under Major Paris and 300 infan- try. four guns and a pom-pom, from wyndburg to Lichenburg and was tv meet Greenfell with 1900 mounted men at Rovirainesfontain today. Yesterday morn Ing early he was attacked by DeLarey' s force. between Twosch and Palmieteknill. The Boers charged on three sides.
 Five hundred and fifty men have come fin at Mariboga and Kraaipan. They were pursued by the Boers four miles from me scene of action. They report that Mo- thuen and Paris, with the guns. baggage, etc, were captured by the Boers. Me thuen when last seen was prisoner have no details of the casualties and sug- aest delaying publication until can send definite news. I think this sudden revival of activity on the part of Delacey is to draw off the troops pressing DeWet
 Moving In Two Parties.
 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. The one with the OK wagons, left 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 flank parties, but the panic and stampede of the mules had begun, ana all the mule wagons, with a terrible mixture of mounted men, rushed past the OK wagons. All efforts to check them were unavailing. Major Paris collected 40 men and occupied a position In front of the OK wagons, which were then halted. After a gallant but useless defense the enemy rushed into the OK wagons and Methuen was wound ed in the thigh. Paris being surrounded, surrendered at 10 a. m Methuen is still in the Beer camp.
 Then follows the number of casualties as already cabled. The killed include Leutenants R. G. Venning and T. P. w. Nasham of the Royal Artillery, who were both killed while serving their guns with case shot.
 As Lord Kitchener announced that Major Paris had surrendered and also telegraphed that he reached Kraapan with the remainder of the men, it may be inferred that the Boers subsequently released the major and his companions.
 Lord Roberts. the commander in chief. who announced the British disaster in the House of Lords said General Methuen 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 difficult for them or General Methuen. The cora mander in chef was sure the house was deeply grieved. He would ask their iordships to defer adverse criticism until they had definite information as to who was directly responsible. From Delarey's conduct throughout the war they could all be assured that General Methuen would be taken great care of
 Lord Spencer QiberaD. the former president of the council, said he thorough iy believed in General Methuen's 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 1t was not the time to discuss his action. His lordship was convinced General Methuen had done his best
 The feeling of depression in the Hobbies pf the House of Commons over the news