Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-03-26
Msi.-Gen. Sir Hector Macdonald
Will Not Face the Charges
Made against Him.
HIGH ENGLISH OFFICIAL
self through the Temple-Lived But
Few Minutes-Nothiug Left to
Explain His Deed-Had Read
Charges against Him.

Paris. March 2j.-Maior General Sir
Hector Macdonald commanding the Brit
ish forces in Ceylon and one of the fore
most officers in the British army against
whom charges based on immoral acts were
.led some time ago. committed suicide to-
day at the Hotel Regina here. lie snot
himself in the right temple shortly after
noon and expired a few minutes later.
The general was alone in his small
chamber on the mczzanina floor of tn.
hotel at the time OF the tragedy ono of
the female attendants heard the pistol
shot and opening tho door, saw the gen
erals fcure outstretched on the floor
with the blood gushing from bullet
wound in the hsid. She ran, screaming
To the balcony overlooking the lobby OF
tho hotel. whore many guests, including
number Of ladies. we're assembled. The
proprietor of the hotel was the first TO
reach the expiring man. Medical help
was irlmodatcly summoned. hut Has
found 10 be Us0lcss death ensuing quickly.
The commissarY of police was notiiel
and accompanied by doctor proceeded 10
"A preliminary investigation. No money
or papers of any kind were found in Sir
Hector baggage. Two notes written in
English were found lying on a ia bic in his
room and these were taken possession Of
by the authorities but it is understood that
their contents have no hearing on the sui
eide. In the generals coat, lying on the
bed, were found some photographs. The
British embass and consulate were noti-
ned later, and Consul-Gcneral Inglie yis-
tied the hotel and took charge of the body,
which was placed ON the bed. The door
WAS then locked the consul general re-
tanned the key. The French officials took
poas. sson Of the revolver.
Sir Hector Mae Donald arrived in Par!<
last Friday evening from London on his
way back to teylon. where it was under
stood that an immediate court martial
would BE- held to clear w the charges
made against him. on reaching the hotel
at II O'Clock At night nc was told that
only small indifferent room was avail
able He replied that that was quite SUM-
cicnt. lie was not accompanied by any
aides dc camp or a valet. He said he only
intended to stay a day or two in Paris.
Little was seen Of him since his arrival.
He was. however. in the hotel lobby
. bout noon to-day and it is believed that
newspaper printed in English containing
n resume of the grave charges brought
against him and embellished with the
generals portrait in fun uniform, came
under his attention. He left the lohhy,
going To- his ROOM and the pistol shot fol-
lowed soon after.
No arrHugom mants have Yet been made
a. To thu disposition of the body. which IS
subject to the orders Of the British au-
thoritios. Both thu British embassy and
Consul-General Inglis have advised Lon
don of tho tragedy and are awaiting deh-
mite distractions
The generals suicide has profoundly
shocked tn" British officials here Those
about the hotel who had conversed with
Sir Hector Macdonald recently say lie
showed no signs Of excitement or mental
worry.