The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-26

Paris, March e5-Afajor General Sir Hec-
tor Macdonald. commanding the British
forces in Ceylon and one Of the foremost
officers in the British Army. against whom
charges based on immoral acts were filed
recently, committed suicide to-day at the
Hotel Regina here.
He shot himself in the right temple short
ly after noon and expired a few minutes
later.
The General was alone IN his small cham
Der on the mezzanine floor of the hotel at
the time of the tragedy.
One of the female attendants heard the
pistol shot and opening the door saw the
Generals figure stretched out on the floor.
with the blood gushing from O bullet wound
in the head.
She ran screaming to the balcony over
looking the hotel, where the guests. In
Guiding many ladies'. were assembled.
The proprietor of the hotel was the first
to so to the expiring man. Medical aid was
summoned. but was found to be useless.
NO PAPERS IN BAGGAGE
The Commissary of Police was notified
and. accompanied by doctor. proceeded to
a preliminary investigation. No money or
papers Of any kind were found in Sir Hec-
tors baggage.
Two notes, written In English. were found
lying on a table in his room, and these
were taken possession of by the authorities,
but 1t is understood that their contents
have no bearing on the suicide.
In the Generals coat, lying on the bed.
were found some photographs.
The British Embassy and Consulate were
notified later. and Consul General Iglis Wis
tied the hotel and took charge of the body,
which was placed on the bed. The door was
then locked. the Consul General taking the
key. The French officials took possession
Of the revolver, which wes OF nine MILL
meters caliber and apparently new.
In contrast to the sad circumstances sur
rounding the death of Macdonald was tho
eayety CT the scene tonight near his death
chamber. Owing to precautions taken to
conceal the death. few people in tbs hotel
were aware of II and the corridors and lobby
of the hotel were filed with joyous parties
of guests going to and returning from
theater and opera parties. Nothing indicated
that the dead body of the distinguished Cen
eral lay in an adjoining chamber. There
are no watchers by the side OF the corpse.
Sir Hector Macdonald arrived at Paris
las. Friday evening from London on his
way back to Ceylon. where 1t was under
stood that an immediate court-martial
would be held to clear up charges made
against him.
On arriving at the hotel at IL o'clock at
night he was told that only small and
Indifferent room was available. He replied
that that was quite sufficient. He was not
accompanied by any aid-ds-camp or valet.
He said he only intended to stay a day
or two In Paris. Little was seen of him aft
er his arrival.
READ ENGLISH PAPER.
He was. however. in the lobby this morn
ing about noon and 1t is believed that q
newspaper printed IN English. containing
a resume Of the grave charges brought
against him and embellisheJ with the Cen
erals portrait in full uniform. came under
his attention.
He left the lobby, going to his room,
and the pistol shot followed soon after,
No arrangements have yet been made as
to the disposition Of the body which is
subject to the orders of the British authori-
ties. Both the British Embassy and Con-
sui General Inglis have advised London of
the tragedy and are awaiting definite In
structions.
The Generals suicide has profoundly
shocked the British officials here.
Those about the hotel who had conversed
with Sir Hector Macdonald recently say he
showed no signs Of excitement or mental
worry. They describe him as of soldierly
bearing. slightly under middle height, with
bronzed face and a slight gray mustache.
He was dressed In q dark gray travelling
suit
SPECTACULAR CAREER.
: London. March 25.-sir Hector Archibald
Macdonald. whose spectacular career has
been brought to such a melancholy end, had
proved himself one of the bravest and was
regarded as one of the ablest Of Great Brit
aims fighting Generals.
With the public he was particular favor
ite. because he had risen from the ranks.
and 1t is not SO long ago that King Edward
himself, in greeting him, said:
Il am proud to meet you, SIR"
Macdonald replied: I'VE have met before,
sir
"When?" asked the King.
When you we're in India" answered the
General. II was on sentry duty IN front of
your tent
Now the popular soldier is reported dead
by his own hand, and there can be little
doubt that his deed will be accepted sener-
ally as confession of guilt
Macdonald, son of laborinr man. was
born just fifty years ago and enlisted in the
Ninety-second Gordon Hfghlanders in 1870
He was good soldier from the first, and at
the time of the Afghan War he was a color
THE WiOI r EAMTI "