The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-25
BRITISH ARMY HERO ACCUSED,
SIR HECTOR MACDONALDS MORAL
CHARACTER ~ ATTACKED.
"Figbting Macs" Career In CeyIon TO he
Investigated by = Court.Slartial-Re-
turning There 10 be Tried After
Conference With Earl Roberts.

Investigated by = OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
turning There 10 be Tried After
Conference With Earl Roberts.
Special Gable Ds,paith 10 The Sun.
LONDON, March "A new military
sensation was sprung upon the public
to-day. II is one that the nation would
willingly have been spared. for II Affects
the personal character Of one Of the most
distinguished and most idolized soldiers
in the British Army. Majo--Gen. Sir Hector
Macdonald who commanded the Highland
Brigade in South Africa. and who has been
commanding in Ceylon since 1902.
He left Colombo some time ago for home.
and since his arrival rumor and specula-
ton have been busy seeking to explain
the reason therefor. None OF the reports,
however, hit the mark.
kilograms from Colombo now convey
the news that Sir Joseph Ridgeway, Gov
ernor Of Ceylon, informed the Council at q
meeting to-day that grave charges reflect
ing upon Gen. Macdonald's personal char
acter had recently been brought against
him. The charges did not make the General
amenable to tho laws OF Ceylon, but were
such that il was impossible to ignore them,
and after consultation with friends and
superiors IN England he was now returning
to meet a court martial, which he had him
self requested. and which the Governor
had authorized to convene. The Governor
concluded by saying he hoped the trial
would result in the honorable acquittal OF
the gallant soldier who had so well served
the empire.
Apart from the Governors official an
atatA
gravely involving Gen. Macdonald's moral
character have been afioat for some time.
They finally took such shape that they COM
PEELED the Governor to summon Gen. Mac
donald from Randy TO Colombo to answer
the charge. As result OF their conference
the Governor authorized Gen. Macdonald
to 60 to England to consult with his friends
and superior officers. 1t is learned here
that Earl Roberts. Commander Chief
OF the forces. after having heard Gen
Macdonald 8 statement, said that II was his
duty to return to Ceylon and demand a
court-martial, and in compliance with Earl
Roberts's advice he is now going back to
Colombo.
It lie also stated that IL the charges are
substantiated Gen. Macdonald may be
punished as a criminal in England, hut
not in Cey)on. There is nothing TO in
dictate that he is guilty OF that he is other
than victim Of gossip, and 1t is asserted
that his superiors, as well as his friends.
are convinced OF his innocence. This be-
lief will be shared by the public, to whose
imagination the life story OF Fighting
Mac appeals strongly.
Gen. Macdonald IL the son Of a POOR
crofter. He began his career as herd boy.
He served a. private and non-commis-
sionsd onicer for nine years In the Gordon
HiGhlandsrs. u was the ability he dis
played - . sergeant IN that regiment In
the Afghan war In 1870 that attracted Lord
Roberts's attention and led 10 Macdonalds
subsequent promotion to a rank rarely
attained by a private In the British army.
He il now so years old