The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-26

Paris. March 26.-Maj. Gen. Sir Hector
Macdonald. commanding the British
forces i'm Ceylon. and one of the foremost
officers in the British army. against
whom charges based on immoral acts
were filed some time ago, committed sui
eide yestarday- the Hotel Regina here
he shot himself in the right temple short
iy after noon and expired a few minute7
later.
The general was alone in his small
chamber on the mazZanine floor OF the
hotel at the time of the tragedy. one OF
the female attendants heard the plstoi
shot and. opening the door, saw the gen
erals figure oulstretched on the moor
with the blood gushing from a bullet
wound I'm the head.
No money or papers OF any kind were
found In Sir Hectors baggage Two
notes written I'm English were found lying
on table in his room and these were
taken by the authorities but IL Is under
stood that their contents have no bearing
on the suicide. In the generals coat,
lying on the bed, were found some photo
graphs.
The British embassy and consulate were
notified later and Consul General lnglis
visited the hotel and took charge OF the
body. The French officials took posses
sion of the revolver. which was OF nine
millimetres calibre and apparently new.
ALONE IN PARIS.
last Friday evening from London on his
way back TO Ceylon. where IL was under
stood that an Immediate court-martial
would be held to clear up the charges
made against him. on reaching the hotel
at IL o'clock at night he was told that
only a small and Indifferent room was
available lie replied that that was quite
He was not accompanied by an aide-dc-
camp or valet. He said he intended 10
stay only day or two i'm Paris. Little
was in the hotel lobby yesterday about
noon. and IL is believed that "A newspaper
printed in English. containing n resume
of the grave charges brought against
him and embellished with his portrait
in full uniform. came under his attention.
lie left the lobby, went to his room, and
the pistol shot followed soon after.
NJ arrangements have been made az
10 the disposition of the body. which is
subject TO the orders OF the British au-
thorities
The generals suicide has profoundly
shocked the British officials here. Those
about the hotel who had talked with Sir
Hector Macdonald recently say that ne
showed no signs OF excitement or mental
worry.
SPLENDID RECORD.
Gen. Macdonald has always been the
subject Of jealous criticism. especially so
since his rise in the army, from a humble
hostler boy. When 10 years old he joined
the Gordon Highanders as private and
served in the ranks nine years. He first
saw active service in the Afghan war of
1s79-S0 where he was mentioned in the
dispatches for bravery. He accompanied
Gen. Roberts i'm the march TO Cabul and
was present at the battle OF Candahar.
where he was commissioned a lieutenant
for distinguished action. In the Soer war
of 1881 he was conspicuous and was taken
prisoner at the fated battle of Majuba
hill. Gen. Joubert was so impressed with
his courage that he handed him back his
sword
Macdonald Joined the Egyptian force In
the Nile expedition and soon became ma
jor OF the Royal Fusiliers He was with
Kitchener in the expedition To Dongola
and in 1896 commanded the Third Infantry
brigade. His daring here brought him the
brevet rank OF lieutenant colonel.
In the Soudan he brought the Soudanese
brigade up to high state of efficiency
and by his brilliant manoeuvres saved
them from being slaughtered at the battle
Of Omdurman. His record here resulted i'm
his promotion TO a colonel I'm the British
army and a brigadier general I'm the
Egyptian force.
He was also made an aide-de-camp to
the Queen and on his return to England
he was presented with a sword by the
Clan Macdonald in recognition OF his
achievements.
Gen. Macdonald has been frequently
mentioned in dispatches Of superiors and
he received many decorations, notably
medals for conduct at Candahar Suakin
and the Dongola expedition. besides the
khedive's star
Gen. Macdonald was then sent TO take
command in India, but when the High
land brigade was cut TO pieces by the
Beers at Magersfontein he' was ordered
TO South Africa to take command OF the
broken remnants and reorganize them.
This he did with notable success and
led them with his wonted galantry at
Paardeberg. In which engagement he was
wounded. being shot through the ankle.
He refused To get of his horse until the
hRhting was over. This was his last ac-
tive service.
Upon his return 10 England he was