Evening journal., 1903-03-26
BRITISH OFFICER
SHOOTS HIMSELF
General Macdonald Commits
Suicide Rather Than Face
a Court Martial
PIIIFUL END Of A BRAVE NAN

Paris. March 26.-siajor General Sir
Hector Macdonald. commanding the
Exltsh forces in Ceylon, and one OF the
foremost officers in the British army
against whom chargos, based On inn
moral acts were filed some time ago
committed suicide yesterday al the
Hotel Regina here. lie shot himself /
IN the right temple shortly after noon |
md expired 4 few minutes later The |
general was alone in his small chamber |
on the mozzsnine 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 5
neare stretched out on the floor, with
The blood gushing from a bullet wound
n the head. She ran screaming to the
balcony overlooking the lobby Of the
hotel. where many guests. including q
humber Of ladies. were assembled. The
proprietor OF the hotel was the FIRST 90
rrach the expiring man. Medical help
was Immediately summoned, but was
found 70 be useless. death ensuing
quickly after the fatal act. The COM
uissary Of police was notified, and ac-
cnmparied by q doctor, proceeded 70
preliminary investigation. No money
or papers Of any kind were found in
Sir Hector's baggage. Tho British en-
hassy and consulate were notified
sater, and Consul General Inglis Wis
lfed 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
ofEcials took possession OF the revolver
which was OF nine mlllimeters calibrs
and apparently new.
Sir Hector Macdonald arrived II
Paris last Friday evening from London
on his way back to Ceylon. where Il
was understood thatan immediate cour
martial would he held 70 clear up ths
charges made against him. He was not
1cccmpanicd hy any aide de camp or 8
valet. Hc said he only intended TO stay
day OF two In Paris. Little was seer
81 him since his arrival. He was, how.
ever, in the lobby yesterday morning
ahout noon. and IL is believed that 8
newspaper printed In English. contain,
ing a resume Of the grave charge:
brought against him and cmbollishel
VITA The generals portrait in fun uni
1ofn. came under his attention. Hi
lcfl tho lobby. going TO his room. cni
the pistol shot followed soon after.
Great Surprise IN London.
London. March 26-The tragic end
OF Fighting ABc" who. the son O.
Highland cottar. rose from posi-
don Of a draper's assistant 70 be az
honored general in the British srmy
has ccfsed eroat surprise and deel
sorrow in London The nature oi the
oncnses with which he was charged
had not become generally known tt
the public. hut had been common Cos
slp IN military circles. and. although
ID the army and among his IIiehland
cr comrades especially thcre is keor
Ericf their feeling is that Il was -bot
tcr 10 die thus than face dishonor.
SIR Hector Macd0nald's great chance
rnme when. as a sergeant during fht
Afghan campaicn of 1879 and 1880
with a small force he. by n furious
bayonet charge. cleared ont a bod,
81 Alehans who were lying in am
bush Tor Lord Roberts Tor this foal
lord Roberts offered him the choic,
of the Victoria Cross or a commission
Ee chose the latter Ills creates
MiIitary achievement was leading IN.
hlnck Soudanose brigade IN the ON
drrman campaign against the Khalila
The newspapers here comment sym
rathetically on the inexpressably piti
fnl end OF the brave man. and sa-
that his countrymcn viii romcmba
HIN best q the man Of whom. on hi
return from Omdurman. King Edward
then Prince of Wales. greeting him
said. IN 1875 you were doing sentr
duty IN india, and now you are a gen
croi IN the British army. ] an proui
p have met yea"
Railroad Deal Denied