CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

Manawatu Herald, 13 March 1902, Page 2

CONDENSED CABLEGRAMS.

The Transvaal. LORD KITCHENER’S REPORT. Lord Kitchener, in a report to the War Office oa Saturday, said he greatly regretted to report the capture by the Boers of Lord Methueni with his guns and baggage, and many officers and men. The news was brought to Maribogo. on the railway forty-three miles south of Mafeking, by a force of 550 mounted men, who were pursued by the Boers a distance of four miles from the scene of action. Lord Kitchener suggested that publication of the news should be delayed until he received definite information. He had arranged, he said, to send troops to the district. He considered General De la Key’s sudden activity an attempt to relieve the pressure on De Wet. Further particulars of the engagement show that Lieutenants G. R. Yeaning (Horse Artillery) and T. P. W. Nesham (Garrison Artillery) were killed after displaying great gallantry in serving the guns. Thirty-nine others were killed. Four officers were severely and one dangerously wounded. Seventy-two men were wounded.

Captain W. A. Tilney, of the Seventeenth Lancets, and two hundred men, are missing, but many are possibly included in the arrivals at Maribogo., Lord Methuen was wounded in the thigh. , The despatch of Lord Kitchener explained that Lord Methuen and Major A. Paris (Garrison Artillery), with 900 mounted men, 300 infantry, four guns and a pompom, were moving from Wyndberg to Lichtenburg to junction da Saturday with Major Grenfell, ' who was at Rooirantjesfontein, forty-five miles south-east of Mafeking, with a force of 1300 mounted men. Early on Friday, when between Tweebdsch and Palmietal, General De la Ray’s force charged Lord Methuen’s column on three sides.

Writing on Sunday, Lord Kitchener reports that Major Paris, with the remainder of the men, has arrived at Kraaipan, on the railway line, thirtyfour miles south of Mafeking. Major Paris reports that the column moved in two parties. A portion with the ox-waggons left Tweebosch at three o’clock in the morning, the mule waggons leaving at four o’clock. The attack was made atter dawn, and before reinforcements were available the rear screen broke,

Many Boers galloped on both flanks. They were at first checked by the fire of the flanking parties, but a panic and stampede amongst the mules had already begun. All the mule waggons, with a terrible mixtures of mounted men, rushed past the ox-waggons. All efforts, to check them proved unavailing. Major Paris collected forty men, and accupied a position a mile ahead of the bx-waggons, which, he brought to a standstill.

- After a gallant but useless defence, the enemy rushed in to the waggons. Major Paris was surrounded, and surrendered at ten o’clock. LATEST AVAILABLE DETAILS*

At midnight the Secretary for War (Mr Brodrick) read a further despatch from Lord Kitchener, dated Monday. This showed that the ox convoy was escorted by half of Lord Methuen’s force, and preceded the mules by an hour. Suddenly De La Key, with 1500 men, nearly all wearing khaki, and assisted by a fifteen-pounder and a pompom, made an enveloping attack on the rear.

The first confusion was caused by the native “ boys ” galloping the led horses through the mule convoy, while the latter, under Lord Methuen’s directions, was endeavouring to join the ox convoy. The disorder communicated* itself to the mounted men, and the Boers getting close beside the waggons frustrated the attempts to rally, and that section of the mounted force and the mule waggons galloped three miles be-, yond the ox waggons, and then intercepted them. LORD ROBERTS AND' THE CAPTURED OFFICER.

In the House of Lords reference was made to the capture of Lord Methuen by Lord Roberts, who expressed warm appreciation of the General, and deprecated adverse criticism. Referring to Lord Methuen's action at the battle of Magersfontein, Lord Roberts said that after a careful survey of the Boer position at that place he was convinced that Lord Methuen had been given an almost impossible task, and was not blamablo for the failure to relieve Kimberley. Since then he had distinguished himself by zeal and intelligence; he had shown great perseverance, and had not suffered a check. He was beloved by his men, and no work too hard for him was given to them. “ More than once,” continued the Commander-in-Chief, “ Lord Methuen assisted and looked after General De la Rey’s family, and I am convinced, from the humane and civilised manner in which General De la Rey’s has acted throughout, that Lord Methuen will be well cared tor by him.” The Marquis of Salisbury concurred with Lord Roberts. Lord Salisbury and Lord Spencer paid generous tributes to Lord Methuen. SCENE IN THE COMMONS. Mr Brodrick read Lord Kitchener’s despatches in the House of Commons amidst profound silence, until he announced the capture of Lord Methuen, the guns and baggage. Then some of the Nationalist members burst into cheers and laughter. Cries of "shame” came from the Ministerial and other benches. Mr Dillon, in the absence of Mr Redmond, vainly tried to check Mr McNeill and other noisy members. Mr Dillon and Mr Healy joined the

majority, of the House in cheering Mr Brodrick’s tribute to Lord Methuen.

Latest.

Sections of the 4th and 88th Batteries fought with great gallantry' during the attack on Lord Methuen’s column. Three hundred infantry of the Northumberland Fusiliers, and Loyal North Lancashire . displayed conspicuous courage,' protecting the wagons and refusing to surrender until resistance was useless.

Colliers, Kemp, and Vermaas’ troops were present. Lord Methuen’s thigh was frao- ( tured. He is well cared for in his own wagon. Lord Kitchenfer hopes that reinforcements arriving will rectify the situation with disturbing the operations elsewhere.

The concensus of general feeling is disappointment and regret at one’of the most untoward incidents of the war, and the temporary set back is unfortunate in the face of the resolve of greater and more determined efforts.

The Times says that a commander dealing with De La Rey ou&ht to be a strategist of ability, exercising the initiative based on good and rapid information.

The Paris papers, while jubilant at the disaster, recognise Lord Methuen’s chivalry towards the late Comtnandant Yillebois.

The Berlin populace repeatedly hailed the news of the: disaster with tremendous cheering. The sensation produced, in New York by Lord MethuenV disaster greatly injured British prestige. SWEEP TO WESTWARD.r; , Colonels Byngs’, Remington’s and other forces are engaged/in,a .-sweep;, to the westward; ' - ' A SUGGESTION. The Boer leaders in Holland sag* gest the exchange of Methuen for Kruitzinger. SPEECH BY LORD ROSEBERY. Lord Rosebery received, an ovation at Glasgow. He disclaimed having designs on the leadership. He simply desired to make the Liberal party more patriotic and his severance with Sir H, Campbell-Bannerman was not ' personal. The Nationalist jubilation in common over Lord Methuen’s disaster was a further proof that Ireland was unable to be trusted with an independent Parliament. He refused to further reveal his programme until called upon to prescribe.