LORD METHUEN'S CONDITION.

Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 11, 13 January 1900, Page 5

LORD METHUEN'S CONDITION.

PRACTICALLY ORDERED BY THE TRANSVAAL PRESIDENT. FREE STATERS SHOVED INTO THE FOREFRONT. GRIT OF THE GARRISON. LQNDON, 12th January. The correspondent of the Standard at Frere, twenty-three miles south of Ladysmith, has transmitted to his paper particulars which he has gathered concerning the assault made by General Jouberl's army on the British position at Ladysmith. It appears that prior to the attack President Kruger enquired of the headquarters staff why Ladysmith had not been attacked. In reply he was told that it would involve heavy sacrifice of life, and 'he replied, "Put the Free Staters in the forefront." During the battle* thei Free State troops stuck to their positions until bayoneted in the trenches. The Transvaalers, however, retired in the face of a countre attack, amid the jeers of the Free Staters. All the available Boers were, it is stated, brought to Ladysmith from the entrenchments fronting the Tugela River on Saturday, and also some from the lines confronting Geaeril French in Northern Cape Colony. Tiie Boers engaged numbered five to one of the Englishmen under arms. , The steadfastness of the British soldiers proved the salvation of the garrison, as they did not allow the enemy to gain a real stronghold. The Imperial troops punished the enemy terribly with the bayonet, the battlefield being thickly strewn with the slain. ESTIMATES OF THE SLAUGHTER. HEAVY COST OF THE BRITISH VICTORY. LONDON, 12th January. The Ladysmith correspondent of tho Daily Mail reports that the losses suffered by Sir George White's troops during the enemy's attempt to storm the town were 14 officers killed and 34 wounded; 800 men killed and wounded. The Boers engaged in the attack are estimated to have numbered 20,000. Their casualties are set down at 2500. AN ENCOURAGING REPORT. STATE OF THE FOOD SUPPLY. (Received January 13, 9.10 a.m.) DURBAN, 12th January. Tho latest reports from liadysmith state that the bread and meat supply of the town is still good and plentiful.

A SERIOUS INJURY. LONDON, 12th January. It transpires that when Lieut;-General Lord Methuen was wounded at the battle of Modder River he was thrown from his charger, and injured his spine. LIKELY TO BE INVALIDED HOME, AND HECTOR MACDONALD TO SUCCEED HIM. (Received January 13, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, 12th January. There aTe persistent rumours that Lord Methuen is to be invalided Jxome, and that Colonel (local rank of j..*ajorGeneral) Hector Macdonald, who was appointed to the command of the Highland Brigade after the death of Major-Genera! Wauchope at Magersfontein, is to succeed him.