SIR HECTOR MACDONALD.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12026, 27 March 1903, Page 2

SIR HECTOR MACDONALD.

COMMITS SUICIDE IN PARIS.

United Press Association—Per Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received 11.45 p.m., March 26th LONDON, March 26. Pending the court-martial, Sir Hector Macdonald did not resume his command. Sir West Ridgeway, in the Legislative Council of Ceylon, refeired to the very grave charges against Sir Hector, and hoped that a searching court-martial would secure his complete and honourable acquittal. Sir Hector Macdonald -went to England to consult his friends and superiors, with his concurrence. On the homeward voyage it was notice-

able (that one or. two high personages from;-. Ceyhpn, apparently held themselves aloof front, Sir Hector Macdonald, who himself seemed to prefer to sit alone at a centre,; tabh? at meal times. Once or twice he declined invitations tOA sit next the captain; and he spent much of his time at ciie'ss. There was not the slightest suspicion among thfe other of the Ophir's passengers that trouble was impending. Some Melbourne.passengers invited bim to preside at a social gathering, but he -delicately excused himself.. Yesterday's announcement of the court--martial created consternation in the Highlands, where it is the sole topic of oil vernation. Everybody hoped the genenr.',!,-*-. refutation will be '.'etained untarnished, .and. ja, similar feeling prevails in. London. i After his visit' to England Sir Hector alighted on his ralurn journey at Puis on: the 20th, and pu* up at the Hotel ..%agina. Yesterday afternoon he was found lyingon the floor, his head resting against tlie> dressing table with a bullet in his. temple.

LATEST PARTICULARS',,. Received;;£l6 a.m., March 27th. PARIS, Miffich. 26. General Macdonald was cheerful until; yesterday. He was last seen in .the reading room at. noon, silently distressed, and holding a E-iris newspaper whieji,,was pubrlished in EJaglish, containing his portrait, and defamatory rumours. These were re.produced ht yesterday's French newspapers. He suddenly and quietly went upstairs. The doctors certified that he committed suicide under stress of mental! trouble. The features of the dead soldier displayed, perfect sejrose.

LONDON March 26.

General Macdonald assured Lord Roberts, and the War Office that he was confident of beipg able to. clear himself of the accusations. His friends anticipated an acquittal. There is universal sorrow at the clttfcis- and in military circles..

SYDNEY, March 26. By English files which came to hand yesterday, a cable message is published ifo the " Times " which states that General i Macdonald had been suddenly recalled by 'the military authorities of Calcutta. | The "Englishman" of February 21st ipublishes the following from Ceylon: "Local curiosity is strong regarding General Macdonald's abrupt departure, heightened by the fact that he left without a guard of honour or any manifestation,, official or- public."'