THE WAR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10589, 11 March 1902, Page 2

THE WAR.

It is but reasonable to suppose that the war now being waged in South Africa will not he settled without some slight let-bios* for the British, but for fell that, the news of tho oapture t>t Qfcnsral Lord Methuen will create a 'good deal of surprise! No details are ■ to hand, but most probably the British ware surprised and overwhelmed by | superior numbers, and after fighting gallantly were captured. Lord Me^ thuen was a general who loomed large ; in the public eye in the early stages of i Ihe Campaign, by reason of the severe ' fighting in which he wss engaged at the Modder Biver. It was reported, we believe by himself, 'that "after one of the hardest and most trying fights in the annals of the British Army," the passage of the Modder Biver was forced on the Mth October, 1899, in face of «MuO Boers, General Methuen himself being slightly wounded. Subsequently he was defeated at Magersfontein, where our losses totalled nearly 1000. Considerable outcry wss raised about this time for his recall, but though other officers were censured and recalled for mistake*, Methuen still retained his command. He has since beth almost . continuously engaged in the west: of the Orange Colony and the Transvaal, and hag been successful in capturing many. Boers -and large quantities of stock and supplies. Delarey, the Boer commandant, who' is responsible for the capture of Methuen, is one of the most skilful and active of the Boer leaders, and with Botha and Da Wet Uractically control the enemy's tarotet. He it was who captnred the (pur companies 'of - NorthoSnberland Fusiiiers at Nooltgeda'oht at the end of 1900, and all throngh the war he has been a, thorn in the side of the British generals. The loss may not be a severe one from a numerical point of view, but morally the enemy have 'secured a -substantial" victor^, •as^'the'"cap;' ture prominent a' 'general as Metfiuferi ~ will t inspire the Boers in the _ field with fresh courage. ■No doubt the Boer success will be "greatly magnified by the commandants, land as a consequence will tend to the struggle.