EARL ROBERTS'S DEATH

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 243, 17 November 1914, Page 8

EARL ROBERTS'S DEATH

HIS LAST SERVICE.

INTERMENT TO BE PRIVATE.

By Cable. — -Press Association. — Copyright, LONDON, November 16.

"I must go to see the Indian soldiers. It is the most useful thing I can do at the moment," Lord Roberts said to an intimate friend prior to his departing for France. With this last service done, he passed away. Lord Roberts was received by the Maharajah of Bikanir and Sir Pertab Singh on Thursday, at the Indian headquarters. On Friday he visited . the British lines, and on returning to headquarters in the evening he experienced a chill. His son-in-law and his younger daughter were with him throughout. In deference to the family's desire, Lord Roberts will be buried privately at All Saints', Ascot, adjacent to his home.

v The King sent an autograph letter of condolence to Lady Roberts.

Lord Roberts visited wounded Indians at Boulogne, and conversed in Hindu-' stani with them. He received a great ovation from the Indians at the front, and he frequently said: "I'm so glad I came.'', ' . .

. The Bishop of Salisbury, referring to his death, said Lord Roberts had been ,like a voice crying in the wilderness, warning his country of her peril. She had been too blind to see, yet when the, storm broke, Lord 'Roberts uttered no reproaching Word. '|\

GLOOM IN INDIA.'

FINAL PUBLIC STATEMENT,

Army surgeons and specialists hastened from all parts of the front to attend Lord Roberts, but their skill was unavailing.

When the news reached "the trenches many old soldiers broke down, and sobbed bitterly. It is- reported from Calcutta that Lord Roberts's death has caused deep gloom everywhere in India, particularly in the military centres. Lord Roberts's last words are contained in an interview which he gave to Count Denu iror the ''Echo de Paris" on Tuesday, prior to his departure for France.

<He declared that the primary reason for his visit was to see his dear Indian troops. He intended to speak to Sir John French regarding the unnecessary secrecy observed over the brave deeds of British soldiers. War correstpohdents, he said, ought to be allowed to receive a if air amount of inf orma-, tion, apart from military movements,' which must be kept absolutely secret. 1H« urged that correspondents should be permitted to write up details of the glorious actions fought by British troops in France. "With conscription we ■ could afford to remain silent, but Great Britain -wants many more men, 'and if we fail to • inform the Home ipeople of the -soldiers' brave fights and rgallant deeds, how are we going ito waken in the .souls of young men the high sentiment of emulation: which will lead /them to 'the recruiting offices? They don't know that every minute' they are losing is a priceless delay, perhaps jeopardising future battles." Lord Roberts paid a high tribute !to the French Army and generals,, particularly General Joffre. As a gunner himself, he commented on the merits of the French seventy-five millimetre gun. France, he said, would shortly feel the effects of the great support England was preparing to give her. He added: "People don't realise that our men are fighting continuously against tremendous odds. We want more men to equalise matters. The information given regarding the London Scottish Regiment might be repeated about other regiments." He concluded by saying: "I'll talk to French about it."

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

A REMARKABLE LIFE,

(Received November 17, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, November 16. Another account of the death of Earl Roberts states that it was not till after dinner in the evening that he complained of a slight chill, being subject to chest troubles. He retired early, but his temperature increased, and three doctors decided that his condition was critical. Earl Roberts complained of a pain, which the doctors relieved, and he fell asleep without showing any uneasiness, and passed away in Ms sleep.

His correspondence to the end was enormous. He always wrote his own letters, and conducted morning prayers every day for the household. He was a very regular churchgoer, and always walked, rather than give his chauffeur work. Everybody at Ascot, where he lived for eleven years, worshipped him. Lady Roberts has declined an offer of burial in Westminster Abbey.

TRIBUTES FROM ABROAD.

(Received November 17, 9.25 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, November 16. Practically the whole of the German Press pays a tribute to the late Earl Roberts. There have been many French, Italian, and Danish tributes to the late Earl Roberts.

PRIME MINISTER'S TRIBUTE.

A LETTER FROM LORD ROBERTS. Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 16. In answer to a message from the editor of the '' Daily Express,'' London,

announcing the death of Lord Roberts, the Prime Minister has sent the following cablegram:— "The death of Lord Roberts has removed a most picturesque and beloved personality from the English Army. His brilliant record of conspicuous services to the Empire, and his intense desire to ensure preparedness of tho nation in time of danger, gave him a pre-eminent place in the affections' of not only the Mother Country, but of the Dominions oversea. New Zealand, in common with other dependencies, to-day mourns the loss of the illustrious Golonel-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Forces. Flags are half-masted on the public buildings and schools throughout the Dominion.' '' It is a that on the day on which news of Lord Roberts's death is published in the Now Zealand newspapers, the following letter should have arrived in Wellington:—"Englemere, Ascot, Berks, October 10, 1914. Dear Prime Minister,—-I am Very much obliged to you for so kindly cabling me on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand to express your and their congratulations on my birthday. I greatly value such a compliment. I am proud to be again connected with another New Zealand contingent. It will, I know, give as good an account of itself in Europe as did the other contingents in South Africa.—Yours very truly, Roberts, F.M.' '