KITCHENER

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 842, 14 June 1910, Page 5

KITCHENER

LATE KING RELEASES HIM FROM A PROMISETHE MEDITERRANEAN POST NOW UNLIKELY. RESPONSIBILITY AND POWER. Uγ Telceraph-Prcss Assoclatlon-OoDjrlunt (Rec. June 13, llilO p.m.) London, June 13. The military correspondent of "The Times" states that Viscount Midleton (who, as Sir. St. John Brodrick, was Secretary for War' and Secretary for India in the last Unionist regime) will raise the question of the Mediterranean command in the House of Lords to-day.^ The Government spokesman in the de : bate will probably announce that FieldMarshal Lord Kitchener has asked for leave to withdraw his acceptance of the command. The correspondent says that Lord Kitchener has never concealed his dislike of the appointment, and he only accepted it at the express wish of King Edward, who, shortly before his death, released Lord Kitchener from the obligation. The difficulty of dealing with five separate departments of the Home Government, and the absence of real power, accounts for Lord Kitchener's decision. Meanwhile, the absence in Canada, of General Sir John French (InspectorGeneral) has shown that it is impossible for the Inspector-General to combine tho training of the Home troops and the inspection of the overseas garrisons. The appointment of a coadjutor, imbued with the Inspector-General's views, for overseas work, is indispensable. The Commander-in-Chief of fhe Mediterranean should be confined to the military role; it is large enough. If the Dominions seek assistance, the name of General Sir lan Hamilton (AdjutantGeneral) could be mentioned. The correspondent adds that the Army deplore the temporary end of Lord Kitchener's active connection. When the country is pleased to ask him to take off his coat and carry to tho final stago tho reorganisation of tho Army which Mr. Haldane (Secretary for War) has so well begun, Lord Kitchener will respond, but it would be futile to suppose that ho will sully his great reputation by accepting responsibility power.