LORD KITCHENER.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 634, 14 January 1914, Page 3

LORD KITCHENER.

The appointment cf Lord Kitchener to the position of Viceroy of India has been confidently prophesied for some years past, and seems now or the point of realisation. Although in many respects an appointment the publi: would welcome, especially in view of the unrest which is disturbing t" national life of India at the present time, it would create a difficult position both for Lord Kitchener and those asociated with him in the governmpnt of the country. Some years ago when Commander inChief of the Forces in India, Lord Kitchener had a seriouß difference of opinion with the then Viceroy, Lord Curzon, regarding the powers of the civil authorities in reviewing military proposals. Trie matter was ultimately referred to the British Cabinet, the result being the withdrawal of Lord Curzon from the big position he held. Having thus pained his freedom from the Viceroy's Council, Lord Kitchener proceeded with his great scheme for the defence of the Northwest frontier, and carried it out with that despatch and thoroughness which have always characterised hi? work. His successor in the position enjoyed the same freedom from civil authority, and since that time the attitude taken up by Lord Kitchener has been maintained by the chief miiltary officer in the Indian Empire. But if Lord Kitchener were appointed to the position of Viceroy, he would be the head of the civil branch of the administration, and the peculiar position would then arise of a Viceroy who devised the scheme of defence for the country and put it into operation being unable to exercise any control over it development, simply because of the independence of the military branch, in independence which he established himself. Such a development would not be without I its humorous side, especailly to Lord Curzon, since Lord Kitchener, if he desired to exert any control over the very branch of whch he knows most, would be compelled to take up the very same position as that taken up by Lord Curzon years go.