LORD KITCHENER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 301, 19 December 1908, Page 3

LORD KITCHENER.

HE MADE THE COLONEL

UNDERSTAND

Lord Kitchener is one of the most silent, reserved officers in the service. Hardly any other disposition would properly suit the thoroughness and the determination which are the constant characteristics of all his work. There is a general feeling that not for a long time has the Army had a General who has so much power over men as this one has, and who inspires them so much with his own determination.

Innumerable stories are told of him in this way, and perhaps the best we remember is that concerning the piece of work that Lord Roberts, before he left Cap© Town, in the course of the South African war, instructed a certain colonel to take in hand.

" I know you'll do your best; how soon can you get'it through?" asked the Field-Marshal of the colonel.

" I'll try to finish it in a, fortnight," was the answer, and Lord Roberts, murmuring another expression of his confidence in his subordinate, dismissed him. But it happened that just outside the dpor he met Lord .Kitchener, who was going in to see the chief, and he explained the mission with which he had been entrusted.

"And how soon will you get it through?" asked Lord Kitchener. " Well, I have promised to try' to do it in a fortnight," he responded. " Now, colonel," said Kitchener, " just understand that if this is not done within a week we shall have to see about sending you home. You understand?"

The colonel said that he did understand.

Without a doubt he did, and it was because he did that the big job he had taken on was finished, and finished very well, in six days.— Chambers' Journal.'