PASSING OF HAIG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19859, 1 February 1928, Page 11

PASSING OF HAIG.

GREAT SOLDIER'S END. COUNTRY IN MOURNING. DARK DAYS OF WAR. FAMOUS OBDER RECALLED. BURIAL IN ST. TAUL'S. ■Ry Telfgrapb—Press Association—Copyright. (Received January 31, 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Jan. 30. The whole nation is shocked at the dramatic suddenness of the passing of Field-Marshal Earl Haig, the greatest soldier of the Empire. The news was not revealed until nearly 12 hours after his death. An official medical statement which has been issued with the consent of Countess Haig makes it clear that the strain and worry of the Avar and previous tropical .campaigning contributed finally, to the death of the great Field-Marshal, who was aged f>6. If. is understood that medical men think that Earl Haig's heart muscles had decayed earlier than the heart Hself. An inquest will not be held. Arri.ngements are being made for burial in St. Paul's Cathedral, alongside the other great sailors and soldiers of the past, such as Nelson, Wellington and Roberts. Marshal Foch will probably rome to London to attend the funeral. It, is suggested that King Albert of Belgium may also attend. The tragic passing was responsible for spontaneous and sincere eulogies from frfends and ex-enemies alike. These are unanimous in their verdict that he was the greatest soldier of the day. Earl Haig had come from Bermersyde, ]his Berwickshire home, to attend meetings of the British Legion and was spending the week-end with his sifter, Mrs. Jameson, at Prince's Gate, London. He consulted a doctor about ths state of his health before leaving and had intended to see a London specialist before his departure for the Riviera. Earl Haig did not at once lose consciousness, but death occurred quickly. He did not realise that he was dying. Restoratives were applied without avail. The Countess was not present, as she was staying with friends in London, with tho intention of joining her husband before his departure for the Riviera next week. The news was telephoned to King George at Sandringham Castle, who despatched a telegram to the Countess, expressing his deepest sympathy. Earl Haig no longer had any direct part in the organisation of the Army and was not serving as an officer, but as a FieldMarshal he retained his rank and connection with the Army after retirement. Hundreds of messages of condolence havtbeen received by Countess Haig during the day. 'The newspapers devote columns to-day to the man who led the British Army to. victory in tho greatest war of all time. Tho famous "backs to the wall" message, which he issued to the British troops in 1918, when th 9 Germans launched a heavy offensive in the direction of Calais, is reproduced. The message startled his army as much as it heartened them, if only because it was the jirst time that the rather aloof Com-mander-in-Chi.ef had betrayed a touch of emotionalism. Earl Haig wrote: —"Many among us now are tired. To those I would say that victory will belong* to the side which holds out longer. There is no other course open to us but to fight it out. Every position must bo held to the last man. There must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to ths er.d. The safety of our homes and of our friends and of mankind alike depends upon the conduct of each one of us at this critical moment." A tribute is paid to Earl Haig's selfabnegation, when he consented to the 'Allied armies being placed under the united command of Marshal Foch. On Saturday, when he was present at a meeting of Haig's Own Boy Scouts, he promised to attend an Empire Service League meeting on Wednesday with the object of discussing Dominion representation in the Flanders pilgrimage in August. In the afternoon he walked to Hyde Park. Earl Haig's last speech to the Boy Scouts ton Saturday struck an Empire note. He said : "It is essential that the young should be taught the meaning of the Empire »ind the sacrifices their fath srs made. Therefore, I appeal to you b;-ys always to play the game. Try to realise what citizenship and public spirit rsally mean. When you grow up always remember yeni belong to a great Empire. Stand up and defend England when people talk disrespectfully of her." (FRENCH APPRECIATION. COMRADES OF WAR DAYS."PERFECT BROTHER IN ARMS." 'Received January 31, 5.5 p.m.) >.. ami N.Z.-Sun. PARIS, Jin. SO. On hearing of the death of Ear! Haig Marshal Foch said: "Earl Haig was a perfect brother in arms." M. Clcmenceau Eiijd: "France joins England iri mourning. I could say many things, but do not want ♦ o say them. I consider I. am Head, and do not speak. In my-estimation Eail Haig was the bc-st general Britain ever had, and his was the largest contribution toward the Allied victory." Marshal Joffre, in a tribute to Earl Haig, said he learned of his death with painful emotion. Ha knew him per sonallv when lie commanded an Army Corps, \but ho appreciated this great, Soldier's sterling military virtues above a! when they fought side by side in 1916 on the Somme. "1 maintain full affectionate admiration and 1 deplore the loss which has befallen tho British Empire, whose glorious Army loses one of its most illustrious chiefs." The Minister of War, M. Tainleve, has sent a letter to the War Office, in which, he says: "Accept the profound sympathy rf myself and of (he French Army. Earl Haig war. as popular in France as he in England. Our Army offers; homage in recognition of the great qualities he j showed in his glorious mission, and realises the part he played in our cominon victory."