EGYPT'S MILITARY CHIEF.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1265, 28 May 1896, Page 19

EGYPT'S MILITARY CHIEF.

Brigadier General Sir Horatio Herbert Kitchener, who commands the Anglo-Egypt-ian army, under the title of “ Sirdar,” has the merit of being handsome. He is the very picture of a soldier and he has a most excellent record. The General is only fortyfive years of age, but he has seen considerable seivice, mostly in the pay of Egypt. He stepped from the rank of colonel in the British army to that of brigadier general in the Egyptian service in 1874. He helped Sir Evelyn Wood to rebuild the army of Egypt in 1881, and was in the Nile expedition of ISB4. He was concerned in the operations around Suakirn in 1888, and took

part in the battle of Getnaizah. He was also in the battle of Toski in 1889, receiving the C.B. for his gallantry. Sir Horatio is quite popular with his officers and men, and the greatest confidence is reposed in him by the Khedive. In Slalin Pacha he lias an able and experienced coadjutor. Slatin was one of Gordon's lieutenants in the Soudan, and was a prisoner in Khartoum when Gordon was slain. Tiie head of the murdered chief was brought to him and exhibited before him in all its ghastliness on the day of the execution. He spent thirteen years in prison in the Soudan, and yet he is a hale, hearty man to-day. He speaks the dialects of Egypt fluently, and his knowledge of the country and the tribes will be of vast assistance to the Sirdar. In a brief chat that our London correspondent had with him just before his departure for the front, Slatin displayed a hopefulness which was astonishing. He expressed much plcasureoverthereeeption given everywhere to his recently published book, “ Eire and Sword in the Soudan.”