LORD KITCHENER’S DEATH

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9371, 9 June 1916, Page 5

LORD KITCHENER’S DEATH

COLONEL REPINGTON’S FINE APPRECIATION THE GREATNESS MAN AND HIS SERVICES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. <‘Times" and Sydney ’‘Bun” Services. (Received Juno 8, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 8. Colonel Repington, “The Times” military correspondent, writing about Lord Kitchener, states: —“m the presence or this catastrophe X can mink of notning but the real greatness of the man and his distinguished services to tho Empire. We shall never see his like again. His extraordinary figure towered over all his contemporaries in individuality by inches. Though ho often stood alone, his personality was enough to carry him triumpnantly through difficulties which would Jiaveruined many more brilliant men. “Ho was a curiously lonely figure. He rwpclled' friendships, and, though a few cronies were devoted to him, bo never sought to make new ones. He was in some ways, a shy man, and he did not court popularity with rither the public or the army. He preferred to work alone, to concentrate all power in his own hands, to make himself his own chief of staff. Those of us who served on his staff, iftjd with troops under him, look back proudly to his great achievements in Egypt and tho Soudan, his famous work in India, and his good services in Australasia. “We had our bad days and disappointments, but through all the upheavals of this mighty war Lord Kitchener’s figure stood out, apart from the rest. Every attack left him stronger than before. “The name of Lord Kitchener will always stand high on the roll of honour, and will be a symbol of public duty resolutely performed. He gave his days, and, in, the end, gave his life, to the ideal of duty. “Ho spared neither himself nor others in pursuing the course which he had mapped out. Death’s hand struck too late to prevent him accomplishing his final mission in this war. From the general direction which he gave to England’s efforts the country has swerved and will follow inflexibly to tho end.” KING AND QUEEN WILL ATTEND MEMORIAL SERVICE. The High Commissioner reports:— LONDON, June 7, 8.35 p.m. The King and the Queen will be present at the memorial service for Lord Kitchener at St. Paul’s Cathedral ngxt Tuesday. A telegram from General Sir Douglas Haig testifies to the, regret of all ranks of the armies under his command. Mr Balfour, speaking in the city to-day, added his appreciation of the services of Lord Kitchener. MB ASQUITH AT THE WAR OFFICE. . LONDON, June 7. The Prime Minister (Mr Asquith) is temporarily in charge of the War Office. WILL LLOYD GEORGE SUCCEED KITCHENER? ' LONDON, June 7. The “Manchester Guardian” forecasts that Mr Lloyd George will succeed the late Lord Kitchener. ALL FRANCE MOURNS: MESSAGE FROM M. BRIAND MESSAGE FROM M. BRIAND. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. PARIS, June 7. M. Briand (the French Premier) has sent his condolences to Mr Asquith. “All Franco mourns the loss of your great chief, who raised such a magnificent British Army. France will never forget the fertile organises who fought forty-six years ago in the French Army.” [Lord Kitchener fought in tho French Army during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870.] , A SENSATION IN SYDNEY CENSORSHIP CRITICISED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. SYDNEY, June 7. Though the. news arrived hours before, and the rumours accompanied by various distorted details, were widely current, the earlier facts of Lord Kitchener’s death'were not generally known till the publication of tho early afternoon editions. These were eagerly and enormously purchased. Everywhere, were apparent symptoms of regret at the tragic passing of the British War Lord. The Gorornor-General (Sir Ronald Monro-Ferguson) cabled to His Majesty the King Australia’s condolences at the loss, adding: “Australia will gratefully remember Lord Kitchener’s services to our own forces.” The “Daily Telegraph” severely criticises the operation of the censorship in holding m> news of Lord Kitchener’s death when such was known, all over the world. It places the responsibility on the Minister for Defence and the Federal Government, under whose instructions the censorship acts. The paper says: “Tho policy of suppressing one of the most important facts in relation to the war must irresistibly create a serious uneasiness in the public mind. When Parliament meets some official notice ought to be taken of the manner the censorship is allowed to operate.”

COLUMN'S OF EULOGISTIC REFERENCE. SYDNEY, Juno 8. > The press devotes columns of eulogistic references t/j Lord Kitchener's work throughout tho Empire. The Consuls of the Allies join in the expressions of regret, from all parts of tho Commonwealth. Flags arc at half-mast. An Army order has been issued to tho troops to wear mourning. EYE-WITNESS’S STORY HAMPSHIRE DISAPPEARED IN TWENTY MINUTES. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received Juno S, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, Juno 8. An aye-witness states: —“It was a wet and stormy night, hut there was light enough to recognise the Hampshire. All at once a column of water rose from tho ship, followed by a cloud of steam and smoke. She disappeared m twenty minutes. The four boats went not seen after they left her.”' HOW BERLIN RECEIVED THE NEWS NO REJOICINGS; A STRANGE GRAVITY'. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received June 8, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, June S. Berlin reports state that no telegram of the year created a sensation equal to that recording the death of Lord Kitchener. A special message, published late in tho evening, led to the assembling or dense crowds, recalling the early days of the war. There were no rejoicings. Tho news was discussed with a strange gravity. It is regarded as the heaviest blow the Allies have yet received. - The “Cologne Gazette” compares Lord Kitchener with Wellington, and says he was a cool calculator, with a dispassionate head, and without any flights of genius. THE NEWS IN ITALY AND RUSSIA. (Received Juno S, 9 p.m.) _ _ ROME, June 8. s The news of Lord Kitchener's death .caused a feeling of stupefaction. The newspapers reprint, in leaded type, Lord Kitcheners happy saving. “Every Englishman has two fatherlands—old The newspapers are in deep nlourning borders. Tho fact that Lord Kitchener was coming to Russia has intensified the national grief. : MR LLOYD GEORGE’S LUCKY ESCAPE. (Received June 8, 11 p.m.) ‘ LONDON, June 8. The “Daily Express” says that but for his efforts at Irish mediation Mr Lloyd George would have accompanied Lord Kitchener. LIEUT.-COL. FITZGERALD’S BODY WASHED ASHORE —. *1 By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received Juno 8, 11 p.m.) LONDON, Juno 8. The body of Lieut.-Col. Fitzgerald, Lord Kitchener’s Military Secretary, has been, washed ashore at tho Orkneys.