THE SUDAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3698, 27 January 1925, Page 15

THE SUDAN.

SIR LEE STACK’S WORK. (Fbom Ocr Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, January 21. At New Zealand Club luncheon today the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) paid a. striking tribute to tho memory of Sir Lee Stack, who was killed in Cairo while Sirdar and Governor-General in the Sudan. His Excellency, who was heartily cheered, said that when Earl Jellicoe had been entertained by the club ha had delivered an important speech upon naval matters, but he (Sir Charles) was not a naval man, and he could not address them upon so interesting a subject. He wished to tell them something about a man who was little known to the public, and whose services deserved much more than passing reference—Sir Lee Stack, tho late Sirdar and Governor-General of the Sudan, with whom he had been closely associated in the British Forces for several years. He wished to tell them something of the life and experiences in the Sudan under British rule. Sir Charles described briefly the changes in the administration of the Sudan from 1882 onwards, and in describing (he character of the Sudanese people related several anecdotes of his own experiences as a British officer with Sir Lee Stack in a Sudanese battalion. The Governor-General- passed over to the period when he was second in command to the Sirdar at Cairo. Sir Lee Stack wa3 then in his office, and he saw a great deal cf him. His own dealings were mainly with the Khedive and his Ministers, and he had to use great tact iri dealing with the various problems that arose. Of course, he could always appeal to Lord Cromer when tiie need arose. The Khedive was always anti-British, arid lib Ministers, if they desired to remain in favour, were also antiBritish. There was a policy of pin-pricking which it was very hard to get over. lhe speaker then proceeded to review the events from 1922 onwards. In 1922 there was a great change in the policy pursued, as very largely Egypt was given back her independence with certain reservations. Egypt’s claim that she was entitled to the Sudan was preposterous, as it was perfectly well known that Egypt would not have kept the Sudan for three months if the country had been placed in her charge. TLere was intense hostility in the Sudan towards anything Egyptian, for the Sudanese had not forgotten the happenings of the past Egypt's claim for the right to limit the irrigation of the Sudan was equally absurd. The duties of the Sirdar of the Sudan were of a dual character, for he had to act as Governor-General and as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces. In the latter office he was under the direct control ol the Egyptian Minister of War, and for that reason could not deal with the numerous cases of sedition which occurred in the ranks of the army. The trouble was caused largely by Egyptian officers in the Sudan Army, and because of the fact that Uae Egyptian Ministry encouraged these officers the Sirdar was unable to get rid of the undesirables. That was Sir Lee Stack’s position, and it was a position that was altogether impossible. Sir Lee Stack was beloved throughout th© Sudan. He had spent 25 years iu the Sudan Army, and wherever his name was mentioned he was spoken of in a spirit of reverence. Sir Lee Stack was a man of singular charm. If he had remained in the British Army he would have risen to a position of eminence, but when the time came for him to make a decision he sacrificed his career for the sake of the Sudan, where he had laboured so long. His life provided a- sterling lesson for all those who had a love for Empire. New Zea- - landers were all Empire builders, and for that reason they could appreciate and honour a man like Sir Lee Stack.