AN ELOQUENT TRIBUTE.

Colonist, Volume XLIV, Issue 10013, 23 January 1901, Page 2

AN ELOQUENT TRIBUTE.

The following is : the text of Lorclßobert's farewell 'Army Order to the troops on relinquishing command in South Africa :-- Being about to give up the command of the army in South Africa into the hands of Lord Kitchener, I feel 1 that I cannot part with my comrades, with whom I. have been.' associated for nearly a year, often ■ under very trying circumstances, without giving expression to my profound appreciation of the noble work which they have performed, for their Queen and country, and for me ' personally ; and to my pride in the results which they have . achieved by their . pluck, endurance, discipline and devotion to duty. I greatly regret that the ties which have bound us together are so soon to be severed, for I should like to remain with the army until it is completely broken .up;;; but I have come to the conclusion ihatJaa Lord Kitchener has consented to takeover the command, my presence , is no longer required in South Africa, and that duty calls me in- another direction; Ishall never; forget the officers and men of this force* te they of the Royal Navy, the colonial?, the regulars, the militia, the yeomanry,: or the volunteers. Their interests will always be. very dear to me, and I shallicontinue to. work for the army as long as I fianlwork at all. The service which the South African force has -performed' is, I venture to.'think, ' unique in the annals of war, inasmuoh.asdt. has been absolutely almost incessant fora whole year ; in some cases for more ithan a year. There has been no rest, n&.days:off to recruit, no going into winter quarters, asm other campaigns, which have extended-.pv.eE a long period* For months together, in fierce heat, in biting cold, in pouring rain, you, my comrades, have marched and fought without halt, and bivoucked without shelter from the elements. You frequently have had to continue marching with your clothes in rags and your boots without soles,: tiine' being of such consequence that it was impossible for you to remain long enough in one place to refit. \Vhen not engaged in actual battle you have been continually shot at from behind kopjes by an invisible enemy, to whom every inch of the country was familiar, and who, from the peculiar nature of the country, were able. Jto. inflict severe punishment while perfectly safe themselves. You have forced your way through dense jungles, over precipitous mountains! through and over which, with infinite manuallabdr, you have had to drag heavy guns, and ox waggons. You haveV covered^ with at most incredible speed enormous distances, and that often on verashprt .supplies^ of food. You have endured the, sufferings inevitable in war to Biok,'an4,wounded men • far from the base without .& murmur, .and ' even with cheerfulness. You, have, in t fact, acted up to'the highest stapdard 61 patriotism, and by your conspicuous > kindness and humanity towards your enemies, your. , forbearance and good behaviour the towns occupied, you have caused the, army of Great Britain to be as'highly. respected as it must henceforth be greatly feared in South Africa. Is it-any wonder-that lam intensely proud of the army," I Jiave commanded, or- that I regard you, my, gallant and devoted comrades, wi^h affection ■ as well as ; with admiration* jand-. that I feel deeply the parting from you ? Many of you, coloniala &sf well a3 British, 1 hope to meet again, but those I may never see more will live in my memory, and will be held in high regard to. myi life's end... I have learned much during the war, and the experience I have gained will greatly help me in the work: ihat;lies Wove rme± which is, I conceive, to make the army of the United Kingdom as .perfect as it is possible for an army to be. This I will strive to do with all my might. And now, farewell. May God bless every member of the South African army, and that you may all be spared to return to your homes, and find those dear to you well and happy is the hope of your commander. :■

(Signed) Roberts.