OUE FUTURE GENERALS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7506, 13 September 1902, Page 4

OUE FUTURE GENERALS

MEN WHO MADE THEIR MARK IN THE AVAR. CRITICISM BY LORD KITCHENER. Lord -Kitchener has closed his work in South Africa wit-h -a tribute to those—civilians and soldiers— -trho during' his command rendered him " kind assistance or loyal service." Lord. Kitchener adds that " notwithstan<iing all my care, there must necessarily be a proportion of officers omitted who have "rendered; equal or even better service than those who have been mentioned-. ■■ This, hqweyer, is the fortune of war, and will, I am sure, he weU understood, by the Army I have been so proud to co^imand." EULOGY- FOR COLONIALS. To Lord Miiner he offer^ his "cordial thanks am! best wishes," it, having bteb the gi 4 eateit relief to find he Could always rely upon h^ s "unfailing sympathy aiid ungradging assistance." " Here is a notable tribute :~ "I find it dinicult iii the short space at my disposal to atfkftttwledge the de£p obligation of the Army in South Africa to the Government, of Australia, NeSv Zealand, Canada, CapO Colony and Natal. ,1 wjll fely say here thai no request bt mine wa^ ever refused by any pf these Governments, and that their consideration and generosity ivere only equalled by" "the character 'and quality of the troops they sent to South Africa or raised in that country." /Then conies warm praise for the Navy, the South African Constabulary, the" Railways .Adjh^nkfcratioh, Sir B. Solqmpn, the legal Vadyi^" and Xord ICitdbener's st^ff. , The services are specially mentioned of Sir P. Girouard. (Railways)," jiieutenantlgolonel Wick-ham (Transport j, Lieutenant Morgan (A.S.C.), Surgeon-General Sir W- D. WiU son, Colopel Applehe (A^Q.D.J^'Lieutepaii-fcT Colonel W. K. Birkbeck, and Cplpne| Long (Remoupts). LEADERS OP JIEN. Next comes the - list -of fighting generals : — > Lord Methuen " haS done more thfin most officers towards- maiintainipg throughout this campaign the otfh;s|ahdard ; for peFsonal courage, "-mooesty " '"and " humanity which characterise the British -Army. I share hi« own deep regret that his wounds have prevented him from remaining in the field until the corichidon of peace." : Major-General French "has had a moat difficult taSk to carry put. His Avillihgnfes.*?. • to accept responsibility ahd his hold - ahd sanguine disposition haverelieved in# fipin many anxieties, v^nd, : after I had afipointpd him td cSndifct the operations' in^ "^ap^ Colony, epabled me to devote myself, more completely- thanyroul^ otherwise have bggn possible, tb the conduct of operations ip the territories of the lite Republics." Lreuten^nt-dene£al „Tupker : ' .""l.' am iit debted to this pfficer,,whp hfis never, feared responsibility, nor failed in giving emphatic prpnojmG.ement tp *he good commonrsense of which' he as possessed." Lifiutenant"Genßrai Lyttelton. "has latterly commanded in Natal, and. l am. sure that in his jiew position he will deal with the many jmpbptant, administrative- questions whiteh must iiow arise in the'Tfansvaal and Orange River Colony to the satisfactiori of- all concerned. " " - - ' : Major-Generil '3& , S. : Knox' '"%^Vgif en me satisfaction, and has carried aijt Ji|s rer sponsible duties w'itli ability" and' discretipn," X: " \ Coloufel ? Clements "is possessed pf fin^ soldiedy qualities, >'hicjli his n^fggtujies. h^ve Served 'rather to Accentuate th^n to obscure." . Colonel. Stephenson ; . ," Excellent .officer^ fea? displayed good sense jjrherever he has been employed." ;*• Major-General F. W. Kitchene*: ceptionally keen and energetic <*fficer> who has done good service." Colonel Maxwell "hit^s an ejtiergetic mind and & sound judgment, which, coupled with' his kindly and considerate disposition, jhavg enabled him to "lender valuatfle z serviCp!" ' Major-General Hamiltdii .." i§ pp^es)^d >f Qualities of boldness, energy, arid resolutaon in no cbniinon degree." \ V ''y'"". Colon'ei "Elliot,: "Worked hard, and with, sojpp measure^ qi . ' K . . 4 . Major-GeneraX Settle "has rendered valur %ble service ip the diJicnlt. position of Q-Q.C-,C^pe Colony. I have every cause to feel grateful to him for the judgment and i taot . which he. bas displayed when dealing witli. the innumerable difficult questions which have arisen in connection with the administration of martial law and other kindred matters." Major-General Wjllson "did useful work, and showed considerable capacity for organisation." ' •"""• ' *.*• - r ' Coionel 'Plumer " throttglibut tjie cam■gaigii has invariably displayed inilitflry 'quqtlificatipns of.ia, ve^ high ojder. Few' -officers, 'renderied m-v^.? , " .",-'. , ij^iqn^i "S/p^s-V^-h^-vgroVed.J^^ Cpjopel Little "§ag proveja hi jtjself c»pable. i fea.d«r of mounted tjroops in liae .fid&fty-i .;-; . ... v •" .. Colonel. Kekewioh X ' has throughout this .long. :c%mp-ign*maintained his liigh reput«r t-ibn^s a fine soldier 6f character, loyalty •and He is well qualified to- hold high command." *;..--;<■• s;.ii Colonel ROchfort "is fearless of responsibility, never-makes diffipiilties, and has, I "think, all the Qualifications of a leader in the field. ■" A Colonel Parkt "is ii desei-ving - bflScer, who h£g 'dp'ne gopd 'service throughout- the campaign," .". ■Cplonej! Scbbdl, "is _ # cavalry leader of ability and resolution." " Colonel Rjmipgton " is a leader pf niount- ' ed troops, who is partfeuiafiy iveli qualified for the qpnfl^ct of special and independent raid pf- €^fFE r iP- s PPs^ s knowledge of the th'eatfe of ■gfefptipW, his 'e^l-gy, apd his soldierly instincts have enabled 'him to render exceptional services," . , ■ • "Cojbnfii "B'arkfef, ■'^cellent column cbmnjapdei^ *t-eij,dy to tal^ rlsppns^bility and to disregard upneces's^ry jas^ils:.' ,"V" : ' JynfV * M '^M opjntnaMer of an irregular corps." "[J ' " Cplp'nel Sir/H.. Jla.wHns.bri " pbssesses-.the qualities of staff pn|ee:r and pplumn fcplnmapder in . the iSJSId. His cbkracteristics will always ensure ljijn a 'frprit "place in whatever he sets ]iis riiipd to." ' ' . " J/ieuterfarit-Colohel i'hbnifiycroft*, "an absolutely reliable officer pf ' gre^t experieiipe, Agsf^ph-seiise, tyce of cHara^tei'7'".",', •■'<■ -. -.. . "".". ~. -. AA .~. Lieutenant-Colonel- AllShby, "a "poptlar and capable cavalry bri^fiier," spWteuani-'Cpl&tiel " H% ' ;'f*r,- iff' 'my opinion, 'pnfi of. the most thpifKhtful Sid best ednbat^ 'of bur c#alry "officers in his own' r4nk- -P 6 l^ as ao ?^°^ Vll congidertftile skill in handling ''me'ii itf; thb fk\dX Lieiiteiiaht Wing, "has a "high reputation :for bbidne^s' anE'dash:" ' 'He -lias- Tendered gpbd sel^iCte-r"" * - • • *(3a:p%in"4fe Lisle "is air officer of remarkable force of character. He has soldierly qualities, a,tid is a fine leader."

* -(jolonel. Thorneycro'ft was, it wiil he xeoollected^ ; pl«^' *w W^P*; & J*?i on *°P over -Uie 'head of Sir Charles Warren, and cave 'me order to "retire. "\ Colonel tark'ieid' the charge of the Devon® pn We^^' 8, '"'