THE HOME CRISIS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12246, 19 February 1918, Page 5

THE HOME CRISIS.

SIR WILLIAM ROBERTSON ACCEPTS NEW APPOINTMENT.

PREMIER SPEAK TO-MORROW.

Australian and X.Z. Cable Association. (Received February 19, 9 a.m.) LONDON, February 18. Sir William Robertson has accepted the Eastern Home Command.

Mr Lloyd George will speak to-mor-row.

SIR HENRY WILSON

THE NEW BRITISH CHIEF OF

GENERAL STAFF

(From a Military Correspondent of the

“ Manchester Guardian.”)

Lieutenant-General Sir Henry W ikon (who succeeds Sir 'William Robertson as Chief of the Imperial General Staff) must be included among the many distinguished soldiers that Ireland has given to the military service of the Empire. In fact, there are many who believe that Henry Wilson in certain circumstances might have been the greatest soldier of his day. In these controversial times no purpose is served by dealing in comparisons, and the general’s Irish temperament made for him as many enemies as ho could count friends. History has shown us that by some peculiar current of the law of chances certain periods produce particular branches of men of a mentality superior to the usual standards. In the period of reorganisation that followed the Boer war, Wilson served at the War Office, and likewise did a period as Commandant of the Staff College, Camberley. His term at the Staff College had a particular hearing upon his future career. It is interesting to remark that both General Robertson and General Rawlinson held tins command after the Boer war. General Rawlinson .was orthodox, but both Genera! Robertson and General Wilson inculcated a particular school of thought of their own. Wilson was master of the Continental system. Early in the century he put it upon record that he was positive that the great Prussian menace would materialise. This conviction was tho foundation of all his effort. He knew the French frontier as no other British officer knew it.

Wilson Avent out with the Expeditionary Force on the operations sido ofLord French’s Headquarters Staff. His intimacy with and knowledge of the French General Staff were of the greatest value to the Commandcr-in-Chief during those first strenuous days of gigantic war. It was, however, during the retreat from Mons that Wilson’s sterling qualities as a soldier readied high-water mark. It is probable that no contemporary history will tel] the true story of that retreat- - will truthfully chronicle the happenings of those “ dies irae,” when the Cabinet at Homo was warned to expect the worst. Then it was that Wilson was seen at his very best. Ho was the backbone of the Staff. No matter how black the outlook, or desperate the suggestion, ho never lost his cheerful demeanour in public or his clear head in the council chamber. His fertile: brain probed deep into the probabilities of the enemy intention, and his quick and instant wit produced order out of chaos and confidence out of despair. As the British Army expanded in size Wilson found the preferment that was his due, and he was appointed to the command of an army corps. As the commander of an army corps he was never engaged iii any of the major operations of the Avar. In 1916 he undertook a mission to Russia. He then Ayent hack to France as a special senior liaison officer at the French Quartier General. It was generally thought that tins appointment presaged a high command abroad, hut he was appointed to the Eastern Command at Home. General Wilson’s last nest Avas as British member of the Allied Council for the western front.