Lord Kitchener’s Command.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 13, 29 September 1909, Page 61

Lord Kitchener’s Command.

WHY HE GOES TO THE MEDITERRANEAN. (From Our Special Correspondent) LONDON, August 13. The inwardness of Lord Kitchener’s new appointment to the Mediterranean command is explained by the military correspondent of the “Times” in an interesting article. In view of the naval activity of Germany and her allies, both of whom are Mediterranean Powers, the presence at Malta of a chief capable of organising, and, if need be, directing, the British forces which are, or may become available in the Mediterranean, has become more necessary than before. The interests which the British garrisons in the Mediterranean, in co-operation with our naval forces, are designed to protect are very important. The possibility of a display, at least, of some efficient and mobile military forces in the Mediterranean has become a diplomatic and a military necessity of the times. To Lord Kitchener may also be entrusted the task of organising + hose heterogeneous Anglo-African forces which are now scattered throughout the length and breadth of Africa, ruled by various departments of State, and possessing neither semblance of unity, nor cohesion, nor powers of co operation for purposes of defence. Our military position in -Africa is not unlike that which we held in India more than a century ago, and the time has come when a beginning should be made of some unification for defensive purposes of those forces, very numerous in the aggregate, which garrison and police the wide African territories under the British flag. No great war is likely to occur in which Egypt will not again play her historic part, says the “Times” correspondent. A military High Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, with perfect knowledge of Indian, Egyptian, and African problems, a master of Arabic, and in close touch with the military ideas and aspirations of Australasia, is in a specially favourable position to organise, and if need be to direct, the British forces which exist in or might gravitate to the Middle Sea. It is in the ideas unfolded to the Defence Conference in this sense that one must seek the inner meaning of the appointment of Lord Kitchener to the Mediterranean command. Even if circumstances should require Lord Kitchener’s presence in another sphere of activity before his command expires in the usual way, he may still have time to lay the basis of the military organisation required by the policy of the Government which he serves, and it is not likely that he would, if called to another sphere of usefulness, be compelled to complete ths normal tenure of his Mediterranean command. Not less will Lord Kitchener’s influence lie felt at Home. His presence on the Defence Committee will bring to the councils of that body knowledge of the

problems of the East which cannot but add weight and authority to its advice. His presence on the Selection Board is assured by virtue of bis appointment, and, as senior officer, the presidency of this board will naturally devolve upon him. In this position his services should prove highly advantageous to the army, for no man was ever less subject to influence in appointing men to high commands than Lord Kitchener, and his knowledge of the officers of the army in India will be of much assistance to the deliberations of the board. Whether, therefore, we consider the increased importance of the Mediterranean command upon which the War Office communique lays special stress; whether we think of the new developments of Imperial defence which are pending; whether we attach importance to the recurring presence of Lord Kitchener at Home and bis connection with the War Office through the Selection Board and with the higher councils of government through the Defence Committee; or whether,finally, we allow personal considerations to weigh with us, we must, concludes the “Times ” writer, allow that there are good and sufficient reasons why the Government should have offered this appointment to the Commander-in-Chief of India, and why Lord Kitchener should have acceptel it. SINGAPORE, September 22. Lord Kitchener, after having inspected the fortifications and strategical points of Singapore, has sailed for China. Lord Kitchener will proceed to North China, and thence to Kobe for the Imperial Japanese manoeuvres, which take place in November, in the island of Kiushiu. The manoeuvres will consist of operations in which four army corps, numbering 80,000 men, will t.vtce part. The army corps to be employed are the sth, 12th, 17th, and 18th. Cavalry manoeuvres for three brigades will precede the Imperial manoeuvres, and take place in Northern Japan at the end of October, with Morioka as a centre. Two experimental batteries of horse artillery are to be formed for the cavalry manoeuvres, the use of these units having been demonstrated in the Russo-Japanese war. By the time the Imperial manoeuvres take place the seven additional divisions raised since the war will be effective, as well as two new cavalry brigades. These additions will form an object of great interest to Lord Kitchener. After his visit to the East, Lord Kitchener will make a tour of the British oversea dominions, and make a special study of the armies which are springing into existence there, in order that he may have a full knowledge of all the new Imperia! problems. Eventually his lordship will succeed the Duke of Connaught in the Mediterranean command, the importance of which will be greatly increased.