LORD KITCHENER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 830, 31 May 1910, Page 6

LORD KITCHENER.

END OF EIGHT YEARS OF- EXILE. GREAT WELCOME AT NEW YOEK. .Lord Kitchener, confessing himself thoroughly homesick after an absence of eight years, sailed from New York on April 20 .for England by tho Oceanic. To tho New York correspondent of the "Daily Mail," he remarked, "I am longing to see the shores of England once more," Despite his silence, Lord Kitchener during his brief visit has excited more genuine enthusiasm in the "man in the street" than any foreigner for many years. To this enthusiasm the leading columns of the press have testified in many striking homilies on the lesson the United States might learn from this great man, "who acts but does not speak, who, with admirable modesty, has eschewed all pomp and ceremony and maintained the most perfect incognito."

In his speech at the Pilgrim Club banquet Lord Kitchener dealt at some length with the problem of the officer's education. He announced that he had recommended the Australian and New Zealand Governments to take as their model the famous American military college lit West I'oint. This is a great compliment to the American Army. The distinguishing feature of that college is that it is thoroughly democratic, and so adapted to the Australian character. Cadets are charged nothing by the State for their education. They are nominated by tho representatives of each State, and then a selection is made from tho nominees 'by competitive examination. It is thus open to even the poorest to obtain a commission in the Army, and tho field of choice is greatly enlarged. .

The l'ilgriin Club banquet, at which Lonl Kitchener was the guest of honour, was one of tho most notable "hands across the sea" banquets ever arranged by the Pilgrims of the United States. The ■ great hall of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, where in previous years many eminent Englishmen—bishops, admirals, itatesmeu, and . men of letters—have been entertained by the same society, was btilliautly decorated, ' the American and British flags being entwined in token of national brotherhood.

There were flags everywhere, stretching across the entire wall above the table ol honour, distributed on every table, and covering each one of the many gallery boses where, gazing at the scene and listening to the speeches, sat the fairest ladies of New York society. The guests numbered 500 prominent people from New York, Washington, and elsH where. .' ■ ,

In response' to the toast of his health, proposed in glowing terms by Mr.Choate, Lord .Kitchener, after the storm of cheer ing Had subsided, said:

"Gentlemen and Ladies,—l am moist grateful to tho Pilgrims for the kind and lavish hospitality with which they have entertained ■ me this evening, tho more so as it has given me an opportunity of meeting so many distinguished - citizens of New York and of renewing .acquaintance with several gentlemen I have met in various parts of the world. .

"Mr. Choate has referred to my old chief, Lord Eoberts, under whom I had the honour and pleasure of serving in South Africa. I hope in a few days now to be able to tell him how splendidly the Pilgrims on this side maintain the hospitable tradition of. the society, and with what kindly greeting and cordiul welcome their receive an Englishman visiting the United States.

"I sincerely thank Mr.' Choate for the kind and too-flattering remarks he made about myself. Mr. Choato is a brilliant orator, and when I was last in England ably represented his country there, aud charmed by his eloquence every society ho met. After the peace diploma. Mr. Choate has given. me this evening,, 1 think I may claim to be entitled to become, a pilgrim myself, and on my return "to England "I intend to seek admittance to' a society which' has done so much to bring us together and unite us in ever closer bonds of friendship—the means of better knowledge and mutual understanding of each other. "I have recently been in Australia, and have naturally heard there a good deal about the visit of the American Fleet. What seems to have struck everyone in the Commonwealth was not only the great courtesy and frank goodwill of the admiral and his officers, but also the good behaviour, smartness, and preparedness lot ivai of the men and the ehiDs of the fleet.

"The visit undoubtedly created an excellent impression, for while it demonstrated to the world the power of the American Navy it brought home to the people of Australasia the kii.dly fralings onteitamed towards them.by. the people of this country. I greatly regret that my visit is so short and that I am unable to see many points of interest, but I. am very glad to have hud the. opportunity of personally visiting yonr military college at West Point, in which I have always felt the keenest interest. I was struck by the smartness of the cadets I saw on parade, and also by their movements in marching. . I think that my opinion' of the institution may bo summed up in the one word: 'Thorough.' It makes men of raw lads, forms their characters,* and instructs their minds; and, while attending to their physical development, impresses on them that most essential attribute of tho soldier—discipline. The new buildings and appliances in every department place the college on the highest level- of military instructional ■ ■ institutions. A few months ago I recommended the Australian and New Zealand Governments to take West Point as their model for the military colleges they require. I hope the ideal I thus placed, bofor them will not appear unattainable. They will have to work by degrees, for they must remember that it has taken over 100 years to create West Point.

"Although my stay among you has been short, I can assure you I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole of it and have very highly appreciated the many kindly acts of consideraion and courtesy which have ■been shown me on all sides during my stay in this country. . They will bo. always a pleasant memory, together with the remembrance of your cordial greeting and kind reception this evening." Tho New York "Sun" had a leading article headed "England's Greatest Military Man." .It concluded: . "There is ono great service left him to render England. That is to reorganise the War Offico in London, and 1 do, for the Home forces what he has done with such thoroughness and masterly skill in India. But will he be allowed to.do■• it?"