THE FUTURE OF LORD KITCHENER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 880, 28 July 1910, Page 5

THE FUTURE OF LORD KITCHENER.

GOVERNMENT STILL SILENT. RUMOUR THAT FOREIGN POWER SEEKS HIS SERVICES. MR. ASQUITH DEPRECATES \ INQUIRY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Rec. July 27, 10.15 p.m.) London, July 27. In the House of Commons, Sir. 0. Locker Lampion (Unionist) asked whether it was not advisable to utilise Lord Kitchener's abilities at the earliest occasion, in view of newspaper statements that a foreign Power was inviting him to reorganise its army. Mr. Asquith replied with warmth, and said he most strongly deprecated the mention of particular officers. CHINA OFFERS ENGAGEMENT. REORGANISATION OF ARMY WANTED. "DAILY EXPRESS" REPORT. (Rec. July 28, 0.20 a.m.) London, July 27. : The Peking correspondent of the "Daily Express" reports that the Chinese. Government has decided, if possible, to secure Lord Kitchener to reorganise the Chinese army. It has invited him to come on his own. terms and in. his own time.

As to what manner of employment may now fall to Lord Kitchener's lot—wrote the London "Morning I'osf,": in announcing -his refusal of tho Mediterranean command—it" would be idle to indulge in speculation, but it.is noteworthy'that an authoritative organ of tho present Government opposed his appointment a? Viceroy of India (lest it shoula seem a!) if India stood in need of tho services of a strong man), aud denies urgency in any direction, on the ground that "he is young as eminent men go, and in the course of nature has many yeurs (if good service in front of him." . . It is further believed that the po-;t of High Commissioner' and Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean was originally created with no other"'objcct than ■ that of providing a post of sufficient dignity for the King's brother, si. Hint it fuig.'il 'ipjuar us if he had been promoted to higher honour, rather than worried out of his previous appointment. Tho "Morning Post," nfter mentioning different rumours, ■ says:

"And it may be' that equally without foundation -is the notion that tho appointment of Lord Kitchener to succeed the Duke of Connaught in the Meditterrimean ..was made' in order to prevent so plain-spoken and ablo a critic from having any opportunity to assert unpalatable truths in the United Kingdom."

China has lately been endeavouring to secure the services of German officers to reorganise her army. In the_ sixties General Gordon, then brevet-major, took the command of the Chinese forces employed in tho suppression of tho Taeping revolt.