SIR IAN HAMILTON.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1996, 2 March 1914, Page 9

SIR IAN HAMILTON.

AN INTERVIEW. SOLDIER, NOT ORATOR; . "The austerity of British generals is almost traditional among tnose who know them only by repuLc, or by reading of men of the Kitchener school. General' Sir lan Hamilton (says the Sydney "Sun") dispels the theories and introduces a different type directly he conies lipon the scene, and completely shatters them when an introduction has been secured. ■ ;

A tall, man, dressed in helmet, froek coat, and aiguilottcs of the staff, is 'shaking hands with you before you ha;o hardly made up your mind that you will be' accorded tho interview you have sought.' The handsliako is cordial, even though formal; the ,necessary words of greeting aro kindly spoken m a quiet, pleasing voice, and are accompanied by a smile from under the grey moustache that at once makes the visitor feel at homo.

Tho military representative of the ' "Sun" was received within live minutes of the General's arrival at tho Union Club —in fact, Sir lan had-not had time to remove his close-fitting uniform, and did not keep the caller waiting while he did so. ■

• v "Will you sit down?" he said, indicating a card-table. "A little gamo at bridge," he smiled as he gave the choice of tne four seats.

"What was he required to do? Say something for tho press? Ah; well, you must give mo a. lead." A "lead'' was given. Then tho General conversed pleasantly and fluently, maintaining tho thread of his remarks as each new suggestion was made. "You sec," he began, "1 have to, bo very guarded in speaking on military questions. My report is entirely for the Minister for Defence, and I can send 6illy .a copy of it to the War Office. I must not forestall that by saying too much."

He had seen some of tho troops in other States. '

"Yes /I have already seen quite a good number of sample's in West Australia and Victoria ,and I have done one really quite hard day's work." That hard'.day was with the 13th Infantry Brigade, Sir lan was in camp and in ' the field with tho troops for about eleven hours. The day was rery hot, blit the men marched fully twenty miles, and showed what they were made 0f... / "They stood' it well," ' the' General Baid. "I had a conference with the officers' in the'middle of the day ; but I did not then express any opinion of their energy,and spirit... In the evening P took up a position in/tho, camp, and saw them march back. That is the time to see what they .are made of. These j ; oung follows, whose average age was about 19 years, had had a good bucketting about, but when they came into the limelight they responded most gallantly to the call of their officers with good military swagger, and held themselves well together. Notwithstanding that a considerable number of foot-sore, they showed that the spirit of the men was right. They afo very, very keen." - i The General added that ho made a point, as'ho always does, of meeting some of tho fair inhabitants of tho district, and lie said, "I heard nothing but praiDo'forrthe conduct of: the tr00p5,",,.. / l! ',Comparisons?'....v '''.'"bhr iio! but you arc developing • a, slightly different .type from their grandfathers. 'Your .men are less squareset, but they are tall and wiry;"