POLITICIAN BRIGADIERGENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2385, 15 February 1915, Page 5

POLITICIAN BRIGADIERGENERAL.

COLONEL SEELT'S APPOINTMENT CRITICISED. London,- February '12. The 'Morning Post," referring to the appointment of Colonel Seely as a brigadier-general, with command of an important cavalry unit,'declares that the appointment savours of political preference. "It is hard lines," the "Post" says, "that the regular officer should have politicians who got all the plums during peace robbing him of his opportunities for staff rervice in war time." The paper' adds: "Colonel Seely distinguished himself at the War Office by his tactical manoeuvres. He evacuated I the position, and retook it without loss of life. It is not supposed_ that this' episode gave him a just claim to promotion in the Regular Army," [Tho above reference to Colonel Seely's tactical manoeuvres at the War. Office is a sarcastic reminder to the public of the Army crisis which occurred during the height of the Home Rule fever, when Sir John Frenqh, then Chief of the General Staff, and' several officers holding high' commands resigned their appointments, precipitating a- denouement in tho British House, of Commons, and the exposure of grave bungling on the part of Colonel Seely, then Secretary of State for War. Colonel Seely resigned, and Mr. Asquith took over the portfolio of War.]