The Dominion. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1915. LORD KITCHENER'S LATEST MOVE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2613, 8 November 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1915. LORD KITCHENER'S LATEST MOVE

We are told this morning tffat the issue of tho London Globe was suppressed, and the papers seized, because it published the statement that Lord Kitchener had resigned. Simultaneously we receive the comments of the Morning Post, which states that, though Lord Kitchener has not resigned, his stay in the Near East, for which he is said to have departed, will be so prolonged that it will be necessary before long to fill his place at the War Office. The Morning Post was not suppressed, and as the Censor has permitted the messago to reach us we may assume tha/o no exception is taken to the Morning Post's manner of stating the position of affairs. The question which concerns us, and which will deeply concern the whole Empire, is the probable effect of the departure of Lord Kitchener from tho War Office. It may be safely assumed, we should think, that before such a course as is now revealed was_ decided on, full assurance was obtained that-the organisation of the War Office had been so perfected and was running so smoothly tlmt even in the absence of its creator there was little prospect of any serious hitch arising. The methods of Lord Kitchener would lead us to take this for granted after fifteen months of war. But even if this is conceded it must be recognised that only the strongest of motives would be likely to lead to Lord Kitchener's transference .to some other field of action. If the comment of the Morniny Post is correct, and the Post, usually is well informed, then it is no flying visit that is being undertaken by the head of the British War Office.

The first thought that will occur to most people is that Lord Kitchener is to take command of the Allied forces in the Near East. It must be recognised that the struggle in the Balkans and in Turkey has now assumed an importance that necessitates the dispatch of very large forces to this theatre of the war. The fact must not be lost sight of that the success of our enemies in this quarter threatens grave possibilities to a vital line of communications of the Entente Powers, and especially Britain—that is, the Suez Canal. If this sea route were stopped—and German success in the Balkans might easily lead to a powerful attack on the Suez Ca.nal—tnen a serious interference with British sea communication would be effected. Moreover, the moral effect would certainly prove most harmful' to us, especialy . in Egypt. Lord Kitchener s influence in the Near East, apart from his capacity as a military commander, would thus bo of the greatest value. But there is still another reason, and this may be the immediate cause of his selection for a new task in this theatre of war. We refer to the attitude of Greece. It has been made only too clear that the position as regards Greece is critical. King Constantine appears to have become enmeshed by German intrigue, and cannot regarded as at all likely to side with the- Entente Powers in the present struggle, unless forced to do so. He is, and has been, playing the gamo of Germany, despite the faet that there is every indication | that the majority of his people sympathise with Britain and Franco, and despite the further fact that Greece is under treaty obligation to assist Serbia. Probably there is no man better able than Lokd Kitchener, under existing circumstances, to convey to King Constantine the views of Britain and the Entente Powers as to the consequences that will follow on a continuance of the King's present' line of policy. The dispatch of Lord Kitchener is an earnest of the determination of the Entente Powers to "see tho thing through" in the Near East to the bitter end, which will not only carry weight with .King Constantine, but which should also enormously strengthen the hands of M. Venizelos. Greece wanted a guarantee that the Entente Powers would dispatch a sufficient force to the Balkans to counterbalance the Austro-Germaii forces attacking Serbia; the presence of Lord Kitchener in charge of the Allied troops gives that guarantee, ffhc effect on Rumania also must be far-reaching. It will be seen therefore that though tho departure of Lord Kitchener from the War Office may be a disquieting step to those who have justly placed such confidence in bis organising powers, yet the tremendous lidyantajjoe which may , accrue from his presence in the Near

East at the present stage of affairs would scorn not only to fully justify such a course but to render it eminently desirable. There is, of course, tile possibility that his visit may be to Kussia, for some of the messages mention the Eastern theatre as his destination. Some colour may be given to the idea by his recent conference with General Joffre. A first hand consultation with the heads of the Russian War Office would no doubt be of great value; but the Near East suggestion seems the more probable.