KITCHENER'S WORK

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 181, 27 April 1920, Page 7

KITCHENER'S WORK

TRIBUTE BY MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL

By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright London, April- 25. Mr, Winston Churchill (Minister of War), in an article in the "Sunday Herald," states that the most extraordinary . fact about. Lord Kitcheiter wus the 'amount of responsibility, work, and power thrust on him. He had to carry on the war'during its most convulsive period, create a mighty army out of a population destitute of -military training, and equip and supply it, though, the available machinery was. utterly inadequate. It was a tragic but magnificent spectacle, to see this valiant and faithful giant advancing at the call of duty to grapple with problems utterly out of relation to the personal capaoity of any human, being. Scarcely less striking were the limitations under which the unparalleled task was undertaken.

Kitchener, the article says, was greater as a man than as a general. He had displayed the highest qualities as administrator diplomat, and commander, while ruling provinces and leading armies small, enough to he personally directed and controlled; but he had not made a scientific, professional study of war on the largest scale. He did not understand staff work or the organisation connected with it as it was understood in tho great. European armies. A decisive and fatal dilemma in his war administration arose at the Dardanelles, Reason, as well as his profound instinct and . the current of events, drew him to the East. He appreciated better than any other Allied soldier the immense' 'possibilities of success or failure in the East; but General'Joffre and General Sir John French were writing, telegraphing, -and appealing day after day for every man,' gun, and shell that .could be found.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.