A Great Proconsul.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1922, Page 4

A Great Proconsul.

Great things depend on the return of Lord Allenby from Egypt to England. Field-Marshal Viscount Allenby, of Megiddo and Felixstowe, is what the Homans called a great Proconsul. He has administered Egypt with very much the same admixture of patience and decision as lie showed in conquering the Turks over the length and breadth of Syria ; and again the crisis has come after his long preparation. He returns to London very 'much like the fine old lloman who came hack from the same neighbourhood' with definite alternatives to offer the Senate. The prestige lie won for the Empire in the East as a general is unique, and has been strengthened by his work as High Commissioner. “1 work in perfect collaboration with the Sultan,” lie said soon after his appointment. “And the members of the Government are excellent, helpful men.” He could say and feel such things because lie has a genius for friendship. In one aspect he proved this when lie went to buy buns for a favourite French child at a moment’s lull in the battle of Arras in 1917. He showed it when lie came home to see his mother, who was in her 91st year, at Felixstowe. He showed it scores of times in his direct personal dealings with soldiers of all ranks, both in the trenches in France and on the deserts of Syria. We have been peculiarly fortunate to have had the services of such a soldierstatesman in Egypt, under whose jurisdiction and thank's to whose gilts as general and administrator a ! railway journey from Cairo to Constantinople became possible. His direct friendliness, associated with his fame as a wise conqueror, has enabled him to know the problems ol Egypt and the land East of Egypt as no one else could know it in these times of rapid and tumultuous change. His career since he left Hnileybur.v and studied, fortunately without final success, for the Indian Civil Service has proved bis qualities at every turn; in the South African War, in the retreat from Mons, at the battle of Arras, in that wonderful drama of the defeat and capture of the better part of three Turkish armies, and in the smooth perfection of his administration of the “Occupied Enemy Territory.” But above his special gifts as general and administrator he is a man of U>e world, a man who has /travelled and studied men and things. It is thanks, above all, to this side of his character and experience that he has learnt to

know and understand the people who live in Egypt, and to ho liked and understood of them. Indeed, it is difficult to find an adequate parallel in the pages of history to such a reputation.