WARTIME INCIDENT RECALLED.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1928, Page 4

WARTIME INCIDENT RECALLED.

LONDON, Jan. 30.

Several revelations are tiiado by Colonel Lionel James in the “ Evening •Standard.” He says: When Earl IFa ip; was appointed Commander in Chief in 101 5, the military situation was well nigh desperate. The British effort to create a modern fighting machine was still immature. Divided counsels between the Allies were prevalent and hysterical amateur strategy by politicians of Franco and Britain had almost paralysed the commanders in the field. That Earl Haig rose superior to these disabilities, and held to the set purpose of defeating the enemy without being thrown to the dogs by the impatience of politicians, was the greatest marvel of his career. Earl Haig, when the allied armies were tottering in the balance in the spring of 1018, represented to Mr Lloyd George that unless a unilied command were created, the Allied cause would be lost, and Earl Haig himself picked out General Eocli for the purpose of supreme command, and willingly served under him. The “Times” says: “Earl Haig bore a burden more terrible, and more prolonged, than that borne bv any British general. His fellow subjects throughout the Empire honour him as a great soldier, hut it is as a very great noble gentleman, they have given him love as well as honour.”

TRIBUTES FROM AMERICA. NEW YORK, Jan. 30. General Pershing was visibly nllec-ted when informed at Pittsburg ol Earl Haig’s death. It was a great shock to him and he expressed deep regret. Major General Oryan, wartime Commander of the famous Twenty-seven New York Division, assigned for service under Earl Haig, said: 11 Earl Haig may well he classed with Wellington. Napier, Roberts, and other great leaders who led British armies Tn the years gone by. Wo are all proud to be a part of his command.”

PRESS COMMENT TN GERMANY BERLIN, Jan. 31.

Neither President Tlindenburg nor General Ludendorff could be induced to comment on Earl Haig’s death, Ludendorff's reply being a curt refusal. Several newspapers’ comments are uncomplimentary and almost insulting, the " Achtufblt ” entitling his obituary as “ The Field Marshal who could not win victory,” though it admits that Earl Haig’s iron calm enabled the British to resist the German attacks. The ‘‘Allgameine Zeitung” expresses the opinion that the record of the dead soldier was hardly worth mentioning. A leading German commander concerned in the offensive of March, 1918, said: “Earl Haig I honour and respect.” U.S. CONDOLENCES. WASHINGTON, Jan. 31). Mr Kellogg has cabled Sir Austen Chamberlain the condolences of his Government no the death of Earl Haig. Mr Davies, Secretary for War, sent a message on behalf of the army to the Secretary for War, London. NEW’ YORK, Jan. 30.

The New York “ Times ” editorially says of Earl Haig: “ He was the incarnation of British courage, endurance, and fortitude. A strategist more brilliant but less captain of his soul, might have failed in the emergencies that crowded upon Earl Haig. This is not to say that he lacked the soldierly finalities of leadership. He was a consummate tactician, and no mean strategist.” The New York “ World ” says: “ By the vastness of his operations and liy the test of ultimate victory, Earl Haig must take a high place in the long roll of great British soldiers.”