DEATH OF LORD ROBERTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 722, 18 November 1914, Page 5

DEATH OF LORD ROBERTS.

A FITTING END. WITHIN SOUND OF GUNS. HIS LAST MESSAGE. "WE WANT MORE MEN." London, Sunday. Lord Roberts had a rough crossing over the Channel on Wednesday, when he was accompanied by his daughter. He showed no sign of distress on landing, and visited the British bases and camps on Thursday. On Friday he inspected the Indians. A chill developed in the evening, and he complained of a slight pain on Saturday. The doctors relieved this, and he fell into a quiet-sleep, in which he tranquilly expired. Sir John French, in telegraphing his condolences to Lady Roberts on behalf of the army, says: "It seems a fit ending to the life of so great a soldier that he should have passsd away in the midst of the troops he loved ao well, and within the sound of the guns." Lord Roberts had been remarkably active Bi"nc9 the beginnng of the war, and dealt with a vast correspondence with friends in the army, to whom he gave advice and sympathy. He was a constant visitor to various Government Departments, and was apparently in robust health. The suddenness of . his death caused a great shock in EngLmd. Many references to his decease were made in the churches.

Their Majesties the King and Queen were greatly distressed at the death of Lord Roberts, and sent messages of condolences to bis wife find family. Earl Roberta' la3t words were contained in an interiew with Count Denu, for the Echo de Paris, on Tuesday, prior to his departure for France. Eatl Roberts declared that the primary reason of his visit was to see his dear Indian troopi. He intended to speak to General French regarding the unnecessary secrecy observed, over the brave deeds of Britieh soldiers. War corespondents, he said, ought to be allowed to receive a fair amount of information, apart from military movements, which must be kept absolutely secret. He urged that correspondents should be permitted to write up detailsjjf the glorious acions fought by our troops. France, with conscription, could afford to remain silent, but Britain'wanted many more men, and if she failed to inform th 3 Home paople of. her soldiers' brave fights and gallant deeds, how were they going to awaken in the souls of young men the high sentiment of emulation which lead them to the recruiting offiecs? "They do not know," he remarked, "that every minute they are losing is priceless delay, perhaps jeopardising the future of hattles."

He paid a high- tribute to the French Army and its generals, particularly General Joffre. As a gunner himself, he commented on the merits of the French 75. millimetre gun. France, he said, would shortly feel (he effects of the great support that England was preparing to give hsr. "People," he added, "do not realise that our men are fighting continuously against tremendous odds. We want more men to equalise matters. Information given regarding the London Scottish Regiment might be repeated about other regiments." He concluded: "I'll talk to French about it."