LORD KITCHENER'S RETURN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 865, 14 July 1910, Page 3

LORD KITCHENER'S RETURN.

HIS IMPRESSIONS OF HIS EMPIRE TOUR. “ENGLAND NOT DECADENT.” LONDON, May 20. “It is good to be back again. Howbeautiful the country looks.” The speaker was Lord Kitchener, back in England after close on eight years’ service abroad. Undemonstrative though the famous Field-Marshal always is, ho could not disguise his pleasure at being home once more after

so long an “exile.” His first sight o; England was obtained under the happi

est conditions on Tuesday last. The waters of the Solent were dancing in the sunshine, and the fresh green of the Isle of Wight and the Hampshire coastline bespoke the joy of summer. Lord Kitchener paced the deck of the Oceanic, which had brought him from New York. “It’s not such a bad country, after all,” ho said, as his eyes rested on the Hampshire landscape. His stop was firm and brisk. Ho paused at intervals to pick out points of interest as the liner, greeted by the sirens of the ships in the Southampton roadstead, drew steadily nearer the landing stage. During the voyage Lord Kitchener, whoso sole travelling companion has been his valet, maintained a close reserve. Ho spent much time in the smoking and reading rooms, varied by an occasional walk on the deck. Many special correspondents had boarded the liner at Plymouth the previous night intent on interviewing the distinguished traveller. With his wellknown dislike of interviewers ho sought to escape, but eventually yielded so far as to give to the assembled reporters a brief, general statement of his Empire tour.

PLEASED WITH NEW ZEALAND. “I was very pleased with what I saw in Australia and New Zealand,” he said. “They arc taking up the question of improving the country’s defences in a serious spirit. As you know, the Defence Act had been passed before I got there.”

“Do you think the period of training ordered under the Defence Act will be sufficient?” —“I do not think you must cross-examine mo as to that,” was the answer. “I can only say, as 1 have done in the memorandum I have issued, that Australia has some splendid, material of which to make an army.” “Did you find any exception taken to the cost of the scheme —one million seven hundred thousand?” —“No; it is surely not a large sum for a prosperous country like Australia to find. She can bear that very well.” Incidentally, Lord Kitchener said ho found the Boy Scout movement was making some progress in Australia and Now Zealand, showing that the young men were interesting themselves in the defence of the country. As they grew up their influence would be felt in many ways on English life. “A country must be prepared to defend itself in case of emergency. Hitherto Australia has depended on the Mother Country. But she sees the necessity now of taking up the question for herself.”

NEED OF SELF-DEFENCE. Australia and New Zealand, like every other virile people, were keenly intent upon the problem of the best means of self-defence. They recognised it as a duty they owed to themselves and their free institutions, so that they _ could stand face to face against any interference from outside sources. Lord Kitchener continued: — The material, personnel, and so forth aro first-rate, and no doubt they will be well able ore long to take_ right good care of themselves. But it will take time and energy, and they have enough of the latter. These colonics aro very prosperous, and are in a most promising condition. The scheme I have drafted out for them involves no greater outlay than, if quite so much as, that propounded under their Defence Acts. For £1,700,000 a year

Australia will in duo course have a complete system that makes her secure against attack. She will no longer need to look to the Mother Country for instant aid in the event of danger. The amount in money is but trivial to such a rich country, lie had found his tour most interesting and enjoyable. The East was moving forward, and Japan had proved most enlightening. India could take care of herself, and the army there was all right. As for the Japanese infantry, they were ideal, active soldiers. Their quickness and aggressiveness in the field were most admirable. They could not wish for better troops. But for all his travels and sight-seeing he was glad to be homo again. The Old Laud was the best land of all to us. There was no need to carp about it, or our country’s position in the world’s alfairs. ENGLAND NOT DECADENT.

England is not decadent, whatever anyone may say or think. Her eons are as good as over, and as full of heart, and she is quite able, under God. to determine her own destinies. She needs help from none, children or strangers, and can quite take care of herself. She is yet full of the youth of days, and I assure you in no sense decadent.

Lord Kitchener reverted to this thought a little later. He seemed to feel strongly on the subject. “England is not degenerate,” ho declared. “She producers as line men as ever in abundance.” At Southampton there was a civic welcome for Lord Kitchener at the quayside, and at Waterloo huge crowds assembled to cheer the FieldMarshal. Both at Southampton and in London he showed the pleasure which these tributes gave him, but in each case he hurried oil as quickly as pos siblc. The first man to greet him at Ihe station when ho reached London was Lord Roberts, and as the older FieldMarshal made his way through the tall, top-hatted throng the younger soldier advanced with one big stride, and was hoard to exclaim “My dear Chief,” as he opened a brief and warm conversation. A few minutes later he was in a covered motor car, and driving to Belgravo Square, where ho has taken up his residence with friends.