KAID MACLEAN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8868, 19 July 1907, Page 3

KAID MACLEAN.

Kaid MacLeaU is the adventurous Scottish solidcr, Sir Harry Aubrey Mac Loan, who wore a tartan kilt in a Highland regiment before lie entered the Moorish service, to become commander-in-chief of the Sultan’s forces. Born in 1843 at Chatham, where his father was a senior surgeon to the garrison hospital, he obtained a commission in the GUth Regiment of Foot in 18G9, and’fserved in the army in various parts - of the world till 1870. He also took part in the Red River expedition, and also did duty at Bermuda and Gibraltar. It was while ho was at the last-named station that lie came into touch with the country which was to bo chiefly connected with his life’s work. In 187(3, while on a visit to Tangier, lie was asked by the then British Minister to Morocco, Sir Drummond Hay, if ho would accept the post of instructor to the Moorish troops, _ the Sultan having asked the British Minister to And him an English officer for that purpose. Mao Lean accepted the offer, resigning his commission in the British Army. The first work given to him by his new master was the ordering of a number of largo guns. So pleased was the Sultan with the way in which the voung foreigner did the work entrusted to him that ho took him permanently into the employ of the Moorish Government and subsequently gave him the rank *of Kaid. During his 28 years’ command of the Moorish army, Kaid MacLcan has made it a,fighting machine not to be despised. His influence in the country is immense, and his presence has been of great value in favourably impressing the Sultan with English ideas and diplomacy. Ho is cxtromolv popular with the soldiers, who delight to speak of his bravery, and his influence among the people and at Court has been immensely enhanced by the fact that ho has never meddled in politics, but has always devoted himself to his ou u work. Ho has organised practically . the whole Moorish army, arming the troops with European rifles. Owing to his representations, the soldiers receive their pay with comparative regularity, aud_ lie has been instrumental in checking the barbarities which have been practised in Morocco, so that his name is regarded as synonymous with inflexible justice, tact, and indomitable

energy and bravery. As iio lias accompanied the Sultan in all his expeditions, lie has seen an ' immense amount of fighting. Many years ago he lost the sight of his right eye as the result of opthalniia contracted during one of these expeditions, but this is in no way apparent, both eyes having the appearance of normal health. In spite of the loss of one eye he is a magnificent rifle shot, firing from the left shoulder. “The Kaid, with his flowing robes, sun-browned face and white beard,” wrote one who saw him when ho was on his special embassy to congratulate King Edward on his accession, looks like a typical Moor, but a very warmhearted Scotsman is to be-.found under the Oriental exterior. Kaid Mac Lean received the honour 'of knighthood from the King in 1901, “for services rendered to the British Government. ” His heart is with the old flag evidently, for his son is in the British army, and went through the South African war.: