The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1914. LORD KITCHENER'S WORK.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 33, 9 February 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1914. LORD KITCHENER'S WORK.

The rumor that Lord Kitchener is to succeed Lord Hardinge as Viceroy of

India, gains in persistence, and if -uch an appointment is made India will be the gainer at the expense of Egypt's administration. Lord Kitchener has spent many years and done fine work in Egypt, but there is much still ahead requiring the knowledge and firmness which he possesses. When he took control of Egyptian affairs the country was in a serious state and stable government almost unknown. With the Nationalist Party in the ascendancy, British officials were by no means well treated, and their position was not at all a pleasant one. While the Khedive is nominally a vassal of the Sultan of Turkey, the British Consul-

general must not actively intervene so long as nothing is done to endanger the interests of the British and foreign bondholders or to interfere with the carrying out of Public Works in which a tremendous amount of British capital is invested. Lord Kitchener exercises a vast influence un the good government of the country. He arrived when the land was in a state of chaos, and in a short time restored the prestige ol Britain not only in the great cities but in the country districts. ('mil he became Consul-General there were 'practically no roads worthy of the name outside the cities, hut he set about remedying this defect with remarkable energy, and the highway today from Cairo to Alexandria has been so improved that it is not now difficult for a motor car to cover the one hundred and twentv miles be-1

I ween the two points in something like six hours. Then again, nndei

his direction and administration, the agriculturalist finds his position greatly improved, hotter protection being afforded to him, while inducement is held out to abandon the ancient methods of cultivation in vogue when Lord Kitchener first went to the country. Visitors to Kgypt of late years who knew their Egypt of bygone flays have been amazed at tin 1 changes and advances noticeable everywhere, and much of the shocking poverty which characterised the conntry districts bus entirely disappeared. It is not wonderful to note Mtat the values of land have increased tremendously, and whereas thirty to thirtylive pounds an acre was the price some year-- ago, the same land is now

saleable at from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and fifty pounds an acre. This is greatly due to the fertility induced by proper irrigation and the better methods the tillers or' the soil now use. Egyptian law has been improved and modilied under his influence, and much of the corruption which existed in official circles cheeked or done away with. Though Lord Kitchener has had much opposition from the nominal ruler and Nationalist Party, he has proved himself strong enough to force on the reforms lie had planned, and they have in every case proved his wisdom. Certainly he has proved his remarkable ability to snecrctr in winning the obedience and respect of the strangely mixed nationalities and varied religions which make up the dwellers in the ancient Sand of the Pharaohs and probably he is the most

r.ble man to bo trusted with the administration of, India at this very difficult time when sedition and unrest are so rife throughout the great Indian Empire.