FLOWER OF OUR ARMY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 32, 8 June 1915, Page 6

FLOWER OF OUR ARMY.

SPLENDIDLY CAPABLE FORCE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. Britain and France have every reason for pride and absolute confidence in tiie men who form General Sir lan Hamilton’s Expeditionary Force. This is now complete and is composed ot the vyerv finest battalions of the British Army (writes Mr W. T. Massey in the ‘(Daily Telegraph”). Highly trained units which have not yet suffered the wastage of war, and lull of men a ho, while regretting that their appearance in the war area has been so long delayed, have spent their time in the most serious endeavour to make themselves perfect soldiers. Within the last day or two 1 have seen British Begnlr troops at least equal to any we had at home before the outbreak of war, and certainly not interior to any troops which added an imperishable page to our military story during the terrible days and nights of our retirement from the Belgian frontier. Hurt may seem an over-statement. It is not. Battalions of the most famous regiments of the line, hardened bj foreign service, already past-masters iii the art ol war when hostilities began, are here, on the Eastern Mediterranean shores. It seems strange that at this stage we can put into the held a -body,of Regular troops who have not fought in this war. The lact is that with one exception the battalions have been sentinels in the ,Empire’s outposts. They have been relieved by troops more fitted for garrison duty, and Sir lan Hamilton has with him as the backbone of his Expeditionary Force a body of soldiers the like, of which is not to he found in the world to-day. 'The other divisions have yet to prove themselves. They will be all right. The Colonials hue developed faster and better than their best friends hoped, and to-day their military ■efficiency' is reckoned high. Encamped at San Stefano, where refreshing Mediterranean breezes bring health to -the European whose blood is thinned by the heat ol a Cairo summer, is the division of General d’Amade’s French Colonial troops, forming part of Sir lan Hamilton’s command. The men are happy to he serving in the expedition, in which the British have the larger representation. Many of the French soldiers have had months in the fighting-line. The alertness, vig?r, and physical fitness of the French troops, as well as 'their patriotic enhnsiasm, fivere displayed a day or two ago when Sir lan Hamilton inspected them, within visual range of ihe ground whereon Abercromby won the decisive battle of 1801. To the French, soldiers and civilians, alike, the day meant much. The troops were to be inspected by the General of an allied nation, under whose command they are in operations which everybody believes will have a far-reaching effect on the war. How firm-seated is the alliance between the two.countries was having inspected the troops, rode up to the pavilion behind the saluthig-base-to meet M, de France, the French Minister in Egypit. The French colony, noting the cordiality t pr the greetings exchanged between General and Minister, made a point of adding a popular reception to the official welcome. The presentation of flags to two battalions, one of French infantry and the other of Senegalese, preceded tiie marcli-pakt. General d’A made, holding the flags in his left hand, addressed the colour parties,, .reminding them, and through them the troops, what the colors stood for. In a few words he spoke of the traditions of the French army, mid concluded by saying that their best .traditions would be upheld in service under “pur General Hamilton.” 'Next day General d’Amade accompanied Sir lan Hamilton when the British General inspected the British Regulars. One need not speak further of our men; I have already said there are no better troops in the world. I have not mentioned one important portion of Sir lan Hamilton’s command. The enemy will' hear from them before the public know they are in the Eastern Mediterranean. The news, when it reaches England, will certainly be good news. The nameless troops have an effective way with them.