Army Inspector-General.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 79, 7 April 1904, Page 2

Army Inspector-General.

EXIT LORD ROBERTS. Karl .Roberts, the last Commandcr-m-Chief of the Army (perhaps) has ceased to hold this great historic ofhce, which was filled for so long a period by the Duke of Cambridge and a member of the Koyal Enmilv the Duke of Connaught, once more assumes the highest military appointment.

'llus appointment, the InspcctorCeneralship, -is not so high and distinguished as the oflice of Comman-der-in-Chief, which it supersedes ; and this fact is assigned as a reason, in a seini-ollicial communique issued through the Press Association, why Lord Roberts could not step into the oliice which the new Army Council has now tilled with the King's brother, with His Majesty's assent.

Lord UolAirts has Urns retired from tlio War Oliice, and ended his long nnd glorious career in the British Army. He has, at the Prime Minister's req/uesl, "placed his services at the disposal of the Committee of Imperial Defence."

Lord Roberts is seventy-one, having been burn at Cawnp'ore, India, in September, 18112. He became a subaltern in the Bengal Artillerv in lHol.

THE IH'KE : A PEN I'iCTI'KE. Probably no appoint meat will cause such unqualified satisfaction throughout the army as that of 11.R.11. the Duke of Connaught to the post of Inspcclor-dencral. For (he. Duke shares with Lord Roberts a popularity with the rank and me which it is dilllcult for the Possessing all the attributes of the perreel soldier, it is not 100 much to say thai there is no ollieer in the British Army who Unkes his profession so seriously as he. He has that curious gift, in common with his Majesty, of remembering faces. When he commanded the troops at Aldershot, where he had thousands of men under him, with new regiments constantly arriving, he would never fail to recognise the man he had once spoken to. I remember (writes one military correspondent) when the Untie "pulieil up" a soldier in the main street of Aldershot. The man had evidently dressed in n liurrv, since his was lion? too clean. "Hi ! you .Johnson ! What do you mean by walking about town like this?" " I'm sorry, your Royal 'lghness," stammered Tommy. •• but (he fact is. your Royal 'lghness, that I've I just come off guard, your liovnl 'lghness. and " The Duke nrrested the excuses will, n smile. " A little- less Royal 'lghness and ajitlle more pipeclay." he c menden, as he passed on. Continental odicers who visit England at the lime of the annual manoeuvres agree that in Hie Duke of Connaught (treat Britain has one of I lie tines! strategists of Europe, and it is well-known throughout (he army thai had il not. been for his relationship the Duke would have held „ \er.v high post in the armv operating in South Africa Whoever may be "The II ike" in politics, in the army iheiv is ,<nlv one man in Creat Britain '-The lluke," and that the man who by ins many fine soldier-like qualities, and the genuine love he has for his profession, has endeared himself to all ranks " The Du1,,." m>iwis tor competence, for impartial fair-mindedness and for all that is best in the traditions of the British Army,.