THE TROOPS IN EGYPT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 222, 26 February 1915, Page 6

THE TROOPS IN EGYPT.

REVIEW BY HIGH COMMISSIONER. Tin-: i)i.iii:::i'Xo sacrifice. (Melbourne Age Correspondent). Iloliopolis, January 11. Weird calls issued from a tent round which was growing two feet of green l corn in the sand. Strange as they sounded, th 'y were not naiive chants. .Slidc'enly a khaki sicklier came out i;ig, and greeted me liy rousing the remainder of tin- tent and giving a haka, which reminded nie that the noise I had heard might have been fragments of this vi Iconic. One lniuht describe it as the New Zealander's battle cry. When fir-t liny used it her,, the people turned in til.'' streets, the coffee drinkers hesitated v.ith their glasses of iced water to their lips, and pat very still and quiet. The smiling soldier then took me round the ramp, which, like the camps of the other Dominion troops, is pitched in the desert, bat yet a different desert from the others. It is remarkable how different tiny can be. The sand is firmer and much coarser here at 7j itun than either at Mciia or Maadi, though it is not ha'd (ar.ugh to have prevented the horse, from digging groat holer,. The water prcblom. too—how to drain away th■■• shower water and wnshi"" water f>-"'i the cook ilnes—is one tliat is acute. Large pits were tried unsuccessfully. lor loncath the three feet of sand is a layer of clay, through which the water will not pass. Resort has been made to buiid- ; - e. cement wells and pumping the water i-iii and tiikiujr it away in tanks. We '.■•(■»< t'lv.;,■;], *',, . e;;|]i) pitched Oil th" battlefields of Egypt's early tribulations, lut into the desert, which stretched b■••tween the lone; line of white neaked teiH-s j that stopped beneath the walls of the suburban homes of Zitun, and another similar line of British tents, where'the t.oeps were busy making preparations for some big manoeuvres down towards (he canal, and came on trenches—trenches newly made, and traces of trenches that the wind was rapidly obliterating by filling with sand. '•They are giving us plenty to do, as you can see," remarked my guide. I oci-t mv eye along the line that had once, been the front of a few thousand men. aid could just see in the distance, like a wave, the place wh-re the desert had !•' en thrown up. Looking at the soldier bVforc me, I could not see any reasons for believing that th" bard work was citing him any haum. He laughed at such ian idea. H- was typical of the other men who form that small Dominion's i splendid human sacrifice. This khaki I is such a great leveller that one could not I point the finger and say ''That is a New *■ Zealander." He might have been a .jockey | I or a singer at a music hall besides, but ! there was nothing to show it. Except I for their high peaked hat. the New Zea- | kinder is of the same sturdv physique' 1 as his brother in arms from his nearest iport of call. They may like with the pride of n voung nation A n believe that they bold themselves straighter, or that thev pull their belts in tighter, but they ere'khaki men with great knapsacks on their backs: they are doing the •saindulling as the khaki troops in England, in France .Mid away back in their homeland, where reinforcements ar:' being plcparcd. As in other regiments of other er-v.v.-

tries there is a goodly sprinkling of men who I;".-::' ->vc:i their' baptism of fire hi other v.\r.-s, a;. the lihhr.nr, across tle'ir Lvi'sts show. 1 was : un>rised at tin: lumbers who wore the South. Afric.Vl dark yellow anil blue colors. Tliey are the men who are bringing the age of tilt lwtt:'lii.'.'.?. and :-r-|i;!ifl;".ins no to thaverage, for Ihe majority of the troo'.is are young, eager men, on whos:> cheeks (lie •invigorating climate lias brought a touch of red under the tan. There ,ii\> numbers of mm whmse skins are <lark"r. win Var tin- Maori strain; there are i'ull-bloodrd Maoriis in the r.-.nlcs.

THK CTYI.OX PLASTERS' r.K(':i.Mi':xx. On the outskirts of the camp wo came on the, Ceylon planters' regiment, men who wore black straps on their shoulders and khaki helmets. They are mostly Ki'gli: hmen, who, isolated from the seat of Kmpire at the commencement of the war, banded togctther, leaving their ' plantations with little more than a moment's thought, and, choosing their leaders from men whos? war record is long, at once threw themselves into training. So enthusiastic, so keen have belli these men, that now over 10!» of fJriu have obtained comiiiisisons in the ICnglish Army, and are leaving for the front to mingle their enthusiasm With that of the new Kiu-he'.-'.-r army. I rami' across some of them at the 1) v canteen which the JJaorilamlurs haw c-ialdishid for themselves. It is an esculent institution this canteen, wh-re 1 the men can get tinned fish, and can-

I ned fruits and biscuits and butter and ' delicacies which their own country produces. "First time { have, come across thif ciieese.'' began a planter, as he .stuil'ed a "large pot into the pocket of his Jiritish warm—a line jacket, similar to that which tile Tndiar. -roous have been givcn-'diop? they can bring it right along to file fronl; We get as much as we can el it."

'•Have a drop. Dick.'' Another planter vas offering him a portion of the contents of a stone giie.'er beer bottle. i thought 1 detected a gleam of mi-s-hi.-f ill the eye of the soldier who hail made the oli'er, and I discovered it was (lie head of a plantation to whom the oiler had been made hv his friend, whom he acknowledged a few months ago as 'Toss." They walked oil' together into Hi" glaring sun. and pointed a linger at the green shooting 'wheat that grew r<-i:ml the head quarter tents and' the guanian.s that were sprouting in the i 1 'sort. One has jto.t to throw water on tl'i-. ground, ami it will grow anvthing. and the troops haw been quick to take advantage of it. from an.adjacent (piar-i-v 111-: have carried limestone rocks vi i.-l: , neiivle theii- tents and mark out il.e streets and lanes.

Till-: UF.VTFAV. Sir John Maxwell, Cenernl liirdwe-v;. ;'i.i| Sir <;..orgo Iti-i.! motored out to the 'amp -a Sumlav morning, just a .lav before the High Commissioners of the l)o----l.elliole, were to leave, to see (he Xew /'iealauil troop; nass in review. The grev rd-'ts still hueg about the camp.'and e;ew the l.m-izon c'eselv round !he :■<. Arliiiorv. mounted 'infantrv. and had b, en gathered into „ge heee |;..;.1..W ~,:;■,;•;. („ „e.-:.|it „f Mr "ia-l;e..:-i... their llji'li ed- '■■■ fore him he had his owe. son. who is ■erving in the ranks, as keen a soldier as loiild h- wi-hed. None of the t-ooos eai-rieil arms nor , euii'ment. am! when !

~nv :!! -mi m::!;v'i pa •;. 1 r, "i-I tn) 11, is ',:';.)■. 5,.!,i:-i--!i::.- ■.<■■ .h-v i,„.: : <.,i, ii;„. as va.- Ills- swim-' of their limlv, it si-ei;.- "! :i Tr'V : . w m,' ir,,-n v:;(!mt :ii:i'i cif fi-.->os. !.!!! v.li.'ii fin,. ;:,rn--"ih-.. rh;ht. %hti:::.' - : ;-n!-." In tl-r rcvi..\v were the' eoeiI--"'. ,■■ 1-! I X.v.- Z,;ll;Ul,lrrs whr. !,;;,! ,n!:.;.,l it! Knelati-1. aiel who arrive! a "- :■•,-.-, ei„, hail nntr.-li.',! in t!i.- I/.-! .'■'an-:--'-; show wili, Hi., Cana.iians. The*- : ; 1, lie--, tfi-. lv.l It-mi arross tli.ir arm. "ill. I!:,, whit., letter';;;; „„ ;t ~f ti,,.;.. The mnriiMiir tvas so r-alm I'ia* V'-. Miirhi-nzi- was easily ah]., to roaeh (lit outermost ranks with his voice. Tu the <-onrs.. of his speech hj- siii.l:f "May I aih!r,'s s you in a native woi-,1. 'Tcnakoara,' which means, as no doubt

you Are aware, a loving salutation to all of you. I had expected to say welcome home to you in the Old Country. I use '•ord homo, in its widest sense, for do we rtot hail from the Old Country, and are w e not still sons of Britain's ;k\nd breed? We. had prepared for vour reception, and devoted New Zealanders had endeavored to make it lit and appropriate. Circum; tune-'ti, how•ver, arose, which induced Lord Kitchener to select Egypt for your training ground. "Egypt, that mystic land, has been | the brightest jewel in tlie ci'o'.vii iff iniiiiy a conqueror. The plate where 1 i m addressing you now is full of historic associations. It was here th.-.t Moses, the law-giver, and .los.pli, the great ruler, dwelt for a considerable time. Battles, too, have been fought at Itcliopolis. which have, largely iu-Ih-eneed the fate of nations, if not of Empires. You arc in training to do your part in one of the greatest and most awful wars the world has ever known. Your presence here has als; another purpose. Lord Kitchener, the man who leaves nothing to chance—and it is said he who so acts gams tiie ictory—knows the value to our Em'vc of the Sue;; Canal. The keeping open of that canal, which shortens the; journey to India by 5000 miles, gives

;s a powerful influence, in two hemispheres. The Suez Canal is called by some the weakest link in our Imperial chain, and your presence here will have a -considerable effect in protecting or preserving that important highway.

'•You are in training, as ] have said. to take, your part in the great war. Whit was the Germans' view of the position when they forced the world into this awful conflict? For forty years they had organised with a view io i-onciuering France, and, if possible, extending their influence far bovond ~hat country, and if mere machinery could effect their purpose, without the l dements cf human equation or wise diplomacy, the Teuton would win. It never entered into the German calculations that they would fail in their object. This confidence in their invincible armies was unbounded. We ' now, however, that many a nation '■as gone down by reason of over-con-fidence, hut never from over-caution. | The German felt that his way to Paris | ,vas clear, that Belgium would never I dare to interfere. .Great Britain, too, he felt sure, would stand aside, and, even if she did venture into the conilict, he held her in infinite contempt nnd described her a- a decadent nation. | Tie fgiiorantly asserted that if, how-' ever, Britain did come in, she was on oiie verge of civil war in Ireland, which would assuredly break her. Tie little realised the character of our Irish fellow subjects; they can perceive the difference between a domestic, misunderstanding and a national calamity. Egypt, too, thought the German would throw England out; the Boers would re-take South Africa, and there would be a mutiny in India: as if the Indian? could not appreciate (he hendi'ts which British rule, with all its asserted shortcomings, had conferred on them since Great Britain took over the control of Indian afTairs. But the t;reat-?st blunder in all" the German, miscalculations was the belief that the dominions • and overseas possessions would fall I from the Imp-rial tree lilre over-rips fruit.

"Hare any of those imagination - ; been realised" Belgium's lier?ii devotion ana defence are ijjfoinpr.vab'.e in the world's history, Groat Britain determinedly cast herself between the Prussian tyrant and his intended victim. The Kaiser William has unintentionally consolidated our far-roach-ing Empire and has antagonised the civilised world against his country. I>y his action he had tapped the main-

spring and set in motion our whole Imperial clockwork! .'What a revolution it is! Sever in tile history of peoples has there been such a movement! Men of every clan, color and creed have travelled by land and . sea

- take, their stand in the fight for freedom and against the threatened enslavement of the world, for it was nothing less than this that was involved. It was hnit ( i forre versus civilisation, end this was all- to be carried out by one who has had the effrontery blasphemously to associate the name of the Almighty .with the atrocities which he and his Prussian countrymen are carry-

ing out. I* found on arrival here that an impression prevailed amongst many of you that yon might not have an opportunity of serving at tlie front. Von need have no uneasiness in that resroct; as soon as you arc fit your ser-

vices will be required. Your able commanders, assisted by your efficient officers, are doing all in their power to make you fit for the work before von. and with tins tlie vast majority of yon are ahl" to comply.

"But on this point T r""ard it to be my duty to say a word. New Zealand's honor is in your hands. Yon volunteered to go to the war. and were selected whip, others were not for that responsible and dangerous service. Yon undertook a solemn obligation, namely, to serve your King and country faithfully. Supplications daily ascend to the Almighty from your homes 'for your safety and welfare. You are about to take your place with others in '■'■■> greatest, war the world has ever ■">vn. It will be sufficient to tax (he energy of the strongest, and to dar.tt. the courage of the bravest. But ■•;■ ymi >:-.,' Zealamlors I have no f-ar '-'!'.- von are efficient; and efficient vrr miwt be in fulfil the obligation of '■our (vast. Here in this cite vou are b-set bv temptations of the most serious and ruinous character. For those of you who may waver T would sav. take your courage in both hands and conrpier. 1 am told that allowances must be made for human nature. That •ay l>:» under certain circumstances, •'■• "of uml 'r the existlnrr condition*. "'■'' have voluntarily dedicated yourselves to i' certain dutv, and you must restrain yourselves until you have fulfilled that. duty, and comply with Lord Kiteh.ncr's wishes regarding resisting temptation. Think what is at stake'.' '■'•it. only ar, ; the future of the British Empire and (lie continuance of th:' vorhl's civilisation and the rights of

small countries to live under their own liags in the balance, but the honor of your women and the sanctity of voik

I'oi'i.'s is at stake. T appeal, therefore. In 'yon. ,".s soldier,;, as men. as New Zealamlors, to do Ton.- duly. "You aIV joined her,, liy a lino band of V.H'll, X".V Zl'illillldcl-S wllo happened t» lie in Ln'jlaml when (he war broke out. Tii-y a;, once o!1Yrod their Series, wl"!"!. Were ace ~!,.,!. and for .■onio lime they hav,. been in famiii-; at Salisbury. To Ca.atains l.ainnui. "YTriedii and Simpson. Lieutenant, r'itzriei'hcri, e.nd oilier ollie.•]••;. is due no small mead of -,,r;iis,. for the result. At tli,. lord Mayor's Show in London, in whi-h a detachment of \e\v /calenders took pari, lli ( . l.o:,d( .wspapeys declared that thev were Ihe finar!est men in tin' procession, and on that jrreat in'rasion they divided the honors of popular iipjdaiiß'.'.with such regiments as tli.. London Scottish, who liad jus'.

returned from their hero!" work it .Flanders, and (10. Xii'-;il Hri-ade. jus buck from Antwerp. Tlinr. conduct' lei

been sue!) (hat wherever the name of Now Zealand or a Xew Zealand man is mentioned, it is received with respect

and esteem. Kven in Cairo since 1 arrived, I beard .1 lady say at an afternoon t.'a party that the Xew Zealand

troops irer» gentlemen. I ' mention' this with no sense 'of reflection upon others, but to show you that I know that your conduct here has he-n such as to make our people proud indeed of tli« men Xcw Zealand has sent. "This war is not of our seeking. We want no territory, we ask for no concessions.. The world was happy, contented, and great prosperity in every land, one class only -exceptc ' namely, the restless and ruthless military class, and by reason of these, men the whole world has been thrown into sud'eiing, outrage and ruin. Every effort was put forward by the statesmen of Europe to preserve peace-, and well may Sir Edward Grey, say with Lord Dalhousie: 'I wanted peace, I have struggled for peace, but if you i<>'e '"'"t on war then war you shall have with a vengeance.' And t will add that with the powerful help of onr Allies we will not sheath the sword until the fearful wrongs inflicted have been as far as possible redressed and until the tyrant disturber of the world's peace shall have been effectively and adequatly dealt with."

The High Commissioner t'l'n calico, for cheers for the King, which were given in a rousing manner, and the party moved off to the saluting base that had been fixed in the. middle of

• evmp by the side of the. road, which '--■1 between two long lines of peaked '■,ents. •YTSTRALTAXS AXT) XEW ZEALANDI'RS JOIN. Tn the course of the u«xt few •.reP»> the camp at Zeltun will be considerable '•"■-'■"ased in si?,e, for it has been decided just n few hours ae;o that the Second Australian Contintf-.t of VieM 'Torse, forming the Third Light Horse Brigade, will occupy the tents ami lines at present held bv Colonel Chi'nvelV !"rst Light Horse Brigade. As Majorrsnners.l Godley is to command all the Lirrht, Tforso units, as well as the Xew Zealand infantry, it was considered to

'>"tt<r that the whole of Ins fo'n•*iand should be., concentrated at Zeitnrv V move of tlin .men now at Maadi will consequently b< ; made with all tVioir baagage and waggons and 'field ambulances.

Maadi is ronth of Cairo, lyinn alon<; :» banks of the Nile, while Zeitun is

—•>.ctlv on the northern aide of tlr city, not far. from trte i-asto city of '••'"orolis. so that the Australian brigade will have to march rieht through the citv to their n« quarters. Such « transfer will help to cement tip friendship of New Zealand and j»nstrabV> mounted armies as it. will give ;m added .piquancy to the healthy rivalry that exists between and resimsnt.