The Daily News. THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1916. A GREAT LOSS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1916. A GREAT LOSS.

The news of the loss of Lord Kitchener was yesterday received throughout the Empire with dismay. Since the days of the Iron Duke no military commander has held such a unique position in the estimation of the general public as that which was occupied by Lord Kitchener, and the terrible suddenness of his end gave an added shock to the announcement. Throughout the terrible war that is now raging the hopes and confidence of the peoples of the Empire have been largely centred in Lord Kitchener, and it was now, above all other times, that the need for his guiding hand, mature judgment, exceptional military experience, and cool determine-, tion was felt to be paramount. He was one of the greatest of all soldiers of the period who inspired the Empire with confidence, and his very name guve a sense of security and power. Although occupying the political position of Secretary of State for War, the late Lord Kitchener severely eschewed politics. He was a soldier first and last and above everything. The Kitchener family motto is "Thorough," and how he maintained and upheld that motto during the whole of his life is too well known to need repetition. He won his way by his own merits until he attained not only the highest military position in his country, but was regarded, if not exactly as the saviour of the Empire, yet as one whom the people of Greater Britain implicitly trusted to see them through the greatest time of peril that has ever arisen. Behind all his genius and skill as a great military commander was the great impelling force of determination, the outcome of intense will power which brooked no opposition. That was one reason why his presence at the Horse Guards in past days was dreaded, as he had no t!me for "featherbed" soldiers. He even refrained from matrimony, because he was so entirely wrapped up in his profession. It is un- ' necessary to refer to the incidents in his long and successful career, which in large measure is the history of the Empire for close upon half a century. This sphinx-like soldier lived in deeds, not words, his whole life being devoted to duty, and in carrying out that duty he entered upon the fatal voyage, only to find a grave in the bosom of the ocean over which his country's rule is

supreme. He died as lie lived, in duty's cause, and it may truly be said of him as of Nelson, "Britannia mourns a hero now at rest,''