THE CONQUERING HERO.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1919, Page 7

THE CONQUERING HERO.

HAIG ARRIVES lIOM® GREAT GREETING TO GREAT ENGLISHMAN., THROUGH UOATijtNG CROWDS TO ECiAL WELCOME. ondon, Bee. 4. ftekt-MuahaJ Sir Douglas H«ig had * brilliant naval and military recep tion on arriving at Dover en route to -jiihlqu. jj e wa3 a k, o jrr e{! ted by tens <?f thousands of pepole on the sea front. Jhe distinguished Ficld-Ma-rshal crossed aboard tho Belgian hospital ship Jan Breydel, which was escorted by ihree destroyers. Well cut at Bea tho Jan Lreydol was mot by six coastal motor boats, and many seaplanes and aeroplanes.

In choosing the ancient port of Dover «•? his first binding since the armistice was signed he tout followed the example of those other illustrious soldiers Kitchener (who firU touched English ■•wil hero after Xhartouin), and Eoberts (setonung from the South African war). As tlie Jan Breydel drew alongside the Admiralty pier Sir Douglas Haig ■was seen on the bridge, standing next rto Vice-Admiral Sir Koger. Keyes (who j-directed the Zeebruggs raid), and sur-j-rounded by his generals. Distinguished | naval officers received Sir Douglas at : landing stage. Guards of honor of iho seanirn from the monitors and from ; Royal Marine Light Infantry, with bands, were mounted. On stepping ashore tho Coreaiander-in-Chief inspected both guard", amidst terrific cheers, and then entered a motor car with tho Mayor of Dover. His victorious generals followed in others. The route was lined with soldiers. There was a gaily beflagged triumjihal arch at the dockyard entrance, surmounted by anti-aircraft guns, with banners of ! welcome from tho Dover patrol and the i Sixth Patrol, Dover. The patrol assembled and gave a mighty cheer. The | drive to the marine station on the ! pier was a pageant of victory. Un- ! bounded enthusiasm wias displayed. At a reception in the station the Recorder of Dover read an address of welcome.

OUR WONDERFUL MEN. Replying to the address on behalf of himself and his generals, the Com mander-iu-Chief said thai tfesy recognised ihiit Cift greetings were more than merely personal, and that they sprang from a profound realisation of the historic greatness of the occ.-v and of all it symbolized for the fnture of our lace. He and bis generals knew that the welcome expressed the feelings of gratitude and admiration which Great Britain entertained for the wonderful meu whose unequalled courage and endurance brought us, by victory, to peace. Ha glowingly referred to Dover's historic role, which had been splendidly maintained daring the war. The LordLieutenant (Lord Harris) presents a address of weboine, t.o which Kr Dougl. s IfaJg roplieJ. after which tho Field-MaJsh-'ii <c party icj;. fi,r i.oinluL. '.Che weathei '-Ha bcautkiil.

The Co- imanatr-ni-Chu' ' ...ud iJie geuoraJs, "a their arrival at Cross, wore welcomed. i>y the Duke of (,'onnaught and Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Balfour (Foreign Secretary), General Botim (South African Premier), Sir Robert Borden (Prime Minister of Canada), Sir P. Sinha and the Maharajah of Bikania (Indian Peaca Delegates), other Dominion statesmen now in London, members of the War Cabinet, Mr. Asquith, and other distinguished people. The Grenadiers furnished a guard of honor, and the band played "See the Conquering Hero Comes." Five royal carriages were waiting, in which the party drove to Buckingham Palace along deporatcd streets, and cheering crowds, who had assembled hours beforehand.

As Sir Douglas Haig's carriage emerged from the station the Church of St. Martin's bells pealed merrily, and the gigantic crowd raised a great cheer, which was taken up by the den.c. mnsses all along Dmicarmon street. The Com-mander-in-Chief looked well. His hand was continually at the salute, acknowledging the welcome. A squadron < aeroplanes circled over l.iie station. Ono of the might; shouts ever heard in Lotion greeted his appear?nee in Trafalgar Square, which was black with people. So ic was, too, along Cockspur street, Pall Mall, St. James street, and Piccadilly. Down Constitution Hill to the l-j.'ace was one continuous rear of cheering. Sir Douglas icfaig and the generals were all welcomed by the thousands of soldiers among the crowd, especially General Birdwood, who came in for special cheers from many Australians. AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. Thare 'sras fr. stirring and historic scene outside the Palace, where a crowd of 80,000 had assembled, with children from all parts of London in the front position.;. The seven aeroplanes which had accompanied Sir Douglas from the coast flew over the Palace, glittering like silver in the sun cask time they wheeled round. A little lafe.r 11 other •planes circled round the Palace in bttttle formation.

Thou came Sir Douglas Haig and his party. The enthusiasm of tbs crowd was tremendous. Deafening roars rent the air as the carriages passed and crossed the fore-front of the grand entrance.

Passuj into the Palace the party was received by the King and Queen and other royalties. The Royal lunshcon room was decorated with red, yellow, and copper-colored chrysanthemums. Altogether 48 sat down, including, besides their Majesties, Prince Albert, Princess Mary, Mr, Lloyd George, Lord Milnor, Lady Haig, and Generals Sir Wilfcsan Brctxittaon and Sir Henry; Wilson. jOCJ'i'S COMPLIMENT. •_iie war historian, olm Buchan, has an interesting article in tlic Daily Sketch on Sir Douglas Haig. But Daig was not n mere competent lieutenant, trusty in fulfilling orders. Re va.j a great tactician. Koch and Haig from 1815 saw eye to eye. it was Haig who pressed most carn-

.isMy for Focb's oppoir.traont, und it Tta» Ilaig whose support largely made possible the great gamble of duly, 1018, which won the second battle of the Mavne and the war. Like Sir John iloore, Sir JJouglas had a great genius for training raw material.

Mr. Buchan reminds ii.e pufaric that Haig-'s fast task in I'ranee was defence. Then there wao the long waiting, i.he war of attrition, unspectacular, tat deadly in effect Another type of man might hnvc grown weary, but great as was his jvilitary talsnt greater still vai ,his character. 1 ; it . —* £>« Eioutqio With

aimed brutality we should have been led by one so far from brutality. He always was confident of the ultimate triumph of right, and always cheerful aven in tlie blackest hour, for ho, drew oom•fort from deep springs. He cared nothing for advertisement, and had no thought of liis own career. His uncanny patience was something that belonged to another world. Bor a parallel to such a temperament wa have to look to Sir J< Moore, or tho greai Scottish soldier Montrose. Baig faced Tigly facts •eith extreme honesty, preserved in adversity that high-heartedaess which fires weaker souls. Britain boo not produced a greater soldier since Wellington, and never produced a greater gentleman.