LORD KITCHENER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9695, 20 January 1910, Page 5

LORD KITCHENER.

To the Editor. Sir,—With reference to ex-Con-tingenter's remar&s against K., I wat> struck with one of his remarks, re K. sacrificing everything for his own end?. As you were kind enough to state that he is entitled to his own opinion, you will sureiy make no exception to that rule, because I think with thousands more i lioid adverse opinions to my ex-Continge.iter. K was and is hard, but bis han ness is kindness, a man who stands hard and fast to the rules of his calling. He is a soldier every inch true to his calling, a British officer. Knows that discipline is the secret of success, i not only the secret of his success, but the creat Empire which he serves, hence it is not his own ends he looks for, but for upholding of the standard of our Empire, mind you our Empire. not K's. He has only done his best for us. One cannot play cricket and football, and at the same time be on active service. A soldier and only a soldier is what our Empire needs in time of peril. Hard, cold and cruel, such terms are only justifying K's attitude as a true man. Who could show a smiling face, when in the thick of war, with thousands of lives under one's keeping, and the eyes of millions of our countrymen gaziog on looking to see or read of the next move, every move to be a move for victory, or what a reproachful cry would go up against him? No, he is not harsh, hard or cruel, but those symptoms are oniy showing the strain of love he has for the Empire and the people he serves, £and is willing to risk his life for. Yes, risk his life, and I am willing to risk mine under his leadership for the benefit of my countrymen at any time. He has given his lite for the benefit of our land, his whole time is given up to nothing else, but strengthening our defence in time cf peace and guarding us in time of war. What more could he do, to call forth honour and praise from his fellow men? He as led our soldiers to victory, many have lost thier lives, but K feels that with a soldier's heart, for behind his stern looics is a tearful eye. He may be stone outside, but he has warm British blood in* side. Yes, K wept at Khartoum, o'er what was termed as Gordon's grave, but not until he bad gained the victory. It was not only the memory of Gordon that brought forth K's tears, but those he had left slain on that battlefield. As K looks back on the fields of the last war, he knows bow many hearts are aching, for those who never returned, and his own aches, for he is a true soldier, a human being, and with all emphasis a man.—l am, not "etc.," but just a CHIP OFF THET pLIJ BLOCK,