A Military Scandal.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 186, 5 April 1902, Page 3

A Military Scandal.

Sydney, April 2. A sensational development Is reported in connection with the departure of the third battalion of the Commonwealth Contingent. The men yesterday boarded the troopship Manhattan, which anchored down the harbour. Prior to her departure to day rumours were afloat that numbers ot men had deserted, and that many others had managed to get ashore during the night. Major-General Hutton and a Ministerial party visited the Manhattan this afternoon to bid farewell. Tho men were drawn up on deck, and in not a few cases displayed such unsteadiness that General Hutton severely reprimanded them, whilst others were being helped on board in a state of intoxication. Addressing the contingent, General Hutton said he was not satisfied with what he had heard. He then read a very severe lesson on the necessity of discipline. Something had happened that he heartily regretted and Australia would be ashamed of. He understood that some of the men, after receiving their pay, had deserted. They were liable to court-martial, and he hoped they would be canght and made an example of. In all hie experiences of

Australian aohliera in S nth Africa h» never had a single caf>c f i c lurt-martial, nor any scrionslapse of discipline in the j force of 6000 men. lie trusted lh*t officers and men would realise ihei; c-ave responsibility and maintain the high name for gallantry, good order and discipline in the fv-ld which wen- the proud attributes of Australian troop". ' Referring to the shooting of Au-d alian officers. General Hutton said: “We in Australia had heard the defence only, but, he knew and regretted to say, although not officially, that there was a truer version of the tale, arid it would he a sad one when published.” He concluded : “ I wish you good luck, but for goodness’ sake remember you take with you the honour and renown already won by Australians, and for God’s sake don’t

tarnish it.” Immediately after the General’s speech a sensation was caused by the announcement that Colonel Wallack, officer in command of the third battalion, had been relieved of his command, and that ' Major Clarke, second in command, had been ordered to take command till the transport reached Adelaide, where a new commanding oflicer will take charge. The Manhattan sailed this afternoon. April 5. Ain toi' Wallace, of Victoria, has been appointed to succeed Colonel Wallack, in comm md of ihe third battalion of the Federal Contingent. About twentyfive men were missing when the Manhattan sailed.