LORD KITCHENER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2582, 17 August 1909, Page 3

LORD KITCHENER.

A CHARACTER SKETCH. In view of the fact that Lord Kitchener has decided on the invitation of the Government to visit- New Zealand, the following will be of interest: — Lord Kitchener says he looks forward to seeing, the Australians who served under him in South Africa. Probably (says the “Sydney Morning Herald” in an interesting sketch of the great soldier) that is more than mere politeness. Lord Kitchener is believed to have a real regard for his Australian men, as the following account, culled from some of these who served under, him seemed to show. Other Australians only know Lord Kitchener from photographs and from reports. They will-find that photographs have taken incst of the linos out of his face, and the reports most of the lines from his character. Both photos and reports are made to please. Lord Kitchener does not care whether he pleases or not, either in what he does or what ho says. He does and says what is his business —and does and says it without swerving one way or the other, to please or offend, or, indeed, for any other . object than chat of doing or saying rc thoroughly. Those who know him say that it is quite probable that Australians —either particular or in general—may not like all that Lord Kitchener will say when lie is here. As for his appearance, the photos of Lord Kitchener might be those of a bcttet-looking elder brother without half his character. They are like him. But his eyes are China blue, and his color more florid, aud his cheeks fuller. He is verv tall. If ever there were a face that showed overpowering pertinacity and irresistible strength, it is Lord Kitchener’s.

There are two things for which Lord Kitchener has immeasurable contempt —sleekness and shams. He had occasion to return to Capetown early in the avar. He found the hotels full of young officers, officially convalescent, unofficially having the time of their lives. Within twenty-four hours the hotels were empty. A tall man strolled into a club-room filled with a crowd smoking, drinking, card-playing. “Gentlemen,” he said coldly, “this morning a train starts for the front and a boat for England. You must take one or the other, but you can't stop here.” The slack man on the veldt cordially hated Lord Kitchener. “They felt the difference keenly, when Kitchener took over,” said an officer recently. “There was one thing they knew for certain —that if they were . ordered to roach somewhere by a certain time and did not reach there at that time there would have to be a. very long explanation shewing realy solid reasons why they did not reach it. An ordinary, comfortable, handy excuse would not even be looked at. It was a good j'ob, too.” It is no use pretending Lord Kitchener was universally popular. His force of character was so great, and his work so detailed, thorough, free from all sham, that (many were enthusiastic about him. But he worked his officers remorselessly. For all that was noneffective, for the unable, even, it is said,' for the disabled, he had little time. As for war correspondents, it was generally believed that if he had had liis way they would have gone the way of spies. It is said that where Kitchener had gone the face of the country showed the thoroughness of his warfare. In short, he carried it through as business, courageously, relentlessly, and mopped up a stubborn guerilla war in record- time.